Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, reported this morning that the announced back injury to Jared Gaither could sideline him for the next 6 weeks.
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Jared-Gaithers-back-injury-could-linger-for-six-weeks.html
As Wilson reports (and seemingly all other sources have agreed with) the expectation is that Oniel Cousins will spend the rest of the preseason as the de facto starting Right Tackle.
Is this the right move?
Would the Ravens be better with Yanda moved to RT, and Chris Chester inserted in at RG?
I’m sure if Cousins spends the rest of the preseason solely at RT, there will be some improvement. His footwork should improve, he should become more comfortable at the position.
Even with expected improvement, I would have to believe he would be a liability when the season began.
I am not sure I think anything would be different with Yanda. I just see both Cousins, and Yanda struggling on the outside against pure speed rushers.
Since I am not confident in Yanda being any better than Cousins, I guess I have to concur with Cousins representing the best solution available. At-least with Cousins at RT, you are not forcing the change of several other-moves.
The diagnosis of an actual tear in Gaither’s back, causing his rampant back-spasms actually has some ‘silver lining’ to me. At-least nobody can further insinuate that Gaither has not dodging camp, with a ‘made-up’ injury. The issue has been identified, and targeted rehab can begin. Would be great to have Gaither back for the Season opener, but I am thinking Week 3 might be the more realistic goal.
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