Re-signing TE Dennis Pitta

[FlocksGottaFeed]

TEs arent super expensive, but Pitta is probably top 10 or so in the league. The going rate is about 6-7M per year. I think someone will sign him for that.

True. In 2012, Pitta was ranked between 5th-9th in most polls of Top Tight Ends (because of SB run). The salaries for these TE ranged from about 5 million to 500,000 respectively. By 2013, the salaries of top 10 TEs did range from 7-6 million. All this considered, Pitta unfortunately wasn't able to be a part of that salary boom for 2 reasons. 1) Although some had him high in the rankings based on his late season performance and QB comfort level - others saw his raw stats as 15th-20th at best. 2) His 'real' money contract wasn't going to be until 2014 and most scouts/prospectors sided with the more speedy/basketball/freak-like/speed-merchant TEs to build from than traditional pass catching TEs. Now it's 2013, add in the unfortunate injury severly minimizing his ability to solitify his true worth and an overstocked stable of (freak-like) 2014 college draft picks.

 

That being said, I feel Dennis is worth more than the 2 million he's getting, but I don't believe many teams will be willing to go as high as 6-7 million with only a 3rd of a season's work, the injury and doubts about if he'll do better without the QB comfort and scheme of the Ravens. With this in mind, Dennis Pitta will most likely sign another 1 year contract w/bonus incentives, play an entire season with his chemistry-established QB and team and compete at an high level before getting the max offers from other teams and (hopefully) the Ravens.

 

This is just my hope because I believe Heap guessed wrong along with others. Just ask Dallas. If you have chemistry where you are...that's priceless. If they can work with you to build something special as a franchise, then you work with them. That's how a dynasty is built. We should work to keep Pitta purple and black.

[The Mom Gene]

As it stands, the Patriots definitely have the better rushing attack and are usually right there with us.

I do agree that Pitta isn't asked to be the super star and he dies quite well as a reliable third down option, which is what the Ravens need the most.

... and as I had said previously...  "traditionally".  I know we haven't had even a good year with our running game.  But traditionally, the Patriots don't usually have near the same running game.  They have always relied on their QB's arm.   In PREVIOUS YEARS....  they haven't had much of a running game at all.  I think Pitta being out for most of the season has really hurt us...and it was a huge shock when it did happen.  

[dhstandard]

As far as Torrey didn't Ray say a blind cat can even find a meal? Seriously, I think it would be beneficial to both sides. It was more to make sure he's back to full strength with no lingering effects. Hips are a pretty big injury. Pitta has time to earn some of the money he lost from not playing and the team gets to evaluate him over a full season. Would prefer a cap friendly deal is reached in the off sease.

 

With how he played in his first game back I don't think the hip is a big deal.  You saw the impact he made in just his first game this season.  How can you not want to lock him up now while he is still cheap?

[Purple_ICE 81]

 

I was doing some research into how much work Dennis Pitta could get for the game against the Detroit Lions, and I stumbled across his career stats. I saw them and at first I thought it was a joke. His career stats are really pedestrian, nothing to write home about. Now, I have no doubt that he could have developed into a great pass catching tight end had he not been injured, but he was and it derailed him from getting going.

I see a lot of people who are worried about resigning Pitta, but honestly, I'm not too worried. Those stats are going to be brought up in negotiations, and they clearly favor the Ravens. The injury will also likely be in the Ravens favor. I could easily see the Ravens resigning Pitta, and I do not think it will be a mega-contract.

What do you think?

 

Franchise tag... then perhaps 5 years $25M

[T3hRaven]

... and as I had said previously...  "traditionally".  I know we haven't had even a good year with our running game.  But traditionally, the Patriots don't usually have near the same running game.  They have always relied on their QB's arm.   In PREVIOUS YEARS....  they haven't had much of a running game at all.  I think Pitta being out for most of the season has really hurt us...and it was a huge shock when it did happen.  

 

2012 they were 7th in yards, 1st in TDs.  2011 20th in yards, 3rd in TDs, .  2010 they were 9th in yards, 2nd in TDs.  2009 12th in yards, 6th in TDs.  2008 they were 6th in yards and 4th in TDs.  Even in 2007, the offensive explosion year with the passing TD record and receiving TD record, they were still rankd 13th in yards and 5th in TDs.  Of course the Patriots can run, they have a fantastic OL.  They haven't had a real star back in a while admittedly, but they're smart enough to realize you don't need to waste money on one, unlike us.  Their YPC has been on par with everyone else, and they often beat us since our offense was about volume more than efficiency.  The run game does exactly what they want it to do, it's effective and helps them score points.  As a said, Belichick likes running the ball, especially in the red zone.  You're playing into the narrative created by the media, just like the Flacco haters and the people who say Tony Romo sucks.  Running games make passing games and quarterbacks effective, and that's part of the reason Flacco has looked inconsistent at times this season.

