Orlando Pace Visiting Baltimore

by Rexx on Mar 18, 2009 9:32 AM EDT Comment 34 comments

Rumor has it that veteran left tackle and former All Pro from the St. Louis Rams, Orlando Pace will be visiting Baltimore today, as the free agent is pondering his options after spending his entire career in a Rams uniform. Long considered one of the best LT's to play the game during his tenure in the NFL, Pace was injured over the past couple of years and was not re-signed by the Rams.

The Ravens are obviously still in a signing mode in free agency and Pace might be a great pickup if the money is right. While I wouldn't want to stunt the growth of current Ravens LT, Jared Gaither, Pace is still a better LT than Gaither and would be an upgrade for a year or two. Not too sure what that would mean for Willie Anderson, although the thought of Pace on QB Joe Flacco's blind side and Anderson on his right sounds pretty good to me. This way, we would have significant depth with both Gaither and Adam Terry as reserves, as they continue to learn from two of the best at their positions.

Of course, this is still a rumor and just a visit, but we all know what happens with free agents once they walk into the "Castle" as free agents. They usualy walk out as Baltimore Ravens!

NOTE: Remember to get your NCAA Hoops Tournament picks in by signing up as part of the Beatdown's "public group" as we go mano-a-mano with the hated Redskins fans over at HogsHaven!

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Gaither needs to Start

He has the potential to be really special and made huge strides last year. Still, if we get Pace, he and Anderson can rotate and even spell Gaither from time to time.

If the price is right, I say go for it. We can never have too many good Football Players.

by DT711 on Mar 18, 2009 11:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not too sure how much I want Pace

He has been right up there with Jon Ogden as the best LT in the game since they were both drafted in 1996. But I am afraid of signing him then having some stupid injury keep him out for half the season like it has in the past few years. Pace has played in only 23 games the past 3 years, and that is not good for your team when you are their best O-Lineman.

I am not against bringing in a possible HOF like Pace, but I would hate to have Jared Gaither sit down all of a sudden because a guy 11 years older then him came here.

However, Jared played hurt for a good amount of games last year, basically playing with one arm at times. I am unsure if a lot of us here can appreciate what Jared has done for us. He is playing maybe the most important position in an offense next to the QB and the man is only 23 years old. I would hate to see Gaither go down with a serious injury next season just because he was trying to be the warrior he is and play through it.

So if Jared were to get hurt, god forbid, I would definately trust Pace to step in. Willie and Orlando on both sides is pretty incredible.

Whatever decision Ozzie makes, I am all for it.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 18, 2009 12:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have zero problem

with Gaither sitting behind Pace. If Pace is healthy, he is among the best in the game even at his ripe old age. Gaither is still a kid with limited experience and could learn a ton just sitting and watching from him, after learning from Ogden. Pace won’t play the right side, as that’s between Terry and anderson to cover. but to have Pace AND Gaither on the left side? Hell yeah!

Rexx

by Rexx on Mar 18, 2009 12:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

But the thing is Rexx

Gaither did not really show the effects last year of having “limited experience.” The Ravens allowed 33 sacks last year, 2nd smallest amount allowed in franchise history. Now, I will give a lot of credit to Grubbs, Brown, Chester, and Anderson cause those guys were great, but Gaither is usually the one who has to block the defense’s best pass rusher. Dwight Freeney, Mario Williams, Justin Tuck, and all those other maniacs that come at us.

Did we really find ourselves screaming at Gaither? I am just a huge Jared Gaither fan, you may know the reason why, but to have a young guy come in there of his size and protect Joe’s blind side like that, amazing. Gaither is our LT of the future, without a doubt. The manw as considered to be a first round draft pick in last year’s draft, but failed out of UMD basically and had to settle for the supplemental draft. Ozzie gave up a 5th round pick to get first round talent and Gaither Joe’s blind side shield for many years to come.

I just think that it is not Pace’s position to have right now. Gaither knows this offense, he has been with us for 3 full years and Ogden still insists on coming to nearly every training camp practice and sticking with Jared throughout, teaching him the ways of becoming the next great Raven Left Tackle.

If we sign Pace, that would be amazing! I can never turn down a player like Pace, but I feel that because of his age and injuries from the past which have caused him to miss 31 games in the last 3 years, he fits in as the back-up. Just because he has been one of the best LT’s in the game since he came in the league, does not necessarily mean that he is automatically the starting left tackle. I just do not see Harbaugh and John Matzko making a move like that instantly.

If we sign Pace, it will only strengthen our football team. But if he wants to start over Gaither, he is going to have to earn that spot through competing with Jared. Pace can still play, I am aware of that, but pushing Jared to the side like that does not make any sense. You have to earn your spots here, just like the 5th round supplemental drafted Left Tackle did. Jared has worked his ass off for that starting role and deserves it 100%.

Willie Anderson is considered to be way above Jared Gaither coming into last season, being one of the other top tier Tackles in the game. But did we just throw away 2nd year player Jared Gaither? Nope.

