Re-signing TE Dennis Pitta

[Poes Crows]

I've been saying Pitta will leave for the past several days myself:  http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/56980-news-late-for-work-110-franchising-dennis-pitta-may-cost-5-million-more-than-expected/?view=findpost&p=1743915

 

To be fair, I don't think Elam could've done enough on the other side of the ball to make up for the tragedy that was Baltimore's 2013 offense. Elam couldn't make Ray Rice tell the truth about his condition.  Elam couldn't create separation for Torrey Smith.  Torrey wasn't always double-teamed.  He frequently lost against single coverage late in the season and confirmed it by lashing out at fans over fantasy football.  I understand his frustration but it's not the fans fault his performance declined against good defenders.  Elam couldn't help the line create running holes or provide Joe better accuracy.  It would be nice to see Ozzie target tough receivers.  Speed is great but I'd rather have a WR or TE with an innate ability to win battles and make catches.  I'll trade a blazing 4-whatever dash for that any day.

 

Back to Pitta, he's gone.  It was nice to see him play for Baltimore.

 

Certainly agree with your point about the Offensive Line being Offensive.  Have to hope Osemele comes back to form. That's the Key.  Yanda started the season less than 100%. Gradkowski had a minor knee procedure after the season.  Oz has an investment in Monroe.  He forked over two valuable draft picks and even though he's not an difference maker type, Oz is gonna pay the money because he feels he doesn't have a better option. Oz is being Oz. Not the Oz of the last decade. The Oz of this Decade and that's what scares us.

 

Regarding Elam, we didn't need to go that route and it hurt the team. We had a better strong safety in place...and then we didn't. It's just the Modern Oz. 

[Hardbaugh]

Anquan Boldin called said he's basically a WR in a TE body.

 

He's better than Dennis Pitta yet he isn't worth an extra 2 million that the franchise pissed away on cut players. Now they are talking about throwing serious coin at an injured TE or franchising him.

 

Oh yeah, Joe and Denny are BFF's... I get it.

 

In the front office I don't trust.

[BloodRaven]

You never know how the FA market pans out, some years are hot for some positions. He obviously has serious value as someone who can move the chains and make tough catches and that alone will get him a lot of interest.

 

He'll take the biggest offer on the table so I won't be surprised if he leaves.

[Alexir]

The Baltimore Sun suggests free agent Dennis Pitta could argue he's a wide receiver if franchise tagged as a tight end by the Ravens.

 

Per Pro Football Focus, Pitta ran 79.7 percent of his 2013 pass routes in the slot, the highest percentage in the league. The tight end tag is worth $6.7 million, while the receiver tag is $11.5 million. The two-week window for teams to slap franchise tags begins on Monday. In an ideal world, the Ravens could avoid this potential dispute by signing Pitta long term. A source tells the Sun, however, that the sides "haven't made substantial progress in contract talks." Rotoworld

 

He could argue, but I don't think he will especially coming off injury.

[The Mom Gene]

 

The Baltimore Sun suggests free agent Dennis Pitta could argue he's a wide receiver if franchise tagged as a tight end by the Ravens.

 

Per Pro Football Focus, Pitta ran 79.7 percent of his 2013 pass routes in the slot, the highest percentage in the league. The tight end tag is worth $6.7 million, while the receiver tag is $11.5 million. The two-week window for teams to slap franchise tags begins on Monday. In an ideal world, the Ravens could avoid this potential dispute by signing Pitta long term. A source tells the Sun, however, that the sides "haven't made substantial progress in contract talks." Rotoworld

 

He could argue, but I don't think he will especially coming off injury.

 

That and he played, what???  3 games?..  Hey's not got a whole lot of bargaining power...  but other teams know of his potential, as do we.

[52520Andrew]

I believe Jared Cook argued the same issue last year with the Titans about the tag and won. I think we need to just lock Pitta up in the 5-7 mil range over 4 years. Maybe some incentives the first couple of years but I think his play in the last 4 games helped Pitta a lot in terms of health and I don't think it would scare too many other teams.