 

Just for comparison, our numbers in 2012 were 11th in yards, 6th in TDs.  2011 10th in yards, 10th in TDs.  2010 14th in yards, 18th in TDs.  2009 5th in yards, 1st in TDs (this was the one year we had a great OL and had an efficient run game and great YPC).  2008 4th in yards, 5th in TDs.  2007 16th in yards, 18th in TDs.

[The Raven]

New England has a great run game and makes good use of it too. I think they might have been the closest team to a 50/50 run pass ratio last season, if not one of the closest

[The Mom Gene]

2012 they were 7th in yards, 1st in TDs.  2011 20th in yards, 3rd in TDs, .  2010 they were 9th in yards, 2nd in TDs.  2009 12th in yards, 6th in TDs.  2008 they were 6th in yards and 4th in TDs.  Even in 2007, the offensive explosion year with the passing TD record and receiving TD record, they were still rankd 13th in yards and 5th in TDs.  Of course the Patriots can run, they have a fantastic OL.  They haven't had a real star back in a while admittedly, but they're smart enough to realize you don't need to waste money on one, unlike us.  Their YPC has been on par with everyone else, and they often beat us since our offense was about volume more than efficiency.  The run game does exactly what they want it to do, it's effective and helps them score points.  As a said, Belichick likes running the ball, especially in the red zone.  You're playing into the narrative created by the media, just like the Flacco haters and the people who say Tony Romo sucks.  Running games make passing games and quarterbacks effective, and that's part of the reason Flacco has looked inconsistent at times this season.

 

Just for comparison, our numbers in 2012 were 11th in yards, 6th in TDs.  2011 10th in yards, 10th in TDs.  2010 14th in yards, 18th in TDs.  2009 5th in yards, 1st in TDs (this was the one year we had a great OL and had an efficient run game and great YPC).  2008 4th in yards, 5th in TDs.  2007 16th in yards, 18th in TDs.

You love to argue with me...  I Love Flacco.  I Love Pitta.  My main point is that some people do nothing but quote stats and are relying way too much on Stats.  Period.  You can quote stats all day long.  I'll take the wins and losses all day long....  Let it go man...  Time for me to move on.  

[Grapple Raven]

After the year we have experienced on offense, get the American Express Card out, this tight end ain't going no where, lol.  He will be everywhere you want him to be...and that is right here in purple. 

[JoeyFlex5]

When did we get a running game?  I mean you're completely wrong about those teams running 5 wide and not having a running game as well, just our acquisition of one was something I must've missed.

your avatar fits this argument perfectly

[flynismo]

After watching Dickson drop everything thrown his way, it isn't a question of how much to give Pitta, it is a question of how long do we want to keep him for.

[BmoreBird22]

 

... and as I had said previously...  "traditionally".  I know we haven't had even a good year with our running game.  But traditionally, the Patriots don't usually have near the same running game.  They have always relied on their QB's arm.   In PREVIOUS YEARS....  they haven't had much of a running game at all.  I think Pitta being out for most of the season has really hurt us...and it was a huge shock when it did happen.  

You'll want to check that stats. The Patriots have historically had a great running game, ranking ahead of the Ravens three times since Flacco stepped into the league. Their only ranking outside the top 15 game in 2011, but they made up for it by being ranked in the top 3 in touchdowns scored. They've ranked as high as sixth overall and ranked in the top ten three times, I believe. 

The huge misconception is that the Patriots don't have a running game, but they do. They just don't have a superstar back, but trust me, their running game is always right about where it needs to be. Tom Brady has an awesome supporting cast in that respect.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=2&offensiveStatisticCategory=RUSHING&conference=ALL&role=TM&season=2013&seasonType=REG&d-447263-s=RUSHING_YARDS_PER_GAME_AVG&d-447263-o=2&d-447263-n=1

Play around with that for a little bit.

[gabefergy]

If the Ravens don't pay him, someone will. 5 years, 32 million. I doubt he signs for less. The hip is clearly not an issue.

[redrum52]

With how he played in his first game back I don't think the hip is a big deal. You saw the impact he made in just his first game this season. How can you not want to lock him up now while he is still cheap?

Last sentence said I'd orefer a cap friendly deal, but at the same time I feel he's a guy who deserves his money. I'm all for players getting what they can, especially with how the league treats it's guys.

[1/28/01]

Franchise tag... then perhaps 5 years $25M

To have a player play under the franchise tag when you have little space available already is a horrible idea. They need to work a deal to sign him now. If the hip injury was what they originally thought, he wouldnt have been designated to return and he then bviously wouldnt have returned. Pay him!

[HaX]

I honestly believe flacco won't let him leave

[The Raven]

I honestly believe flacco won't let him leave

 

Flacco himself will probably pay Pitta to keep him here. He's got 120, why not? Haha

[PoeDinkum]

Furthermore, Pitta gets it. This organization prides itself on grabbing a lunchpail and going to work. I like the fact that it he's been back just a few weeks, had an immediate impact on the field, and is telling it like it is off the field, too.

