Gaither in Supp?

[Kazkal]

If he entered.

ANOTHER NAME IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT? by Michael David Smith

Jared Gaither, a starting offensive lineman at Maryland the last two years, has been declared academically ineligible for this fall's season, raising the question of whether he'll enter the NFL's July 12 supplemental draft.

The 6-foot-9, 350-pound Gaither, who has started at both right and left tackle, considered leaving school in January to declare for the April draft, but decided against it.

Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com reports that Gaither is three years out of high school and would be eligible for the supplemental draft. Schlabach also quotes an NFL scout saying Gaither would be the most desirable player available if he goes that route. DraftHeadquarters.com reports that Gaither can run the 40-yard dash in less than five seconds, so if he can arrange a workout in the next couple of weeks, he'll no doubt pique the interest of a number of NFL personnel people.

Gaither has several options available to him, including entering the supplemental draft, working out this year in anticipation of entering the regular draft next year or working hard in the classroom in an attempt to become eligible for Maryland's 2008 season. He apparently has not decided which is his best option.

Georgia cornerback Paul Oliver and Nebraska tackle Chris Patrick have already declared for the supplemental draft. Teams that take players in the supplemental draft lose picks in the next April draft. So, for instance, a team that selected Gaither with a third-round pick in next month's supplemental draft would not have a third-round pick in April of 2008.

But I wouldn't complain if bengals offered up what is to be a late 3rd(hopefully) for gaither who is raw but would continue to add great depth to the line .

PS,More then likely we will also get a 3rd for steinbach so it will still be worth watching rnd 3

[The PatternMaster]

Not really sure about any of these guys but if they are good prospects and we are getting an extra first day for losing Steiny then I would use a 3rd round pick on any one of these guys because it seems as if they were to come out in the '08 draft they would be first round talents ala Ahmad Brooks, right?

[HoosierCat]

If he enters, he would certainly be worth a look. I think it would come down to how they feel about Keift.

[DesperateDerelict]

Not really sure about any of these guys but if they are good prospects and we are getting an extra first day for losing Steiny then I would use a 3rd round pick on any one of these guys because it seems as if they were to come out in the '08 draft they would be first round talents ala Ahmad Brooks, right?

It was reported (in this here BZ Draft forum) that Paul Oliver's workout sucked - he ran a 4.58 40 - too slow for an NFL Corner. If anybody wants Chris Patrick they can probably get him for a 7th rounder.

[Variety]

Oliver ran a low 4.5 and a mid 4.6. It's slow, but he could be effective in a cover 2 defense. Hughes, who is by far the better CB of the two, got drafted in the 3rd round, so Oliver will probably be still available in the 5th round.

And please don't draft Gaither. I know he is talented and all but he is still a moron. Don't touch him.

[CJBestInAFC]

I would take a shot at the lineman named Gaither. He looks a lot like Stacy Andrews, and could be the replacement for Andrews if another team decides to pick him up after this season. Willie Anderson is not going to be around for ever. I would like to see what this Gaither guy looks like at RG.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

But I wouldn't complain if bengals offered up what is to be a late 3rd(hopefully) for gaither who is raw but would continue to add great depth to the line .

PS,More then likely we will also get a 3rd for steinbach so it will still be worth watching rnd 3

3rd is too high for a guy who doesn't have much going for him but speed and size, and has little college experience. What happened to the guy who hadn't played much but could do a backflip? Out on the first day of practice, as I recall.

Personally, I wouldn't look at this guy with more than a 5th. Also, history (last 10 years, anyway) suggests that guys in the Supp go higher than they deserve. Manny Lawson is a great example. Even Ahmad probably wouldn't have been a 3rd in the regular draft, given his issues. I think it's just a lull time in the season and teams get eager, or they get desperate. Any player would look good if they were one of maybe 5 available, restricted supply and all.

[ArmyBengal]

I don't know anything about this guy, so I will defer, but didn't Manny Lawson get drafted in the 1st Round of the regular draft ?? Also, I believe Brooks would have gone no further than the 2nd given his minimal issues... Just my thoughts...

WHODEY !!!

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

I don't know anything about this guy, so I will defer, but didn't Manny Lawson get drafted in the 1st Round of the regular draft ?? Also, I believe Brooks would have gone no further than the 2nd given his minimal issues... Just my thoughts...

WHODEY !!!

Sorry, meant Manny Wright, aka The Crying Giant, not Manny Lawson. Brain cramp there.

