Will Jared Gaither Make The Kansas City Chiefs Roster?
by Joel Thorman on Aug 22, 2011 9:45 AM CDT
in Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp 2011
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PrintThe Kansas City Chiefs picked up OT Jared Gaither just a week after he failed a physical with the Oakland Raiders and while he claims he's 100 percent healthy after missing all of last season with a back injury, that's clearly not the case as he has been very, very limited in practice.
Kent Babb of the KC Star reported that Gaither left Chiefs practice early on Sunday and headed to the dreaded "Rehab Zone" to ride the exercise bike. In the KC Star blog post, Babb wondered whether Gaither would be worth a roster spot at all.
It's a good, if not surprising, question. We knew Gaither failed a physical with the Raiders so we figured he wasn't completely healthy. So the idea that he may not even make the team, while still surprising, isn't completely out of the blue.
Personally, I think he's making this team (and that's just a guess not based on any insider info). If he can stay on the roster throughout the year, prove that he's healthy and that he still has some ability, then he'd be worth keeping on the roster, even if the Chiefs don't plan to retain him next year.
I say that partially due to the compensatory pick system. The Chiefs are paying Gaither less than $700,000 this season so they have a minor investment in him (well, "minor" is relative in this case). But if Gaither gets healthy while on the Chiefs, and leaves the team next year via free agency, the Chiefs could be eligible for a compensatory pick depending on the contract he signs elsewhere and how much he plays in 2012.
Maybe I'm looking too much into this -- it wouldn't be the first time -- but Gaither has potential value for the Chiefs even if all he does is get healthy this year in KC.
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Yes he's worth a roster spot
A dinged up Jared Gaither is still better than any of the backup tackles the Chiefs currently have. If he’s too hurt to contribute, then he should be on the PUP.
My thinking is that he starts off the year on the PUP.
He has yet to play in a preseason game, and if he isn’t ready to go game 1 he will be placed on the PUP. Gives him time to get up to speed, and if he isn’t ready after 6 weeks place him on IR.
Go Chiefs!!!!
I saw after I posted... completely forget
Same thing happened with that linebacker a couple years ago. Believe he was on the Dolphins? His name escapes me for the moment.
Go Chiefs!!!!
Zach Thomas?
It is what it is and we are who we are.
Sober (again) since January 10th, 2011.
by nateforchiefs on Aug 22, 2011 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions
i'll guess that he starts on pup list first before making the roster
The only players I hurt with my words are the ones who have an inflated opinion of their ability. I can't worry about that.
Bill Parcells
Knowledge is confidence. And confidence lets you play fast.
Bill Parcells
good call, if he can't shake whatever's ailing him right meow.
I also agree with CLK above – a functioning Gaither is a helluva backup at Tackle (better than we have currently).
by Ochophosphate on Aug 22, 2011 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't believe you can place someone on PUP now.
Has to be done prior to the start of the league year. Now either has to be on the roster or injured reserve (and unavailable for the year).
The views expressed by craig in calgary do not necessarily represent the views of all Canadians.
by saskwatch on Aug 22, 2011 10:02 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Haven't they put people on the PUP during cutdowns before?
Insert witty yet thought provoking phrase here.
Prior as in Prior Conviction? Or was that just a Freudian slip? :-)
by u2nspenserfan on Aug 22, 2011 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions
I answered yes...
The poll question doesn’t specifically say the initiial 53-man roster. I think he will make it to the roster once he proves himself healthy.
I would say that there are still other things to be considered
When teams start cuttting players, there could easily be another option out there that would make a more immediate impact. If the Chiefs could find someone during the time that other teams are trimming their rosters, it is very conceivable that Gaither does not make the team. Much depends on why he failed his physical and what Pioli and Haley think of his status. If the guy can’t get healthy, it would seem to me that he is longer term insurance for not being able to find a better solution and will make the team. If somebody else becomes available, he may just go bye-bye.
"You gonna pull them pistols...or whistle Dixie?"
He should definitely make it and if he's not ready, put him on the PUP list
At least give him the time to work himself into shape.
crap... i thought I remembered this... Gaither likely not eligible for PUP
A player has to be placed on Active PUP before he begins training camp, so that’s why you’re seeing the stories popping up now.
And one of the most important rules, a player must be on Active PUP in order to be considered for Reserve PUP.
That article is from 2009,
I wonder if that has changed with the new CBA?
Particularly for this season with the strange circumstances
like they did with expanding the TC roster to 90.
by CapsLockKey on Aug 22, 2011 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
yes
my thought is the upside of Gaither keeps him on the team, one way or another.
I could see him on PUP/IR if he’s not healthy, or on the bench if he’s close.
Gaither seems like a “gamer”… the type of guy who’ll miss practice, but when he’s called upon, can come into the game and contribute. The only question is, will Haley play him if he doesn’t practice enough?
They will cut him before injured reserve.
He is only on a one year deal so why pay him to be on IR when his salary is not guaranteed until the first game.
The views expressed by craig in calgary do not necessarily represent the views of all Canadians.
by saskwatch on Aug 22, 2011 10:04 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
disagree
this organization has been liberal in using IR to retain players that they see potential in.
Gaither signed for a very reasonable amount, so I don’t see them balking on paying him to sit on IR if they think he can start next season
They did keep Devard Darling for a whole year on the IR after all
by CapsLockKey on Aug 22, 2011 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions
But he will not be under contract.
No way they franchise tag him, so unless they think putting him on IR helps getting him to resign there is no benefit. I personally expect he will go where the money is.
The views expressed by craig in calgary do not necessarily represent the views of all Canadians.
by saskwatch on Aug 22, 2011 10:22 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Don't they have to put him on IR if he's injured in camp & can't play?
