"I'd take Jared [Gaither] back -- the Jared at 340 pounds," John Harbaugh told the Baltimore Sun....

"I'd take Jared [Gaither] back -- the Jared at 340 pounds," John Harbaugh told the Baltimore Sun.

"I don't think [Michael Oher] has the ideal size to be a left tackle, but he has quick enough feet and a great punch to be one." Harbaugh said when asked about Oher's performance last season. "He can definitely play that position in the future."

"If they kept the old CBA in place, we'd be able to keep these guys for another year and be the only team to negotiate with them for next season," Harbaugh said when asked about the Ravens' potential free agents. "I'd think we'd be able to keep a bunch."

Baltimore Sun - Harbaugh is one vote for the old CBA

11 months ago BAL_Hawk 28 comments 0 recs |

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I’m all for bringing Gaither back, and putting him at LT. Its not that I don’t think Oher is our future at LT, but this team is built to win NOW! And there’s no denying how dominant our line was two years ago with Jared on the left, and Oher on the right. So even if we bring Gaither back for just one more year, Oher couldn’t be too upset. After all, he’d more than likely would have a ring to show for it when all is said and done.

by StuckInUtah on Jun 16, 2011 10:35 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

If Gaither plays at a high level without injury this season, I don’t know why they wouldn’t sign him to a long-term extension.

There’s no rule saying we can’t have great bookend tackles. Oher is locked up through 2014 on a cheap contract. Let’s keep them together.

by BAL_Hawk on Jun 16, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m all for that, make it happen Oz!

by StuckInUtah on Jun 16, 2011 1:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

+1

Don't let my defense dictate your offense..

by lastcallbmore on Jun 16, 2011 10:57 AM EDT reply actions

I wish this lockout would end. The same discussions keep getting brought up over and over.

by MrPoopyPants on Jun 16, 2011 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

All for it.

"No disrespect to Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara, but I just think I have better cover skills. They get tested a lot, and that’s for a reason. The other team sees something in their game that they want to attack, and me playing in the same league as Prince, we played the same teams and they didn’t attack me the same. So why does that happen?" - CB Jimmy Smith

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 16, 2011 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

What's Gaither weigh now?

It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.
– Joseph Joubert

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 16, 2011 12:38 PM EDT reply actions

Who the hell knows. Hopefully around 330-340 like he used to be and not 300 like he was last year before camp.

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 16, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Good point on the who the hell knows, hahaha. Yeah, 300 isn’t small, but at 6’9" it’s fairly svelte. He’s one of the guys from around the league I’m really interested to see back from injury this year.

It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.
– Joseph Joubert

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 16, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s one of the guys from around the league I’m really interested to see back from injury this year.

James Harrison isn’t.

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 16, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn't for you, or isn't for me?

I’m curious to see what Harrison will be like when he gets back. I think I’m in the minority on it, but I am slightly worried about his back, it takes a ton of punishment week in week out.

It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.
– Joseph Joubert

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 16, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he will still be one of the more dominant linebackers in the NFL. But I think what MaLoR was trying to say is, Harrison isn’t excited to see Gaither back.

Editor at Baltimore Beatdown - SB Nation Baltimore Ravens Blog

by Zachary Beard on Jun 16, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree. Gaither stone-walled Harrison every-time we played them.

by BAL_Hawk on Jun 16, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Alot of fans say they want Gaither gone because he was a “cancer” but honestly, I think he had health issues last year, why would he fake it? And we really missed him last year. If we had him, our season probably would’ve went alot differently.

Editor at Baltimore Beatdown - SB Nation Baltimore Ravens Blog

by Zachary Beard on Jun 16, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Ahhh... I suck at interpretting things sometimes.

Gaither is one of the reasons Harrison’s back worries me a little. The downward force a mammoth tackle like Jared can put on Harrison, pushing on his back over and over again… yikes.

I think you’re right though, I think he’ll be back and be his usual self. I’m just not 100% sure like I could be.

It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.
– Joseph Joubert

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 16, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

i didnt even think of that

in my head I just expect Harrison to be a nightmare year after year, but I always forget about his age. you make a good point about that injured back, your bye week comes in pretty handy later in the season especially for Harrison considering he’ll be facing off against Joe Thomas twice in a four week span.

