[News] What Does Drafting Two Rookie Tight Ends Mean For Dennis Pitta?

[BR News]

The Ravens used a pair of draft picks on tight ends as Dennis Pitta recovers from his second hip injury.

View the full article

[fusuymada]

It means he wont have to work as hard and be used as much which could help him continue to heal and slowly work his way back instead of blowing his hip out during the third game of the season. He's guaranteed money so we might as well use him and its not like anyone would trade for him. In my opinion use him sparingly and in key situations and as a tutor for Maxx Williams. We could use his veteran experience in a very very young tight end group.

[cec327]

There is no way that he can come back. I am a big fan of his but to see him go down without contact was sickening to me. What is the team's responsibility in the decision to return?

[ellicottraven]

Dennis Pitta will be back this season as strong as ever. These moves at TE were needed either way. Maxx Williams is the heir apparent to Pitta and Boyle will spell Gillmore or team up with him on running downs as an extra blocker plus Boyle will take on long snapping duties as well if on the 53 man roster. This may mean the end of Morgan Cox who is still recovering from an ACL injury. I think Supernaw will be the odd man out with or without Dennis pitta. If Pitta comes back, we will carry 4 TE and if not 3.

[The Greek]

i see pitta being put on the pup list unless he either decides to retire or he reinjures it in camp and retires than. if he can play than he makes the team better but i agree with drafting 2 te's to be safe

[Nick04263]

Let's just say he retires. Anyone know what happens to his contract and it's impact on the salary cap at that time?

[jackrogers]

Dennis is 30 years old with very unfortunate physical problems. The Ravens are being realistic in trying to rebuild the TE position. I'm not sure why we drafted Boyle since there are already have two good blocking tight ends on the roster. Boyle is a big guy, perhaps he can learn to play another position along the offensive line.

[mearzunkies]

The Ravens signed TE Dennis Pitta to a five year, $32 million contract extension on March 3, 2014. The contract contains $16 million in fully guaranteed salary including a signing bonus of $11 million. Base salaries of the contract are $1,000,000(2014), $4,000,0000(2015), $5,000,000(2016), $5,500,000(2017), and $5,500,000(2018).

Copied &Pasted of course:-)

[Space11jams]

It's a TE friendly offense is the reason we drafted two TE. We had 4 TE last year until Pitta went down. We go into training camp with 5 TE depending on Pitta being healthy enough to play. If he goes down, we're set with our usual 4

[Xmadraven]

Basically we'll know by june first if pitta wants to retire he'll just be cut and designated a post-1 cut for the salary cap. Pittas gone on my mind we have investments in young cheaper players. Whether he's healthy or not it's time t0 move on best of luck to him but we've moved on.

[bnyce52]

Even if Pitta plays, it would be impossible to decide how to use him. He'd be the presumed #1 given his production pre-injury, but it would be hard to justify putting a guy out there who is that prone to serious injury when we have a perfectly healthy, capable TE that needs playing experience to develop at the professional level. We can't carry five TE's, so what young players with potential would we cut in order to keep Pitta? I'm getting the feeling from the front office that the writing is on the wall for Pitta and that nobody should be shocked if he retires in June. It's just too complicated of an issue using a roster spot on him. That spot could be used to hang onto a developmental corner. I'd be happy either way. The best case scenario would be that we're watching Pitta dance around the endzone this year and making diving catches. We owe him that opportunity. Ozzie must be hoping that either the team doctors or Dennis make the decision for him.

Edited May 5, 2015 by bnyce52

[Saxxin]

Make no mistake. Pitta is our best TE. He has a decision to make that will affect the rest of his life. The season doesn't start for three months. I agree with bnyc52 and think we owe Dennis that time to make his decision. All the way up to the final 53 man roster cut if necessary. Getting him back will be a nail in the coffin for the steelers and bengals. That's worth waiting for. I hope he stays and plays like most fans do. But if he decides to hang it up I can definitely respect that.

[January J]

Don't count out pitta. That's all I'm gonna say.

[Rob Really]

It's hard to imagine Pitta being used as a blocker in rushing situations, so he's a bit of a dead giveaway then when he enters a game. Hard to see how that could be effective. Too bad because I love Pitta. I named my daughter after him...Pitta Really.

[balfan23]

Let's just say he retires. Anyone know what happens to his contract and it's impact on the salary cap at that time?

There is no difference in a retirement vs. a cut in terms of cap impact. His contract would be voided and we'd have all of his contract bonus money accelerate against the cap. At present, that's 8.8M left in bonus money on his contract. 

 

I believe I have heard that teams can file an exemption with the league to get some cap relief for a player who suffers a career ending injury, but I've not been able to determine that with any certainty. I think if Pitta retires, we can expect to get hit pretty hard with cap consequences. 

[Maryland]

It sounds like they plan to keep more than the usual number of 3 TEs on the roster now that Trestman is OC. This means we would have Gilmore, Williams, Boyle, and either Pitta or Supernaw.

 

Of course, adding a TE means you're taking away from another position... maybe one less WR? 

Edited May 6, 2015 by Maryland

[J.O.14]

Let's just say he retires. Anyone know what happens to his contract and it's impact on the salary cap at that time?

Even if he doesn't play this year, I don't think he will retire. His contract this upcoming season is fully guaranteed, with him makimg $4 million. He can sit this year out and decide after that, which wouldn't be as bad on us financially as if he retired now.

[January J]

Didn't I read somewhere recently that Ozzie said they plan on keeping Atleast 4 or maybe even 5 tight ends this year? Probably would be smart - given how trestmans offense relies so heavily on the position means that they will be a little more prone to injury- or they just plan on doing a lot of rotating to keep all of them fresh throughout the year. I think it was brilliant to draft 2 tight ends regardless of pittas situation. Depth is never a bad thing.

[TriedToTellYou]

Everyone listen up.

Dennis Pitta will start the year on the PUP list. After his 2nd hip injury happening so early last season, the team is taking extra precaution with his recovery. If he is not able to return to form by the end of the season, this will be his last season.

Crockett Gillmore will start the season as the No. 1 TE on the depth chart. The Ravens will not start a rookie TE that early in the season, unless Gilmore gets injured.

[Wavesonian]

Maximus Maximus Maximus Maximus!

[concretejimmy]

Mark my words, Williams will be #1 on the depth chart to start the season. Then Pitta, Gilmore, and Boyle. Ozzie has been nailing 2nd round picks. He traded back for Upshaw in the 1st round. Brilliant move. And got Keleche. I still say Timmy Jernigan was the steal of the draft. Even Arthur Brown was a good pick that can't see the field because Daryl Smith and Mosley very seldom come off. And now Maxx Williams could possibly be the steal of the draft. Perriman can if he can put up very good numbers. But with Amari Cooper and Kevin White, I don't see that happening.

[I*Bleed*Purple]

There is no way that he can come back. I am a big fan of his but to see him go down without contact was sickening to me. What is the team's responsibility in the decision to return?

Pitta and I have a mutual friend. I've never met him, but was told that his wife really doesn't want him to play again. Can't say that I blame her. I don't think he'll play football again. I hope I'm wrong and that he plays a few more years of good, healthy football. I just don't see it happening.