[News] Dennis Pitta: Return This Year Or Maybe Never

[BR News]

Tight end Dennis Pitta has a three-week window to figure out if he can play in an NFL game.

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[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

I hope Pitta can do it after all he has been through from the pain to the hard work trying to get back.

[MDguyCeCo]

Pitta's Career is over.... Although we Love him as a Raven.... Reality is.... his health...

[KidNme]

I think Dennis should rehab with the team and their doctors, maybe come out as a decoy once or twice then hang up the cleats. It would be great to see him out there catching passes but he has a family to think of and there are those that would hit him at the hip just to get him out of a game so he should think very carefully before putting his health at risk any further.

Love ya Dennis!

[GO_Ravens]

I haven't seen him run full speed it's always a careful jog.

[Ravens530]

More and more I see that what Tony Dungy said is the best true quote ever: "The best ability is availability." All these great talented players on the team or across the league, if you can be on the field then you're worthless.

[balfan23]

More and more I see that what Tony Dungy said is the best true quote ever: "The best ability is availability." All these great talented players on the team or across the league, if you can be on the field then you're worthless.

Honestly, I think it is the final great separator between the top .01% and the top .001% that is capable of playing contact sports at the highest level. You have to be both a freak talent and a freak physical specimen that can somehow manage to not have your body fail you. 

[balfan23]

I just pray he doesn't come back to get himself even more seriously (and possibly permanently) damaged. 

 

We back you Dennis no matter which way your career turns. You will always be a champion in our hearts. 

[outkast1]

When your legs are gone, your career is over in any sport.

[Ravenshine]

The first time he had a 4 month recovery, this time a 13 month recovery. That's a good sign as the 4 month was the minimum time and may have been way too soon.

[The Mom Gene]

Good Luck Dennis... We value your knowledge and ability. I Loved you in purple ever since you were drafted. IF you can't play... then please stay and help our young guys more.

[ravens4life86]

Pitta wants to play and by god let him. I stand by his comeback infinite%. If a Nascar driver gets in a deadly crash but has desires to still race nobody says "Retire". If a politician has a sex scandal they might lose a election but nobody forces them to retire from politics.. I can go on and on....

Every person has a right to persue happiness and if continuing his football career is that, his livelyhood...then let it be.

Its not a huge deal.

You have people with Cancer and worse situations in the world. I fully back Pitta.. And by end of 3 weeks he should be playing on sundays for Ravens

[salamander]

It was great to just see and hear from Dennis in the interviews. If Pitta is able to play, I'm sure Joe would be glad to have his old BFF on the field, another trusted target sharing a long history together. Who knows, the fact that Dennis is on the field may increase Joe's confidence for Joe to open up and look for target options beyond SSS. If Pitta is not able to play, I share the sentiment that it would be great if he could continue with the team to mentor these young TE's who would benefit greatly from his experience.

[January J]

I think Dennis should rehab with the team and their doctors, maybe come out as a decoy once or twice then hang up the cleats. It would be great to see him out there catching passes but he has a family to think of and there are those that would hit him at the hip just to get him out of a game so he should think very carefully before putting his health at risk any further.

Love ya Dennis!

a decoy?

[The Mom Gene]

I'm sure he wouldn't be doing this if the risk was that high... and he'll be monitored by the Ortho guys and gals, I'm sure. 

[CaliRavenFan]

The first time he had a 4 month recovery, this time a 13 month recovery. That's a good sign as the 4 month was the minimum time and may have been way too soon.

I can't believe he came back in 4 months.. No wonder his hip gave out on him, I can see him splitting out to WR allowing us to start Gilmore and Williams.

[omar586]

hopefully he will b healthy, we can use him as WR.

[NeilfromBarbados]

Go ahead and retire Pitta! Don't be crazy! I live in a neighborhood where several Ravens lived. I remember the great Mike McCrary walking with 2 canes. I remember speaking with my boy Orlando "Zeus" Brown (God rest his soul!), and he always said that he retired before any major injuries (apart from the eye), even though he said that the team called him to help protect a young Flacco... he refused. Pitta already has a SB ring, and nothing to prove. As a fan and a human, I hate to see these guys go down week after week with torn ACLs and other major injuries. Pitta's next one may be the one. So he shouldn't risk it.

[markwpayne2015]

Would love to see Pitta, Gilmore, Perriman and SSS on the field together . Joe would light it up .

[Ravens8383]

Yes Pitta would give the offense a weapon but what difference will it really make this year. I hope the Ravens win the rest of their games but I just can't see that happening. Sit the year and come back next season. He just needs to make the choice that is right for him and his family.

