Offensive Tackle

Early last week, Virginia coach Al Groh invented the word "mammothness" to describe Jared Gaither - Maryland's 6-foot-9, 350-pound offensive tackle - to the local media in Charlottesville. Last year, Gaither took the majority of his snaps at left tackle and was matched up against Virginia defensive end Chris Long. He manhandled Long and helped pave the way for the Terps' 570 yards of total offense in their 45-33 win over the Cavaliers. Because Gaither was moved to right tackle this season, senior Stephon Heyer was going head-to-head with Long on Saturday - until Terps coach Ralph Friedgen replaced him with Gaither and put Dane Randolph in at right tackle.

Sign of progress: Remember how Ravens coach Brian Billick laid into his offense for lapses in concentration 11 days ago and made it practice for an extra 25 minutes? Yesterday marked a crisp, up-tempo workout that ended 25 minutes early.More progress: The butterfingers are disappearing steadily, as the dropped passes so common in camp's early days are fading. Yesterday's practice featured a superb, sliding grab on the sideline by Webster Slaughter and a great end-zone catch in a red-zone drill by Justin Armour, who is catching everything.

The greeting on the answering machine at the home of the Zolaks in Monongahela, Pa., was a novel one: "Scott was taken as the first pick in the fourth round. If you want to leave a message . . ."Scott Zolak, Maryland's starting quarterback last season, was indeed the first player chosen in the fourth round of the NFL draft yesterday. He was tapped by the New England Patriots as the 84th pick overall.The only other Maryland player drafted in the first four rounds yesterday was offensive tackle Clarence Jones, by the New York Giants.

WestminsterOwlsCoach: Jeff Oeming, fourth yearAssistant coaches: Tom Hawkins, Bob Johnson, Doug Stump, Tom Mc Hugh, Bill Snowden, Greg Bricca, Brent Whelan, Rob JohnsonLast year's record: 7-3, 5-1 and tied for the Central Maryland Conference championshipTop returnees: Seniors, running back/defensive back Todd Leppert, offensive guard/linebacker James Stump, offensive tackle/defensive tackle Brent Black, fullback/defensive end Mike Hastings, running back/defensive...

Despite their strong draft history, the Ravens could be going against it Saturday. One of their top prospects is Oklahoma offensive tackle Jammal Brown, a rarity for the Ravens not only for the first round but the entire first day. In their nine years of drafting, the Ravens have only taken two offensive linemen- offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (1996) and center Casey Rabach (2001) - in the first three rounds. But ... "That could change this year very quickly," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said.

FIRST MELEE:: Nine days into training camp, the Ravens got into their first scuffle. After offensive tackle Joe Reitz got tangled up with a defensive lineman, the offense and defense both converged into a mob. There was some shoving, but no punches were thrown. FRUSTRATED FLACCO:: In the first couple of team drills, Joe Flacco got pressured and couldn't find an open receiver, which led to his scrambling more than throwing. Later, he overthrew an open Demetrius Williams in the end zone.

Quarterback C+ Kyle Boller made big league throws, but at times he looked like he still belonged in Pop Warner. He's an asset as a backup but also showed why the Ravens struggled against quality teams when he was the starter. It wasn't bad for a player who has had limited repetitions. Running backs C+ Jamal Lewis had 109 yards on 22 carries, but one run was for 52 yards. It was a quiet 100-yard performance, and Lewis made most of the yards on his own again. Fullback Ovie Mughelli had a touchdown reception and a good day as a lead blocker.

Quarterback -- C -- Trent Dilfer was his usual erratic self, especially in the first half. If he was a little more consistent in the first half, the Ravens would have blown the Giants out in the second quarter. But he found his touch in the third quarter, especially with some passes over the middle. Offensive line -- C -- The Ravens didn't get much push on run-blocking in the first half, but they started to wear the Giants down a little in the second. New York got a lot of pressure with its pass rush, and the Ravens' coaching staff should have given right offensive tackle Harry Swayne more help on end Michael Strahan.

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins, needing an offensive tackle in case oft-injured Jim Lachey does not return, traded their second- and third-round picks in yesterday's NFL draft for the Dallas Cowboys' first-round choice -- the 30th in the round -- and selected Penn State's Andre Johnson.The Redskins, who traded their first-round pick (sixth overall) April 8 to the St. Louis Rams for defensive tackle Sean Gilbert, acquired Johnson, a 6-foot-5, 309-pounder, by giving the Cowboys the 37th and 67th picks overall.