What to do with Gaither?

On the NFL Network this past Monday, NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora stated Ravens LT Jared Gaither is drawing interest from teams, and that a 2nd-round pick could get the conversation started.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2010/03/29/la-canfora-barber-gaither-could-be-available/

This is an interesting discussion point for the Ravens, and I think there are merits to either side of the argument.

One-side points to the fact the Ravens won a Super Bowl with Harry Swayne at RT, and believes the Ravens could adjust in 2010 without Gaither. The proponents of this strategy believe Michael Oher would be even better at LT, and that Baltimore could live with Marshall Yanda at RT. They believe the Ravens would not be positioned to retain Gaither for the money he will command as a Free Agent, and still sign players like Ngata, and Rice long-term.

The opposing view-point is that the game has changed since the Ravens Super Bowl season. That as more teams have moved towards running a 3-4 defense, that has created more speed-rushers off the edge. They point towards teams such as the Colts with Freeney and Mathis at the opposing Defensive Ends, along with Pittsburgh and their Outside Linebackers Harrison and Woodley.

They believe that as Flacco enters year 3 of his career, and now has Boldin and Stallworth to team with Mason and Heap; that the Ravens will throw the ball more in 2010. That if you expect to see a passing offense evolve for the Purple & Black, that you should want Gaither to return. Basically meaning that if Flacco is going to drop-back more, you have to have Tackles that can give Flacco the time necessary to make plays down the field.

Myself, I have gone back and forth some with my opinion. When the Ravens drafted Oher, I was a bit disappointed. Not that I did not think Oher would be good, but that I thought investing 1st-round money into a RT was a waste. I had thought that the Ravens could have traded back into the 2nd-round, taken Eben Britton (starting RT for Jacksonville) and added an additional pick which could have allowed them to select a WR such as Mohamed Massaquoi who was drafted by Cleveland.

As the season progressed, it quickly became apparent I was wrong. Oher is a special talent, with the mentality to dominate the action. He was just too much of a difference maker to have passed-up. Also, when Oher and Gaither were healthy and on the field together – it was remarkable to see how much of a difference that made.

Do I think the Ravens could possibly make do with Yanda at RT? Yes, I do. Do I think the Ravens could possibly benefit with moving Gaither, and getting an additional pick to address further needs? Yes, I do.

Do I ultimately think the Ravens should move Gaither for a 2nd-round pick? No, I do not.

I am not convinced that the Ravens would not have the means to resign Ngata, Rice and others – if Gaither was also extended long-term. Gaither, and Oher were both born in 1986. Gaither just turned 24, and Oher will hit that mile-stone next Month. I think teaming these two together long-term (even if they switch positions) should be one of the true priorities of the organization. With every passing season, this team is going to belong more and more to Joe Flacco. Keeping Flacco up-right and healthy, and with the maximum amount of time to throw, will be of greater importance every year.

The Ravens were right last-year in drafting Oher, and gaining the benefit of having two athletic, physically dominating tackles. They should not give away that advantage.

I will say, just like I was wrong last-year in stating the Ravens should have traded down; it is possible I will look back a year from now and believe my take here is also incorrect.

I suspect if that were to happen, that change of heart would be due to the following:

A) It becomes clear that the Ravens would not have the ability to resign the rest of their younger core, if they extended Gaither long-term.

B) It becomes clear that there are real character issues currently not known. Coach Harbaugh being unhappy that Gaither was not there for Day 1 of the VOLUNTARY off-season workout program does not count. (If Coaches / Teams are going to hold it against players that they do not show for VOLUNTARY work-outs, perhaps they want to change the language in next contract with the NFL’s Player Association).

C) It becomes clear that some team is willing to offer you more than just a 2nd-round pick. If some-team is willing to offer a 1st (from the middle of the round on), or add maybe a 4th round pick to a 2nd – than you have to recalibrate the decision.

I can admit that even with the caveats of option ‘C’ above, I would tend to still want to see Gaither return. Perhaps that is the bias I have about having followed Gaither since before he signed with the University of Maryland, and believing he has yet to fully reach his ceiling as a professional.