[Maryland]

I kind of expect him to be IR'd after the third week and moved to the retired list before June 1 (unless they want to spread the cap hit until after June 1), but I hope I'm wrong and he does find himself able to return.

[TheFact00]

I'm shocked that that Ryan Mink said "Even if he%u2019s able to come back, the Ravens may not have a place for Pitta" Are you Kidding me???? I can't speak rudely or else i would get banned from commenting on the Ravens site, I'm just shocked and a little mad that Ryan Mink would even say that! First off Mink, yes we have some talented seconded year and two need rookie Tight-Ends all with very great potential. But Denis Pitta is on another level then those three. Not to mention seeing how the Ravens WR's core is a mess with no one really as solid next to Steve Smith we could use a another Great WR to help Steve Smith and the Offense out. It a Plus if he becomes a WR he will take coverage off Steve, With him as WR the Offense could spread it out with 3 WR's Pitta,Smith & Marlin Brown with Forsett as a screen option with Kyle in the back field as well I'm telling you with Pitta as a WR things could go truly epic for the Ravens.

[Gorgee3]

Let's not forget about Pitta. He was a threat. Make a comeback Pitta! You can do it.

[Ravens_Fan_1996]

Send Pitta into the slot receiver position allowing Gilmore, Williams, and Boyle to remain in the TE rotation.

[Dorota]

Go ahead and retire Pitta! Don't be crazy! I live in a neighborhood where several Ravens lived. I remember the great Mike McCrary walking with 2 canes. I remember speaking with my boy Orlando "Zeus" Brown (God rest his soul!), and he always said that he retired before any major injuries (apart from the eye), even though he said that the team called him to help protect a young Flacco... he refused. Pitta already has a SB ring, and nothing to prove. As a fan and a human, I hate to see these guys go down week after week with torn ACLs and other major injuries. Pitta's next one may be the one. So he shouldn't risk it.

You're absolutely right! As much as I would love to see Pitta back on the field and as much as it would be a boost for the Ravens, on a human level, I just can't get myself to believe that he won't reinjure the hip. The problem with dislocated hip is, after the first time, there is a part of the bone that broke-off to allow dislocation permanently missing, allowing for easier dislocation the 2nd, 3rd, Xth time. He's already proved that he can rehab to get in form to get back, but that reinjury is a high risk. And every time it gets worse. Whoever's had a hip injury should know it's one of the most painful things ever and tends to hurt for ages. Pitta, if you injure it one more time, I guarantee that you'll cuss out everytime there's bad weather outside, because your hip'll be singing songs of pain to you.

[DrinkmoreBeer]

Since the Ravens have no playoff hopes, it makes no sense to bring Pitta back. Use the rest of the season to develop the three good, young TE's who are playing now. How would you like to see Pitta go down with a third dislocated hip in a game that means nothing?

[RavenManiac#7]

Dennis was one of my favorite Ravens ever since he got here. Immediately after the draft, having seen both him and Dickson play in college, I posted on here that I thought Pitta had more talent than Dickson even though Dickson was drafted earlier than Pitta. I very much enjoyed watching the success he had nd the confidence Joe developed in him. With all that said, I have no desire to see him on the field again. I sincerely hope that he decides not to take the risk of reinsuring his hip yet again. Seeing the second injury occur, without even an iota of contact on the play, showed me that he, in my opinion, would be at a high risk of yet another injury to that hip. His quality of life with his wife and children, I believe, is Much more important than making another attempt at playing more football games and, potentially, limiting how much he can enjoy romping around with his children. That's one thing, romping with his children. It's a Totally different thing going out there and playing football in the NFL, where defensive players are hitting you with a full head of steam and really trying to "put a lick on you." Be smart, Dennis, chose your family. If necessary, Ravens' FO, do your part to encourage him to make the right choice for himself and his family, not one that may, or may not, Slightly help this team that has So many other problems. Dennis Pitta, as great a TE as he's been for us in the past, just isn't going to instantly turn this season around just by himself, in my opinion. Just keep giving the young guys the game experience that they all three need to help them reach their full potential. Good luck, Dennis.

[Bob21043]

Really torn on this one - I would absolutely love to see Pitta back on the field, but every time he's involved in a play, block, etc., I'd hold my breath for his hip. He'd be playing on eggshells every play. Love to have him back, but please - health and long term value of life would have to come back. If he chooses to come back - more power to him.

[TheRavengers]

I like him and think he's gonna add to our receiving corps but the thought of him being on the field is making me nervous.

[Derrel]

Doesn't make sense to come back to this team. He won't make that much difference and he could get injured again.