WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) -Imposing Baltimore Ravens left tackle Jared Gaither regularly walls off pass rushers with his superior reach.
The 6-foot-9, 340-pounder is big and strong enough to grapple with heftier defensive linemen. And the former blue-chip basketball recruit is agile enough to match the footwork and speed of those who attempt to elude his grasp by rushing from a wide angle.
“I’m blessed to be athletic,” said Gaither, who returned to practice Saturday after missing a day with a minor injury. “I mean, it really hasn’t changed. I’ve been mobile all my life.”
After beginning to play football as a senior in high school, the 23-year-old has progressed to the point where he’s expected to emerge as one of the top NFL offensive tackles.
“He’s an outstanding left tackle, and he’s young and still has a lot to learn,” Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. “We expect a great year out of Jared, and we expect him to be dominant.”
cing Jonathan Ogden, the Ravens are banking on Gaither’s continued ascension. The former University of Maryland player has answered skeptics’ questions about his work ethic and toughness by applying himself more diligently in the weight room.
“Obviously, we are hoping that he becomes an elite left tackle in this league for many years to come,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “But that’s up to him and offensive line coach John Matsko and assistant offensive line coach (Gary) Moeller, and really all of us. We’re working together to try to make that happen.”
Gaither proved to be an adept, gritty blocker last season in starting all but one game, as the offensive line helped the offense pile up 2,376 yards rushing while allowing just 33 sacks.
Last year, Gaither garnered a lot of respect by literally playing with one arm for a stretch because of a painful separated shoulder. Still, Gaither managed to hold his own.
“Coach Harbaugh told me to go out there and see what you can do, and I went out there and did pretty good,” Gaither said. “From then on, it was, ‘There ain’t no backing down now.”
Six-time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk has only been around Gaither for a few months after signing with Baltimore this offseason. During that span, Gaither has made a strong impression on one of the best offensive linemen to play the game the past decade.
ants to be,” Birk said. “He has great tools. The thing that will make Jared great is his work ethic. In the grand scheme of things, he hasn’t played a whole lot of football.
“In a lot of ways, he’s still raw,” Birk said. “He needs to keep working at it like the rest of us. You’ve never arrived. Your game is never a finished product.”
NOTES: OT Michael Oher sprained his calf, but it’s not considered serious. … OT Oniel Cousins didn’t practice due to a sprained ankle. … LB Tavares Gooden (sports hernia) returned to practice. … Not practicing: OG Ben Grubbs (ankle sprain), CB Samari Rolle (neck), LBs Terrell Suggs (strained Achilles’ tendon) and Brendon Ayanbadejo (strained toe), WRs Mark Clayton (left hamstring), Biren Ealy (groin) and Thomas White (hamstring) and DT Lamar Divens (hip flexor). … Several veterans were given the day off as part of the 30-and-over club: WR Derrick Mason, C Matt Birk, S Ed Reed, LB Ray Lewis and DT Kelly Gregg. Birk still attended practice. … Rookie K Graham Gano hit a 36-yarder, which earned the team the afternoon off.
Add A Comment