New Deal For Jared Gaither?

Now that the Ravens acquired via the first round of the 2009 draft the man who could become their long-term right tackle, the man whom they found via the 2007 supplemental draft could be in line for a long-term deal to continue to man the left edge of the line. Because Jared Gaither signed a three-year deal after he was acquired via a 2008 fifth-round pick prior to the preceding season, he’ll be eligible for restricted free agency in 2010. And with high-end left tackles typically available only at the top of round one (but for the occasional undrafted tight end who gives the position a try and then does so well he forces his way to Philly), another team that needs a left tackle might be happy to give up a first-round pick and a third-round pick next year -- especially if those picks come fairly late in the process. If, for example, Gaither had been a restricted free agent tendered at the highest level in 2009, the Steelers might have gladly surrendered the 32nd and 96th overall picks in 2008 for him. As a result, Gaither’s new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has discussed with the Ravens a new contract. It’s unknown whether the Ravens are sufficiently motivated to get a deal done. Under Gaither’s current contract, he’ll earn a base salary of $460,000 this season, the minimum for a player with two accrued seasons. Last season, Gaither appeared in all 19 regular-season and postseason games, starting eighteen of them. UPDATE: Aaron Wilson reports that Gaither fired his prior representative, Kevin Pompey, on April 20, based on NFLPA records. Per Wilson, the NFLPA has not yet received a representation agreement indicating that Rosenhaus now represents Gaither. Wilson also astutely points out that the Ravens, the team he covers on a regular basis, are up against the salary cap. As of April 22, they had only $968,000 in cap space.