Scott Hines

by shines on Jun 16, 2011 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

actually, lets not kid ourselves...

weve got some favorable schedules and it wouldnt be too far-fetched to think Harrison could be resting in that week 17 game. ill hope that hes not though.

Scott Hines

by shines on Jun 16, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Back to back Ravens vs. Steelers games are not permitted by the NFL, on grounds that it would cause too many player deaths, and viewer’s eyes too melt because of its epicness.

Editor at Baltimore Beatdown - SB Nation Baltimore Ravens Blog

by Zachary Beard on Jun 16, 2011 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions

This is a division of solid tackles. Oher, Gaither, Thomas, Whitworth… all of those guys that Harrison copuld face twice each are big. strong tackles who have the ability to absolutely dominate their opponents week in week out.

All I can do is hope hope rehab is going well, and he’ll be back and as good as ever. I do think he’ll get spelled a little more than he has in the last few years too, so that should help.

It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.
– Joseph Joubert

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 17, 2011 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Holy crappy typing up there on my part ^

It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.
– Joseph Joubert

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 17, 2011 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Are you at all worried about Troy’s health at all? It seemed his injury kind of took away from his abilities after he came back. He didn’t seem as…. vicious as usual.

Editor at Baltimore Beatdown - SB Nation Baltimore Ravens Blog

by Zachary Beard on Jun 16, 2011 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Pitt fans are definitely worried. The guy hasn’t been the same since 2009. I thought his 2008 season was far more impressive than his last season in 2010. His coverage skills have obviously dropped off because of that knee injury it seems.

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 16, 2011 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah like I used to be terrified of the man in ‘08. He was shut-down. Now it seems like he’s soft in coverage. And with Torrey Smith on our team, I think we might might finally have success in the passing game against the Steelers. Even more if we get Gaither to come back.

Editor at Baltimore Beatdown - SB Nation Baltimore Ravens Blog

by Zachary Beard on Jun 16, 2011 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree in part.

When Troy was healthy last year, which was actually most of the year, he was still great. He made the plays that many could argue led to winning several games early on.

Like I said below, when he was hurt was when most people were watching him, which was just bad timing in terms of general public perception.

It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.
– Joseph Joubert

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 17, 2011 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I think any fan that tells you he's not worried about Troy's injuries is lying to himself (or herself).

When you’ve got a playmaker like Troy back there, with his recent string of injuries, and you see the effect that that can have on the Steelers defense overall, it has to be in the back of your head at the very least.

Two seasons ago his injury was real bad, worse than last season. Last season’s injury was not good, but it was the time it came that hurt the most. Week 14, I believe, is when he tweeked his knee on the Palmer interception return. After that he tried to come back for the playoff run, but wasn’t the same. He didn’t have enough time to heal, and forced himself back in too early. It was unfortunate to have him hurt when he was hurt, because it was when the most people were watching him play (and I think that is why as many people were bothered by his DPOY selection, most didn’t see him play a lot until he was hobbled, they saw him at his worst).

It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.
– Joseph Joubert

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 17, 2011 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

We’re worried about Reed too, but luckily for us, Zbikowski has stepped up nicely for Reed in the past.

I don’t think the Steelers have anyone to step up for Polamalu. It’s a gigantic drop off without him.

by BAL_Hawk on Jun 17, 2011 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd agree, but I think we've got a guy making strides.

Ryan Mundy has not shown the ability to excel at the position yet, but he’s shown that he’s capable. In limited (or some would say very limited) action, he’s shown he’s a solid tackler, and can deliver a thump. He was origianlly a U of Michigan commit, who transfered to West Virginia, into what is a great system for safeties to play in (3-3-5). From what I’ve read he played well within it.

He hasn’t shown enough to be as stable of a backup as Zbikowski or Nakamura, but I think he’s got some upside, and wouldn’t feel too uncomfortable with him in the lineup (any less comfortable than I’d already feel without Polamalu or Clark I guess).

It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.
– Joseph Joubert

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 17, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions