The Oakland Raiders are doing their 2011 NFL free agency due diligence on Jared Gaither, which is more than Vittorio Tafur and all the idiots who jumped on his coattails (myself included) in reporting that Gaither was a Raider. It now sounds like that deal we were all reporting is in place. It is just pending Gaither's physical. This comes to us via Josh Dubow on SFGate.com:
...free agent offensive tackle Jared Gaither was at the Raiders facility watching practice and being checked out by team doctors.
Coach Hue Jackson said nothing would be finalized with Gaither until the Raiders were assured he was healthy. Gaither missed all last season with a back injury.
And that is a good thing. It probably goes without saying that if Gaither can't pass the physical, then the Raiders don't exactly want to ink the guy to a new contract.
Friday was the first day that free agents could visit with any team other than the team with whom their contract had just expired. Obviously there is always a chance that another team could swoop in and steal Gaither, but in all likelihood it sounds like if his back is ready to go, then he will be a Raider.