Maryland Tackle Jared Gaither Expected to Enter NFL Supplemental Draft

[Solar7]

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/category/nfl/

Maryland Tackle Jared Gaither Expected to Enter NFL Supplemental Draft
Posted Jun 28th 2007 11:01AM by Michael David Smith
Filed under: NFL Draft

Maryland offensive tackle Jared Gaither has decided to leave school and enter the NFL's supplemental draft, according to reports at Scout.com and DraftHeadquarters.com.

The 6-foot-9, 350-pound Gaither immediately becomes the top prospect in the July 13 supplemental draft, in which teams can give up 2008 draft picks to acquire players who will play for them in 2007.

Gaither was ruled academically ineligible this month, and there had been previous indications that he would try to regain his academic eligibility this year, play for Maryland in 2008, and enter the draft in 2009.

But that doesn't make much sense, and if Gaither does, in fact, enter the supplemental draft, he's making the right move. Some team will probably give up a third-round pick to acquire him, and he'll have earned several hundred thousand dollars before 2009, when he'd otherwise enter the league. Gaither probably won't contribute much as a rookie, but NFL scouts love his athleticism and potential.

I'd say we should try and draft this guy. With him and Brown, we could be set at tackle for years.

 

[abomb]

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/category/nfl/

Maryland Tackle Jared Gaither Expected to Enter NFL Supplemental Draft
Posted Jun 28th 2007 11:01AM by Michael David Smith
Filed under: NFL Draft

Maryland offensive tackle Jared Gaither has decided to leave school and enter the NFL's supplemental draft, according to reports at Scout.com and DraftHeadquarters.com.

The 6-foot-9, 350-pound Gaither immediately becomes the top prospect in the July 13 supplemental draft, in which teams can give up 2008 draft picks to acquire players who will play for them in 2007.

Gaither was ruled academically ineligible this month, and there had been previous indications that he would try to regain his academic eligibility this year, play for Maryland in 2008, and enter the draft in 2009.

But that doesn't make much sense, and if Gaither does, in fact, enter the supplemental draft, he's making the right move. Some team will probably give up a third-round pick to acquire him, and he'll have earned several hundred thousand dollars before 2009, when he'd otherwise enter the league. Gaither probably won't contribute much as a rookie, but NFL scouts love his athleticism and potential.

I'd say we should try and draft this guy. With him and Brown, we could be set at tackle for years.

What will a team have to give up to get him? I am guessing second-third rounder, plus we dont have any cap space.

 

[joeshmo]

What will a team have to give up to get him? I am guessing second-third rounder, plus we dont have any cap space.

We actually have plenty for a 2nd round rookie contract.

 

[Pariah]

It's certainly shaping up to be an interesting supplemental draft this year.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Personally, I dont think that we as an organization are in a position to risk a second or third round pick on a guy that flunked out of school. Athletes hardly have to do anything to get by scholastically anyhow. Just a thought....

 

[BullheadCardFan]

What will a team have to give up to get him? I am guessing second-third rounder, plus we dont have any cap space.

3rd rounder sounds better to me ... taking a chance with a #2 pick is very scary ...

 

[football karma]

Is this the same guy some were pimping in January for the #5 pick overall?

Fess up -- dont make me go searching

 

[Redsz]

At 350lbs, isn't he too big for the scheme we are trying to run?

 

[Redheart]

Destined to be a Cowpie.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Athletes hardly have to do anything to get by scholastically anyhow. Just a thought....

Not if you go to Ohio State .

 

[Assface]

At 350lbs, isn't he too big for the scheme we are trying to run?

Nope. He's a tackle and Grimm prefers big, mauling tackles and smaller, quicker pulling guards.

 

[BigWatson]

At 350lbs, isn't he too big for the scheme we are trying to run?

He's not 6'9 and he's certainly not 350lbs. I've seen him play, and he looks "a lot" smaller. 6'6/6'7 at best, 315-320lbs. That would be my guess. He really isn't any bigger than Levi, actually.

 

[Goldfield]

Oline help? Depth? I say Yes...

 

[Shogun]

He's physically a freak (30+ Vert and 4.7 40YD in HS!), but he's really raw. I'd venture a fifth or fourth rounder pick for him. If he really checks out in workouts, I'd try a third. As talented as he is, something about him puts me off about him.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I'd take a 3rd for him. He is supposed to be a better prospect than Elton was, and he was borderline 1st round talent.

Why not?

 

[JeffGollin]

What we gain:

- A big dude with a lot of upside who can help us at a position of need

- My perception is that Terp players tend to do better in the pros than they did in college

- We'd get our 2008 2nd or 3rd round-level pick 3/4 of a year earlier than otherwise.


What we risk:

- He didn't go thru the Combine.

- He missed all the minicamps and OTA's (& would have to play catch-up to contribute much this coming season)

- If he was ruled academically ineligable, he's probably not rocket-scientist material

- Is he worth a 2008 2nd or 3rd round pick?

I doubt most if any of us know whether he's good enough to be worth the risk. This is where our scouts earn their money.

Question - Do we have to use the same 2008 rookie cap pool to sign him? Or would we be granted extra rookie cap room?

 

[BACH]

Question - Do we have to use the same 2008 rookie cap pool to sign him? Or would we be granted extra rookie cap room?

You get extra.

Bengals | Team's rookie pool increases - from www.KFFL.com
Wed, 19 Jul 2006 17:54:22 -0700

Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com, reports the Cincinnati Bengals' rookie pool has increased beyond the original $3.7 million figure due to the selection of LB Ahmad Brooks in the NFL's supplemental draft.