As for Ahmad, at that point I think his issues were more than minimal - his college coach refused to say anything good about him, he had been injured, and hadn't played much recently. In retrospect, he looks like one of the good gambles we've made, but at the time I'd say he wouldn't have gone 2nd in the regular draft. I recall at the time he was being predicted as high 4th. And I will readily concede that Ahmad was less of a reach than some of the other bad Supp picks. But I do think he went half a round high.

[hrod382]

I'd say after what Oliver ran he'll be a 4th/5th round guy and Gaither will be a 5th/6th round guy.

[ArmyBengal]

I wasn't aware that Brooks had anything other than the Pot issues (big deal) and that he pissed off his coaches. I will also agree that the 3rd for him wasn't a reach. Anyway, I really don't see us reaching into the Supp Draft for anything this year. We have a TON to gain in Comp picks next year and a draft deep in our areas of need. I can't wait for the season to start, but next years draft could shape up to be amazing. Tons of picks to move around with !!!

WHODEY !!!

[Walrus]

The dude is a physical freak. But I'd be pretty surprised if we took another OL considering our depth chart for this season seems pretty full. But who knows -- maybe Alexander will fall in love with this guy and his (lack of) intelligence issues turn out to be a red herring. In that case, pull the trigger, by all means. A stud O-lineman is nothing to sneeze at and Big Willie's successor may not be on the team yet. But that's a huge "maybe". I don't see them taking such a chance with ?'s about Keift and Santucci lingering.

[HoosierCat]

Gaither officially enters the supplemental draft...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...7062801974.html

[schweinhart]

Gaither officially enters the supplemental draft...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...7062801974.html

Too bad Gaither is as mentally challenged as he is because he's a dominant tackle at either side. Physically, he's to the tackle position what JaMarcus Russell was to the QB position last year.

There's too many outstanding tackle prospects available next year to burn the 2nd it should at the very latest take to get Gaither in the supplemental.

The likes of Barry Richardson, Jake Long, Sam Baker, and Pedro Sosa later in the 1st round ought to keep the Bengals off Omar.

[HoosierCat]

I dunno, Schweiny. I don't think I'd spend the second either...but with an extra 3rd round comp pick essentially a lock next year, I would seriously look at cashing in a third early. (And if Levi's knees are worse than the team is letting on I might even burn the second.)

[schweinhart]

If Levi is indeed damaged goods beyond hope of pulling off another year at LT, then maybe they look closer at Gaither. But Whitworth showed he can play LT well enough and they still got Stacy the Giant for 1 more year to try at LG. Add Kieft to that mix like you've mentioned and the Bengals probably can keep a viable O-Line for another year w/o adding Gaither now. Big Willie just has to be Big Willie for 1 or 2 more spins.

But the '08 pick sure looks like a 1st round OT.

Gaither could have used the extra year. He looked good playing LT in place of Stephon Heyer when he had the chance but at his very lowest floor will still be viewed as a dominant RT who bats players around like they are toys. A full year at left tackle at Maryland and Omar could have very well been on his way to becoming a Top 10 pick if he showed week in and week out that he could improve his technique to ioffset speed rushers. So, it'll be interesting to see where he gets valued. I'd say higher than Brooks unless the same weight issues crop up. If Gaither weighs 380 pounds now, teams will back off.

[schweinhart]

I'll take the stab that Gaither either goes to Baltimore with a 1st rounder or Houston with a 2nd. He might be as dumb as a box of rocks but he's a mountain of a force.

[HoosierCat]

If Levi is indeed damaged goods beyond hope of pulling off another year at LT, then maybe they look closer at Gaither. But Whitworth showed he can play LT well enough and they still got Stacy the Giant for 1 more year to try at LG. Add Kieft to that mix like you've mentioned and the Bengals probably can keep a viable O-Line for another year w/o adding Gaither now. Big Willie just has to be Big Willie for 1 or 2 more spins.

Whitworth I'm comfy with at LT, a bit less so at LG but we will see. I'm not expecting anything out of Keift and in my book Stacey still has a big question mark next to his name. All that said, if we did take Gaither, I wouldn't expect him to have much impact this year, outside of the occasional short-yardage-blocking-TE role.

But the '08 pick sure looks like a 1st round OT.

Which, of course, begs the question, why not go ahead and pull the trigger now? Assuming that, one, the Bengals are indeed targeting OL early next draft, and two, that they aren't scared off by Gaithers' off-field isues, it would make a lot of sense. Especially if you believe the Bengals are playoff-bound, meaning a low first round pick that offers little chance of getting a top offensive line prospect.

That said, I will be very surprised if any team spends a first. Maybe -- maybe -- a team thinking it'll have a late second goes for it. I'll stick with a 3rd rounder.

