Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said today he has not fielded any offers – or even had dialog – with any team about a possible trade for left tackle Jared Gaither.
At the team's annual draft luncheon, Newsome also said he expects safety Ed Reed to return in 2010, and that the team has released veteran cornerback Samari Rolle.
Gaither trade rumors have floated throughout the offseason and the Ravens were reported to be willing to accept a second-round pick for him. But Newsome indicated that hasn't happened. He stopped short of saying it wouldn't happen, however.
Although Newsome hasn't spoken to Reed directly, he said there are people in the organization who have, and the result of that dialog is that the Ravens feel comfortable Reed will return. He speculated about retirement at the end of last season because of a chronic neck injury.As for the draft, Newsome said the Ravens were open to trading down, trading up or staying put and picking. Asked if it bothered him that the Ravens had fewer picks (five) than the other teams in the AFC North, Newsome said: "Does it bother me that they don't have as good players as we have in Baltimore? No."
He made his point by saying he'd rather have wide-out Anquan Boldin, whom he acquired in trade this offseason, "than six picks."