Gaither needs to be the starter, no question about that. Younger, way more athletic, and could really benefit from listening to Pace rather than watching him. If we brought in Pace, I bet it is for no more then a 2 year contract. Most likely one year. Start Pace, sit Gaither, then Pace decides he is too old for the game and is injured again? Does not make sense to me. We are developing Jared, he has come a longggggg way and is looking to be another elite player stolen by Ozzie. Would not be surprised to see Jared in Hawaii in a few years.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 18, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I would not risk benching Jared, unless Pace was obviously superior in practice. I just don’t see why you risk hurting your future stud LT’s confidence. Some players I would not worry about, but Jared is doing so well in regards to work ethic and improving, that I would not mess with it. He had some mental red flags coming out of UMD, they have proven to be unfounded, but I don’t want to bring back old issues.

by DT711 on Mar 18, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yea

Gaither didn’t do to bad of a job in run blocking last year either.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 18, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fine then

If Pace can beat out Gaither in Training Camp, great. If Gaither is better than I’m all for it. However, something tells me that we’re not paying big bucks for Pace to come here and sit and Pace ain’t signing here if he has to sit.

Pace would be a pretty decent fit in Philly, who just lost their LT.

Rexx

by Rexx on Mar 18, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did you know

That Gaither was also recruited by Gary Williams to play basketball for Maryland.

Check out the list of commitments for UMD Bball in 2004

Jared Gaither’s rivals.com Bball recruiting profile

And, coming out of high school, he was recruited as a Defensive Tackle.

Jared Gaither’s rivals.com Football recruiting profile

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 18, 2009 1:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The first link goes to Alabama's recruiting page for some reason

But you get the point

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 18, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If orlando signs with us....

Gathier will slide over to the right side and Willie Anderson may be cut. Baltimore Wont sit Gathier. He’s going to play, rather that be on the right side or the left.

FEAR THE NEVERMORE DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Benji5203 on Mar 18, 2009 3:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nah....

never happen. Gaither is a LT or a reserve.

Rexx

by Rexx on Mar 18, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In that case

Pace will slide over. Ethier way, JAred isnt coming off the field

FEAR THE NEVERMORE DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Benji5203 on Mar 18, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Benji

Trust me, after 12 years playing the best left tackle in the league, Orlando Pace is NOT playing RT. It’s LT or sitting, which he is not signing here to do that. To me, he is a better fit in Philly, but I’ll take him any day.

Rexx

by Rexx on Mar 18, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was just watchin NFL Live

They said that he was visiting Baltimore and if signed he would play RT.

by B-MoreFanatic on Mar 18, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry Rexx

Word is he would play RT

by DT711 on Mar 19, 2009 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So I hear

Yes, that is what it appears how it would be. I humbly stand before you, Benji in particular, and will take my lumps. However – negotiations have not gotten serious enough to stand in line to get our Pace jerseys. He may decide not to come here specifically for that reason. What I want to know is his salary and signing bonus going to be so much cheaper than what Willie anderson was to receive to make it worth cutting Anderson, who has been in our system, for a guy who has not been even as healthy as Anderson has been?

Rexx

by Rexx on Mar 19, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't really see this happening...

…unless Pace is willing to sign for the veteran minimum and sit on the bench (or compete for right-tackle). People need to recognize that we now have a franchise left-tackle. Would you have bench Ogden in the beginning of his career for an older, more-accomplished veteran? Gaither will be making Pro Bowls soon enough, and it would be folly to let anything inhibit his development.

by BAL_Hawk on Mar 18, 2009 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good comments about Pace, however...

….don’t even begin to compare the #5 overall pick in the NFL Draft against a 5th round Supplemental Draft pick.

Rexx

by Rexx on Mar 19, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm comparing him...

…insomuch that he’s our franchise LT. Not many people can argue with that. He only allowed two sacks last year, and he played through an arm injury. As far as his draft status goes, we all know that he wouldn’t have been a fifth round pick if he had gone through the combine. He would have been like this year’s Jason Smith, a lesser-known guy that blew up at the combine.

by BAL_Hawk on Mar 19, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not yet

But remember all the extraneous factors that went into Gaither being a supplemental pick. If he would have played out his career at CP, who knows? Maybe he would have been a potential first rounder in this years draft? We know he has the physical specs and potential teams drool over.

by DT711 on Mar 19, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the issue is that

jarret gaither had to handle he was better at apss blocker than run blocker

example did did you here that freeney have a sack also look at game tape flacco trows to the left

by 2000 ravens on Mar 19, 2009 10:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No Comprendo

by DT711 on Mar 19, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did not understand one word you just wrote

Jarret Gaither??

