Jared Gaither learned a lot in a short time about life in the National Football League last year after the Ravens selected him in the fifth round of the supplemental draft just weeks before training camp.
Now, Gaither may have to learn how to follow a future Hall of Famer. The 6-foot-9, 350-pound former Terrapin appears to be the one who will replace Jonathan Ogden should the left tackle follow through on his plans to retire.
Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said Gaither is being groomed for the left tackle spot occupied by Ogden since 1997. Cameron added Adam Terry is expected to be the team?s starting right tackle with Jason Brown at center and Marshal Yanda and Ben Grubbs expected to man right and left guard.
“Right now, we?re going to do everything we can to get Adam settled at right tackle,” Cameron said after Wednesday?s voluntary mini camp. “It could be a situation where he?d move over there. But right now, he?d be at right tackle and Jared at left tackle.”
Gaither is similar is size compared to 6-foot-9, 345-pound Ogden, but is far less experienced than the 11-time Pro Bowl selection. Gaither appeared in just six games as a rookie and played just 23 games in college before having to enter the supplemental draft after being ruled academically ineligible his junior year.
“[Gaither] is without question the most improved guy on offense, but he has a long way to go,” Cameron said. “It?s one of those cases where you go to training camp, and the grind at training camp is where you make the left tackles. You really don?t find out about your left tackles until they give up a sack or two. Once they do that, you?ve got to find out how they bounce back.”
Gaither said he would love for Ogden to return this season, but is preparing for his absence.
“It would be great to have himback,” Gaither said. “I?m going to put my head down, and I?m going forward, and if he does come back then we will be that much better. He?s helped me out a great deal. I think anytime you can be around someone of his caliber, I think it can help you out a lot as a person and as a player on the field.”
Cameron said he is pleased with how the offensive line is coming together as the unit continues to get younger following the release of center Mike Flynn.
“Number one, [Jason Brown] is a great leader,” Cameron said. “It?s an easier transition than you might think because that?s the position he played in college. He started at center for three years at North Carolina, so we felt like it was natural to move him back, because the center is the leader of your offensive line.”
Yanda said the team is continuing to learn Cameron?s offense, and has benefited from first-year coach John Harbaugh?s intense practices this offseason, including during Wednesday?s two-minute drills.
“Everyone is competing out there trying to make each other better,” Yanda said. “It?s high intensity out there. You?ve got to be strapped up ready to go out there like it?s a game.”