[HairOnFire]

Which, of course, begs the question, why not go ahead and pull the trigger now? Assuming that, one, the Bengals are indeed targeting OL early next draft, and two, that they aren't scared off by Gaithers' off-field isues, it would make a lot of sense.

You don't pull the trigger now because it doesn't make much sense...let alone the perfect variety.

Frankly, the Bengals have no pressing need today for an offensive tackle that will cost them a high draft pick. And that's especially true if the player in question won't play immediately, which Gaithers won't because of the presence of just extended top-shelf lineman like Levi and Big Willie. You can worry all you want about Levi's health in May and June, but I haven't read anything that implies Jones won't be ready to go when the season begins.

As for the speculation that next years 1st round pick is likely targeted on an offensive tackle, well.....probably not. In fact, if I had to guess today which position is most likely to addressed I'd argue for DT, followed closely by DE.

For whatever it might be worth I think Hobson called it correctly when he opined that if the Bengals are interested in any player available in the supplemental draft it will be Paul Oliver, and IMHO even then a strong argument can't be made for the move unless a poor workout results in Oliver dropping far lower than first expected.

[ArmyBengal]

I agree with Hair in the fact that next years first rounder will either be a DT or DE. Those two positions look to be deep and if we don't do something to add more top tier talent to those positions, we will pay the price in the future. There is just no way they can let the defense go on in it's current state. If the defense isn't in the top 20 this year, I think defense is a LOCK (if it isn't already) for next years draft... I also say no to Gaither... Why ?? I don't want to give up any draft picks for next year either. It will be the draft that defines this club for many years or at least I hope so !!!

WHODEY !!!

[HoosierCat]

As one whose draft day standard is perpetually, and forlornly, planted in camp DT, I will predict here and now that if there's one position the bengals will not take in the first next April, it's DT. Heck, I'd be surprised if they took a DT on the first day. The last time they did either of those things was Big Daddy.

DE is a more interesting question. Assuming that they don't extend Justin at some point before next March (which doesn't appear to be happening) and assuming they don't tag him again (which I could see happening for reasons I outlined a while back), DE could be high on the radar screen. However, they just handed Don't Call Me Junior a boatload of dough, spent a 3rd rounder on the Non-Dairy Dessert the draft before last, and may possibly have His Lordship descending from his mountain-top throne in a DE role in '08 as well. In short, will DE be a need? Maybe, maybe not.

[BengalszoneBilly]

As one whose draft day standard is perpetually, and forlornly, planted in camp DT, I will predict here and now that if there's one position the bengals will not take in the first next April, it's DT. Heck, I'd be surprised if they took a DT on the first day. The last time they did either of those things was Big Daddy.

Who BTW was recently released by the Dolphins...

Dolphins Say Bye-Bye To Big Daddy, Terminate Contract Of Veteran Defensive Lineman Wilkinson

June 19, 2007 11:23 a.m. EST

Eric Williams - AHN Sports Reporter

Davie, FL (AHN) - The Miami Dolphins are saying bye, bye to 'Big Daddy.'

The Dolphins terminated the contract 14-year veteran Dan Wilkinson on Monday after the team tried unsuccessfully to trade Wilkinson but found no takers.

Miami had originally agreed to send Wilkinson to the Denver Broncos on March 2 for a sixth-round draft pick, but Wilkinson did not report for his physical in Denver and the deal was rescinded.

Wilkinson, who has not been with the Dolphins for any of their offseason workouts, was the first overall draft pick in the 1994 draft by the Cincinnati Bengals out of Ohio State.

The 340-pound interior lineman has played for the Bengals, the Washington Redskins and the Detroit Lions.

Wilkinson has 54 1/2 career sacks and is owed $4.5 million over the final two years of his contract with Miami.

[HoosierCat]

While we're on the subject of next offseason, this story is worth a read:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AmE6...o&type=lgns

[HairOnFire]

As one whose draft day standard is perpetually, and forlornly, planted in camp DT, I will predict here and now that if there's one position the bengals will not take in the first next April, it's DT. Heck, I'd be surprised if they took a DT on the first day. The last time they did either of those things was Big Daddy.

Fair enough, but your desire for a young DT reminds me of my own cries for a 1st round CB, something that had NEVER been seen in Cincy until the Bengals drafted one in back-to-back years. The need can simply become to great to ignore, especially if the available talent happens to fall exactly where you hope it does. And on that front I not only like the defensive line depth likely to be available in next years draft, but feel that the Bengals age at DT and the uncertainty at DE make those positions an early favorite for 1st or 2nd round attention.

[HairOnFire]

Supplemental draft prospects

By John Murphy, Yahoo! Sports

June 22, 2007

Each year, the NFL's supplemental draft includes a variety of interesting prospects who generally have a less-than-exciting impact on the rosters they join.

Among this year's candidates are Georgia cornerback Paul Oliver, Nebraska offensive tackle Chris Patrick, Morgan State defensive tackle Robert Armstrong, Texas State defensive end/linebacker Mark Washington and Connecticut safety Donta Moore. Another interesting name to keep an eye on over the next few weeks is Maryland offensive tackle Jared Gaither, who has had both off-field and academic issues, and could file the necessary paper work to be considered for the supplemental draft on July 12.

Here's a brief breakdown on some of the prospects who have already declared.

Paul Oliver

Oliver held his own Pro Day on Wednesday, which was attended by numerous league scouts and talent evaluators. The All-SEC defender displayed very good footwork, quickness and ball skills, but failed to overwhelm evaluators with his 40-yard times (4.50 range) and vertical jump (33.5 vertical). However, he did shut down wide receiver Calvin Johnson, taken No. 2 overall by the Detroit Lions during the NFL draft in April, during the Bulldogs' win over Georgia Tech last season.

Oliver could have conceivably entered his senior campaign with a first-round grade. However, his early entry into the NFL because of his failure to keep up with his academics means that he'll likely be targeted by teams holding an extra third- or fourth-round pick in 2008 or franchises which were unable to secure a top-rated cornerback in the regular draft.

He had 57 tackles, three interceptions and showed ideal size (5-11, 195 pounds), while also being able to run stride for stride with most of the top SEC pass catchers. Oliver has long arms and shows the ability to time his leaps to keep taller receivers from gaining an advantage on him while the ball is in the air.

His game film would seem to show that he has better game speed than 40 times, which offers him the chance to help out in nickel and dime packages for the team that decides to add him through the draft. There are a number of teams that have private workouts set up with Oliver, including the Atlanta Falcons and the San Diego Chargers, according to his agent Jason Chayut.

Chris Patrick

Patrick is an interesting prospect that began to show signs of becoming another in the long line of talented Cornhuskers' blockers last season. He recorded times in the 5.20-5.30 range, although a few watches showed times just under 5.20. His 31 bench reps of 225 pounds show that he has the weight room strength to be a worthwhile long-range prospect, although there was a split between whether he should remain at tackle or move inside to guard.

At 6-4 5/8, 303 pounds, he ran 4.50 in the short shuttle, and recorded a 7.60 3-cone and 27" vertical. He moved well for a player of his size, but was a little stiff in certain drills. But according to his agent Joe Linta, who represents a number of offensive linemen in the NFL, most teams attending his workout (12 overall) said they had a sixth- to seventh-round grade on him.

Robert Armstrong

Armstrong, a former Maryland transfer and potential sleeper of this group, has the necessary size (6-4, 318) and has flashed both quickness off the ball and pass rush skills for an interior lineman. He had three sacks in a contest against Norfolk State. One stumbling block though is an old back injury which will be reviewed by team officials.

He will work out on campus at Morgan State on June 28. Since his paper work was approved earlier this week, 10 NFL teams have inquired about game film and his workout date, according to his representative Angelo Wright.

Donta Moore

Moore, though a much better defender in the box than when asked to drop into deep coverage, played out of position at outside linebacker as he is built ideally for strong safety. He has been timed in the 4.50 range and showed great tenacity last season as he played the final eight games of the year with a broken arm. If he can flash the type of workout numbers (37" vertical, 10' 4" broad jump) to go along with the fact that he had 16 tackles against West Virginia and 12 tackles, including 6½ tackles for loss versus Wake Forest, it could get him a solid free agent look. Keep an eye on the Green Bay Packers since their scouting director, John Dorsey, is a former Hall of Fame member of the Huskies football team.

Mark Washington

Washington is an interesting athlete who, at roughly 6-3, 245, has been timed in the 4.55-4.60 range and transferred to Texas State from Arizona State. He was miscast in the role of being a very under-sized defensive tackle, but also failed to reach certain academic and team standards in the offseason.

Other prospects could be ruled eligible for the supplemental draft, but most would be deemed long shots. For the most part, teams are reluctant to surrender an '08 draft pick. In addition, any prospect taken must fit into this year's rookie salary cap pool. As a result, I expect to see Oliver taken between rounds three or four and Patrick possibly taken with a late choice by someone like the Houston Texans, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs or Oakland Raiders – each of whom could use a young tackle/guard at an inexpensive price tag.