 

Check out his perception of media coverage and how the team responds:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/14/pitta-says-ravens-dont-get-the-respect-they-deserve/

[tolucaraven]

Franchise tag is 6.6 million. Plus, Pitta and Joe are best freinds, i wouldnt worry about it. He probably gets about 5 million per on a longterm deal.

[BmoreBird22]

Franchise tag is 6.6 million. Plus, Pitta and Joe are best freinds, i wouldnt worry about it. He probably gets about 5 million per on a longterm deal.

Franchise tag is only $6.6 million? That's lower than I thought. That makes it even more ridiculous that people think he can get $7 million. $4-$5 million is fair to me.

[beanfigger]

It seems like everyone is finally coming around to what I've been saying since training camp. Pitta will get multiple years at 4-6 million. It will either be from us or someone else.

[Tank 92]

It seems like everyone is finally coming around to what I've been saying since training camp. Pitta will get multiple years at 4-6 million. It will either be from us or someone else.

 

 

I don't think anyone thought differently.  The question in training camp was would he would ever play football again.

 

Edit;  Well I see there was one person who may have thought differently. 

[rmw10]

It seems like everyone is finally coming around to what I've been saying since training camp. Pitta will get multiple years at 4-6 million. It will either be from us or someone else.

 

In my defense, and I know we debated about this lol, I was operating under the assumption that Pitta would not play football at all this year, so no one would know how well he recovered.

 

If I had even thought that he'd be back, which I didn't think was possible with the original prognosis, I would have agreed with you that he'd get 2 or 3 years in a new deal.

[tolucaraven]

At his age he will get a 4-5 year deal averaging about 5-6 million, cap freindly for next season in all likelyhood.

[beanfigger]

I don't think anyone thought differently.  The question in training camp was would he would ever play football again.

 

Edit;  Well I see there was one person who may have thought differently. 

 

I had long, spirited debates about this with at least four different people this offseason.

 

In my defense, and I know we debated about this lol, I was operating under the assumption that Pitta would not play football at all this year, so no one would know how well he recovered.

 

If I had even thought that he'd be back, which I didn't think was possible with the original prognosis, I would have agreed with you that he'd get 2 or 3 years in a new deal.

 

The reasons why you were wrong are not as important to me as the fact that you were wrong.  Just kidding, kind of.

[rmw10]

I had long, spirited debates about this with at least four different people this offseason.

The reasons why you were wrong are not as important to me as the fact that you were wrong. Just kidding, kind of.

Haha. I do believe I conceded with you that if he came back, I'd agree with you. I think I said that, but I'm not going through that 200 or so page thread to check.

[allblackraven]

Pitta was clutch for us last season and a big part of SB winning run. In his first game after that awful injury, he showed that he hasn't lost anything, he just kept going where he left off. He is worth to us more than any other team in the NFL, simply because Joe and him have that something special going. He will be re-signed to 4-5 year deal, no question about it.

[gabefergy]

Franchise tag is only $6.6 million? That's lower than I thought. That makes it even more ridiculous that people think he can get $7 million. $4-$5 million is fair to me.

You don't understand how the Franchise Tag works. It takes the top contracts going back 5 years into account, so the more recent contracts have only partial impact on the Tag.

 

Gronk was given an extension making close to 9M a year, Hernandez got almost 8M a year. Vernon Davis makes over 7M, Witten makes over 7M, Gonzalez makes 7M, Jared Cook makes 7M, Gates makes close to 7M, Jermichael Finely makes 7M, even Zach Miller makes almost 7M a year. Jimmy Graham is probably going to make 10M+ year.

 

The fact is it's a very flat market for TEs right now. The going rate is in the 6-7M range for a top 10 TE and when Dennis Pitta is healthy he fits that bill. 

 

It doesnt matter what you or I think is fair, what matters is what some team is willing to pay him on the open market. He isn't going to take a hometown discount, because this is his one chance to cash in. He's 28 years old so he probably will only get this one chance. I wouldn't be shocked if he is Franchise Tagged, maybe for 2 years even.

[Purple_ICE 81]

Its going to be tough for Pitta though...although he does not have the stats to back it up he is a great receiver and a lot of teams like New England especially could go after him hard. Shooot if Jared Cook could get a $35M contract who knows what Pitta could get, I just hope he takes a hometown discount.

[PeRK82]

Pay the Man,

 

This guy deserves it more than any other player on this team.

 

He sure as heck makes Joe look better.   Dennis " VISA "  Pitta is one of the top players on this team.

[PeRK82]

I dont think he will do a home field Discount but the number 1 thing we have going for us is he is Best Friend with Joe.

Its going to be tough for Pitta though...although he does not have the stats to back it up he is a great receiver and a lot of teams like New England especially could go after him hard. Shooot if Jared Cook could get a $35M contract who knows what Pitta could get, I just hope he takes a hometown discount.

 

And Flacco , i think, will do what ever he can to make sure Pitta is Here for yrs to come.