Predictions:
KC will be a Superbowl favorite in 2012
I hope he can get healthy
After taking a look at BJ and Bfett’s collabo seeing Kruger blow past B-Rich I have to say Im a little worried.
Not if he doesn't get on the field soon
Very, very soon. There are still FA vet tackles out there who can be signed as a one year stopgap to help our T depth or even challenge B-Rich.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Agree
loved this pick up but just has been so disappointing. Has he even played. AT ALL? other than just moving a sled.
Rodney Hudson will play Guard.
Jon Asamoah will be starting center by week 5
by Jazzy Megalodon on Aug 22, 2011 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
If hes even remotely healthy yes!!
Were thin on quality oline depth and at his talent level and the price we signed him at he definately makes the team unless something happens and hes out for the season also a sidenote on him regarding practice yesterday I think him going to conditioning zone was planned he went thru all position drills and never begged out and when they went live he went to the rehab area maybe the team didnt want him to go full bore on his knee just yet or wanted him to condition and get in shape just my opinion
i am a diehard chief fan and have been since 1992 and that wont ever change my current favorite player in the entire nfl is chiefs wr dwayne bowe and im loving the chiefs 2010 draft eric berry and dexter mccluster and javier arenas to go along with tony moeaki and jon asamoah and cameron sheffield!!
chiefs rock!!!
by kcsam on Aug 22, 2011 10:13 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
I think that he is on the roster to start the season
If he doesn’t show progress thru week 4-6 then I can see them cutting him or IR. There is still a ton of upsidt to keeping him and hoping he gets better.
2011 NFL Draft: Bring on the fatty's!
This was my favorite pick up this offseason but.....
He has been really disappointing.
Rodney Hudson will play Guard.
Jon Asamoah will be starting center by week 5
by Jazzy Megalodon on Aug 22, 2011 10:39 AM CDT reply actions
OT, I don't think that sig is gonna work out
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I was optimistic when we signed him, but I don't think he'll make it now.
No matter how good he is when he’s healthy, he’s currently a backup. And you can’t really move up the depth chart if you can’t practice or play. And if you’re a backup and you can’t practice or play, you’re probably getting released.
time-wise...
…I didn’t really expect to see him before next week’s game anyway, so, by my reasoning, he has a few more days to at least get healthy enough to get in for a few plays. Considering the quality of the other reserve tackles we’re carrying, the Chiefs could even wait until the final pre-season game to see him on the field before making a decision.
Huh?
Why would you IR a guy who has never even taken a preseason snap for you, and pay him $700K, when he’s going to be a free agent next season?
They wouldn't be retaining his rights.
He’d be out for the year, and then be free to sign with any team. That is, unless they franchised him, which they clearly wouldn’t do.
I think the only way they do it is if they had some understanding of working out a new deal during the season.
Exactly, that is what I was getting at.
The only way he goes to IR if his injury is determined to have happened in camp, and then the only way than can release him us to reach an injury settlement.
The views expressed by craig in calgary do not necessarily represent the views of all Canadians.
by saskwatch on Aug 22, 2011 12:47 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
retain his rights all year
if he’s looking healthy, they can offer him a new contract after the season.
sure, he’d be free to sign with another team at that point, but he’ll have a year with the Chiefs staff to evaluate and get to know the playbook, so KC would be the favorite to re-sign him
If he practices some this week and the next and plays in the next two preseason games
he has a chance, otherwise he is released, put on PUP, or put on IR, but he can’t make the roster unless they get some tape
@TruChiefJonRyd
not sure this is true
he can’t make the roster unless they get some tape
How much did Weigmann play in the preseason last year?
Wiegmann didn't miss the entire season before.
Quite the opposite – he hadn’t missed in a snap in eleventy bazillionteen years.
Kind of comparing apples to cheesecake. Plus there was no “Can he recover from a potentially career ending injury?” issue with Wiegs.
The Chiefs and I have mutually agreed on this decision and although I look forward to continuing my career, I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Kansas City.
agreed, it was an oversimplifcation
mostly playing devil’s advocate
but, I do think there’s a chance, with a veteran FA acquisition, that they sit out the preseason and make the roster
Yeah, not at all out of the realm of possibility.
When you already know for a fact the guy played the position at an elite level in the pro’s before, getting him back into the physical shape to do it would seem like the prudent thing, and not getting him coached up.
The Chiefs and I have mutually agreed on this decision and although I look forward to continuing my career, I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Kansas City.
Honestly
I think he might be 100% healthy, but not 100% Haley conditioned healthy.
His back will have to be strong, but also flexible. He may be having muscle cramps and pain in his back because he’s not properly loosening up before practice.
But absolutely, I’d keep him unless he’s actually injured.
A nightmare of an O-line: Gaither, Lilja, Weigmann/Hudson, Asamoah, Albert. Ready to welcome a future Chiefs cheerleader to the family!
If it was anything beyond minor
I would think the Chiefs would have already cut him by now. I think you are right that they are just being careful making sure he gets in football shape before throwing him out there as he was a late comer to the team.
by CapsLockKey on Aug 22, 2011 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions
It's not his back
From the injury report and the sound of things it’s a knee injury that’s been hobbling him the last few days. That may just be one of those “not in football shape” kind of things where it just takes a bit of time to get back after being away for so long. Who knows. I think the most telling thing will be whether he suits up this Friday or not.
We took a chance on him being able to contribute to the team. I think people got too caught up in him being the starting LT before even worrying about if he was physically capable of playing the game. We can hope, but luckily it was a very inexpensive chance.
If he gets a roster spot …
I don’t anticipate him playing much, if at all, until week 10 or 11.
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