Where do you rank Gaither?

[TheRealJoker]

I think this guy is gonna shoot up the boards after the combines. Since we wont be getting Joe Thomas most likely I would love for this guy to fall into our laps at numero ocho.

[cadahnic]

I don't like taking him at #8, for that matter I don't like taking any OLineman that high (I'd be ok with taking Joe Thomas there if he falls) and I don't see the team taking an OLineman in the 1st.

[threetoedpete]

http://forums.houstontexans.com/show...t=33651&page=2

Pardon the heck out of me. Who knew...That's interesting.

http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/declareducs.htm

[YoungTexanFan]

First of all, has he declared. If he did so today, I'm sorry I missed it. I ve been drinking all night. If he declares, on basis of talent and potential...the list looks like this:
1. Gaither
2. Thomas






10. Everyone else.

[TheRealJoker]

So I take it 2 out of 3 of the people who have responded so far want the Texans taking Gaither at 8?

[awtysst]

Originally Posted by TheRealJoker

So I take it 2 out of 3 of the people who have responded so far want the Texans taking Gaither at 8?

I do not really know him and havent started my player research as of yet. I usually wait till the Season is over and the underclassmen declare.

[edo783]

OK, he has commited. So, does that mean there are now 2 top level LTs coming out? If so, we should be able to grab one at the 8 spot. I liked the look of Thomas's game a lot and havent seen Gaither's game. How do they compare?

[Texian]

Originally Posted by awtysst

I do not really know him and havent started my player research as of yet. I usually wait till the Season is over and the underclassmen declare.

This is all I know, this year Gaither did not even make honorable mention on the All ACC team. Gaither was moved back to ROT when Stephon Heyer returned from injury this year to claim LOT. Heyer did make Honorable Mention. I watched the bowl game and nothing Gaither did really stood out.

[YoungTexanFan]

Originally Posted by edo783

OK, he has commited. So, does that mean there are now 2 top level LTs coming out? If so, we should be able to grab one at the 8 spot. I liked the look of Thomas's game a lot and havent seen Gaither's game. How do they compare?

He is stupid for declaring because he isn't as well known or polished yet as some other OT's. He has tons of upside and has shut down some stud NFL DE's and OLB's, but he is only a soph this year who is 3 removed from HS. (Went to a military academy for a year first) One of the strongest OT's in years. Great footwork and huge frame. Locks his arms well. I've always been high on the guy. Marylands RB had a big day and most of that was behind Gaither to the right side. He sealed EVERYTHING and the QB was on his feet the whole game. Gaither needed another year to develop more which is scary, but he is a top 10 talent for sure. I think he is something like 6'7 330 and runs a 4.6/4.7 40. The guy can move, and he moves what ever is in his way. Everyone is so high on Mario...Gaither absolutely shut him down along with every other DE he faced.

There are now 2 elite talent OT's. Gaither will be a better pro than Thomas, but Thomas is a little more polished. I still take Gaither before Thomas because of where he should wind up when he develops more. He is worth a top 5, so I deffinatly take him at 8 and shore up that gaping, 5 year hole.

[threetoedpete]

Now YTF, you don't know what this guys home situation is. You're talking multimillion dollar paydays. We don't know what the guys thought processes are or why he did this. You're propbably correct with your anaylisis.


But our big question this morning is...a guy this raw...this rough....where do you draft him bassed purly on potential ?

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by YoungTexanFan

He is stupid for declaring because he isn't as well known or polished yet as some other OT's. He has tons of upside and has shut down some stud NFL DE's and OLB's, but he is only a soph this year who is 3 removed from HS. (Went to a military academy for a year first) One of the strongest OT's in years. Great footwork and huge frame. Locks his arms well. I've always been high on the guy. Marylands RB had a big day and most of that was behind Gaither to the right side. He sealed EVERYTHING and the QB was on his feet the whole game. Gaither needed another year to develop more which is scary, but he is a top 10 talent for sure. I think he is something like 6'7 330 and runs a 4.6/4.7 40. The guy can move, and he moves what ever is in his way. Everyone is so high on Mario...Gaither absolutely shut him down along with every other DE he faced.

There are now 2 elite talent OT's. Gaither will be a better pro than Thomas, but Thomas is a little more polished. I still take Gaither before Thomas because of where he should wind up when he develops more. He is worth a top 5, so I deffinatly take him at 8 and shore up that gaping, 5 year hole.

Thomas may indeed slip to the Texans if the other GMs feel the same way you do about his (Gaither) potential. along w/JaMarcus (need CJ too) coming out early a really, really good player will be pushed to the Texans selecting 8th.

[Please_Evolve]

I haven't seen the guy play myself and i think we'll probably go defense again this year's first. but man....the idea of shoring up our line even if Spencer comes back totally healthy........

[YoungTexanFan]

Originally Posted by threetoedpete

Now YTF, you don't know what this guys home situation is. You're talking multimillion dollar paydays. We don't know what the guys thought processes are or why he did this. You're propbably correct with your anaylisis.


But our big question this morning is...a guy this raw...this rough....where do you draft him bassed purly on potential ?

Your right, I haven't heard much about Gaither here in Houston, and I put my Maryland tapes in the attic already for this year. I just assumed he was coming back to school.

Based purely on potential he is top 5 and ahead of Thomas. Based on where he is at now, who he has beaten, he is top 15 but should go top 10 after he dominates the combine.

[YoungTexanFan]

Originally Posted by beerlover

Thomas may indeed slip to the Texans if the other GMs feel the same way you do about his (Gaither) potential. along w/JaMarcus (need CJ too) coming out early a really, really good player will be pushed to the Texans selecting 8th.

Some GM will fall in love w/330 moving at 4.6 speed. Hopefully that is Smith and we take our franchise LT. If Spencer comes back, great, RT or RG. Gaither is a better prospect than D'brick or Thomas, but I have D'brick higher than Thomas.

[carter08]

If Texans go OLine first round and Thomas isn't available, I say Sam Baker

[YoungTexanFan]

Originally Posted by carter08

If Texans go OLine first round and Thomas isn't available, I say Sam Baker

I don't think he is declaring, but Gaither runs circles around him in thems of where he already is and then add on to that where he potential should take him and it just makes me laugh.

[tulexan]

I don't think we are going to draft OL in the first round because Smith and Kubiak have said that we are looking for play makers and pass rush. Another thing is that we didn't even look at D'Brick last year which shows me that we aren't interested in spending high draft picks on OL, especially in the zone blocking system.

[Texian]

I keep hearing he is top 5, top 15, better than D'Brick, better than Thomas. If all this true why couldn't he even get mentioned as an honorable mention in the ACC? Much less All American.

[YoungTexanFan]

Originally Posted by Texian

I keep hearing he is top 5, top 15, better than D'Brick, better than Thomas. If all this true why couldn't he even get mentioned as an honorable mention in the ACC? Much less All American.

He is a soph that was moved around because of his athleticsm to help get the best 5 on the field. He was suspended early in the year for breaking a team rule and I believe broke curfew and didn't start his bolw game.

I've looked a lot of different MB opinions on him. Very few people think as highly of him as I do, but almost everyone says 1st round. That is now, and he will rise. He apparently is 6'9 not 6'7 as I posted.

[beerlover]

6085 330 lbs. 5.32- 40