Here The War Rooms take on Gaither:

MARYLAND OT JARED GAITHER

Rumors are strong that Gaither will enter the supplemental draft after being declared academically ineligible for the '07 season by Maryland officials. He has until July 2 to decide.

Making Gaither's decision harder is the fact it's tough to get a feel for where he might get selected. He has been inconsistent on the field, but more concerning is his maturity level. GMs typically are wary of using high draft picks on players who haven't taken care of their business off the field.

 

[Goodyear Card]

We drafted Swann and he didn't go college. How smart do you have to be to remember the snap count anyway? If he is good shape I say give him a chance.

 

[joeshmo]

- He didn't go thru the Combine.

- He missed all the minicamps and OTA's (& would have to play catch-up to contribute much this coming season)

He will go through a pro day though. He will run, he will lift and he will go through agilities drills. He will also go through positional drills if his agent is any good at all. Just like Oliver has and the other OT that is in the supp draft have already done.

As for missing the minicamps and OTA's, I dont think that would be all that great of a deal as he wouldnt be asked to contribute right away. Its more of a pick for the future. Plus the Supp draft is on July 11th or the 12th so he will have a good 2 and a half weeks with Lott before camp starts. Plus Maryland is known for its really great football workout program and facilties.

As for my opinion on what we should do in this supp. draft. I would throw out a 2nd rounder for him a 3rd minimum depending on what he does at his workouts. He wont even be ready to start this year by all acounts so why spend a 2008 2nd rounder on him. Well this is how I look at it. I think he is a better "prospect"(as in future greatness) then Staley or Ugoh were this year. Plus would you rather spend a 2nd rounder in 2008 on a OT prospect, or would you rather spend a 2nd rounder in 2008 on an OT prospect that will have a year under Grimms guidance by the time the 2008 draft even rolls around. We now have 2 young bookends in the mold Grimm likes, both of whom will have already had a full year under Grimm starting for years to come Game 1 of the 2008 season. We can then concentrate more on 3-4 OLB's, 3-4 DE's, TE's, Running back of the future in FA and the 1st round instead of trying to find another OT to take Gandys spot.

 

[JC_AZ]

We drafted Swann and he didn't go college. How smart do you have to be to remember the snap count anyway? If he is good shape I say give him a chance.

Be sure to ask LD "fans" and see if it is worth another bunch of wasted plays, recalled because DUFUS can't COUNT... or REMEMBER when to go...

 

[BACH]

He will go through a pro day though. He will run, he will lift and he will go through agilities drills. He will also go through positional drills if his agent is any good at all. Just like Oliver has and the other OT that is in the supp draft have already done.

As for missing the minicamps and OTA's, I dont think that would be all that great of a deal as he wouldnt be asked to contribute right away. Its more of a pick for the future. Plus the Supp draft is on July 11th or the 12th so he will have a good 2 and a half weeks with Lott before camp starts. Plus Maryland is known for its really great football workout program and facilties.

As for my opinion on what we should do in this supp. draft. I would throw out a 2nd rounder for him a 3rd minimum depending on what he does at his workouts. He wont even be ready to start this year by all acounts so why spend a 2008 2nd rounder on him. Well this is how I look at it. I think he is a better "prospect"(as in future greatness) then Staley or Ugoh were this year. Plus would you rather spend a 2nd rounder in 2008 on a OT prospect, or would you rather spend a 2nd rounder in 2008 on an OT prospect that will have a year under Grimms guidance by the time the 2008 draft even rolls around. We now have 2 young bookends in the mold Grimm likes, both of whom will have already had a full year under Grimm starting for years to come Game 1 of the 2008 season. We can then concentrate more on 3-4 OLB's, 3-4 DE's, TE's, Running back of the future in FA and the 1st round instead of trying to find another OT to take Gandys spot.

I agree. Throw a 2nd or a 3rd rounder depending on his work-outs. OTs are the hardest after QBs to find. Take a chance on this guy - there's most likely not going to be a good OT available in FA next season.

 

[spanky1]

Here is my question:

Do we have first crack at him in round 2, in that we traded up to this position in this years draft....and

If we pick him up in round two in the supplemental draft (assuming we have the first kick at the cat here), and we end up giving up our second rounder next year, (my guess is that we'll be picking in and around 16 which would equate to #48 in round 2), does this influence peoples thinking?

Cuz....I can guarantee you.....Gaithers would not go past the middle of the second round next year.

If this is right, I'm all over him like white on rice and I pick him up in a NY minute.

He's a football player....I don't give a hoot that he became academically ineligible....he is not a problem child and he gives us our LT of the future right now.

 

[joeshmo]

Here is my question:

Do we have first crack at him in round 2, in that we traded up to this position in this years draft....and

No, its as if trades never happened.

 

[kerouac9]

I don't think that the Cards are going to be very good next season, but for very different reasons than I think they weren't very good last season. I think they'll be picking in the Top 10 again next year, and maybe in the Top 5.

Based on that, I wouldn't risk a 2nd round pick in 2008 for a guy that may be too fat to play OLT or ORT for Grimm (remember how everyone was asked to lose weight heading into camp?). I'd risk the 3rd because I think that even for a guy who is a swing OT, a 3rd is good value.

Next year, we'll probably be looking at 2 positions early where prospects are drafted early: CB and 3-4 OLB. I don't think you can settle at those positions, even if next year's draft is going to be deep (and I think it'll merely be average).

 

[joeshmo]

Based on that, I wouldn't risk a 2nd round pick in 2008 for a guy that may be too fat to play OLT or ORT for Grimm (remember how everyone was asked to lose weight heading into camp?).

Gaither is not too fat.

http://umterps.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/062807aaa.html

Take a look at his playing weight. He actually looks slimmer then Brown does.