Ravens Notebook: Gaither draws flags, scrutiny

Gaither was flagged for two false starts, one holding penalty and an ineligible receiver downfield infraction during a 29-10 victory over the Oakland Raiders. His four penalties went for 25 of the Ravens’ 52 penalty yards on eight flags.

The former

University of
Maryland standout committed his second false-start penalty prior to quarterback Joe Flacco’s 70-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Demetrius Williams and was flagged for drifting downfield leading up to Flacco’s fourth-quarter touchdown run.

Meanwhile, right offensive guard Chris Chester was flagged twice for holding. Plus, fullback Le’Ron McClain jumped early.

Perhaps it was easier for the officials to identify Gaither as the transgressor since he’s 6-foot-9, 330 pounds.

"I think it’s something that any of our offensive linemen have to work out, and it’s not just the offensive linemen," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "We had a back flinch as well, and we lined up wrong outside on the perimeter on the left side one time. Those are all critical things that if we want to become what we want to become, we definitely have to clean that stuff up."

ROLLE ON THE MEND: Harbaugh expressed optimism that cornerback Samari Rolle might play in Sunday’s road game against the Cleveland Browns.

Rolle has missed the past five games as he recovers from neck surgery, and he is progressing faster in his convalescence than strong safety Dawan Landry. Landry has missed five games because of a spinal cord concussion and said last week that he’ll be out at least two more games.

Rolle has not been cleared for contact yet by doctors.

"We feel like Samari is a little ahead of Dawan," Harbaugh said. "I don’t think it’s ruled out for Dawan this week, but it probably is pessimistic.

"For Samari, I don’t know if it’s optimistic, but there’s a chance he’s going to be able to play. So we’re going to get him out there to practice and see how he does and we’re going to push hard to see if we can get him into this game."

McALISTER SIDELINED: Cornerback Chris McAlister’s status remains unresolved.

He was held out Sunday due to his right knee flaring up, according to Harbaugh, who benched McAlister for all but eight snaps in a 27-13 win over the Miami Dolphins two weeks ago.

"Chris is a huge part of what we’re doing, and I think it’s really important that everybody understands that," Harbaugh said. "The whole terming of him being benched, we never used that term. All of a sudden, he was benched. I don’t know where that term came from.

"We’ve been trying to manage Chris’ situation all season, and I think he’s been fighting through it. He’s a world-class athlete who has been one of the best corners, if not maybe the best corner, in the game for the last 10 years and he’s fighting through a knee issue. Sometimes, when you’re that kind of athlete, man, you don’t want to admit that."

Harbaugh stressed that McAlister, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, remains in the Ravens’ plans.

"I think it’s been a valiant effort," Harbaugh said. "We want him on the field playing as much as possible, and we want to manage the reps and put him in the best situation to get through the whole season. Unless something turns with the knee, he’s going to be playing a ton of football for us and is going to be a huge part of what we’re doing."