[GrimCoconut]

I still think we should let Pitta go if he wants a big deal. I'd rather have Monroe and Arthur Jones than Pitta. I realize he's a great player and moved the chains and is a friend of Joe's with great chemistry but we have Torrey and Jimmy coming due.

[Purple_ICE 81]

I say let Pitta go...sign Garret Graham (who put up a surprising 50 catches for 550 and 5tds in 13games in Gary Kubiak's system) and draft Jace Amaro or ASJ in the 2nd.

[Dnyce215]

And Draft Lee

[BmoreBird22]

I think it would be B.S. to have Pitta be tagged as a wide receiver. As I read somewhere, it'd be unfair to teams to have to be like (let's use New Orleans), "Oh, I can't flex Jimmy Graham out wide where he creates a mismatch because that'd be a receiver. Let me keep him inline where he's not as good." That's a load of crap. His official title coming out was tight end and I don't recall him ever saying he was a wide receiver. Same to Pitta.

If they wanted wide receiver money, they should have played that. It's unfair to these teams. 

[Gordo52]

I still think we should let Pitta go if he wants a big deal. I'd rather have Monroe and Arthur Jones than Pitta. I realize he's a great player and moved the chains and is a friend of Joe's with great chemistry but we have Torrey and Jimmy coming due.

Agreed. I hope we don't over pay for him. I'd prefer not losing him though. Seeing him in a patriots jersey would burn me up

[Purple_ICE 81]

Apparently Pitta contract talks aren't going well and moving along. Pitta must want to get tagged as a WR. I just hope we lock up Eugene Monroe. Its much harder to find a capable LT than a TE. 

[Sami84]

Apparently Pitta contract talks aren't going well and moving along. Pitta must want to get tagged as a WR. I just hope we lock up Eugene Monroe. Its much harder to find a capable LT than a TE.

Pitta is 29 and is looking for his first payday. Draft amaro or ebron. Sign a wr free agent. 2nd round go for an o linesman. Resign monroe and daryl smith.

[Purple_ICE 81]

Pitta is 29 and is looking for his first payday. Draft amaro or ebron. Sign a wr free agent. 2nd round go for an o linesman. Resign monroe and daryl smith.

Yea I like FA TE Garret Graham...a Kubiak disciple who put up some big numbers. 50 catches 550yds and 5 scores through only 13 games.

[Ravenskid52752]

Aaron Wilson ‏RavensInsider 27m

The Ravens explored trying to lower Haloti Ngata's $16 million salary-cap figure, but nothing came of it, according to a source

 

Ravens 'far apart' in ongoing talks with Dennis Pitta: http://www.baltimoresun.com/bal-ravens-far-apart-in-ongoing-pitta-talks-in-negotiations-with-several-free-agents-20140217,0,410017.story …

 

and ravens have started Negotatons talks with Eugene Monore!

[Sami84]

Haloti ngata has some nerve. He could really try to compromise. Hes a selfish so and so who isnt a true raven. In 2010 he was my fav player. Now i actualy wish he wasnt on our team anymore. Hes average. Hes more about money then helping the team. I laugh at the ad on this site with him smiling and the caption " get your money for nothing" ironic lol

[Purple_ICE 81]

Haloti ngata has some nerve. He could really try to compromise. Hes a selfish so and so who isnt a true raven. In 2010 he was my fav player. Now i actualy wish he wasnt on our team anymore. Hes average.

It takes a while for contract extensions to get done. Our FO have a ton on their plate so you can't single out Ngata as "selfish" or anything like that. I do agree that an extension for him would be great for this team anything to lower his mammoth cap number. But he definitely played like a Raven to earn that big contract. Even if he doesn't rack up stats...just his giant frame sitting in between running lanes is enough to stuff the run. He is coming off a poor year compared to what we are used to, but he will likely bounce back next year.

[jazz1988]

Pitta is 29 and is looking for his first payday. Draft amaro or ebron. Sign a wr free agent. 2nd round go for an o linesman. Resign monroe and daryl smith.

 

Theres no gurantee that Amaro or Ebron  will be there by the time the Ravens are on the clock . 