Come on man

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 19, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

wrong ram

wrong ram. lets sign holt, not pace. adam terry is adequate at RT with Anderson. Pace has been hurt the last 3 years. Smells like Leon Searcy

by ppdoc on Mar 19, 2009 5:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Moving to RT aint that easy

This guy has been an elite LT for 12 or so years now. In fact, the argument was always who’s the better blindside protector: Pace or Ogden? If the guy is up to the task of coming to baltimore and completely retooling his skill package by playing RT then I’m happy to have him, but I can’t agree with him taking over for Gaither for two years and then settling into retirement. The left side is Gaithers. He really proved himself last year and looks like he has grown up from the kid that flunked out of College Park two years ago. Gaither is my guy for the next 8 years.

As far as Pace playing RT, I’d love to see it but it’s kind of unlikely. The mechanics would be completely foreign to him and are totally opposite to his current muscle memory. Playing the ride side would allow him to be a little more of a run-blocking mauler but he would struggle in pass protection especially in the 3-4 rich AFC North. If he thinks he’s up to the task who am I to tell him and Ozzie no thanks, but I can still be skeptical.

by bmf12116 on Mar 19, 2009 6:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Overall, I agree

Pace’s injury history lately is troubling. Willie Anderson can play the right and left tackle spots. So can Adam Terry. Gaither is our LT for the future as well as now. So is Pace such an upgrade over anderson and will we save so much cap space by letting Anderson go and signing Pace. Something tells me this is not going to pan out unless Ozzie has something up his sleeve.

Rexx

by Rexx on Mar 19, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pace will play RT

I dont know where all of you are getting your information, but from everyhing i have read the Ravens are looking at Pace to play RT, either instead of Willie, or in addition to Willie.

James Walker reports it on ESPN,
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcnorth/0-2-249/Morning-take—Tressel-likes-Wells-in-Cleveland.html
The Baltimore Sun reports it:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-sp.ravens19mar19,0,3428822.story

Anyone who thinks about benching Gaither for Pace is an idiot. You always play your best player, especially when he is currently better AND the future at the position. I just pray to g-d that Ozzie locks up Gaither for 7 years if he has another good year this year. Gaither and Grubbs are the future of our O-line and we need to keep them here long-term.

by Rayisyourdaddy on Mar 20, 2009 2:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Pace is taking a physical

it was reported last night. That must mean of he passes, he is going to take Anderson’s roster spot. I wonder how much this is saving us, if anything on our cap? I’m surprised that Pace doesn’t sign elsewhere where he can start at LT. Perhaps it is once again, that “Castle” effect!?

Rexx

by Rexx on Mar 20, 2009 12:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

God Damnit!

I really do not want to sign Orlando Pace. Dont get me wrong, he is one of the best LT to ever play this sport, but Willie does not deserve to be thrown away like that. Anderson earned his right to be a part of this team and I would much rather have him then Pace. Willie is/was considered to be one of the “Ironmen” of the NFL. Pace is the Willis McGahee/Todd Heap player, good, but always injured.

Keep Willie, dont sign Pace.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 20, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My thoughts exactly.

I really like Pace, and if we needed another veteran tackle, then I’d say sign him. However, it’s looking like they want to sign Pace to replace Willie. It would probably save us a couple million in cap space, but at what cost? I don’t think Anderson deserves to be treated like that. If Pace was MUCH better than Anderson, it would be a good move, but as far as I can tell, Pace may be a little better but he has serious injury concerns. In short, I think cutting Willie to save a little money and bring in a similar player would look very bad and send a negative message to our current and future players.

by BAL_Hawk on Mar 20, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes sir

We had the youngest O-Line in the league last year, and if not for Anderson coming in and leading not only the Line, but the whole offense, we may have not gotten to where we were. Willie did all he could and was signed 1 week before the season opener. Terry went down, Anderson came in and made us not even realize that Terry was gone.

Pace may look like the sexier choice because of his history as one of the best, but Anderson is right up there with Ogden and Pace. Those 3 have been the 3 best LT in the game since they came in. We have one of the best who is tough as shit, why get rid of him to get Pace.

How dumb would we all feel if we cut Willie, bring in Pace, Terry goes down, Pace comes in, Pace out for the season by week 4 because of a broken fingernail.

This just does not sound like a Ozzie type of move. I feel like getting rid of Willie like it is sounding would be like getting dumped by your girlfriend through a text message.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 20, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a Business

I too feel bad if Willie gets cut, but it goes both ways… Don’t think players give teams a break on $ (See Ray Lewis)

It is a bit of a curious move but I respect Oz so much that I will assume that this is going to improve our football team. If it wasn’t an obvious upgrade over Anderson, do you think they would really make this move? It must be a sizable difference if they want to start over with a tackle who is brand new to our system, where Anderson has had a year to learn.

Hopefully they see that Pace has a lot in the tank and will be reinvigorated by playing for a winning organization such as the Ravens. If he can be 80-90% of the player he was, then he will be one of the top RT’s in the league, and a clear upgrade over Willie.

I’m fine if they make this move but I’m going to withhold making any judgment until we see what Pace can do.

by DT711 on Mar 20, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs