Re-signing TE Dennis Pitta

[The Mom Gene]

Pitta is an issue right now... yeah,  and so is the O-Line.  Without improving that, you got nothing...  So you gotta get Pitta signed, or let him go, either one, and focus on that O-Line.  We all saw what a sieve looks like last season...  You had Joe on the ground and running for his life with no chance to hit anyone...

[ratedr]

Monroe > Pitta.

Pitta is good, but as Ravenslifer said, him being our best target says more about how bad we are at drafting receiving talent than anything else.

[runamuk]

Bad at drafting receivers and developing them tight ends too. I agree Monroe first then Pitta if Joe's not upright we could have 5 Pitta's on the field and it won't matter.   I think Ozzie will do both I hate to lose Pitta , Jacoby and Leach Like another poster mentioned Torrey, Marlon and then what.

 

If he does find more money elsewhere  we could be in for a bumpy start to the season with more new receivers.

[Ravenslifer]

Bad at drafting receivers and developing them tight ends too. I agree Monroe first then Pitta if Joe's not upright we could have 5 Pitta's on the field and it won't matter.   I think Ozzie will do both I hate to lose Pitta , Jacoby and Leach Like another poster mentioned Torrey, Marlon and then what.

 

I think Pitta is back, personally, but the larger point is this - Pitta was a 4th round draft pick, Jacoby was cut by his former team, Leach was at one point the highest paid fullback in the league, and his snaps on offense have diminished every year as we've been moving away from using a traditional fullback.  We keep worrying a lot about what we will do without these players, but overall the front office has never really tried to spend multiple high round draft picks on receivers and tight ends and runningbacks at the same time.  Since 2008, we've spent 2 second round picks, 2 third rounders, and a 2 4th rounders on two each of runningback, receiver, tight end.  In that span, the Atlanta Falcons, who already had Roddy White, spent 1 third round pick and two first round picks on receivers.  The Bengals spent 3 firsts, 2 seconds, and 4 thirds on receivers, tight ends, and runningbacks.  I'm not advocating spending the next 6 first round draft picks on receivers or anything, but the bottom line is you look at any top offense in the league and you find that they either A) draft receivers, tight ends, and runningbacks with top picks fairly consistently, or B. sign big name free agents.  We really do neither.  Other teams lose top FAs all the time and move on - maybe the problem is that we draft so little, we put ourselves in a position where we literally have no plan B if these guys leave, and that includes Pitta.

[runamuk]

I think Pitta is back, personally, but the larger point is this - Pitta was a 4th round draft pick, Jacoby was cut by his former team, Leach was at one point the highest paid fullback in the league, and his snaps on offense have diminished every year as we've been moving away from using a traditional fullback.  We keep worrying a lot about what we will do without these players, but overall the front office has never really tried to spend multiple high round draft picks on receivers and tight ends and runningbacks at the same time.  Since 2008, we've spent 2 second round picks, 2 third rounders, and a 2 4th rounders on two each of runningback, receiver, tight end.  In that span, the Atlanta Falcons, who already had Roddy White, spent 1 third round pick and two first round picks on receivers.  The Bengals spent 3 firsts, 2 seconds, and 4 thirds on receivers, tight ends, and runningbacks.  I'm not advocating spending the next 6 first round draft picks on receivers or anything, but the bottom line is you look at any top offense in the league and you find that they either A) draft receivers, tight ends, and runningbacks with top picks fairly consistently, or B. sign big name free agents.  We really do neither.  Other teams lose top FAs all the time and move on - maybe the problem is that we draft so little, we put ourselves in a position where we literally have no plan B if these guys leave, and that includes Pitta.

I absolutely agree with you and I have been vocal about us drafting a top receiver every single year . Trying to turn a Undrafted rookie into a Johnson that rarely happens . I get allot of grief for saying Ozzie is a draft genius unless he's looking at receiving talent but its true. will this year be different or when our number is called will he go defense or will he trade back for more picks leaving a day one starter still available .  I went off topic a bit but I'm advocating for resigning pitta because I don't see us drafting offense other then a tackle in the first two rounds if we do take 16 or 17 and get a receiver I will happily eat my words.

[Gordo52]

I would really hate breaking Joe and Pitta apart though. Chemistry is really important and it wouldn't be there with new receivers for awhile. Torrey would be the go to guy.

Monroe > him though no matter what

[The Raven]

We only have Torrey for the first half of a season.  He tends to disappear after that even with only single coverage.  Be nice to have a Receiver who's consistent throughout the whole season.

 

Yeah, I don't like saying it because he's a stand-up guy but Torrey is borderline useless on 3rd down and in the red zone. Disappears against press and he doesn't work very well across the middle 

[playlikeawhat]

Monroe > Pitta.

Pitta is good, but as Ravenslifer said, him being our best target says more about how bad we are at drafting receiving talent than anything else.

 

OH NO, do not blaspheme against the great and powerful, do no wrong, Oz!  LMBO!  I totally agree our level of suck at receiver started at Baltimore's K-Mart mentality when it comes to drafting or retaining receivers.  This trend will not change until Oz is willing to invest what it takes to preserve a respectable receiver tandem.  Torrey has great potential but he hasn't lived up to expectations yet.

 

I would really hate breaking Joe and Pitta apart though. Chemistry is really important and it wouldn't be there with new receivers for awhile. Torrey would be the go to guy.

Monroe > him though no matter what

Totally agree.  Line more important than Pitta.

[I AM LEGEND]

Just feel pitta is a tad bit overrated.

[2triplezero]

After Joe finishes slobbering on OZZIE's shoulder.....I'm quite sure Dennis will be a lock!!!!

 

Go-o-o-o-o-o RAVENS!!!!

[FerrariFan87]

Pitta is a fine player, but given his age and injury history, I don't see him commanding huge dollars.

 

Interesting note: Suggs has been in the league almost 3x as long as Pitta, but is only 3 years older...

[TXRavensFan]

I totally agree our level of suck at receiver started at Baltimore's K-Mart mentality when it comes to drafting or retaining receivers.  This trend will not change until Oz is willing to invest what it takes to preserve a respectable receiver tandem.  

Totally agree.  Line more important than Pitta.

I know Pitta is a TE, not WR, but these points pretty much contradict each other.

[BmoreBird22]

Just heard something interesting on ESPN. Pitta was flexed out into the slot on the majority of his snaps, not out wide. He wants to get paid like a receiver, so let's pay him as a slot receiver. The most highly paid slit receiver was Wes Welker, who made $6 million per year. Boldin is negotiating for $4-$5 million from San Fran.

He's not nearly as productive as those two, so let's pay him the $3-$4 million he deserves as a slot receiver

[Gordo52]

After Joe finishes slobbering on OZZIE's shoulder.....I'm quite sure Dennis will be a lock!!!!

Go-o-o-o-o-o RAVENS!!!!

You are on a R-o-o-o-o-o-l today!

[redrum52]

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

The team gave him that deal.  Football is a business.  He has his ring, some All Pro selections and a few pro bowls.  Time to secure your financial future.  He played out his rookie contract when was outperforming it.  Now he's under performing and he should give back, why?  I'm just hoping we don't overpay Dennis.  If he wants to hold out, let him get his money elsewhere.  He's older and deserves his first pay day, so I'm not mad.  As far as I'm concerned, Monroe is more important.  Lock him up to have some stability on the o-line.  If Joe cries about it, ask him if he'd rather have his friend or decent protection.  Use the pick on a TE and trade up from the 2nd pick for another WR.  I think this is the draft where the team should be aggressive to fix our anemic offense.  Too many weapons to not try and build up for cheap.

[playlikeawhat]

I know Pitta is a TE, not WR, but these points pretty much contradict each other.

I never said Pitta was a WR.  The previous comments I posted addressed two separate points by two different members.

[TXRavensFan]

I never said Pitta was a WR.  The previous comments I posted addressed two separate points by two different members.

 

Nor did I say you said Pitta was a WR (you originally mentioned a receiver tandem, but I was throwing Pitta into the mix); however, I still feel that the comments tend to contradict each other, regardless of what post to which each was a response.

[Robbo15]

If he wants the wr tag let him walk draft a top 10 wr in the 1st and pray jace amero is at our 2nd rd pick and we need to give colt lyrea a chance I hear he doesn't want $ only blow

[Tank 92]

Interesting note: Suggs has been in the league almost 3x as long as Pitta, but is only 3 years older...

 

 

I had forgotten about this........... Dennis was redshirted and also took two years for mission work in the DR. Along with his hip, that makes the guaranteed $ that much more important to him as this may be his first and last vet deal..

[Tank 92]

The team gave him that deal.  Football is a business.  He has his ring, some All Pro selections and a few pro bowls.  Time to secure your financial future.  He played out his rookie contract when was outperforming it.  Now he's under performing and he should give back, why?  