[Sami84]

Theres no gurantee that Amaro or Ebron  will be there by the time the Ravens are on the clock .

No..they will be. Certain actualy.

[Dnyce215]

Pitta is gonna walk face it, unless we use the franchise tag

[jazz1988]

No..they will be. Certain actualy.

 

Nope not really  a trade can happen  at any time  and its highly possible that a guy like Ebron would be gone before the Ravens are on the clock.  I really dont expect Ebron and Amaro both being available by the time the Ravens  are allowed to  draft. I can see Ebron going to the Bills and the Jets or Patriots  trading up for Amaro . Overall anything can happen theres always a what the heck why that team draft so and so when they have so and so moment in the draft.

[BmoreBird22]

Pitta is 28 and will be 29 in June. He's coming off a hip injury that could have possibly ended his career. He's had one decent (not great) season as a receiver and offers nothing as a blocker. When does all of this add up to him getting a big pay day? It doesn't to me.

I wonder if it's better for him to move on. Joe's struggles were in part due to the skill of the receivers, but I'd put most of the blame on the offensive line. With Pitta out, it required Joe to look at more options than just Pitta (who Joe seemed to really lock onto in a major way when Pitta came back). He was forced to try to get the ball to Marlon and Tandon, and I think that was really valuable for them. Tandon was actually doing fairly well before Pitta came back and I'm sure Marlon appreciates all the experience he got. 

I would still want the Ravens to address tight end with someone like ASJ or Ebron, but I don't think it's a make or break if Pitta doesn't come back, and I think it would do good things for the younger guys.

[RichieAsh]

Pitta is gonna walk face it, unless we use the franchise tag

 

I agree. 

[Alexir]

If we use the franchise tag on him, I will be upset. He isn't Jimmy Graham, Gronk, Tony Gonzalez, Julius Thomas, etc. The reason we need him so much is Joe likes to stare down look his way a lot. Talent wise he isn't worthy of the 11 million dollar tag. We will have to look elsewhere for a security blanket for Joe.

 

In other news, Boldin is looking to be getting a 2 year deal with San Fran. Glad to see he is posting solid stats again. His numbers in Baltimore were terrible. Didn't get enough targets.

[gabefergy]

Remember when you guys were saying to sign him for 4M a year and I said no way that happens? yeah.

[ravefan52]

I'm not surprised reports are saying that we're far apart right now. Pitta sees himself as a top TE in the league with a lot of potential and the FO sees him as a dependable, yet not excellent or irreplaceable target coming off of a major injury. It will all just depend what the market is out there for him and chances are there's a team willing to give him what he wants. If he does leave I want us to bring back Art Jones. I also really want FS Chris Clemons.

[Alexir]

Negative 2 for my Pitta comments, eh? Please tell me which one of you thinks he is worh 11 million franchise tag that you decided to disagree with my statement.

[Sami84]

Nope not really  a trade can happen  at any time  and its highly possible that a guy like Ebron would be gone before the Ravens are on the clock.  I really dont expect Ebron and Amaro both being available by the time the Ravens  are allowed to  draft. I can see Ebron going to the Bills and the Jets or Patriots  trading up for Amaro . Overall anything can happen theres always a what the heck why that team draft so and so when they have so and so moment in the draft.

There are 15 players way higher ranked . 4 qbs clowney, barr watkins are 100 percent certainties to be top 14 picks. I am certain ebron will be there for us at 16. Also plenty of indemand o linesman. In such a loaded draft no doubt ebronwill be there. I dont think the patriots will trade up 13 places.

[Sami84]

I agree.

Let him.

[52520Andrew]

Negative 2 for my Pitta comments, eh? Please tell me which one of you thinks he is worh 11 million franchise tag that you decided to disagree with my statement.

 

Franchise tag for TE is worth 6.7 mil I believe. I think if Pitta won his case, no one in their right mind would give him 11.5 mil when the best in the game make around 7-8 mil at TE. Also Boldin is a touchy subject still on these boards to some. I did not neg you by the way, just saying why some might have