 

 

No one talks about Haloti making a whopping $14 mil. total during his first 5 seasons while playing at an all pro level. Next year is the payday of his vet deal and it all averages out to a very reasonable annual amount.

[flynismo]

Just heard something interesting on ESPN. Pitta was flexed out into the slot on the majority of his snaps, not out wide. He wants to get paid like a receiver, so let's pay him as a slot receiver. The most highly paid slit receiver was Wes Welker, who made $6 million per year. Boldin is negotiating for $4-$5 million from San Fran.

He's not nearly as productive as those two, so let's pay him the $3-$4 million he deserves as a slot receiver

that's brilliant

(really. usually when I say that, it is tongue in cheek lol)

[redrum52]

No one talks about Haloti making a whopping $14 mil. total during his first 5 seasons while playing at an all pro level. Next year is the payday of his vet deal and it all averages out to a very reasonable annual amount.

Exactly.  I'll put like this as well, if Flacco decides he doesn't want to renegotiate, that's on the team.  Football careers are to short to sacrifice your earning potential for a team that most likely doesn't care what happens when you're off the team.  I feel he will be inclined to, cause if he does I'm pretty sure the money is pushed up front.  You're expected to honor your contract, but when the team changes their mind, they are able to do what they want as far as cutting or redoing the deal.

[playlikeawhat]

Nor did I say you said Pitta was a WR (you originally mentioned a receiver tandem, but I was throwing Pitta into the mix); however, I still feel that the comments tend to contradict each other, regardless of what post to which each was a response.

They don't.  I didn't say Oz should make retaining Pitta a top priority then say the line is more important than Pitta (which it is).  Saying what a person needs to do in order to stop failing is not the same as asking a person to act upon what needs to be done, thus, no contradiction.  I respect your opinion though.

[redrum52]

that's brilliant

(really. usually when I say that, it is tongue in cheek lol)

In theory yes, but the franchise tag only qualifies you as a WR.  So if he holds out, he's getting top WR money, regardless of where he was on the field at the position.  That gives him all the leverage.  If the team tries to pay him as a a slot wr, he's getting years worth of slot money with the tag.

[Bltravens]

Just heard something interesting on ESPN. Pitta was flexed out into the slot on the majority of his snaps, not out wide. He wants to get paid like a receiver, so let's pay him as a slot receiver. The most highly paid slit receiver was Wes Welker, who made $6 million per year. Boldin is negotiating for $4-$5 million from San Fran.

He's not nearly as productive as those two, so let's pay him the $3-$4 million he deserves as a slot receiver

Wonder how Pitta and his management would react to that logic lol.

[Bltravens]

In theory yes, but the franchise tag only qualifies you as a WR.  So if he holds out, he's getting top WR money, regardless of where he was on the field at the position.  That gives him all the leverage.  If the team tries to pay him as a a slot wr, he's getting years worth of slot money with the tag.

Doesn't it all go to an independent arbitrator in that situation between TE/WR?

[redrum52]

Doesn't it all go to an independent arbitrator in that situation between TE/WR?

He has a very good case for wr pay.  They usually use the amount of snaps played.  That was the problem with Suggs original contract.  Couldn't decide if to pay him at OLB or DE.

[Bltravens]

He has a very good case for wr pay.  They usually use the amount of snaps played.  That was the problem with Suggs original contract.  Couldn't decide if to pay him at OLB or DE.

Thought had more to do with scheme with Suggs because the 34 OLB tag was muddled due to 43 OLB contracts.

But either way, I don't see how Pitta could expect the full WR tag.  If anything with Suggs the Ravens have prior knowledge in this game.

[Ravenslifer]

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

 

Actually it is not in the teams' best interest to re-negotiate for a long-term deal with Ngata; they're kind of doing it out of desperation.  The fact is Ngata is 30, is going into his 9th year in the league, and has had an enormous amount of contact on a large frame over the past 8 years.  He's also openly talked about retiring several times.  He plays a position that doesn't last long in the NFL - it would be a very bad situation if the front office lowered his cap number in 2014 only to be hit with him retiring after 2015 but still being on the books for him for a further 2-3 years.  I honestly think the reason he's being stubborn about this is that he doesn't plan to play into his mid to late 30s.

[SecretAgentMan]

Wonder how Pitta and his management would react to that logic lol.

We don't take kindly to logic around these parts here boy