[News] Late For Work 2/24: Ravens 'May Balk' At Dennis Pitta's Salary And Are Mulling Options

[steelcityraven]

  4 hours ago, steelcityraven said:

As for Tony Jefferson.... I would be excited to have his athleticism and skill set back there beside Weddle. He is the real deal and we could probably land him for less then we are paying Webb!

Well even if we can't land him for less, I would be okay with the same amount. Instead of paying that type of money for a 32 year old safety, we would be paying a 27 year old in his prime with the ability to play out his contract at a high level.

Agreed 100%

[akacrow]

Releasing Pitta with a post June 1st designation would be beneficial to the cap as a deferred cost. There are expenditures post June 1st that add up quickly, such as rookie contracts, and possible late season cuts added to the roster.

[BigUgly]

4 hours ago, Adreme said:

Whatever RT you sign will be worse and probably far worse considering the free agent class than Wagner.  Also any edge rusher at Dooms level will cost more than what you will pay him so be ready for that cap hit.

Not necessarily.  Lewis is an unknown at RT, but is of the same mold as Wagner.  Hurst, too, in a pinch could play there.  I think Wesley or Nembot may have a shot as well.  Regardless, even a slight downgrade over Wagner is acceptable if we can deploy the additional $6-7M/yr he is likely to command elsewhere on the team.  Also, if the RT has Gillmore or Boyle blocking next to him instead of Pitta, that will be an improvement.

As for the edge rusher, I'd rather take a flier on Sheard than hope that Doom gets back to his old form.  You are right though, in that a productive Doom would be harder to replace than Wagner or Williams.

Edited February 24 by BigUgly

[Corvus]

Pitta averaged a career low YPC because of the way the offense ended up running most of the season, not because he has lost a step IMO. You just posted the whole "failed completions" stat yesterday that talked about how Pitta was on the receiving end of most of those. I think the best thing to do is to try and work out S1-2 mil pay cut that he can again recoup in incentives. Pretty bad when I trust the guy with two major hip injuries over all the other TEs health-wise at this point. Watson is coming off a major injury and will be 36. I love our four younger guys and their potential but Gillmore and Williams' injuries have to be a concern with both of them. Boyle keeps getting suspended, Waller is still raw as a TE. I think it would be a mistake to cut Pitta but that's just me, we'll find out how it shakes out...

[Adreme]

39 minutes ago, BigUgly said:

Not necessarily.  Lewis is an unknown at RT, but is of the same mold as Wagner.  Hurst, too, in a pinch could play there.  I think Wesley or Nembot may have a shot as well.  Regardless, even a slight downgrade over Wagner is acceptable if we can deploy the additional $6-7M/yr he is likely to command elsewhere on the team.  Also, if the RT has Gillmore or Boyle blocking next to him instead of Pitta, that will be an improvement.

As for the edge rusher, I'd rather take a flier on Sheard than hope that Doom gets back to his old form.  You are right though, in that a productive Doom would be harder to replace than Wagner or Williams.

They are not going to put Lewis at RT.  If it were even something they were considering they would have done it when the opportunity was there to do it in the season.  Instead they did not and kept him at guard because they view him as a guard and since they see him practice I am more likely to believe them.  Also it is not a "slight" downgrade, you are going from top 5 at their position to likely bottom 5 at their position which is a massive dropoff.  

The Ravens entire offensive line woes stem from weakness in the interior, specifically that none of them were really healthy and couldnt really get any push in the run game.  However the outsides were great especially as the season drew to a close and Stanley starting looking less like a rookie and more like a top LT in his prime.

[BigUgly]

13 minutes ago, Adreme said:

They are not going to put Lewis at RT.  If it were even something they were considering they would have done it when the opportunity was there to do it in the season.  Instead they did not and kept him at guard because they view him as a guard and since they see him practice I am more likely to believe them.  Also it is not a "slight" downgrade, you are going from top 5 at their position to likely bottom 5 at their position which is a massive dropoff.  

The Ravens entire offensive line woes stem from weakness in the interior, specifically that none of them were really healthy and couldnt really get any push in the run game.  However the outsides were great especially as the season drew to a close and Stanley starting looking less like a rookie and more like a top LT in his prime.

Stanley was hurt early and it took him a couple of games to get healthy and adjust for the pro game.  Ditto for Lewis.  He didn't get an opportunity at RT because there was no reason for him to move out of the spot he was learning.  The kid was a LT at Nebraska...hardly a chump.  I would be fine with him at RT.  It's easier to find a guard or center in the draft you can slot in right away, or pick up a more affordable veteran than Wagner at RT if need be.  Besides, with Castillo gone, I expect the entire line to play better.

[hen826957]

16 hours ago, steelcityraven said:

19 hours ago, jsarrocohome@yahoo.com said:

I will take pitta over Watson any day of the week reguardless of salary

Really why? Pitta is smaller then Watson, slower then Watson and doesn't come close to the career production that Watson has put up. (Watson in 11 seasons - nearly 5000 yards and 38 TDs / Pitta is 6 seasons has just over 2000 yards and only 13 TDs

Watson is coming off of a serious injury but his pales in comparison to Pitta's injuries. Pitta is 5 years younger but I do not believe that his body knows that.

and we have Watson at nearly 1/2 the salary as Pitta. Just curious why you say that you would rather have Pitta over Watson every day of the week... (I can only assume that this has more to do with non-football related preferences)?

I would choose Pitta over Watson as well. Pitta had a decent season with 700+ yards by just getting back from injury, he's younger than Watson; Watson about to be 37 Pitta is 31. Pitta gets open and a relivable target for Joe along with the connection. We don't even know what we are gonna get from Watson after his injury. IDK, just my opinion. I keep Pitta.

Edited February 25 by hen826957

[ellicottraven]

10 hours ago, bioLarzen said:

Cutting Pitta doesn't mean at all he wouldn't wear a Ravens jersey Week #1. With his injury history, I'm not sure any other team would take a flyewr on him - even with all the upside he would certainly offer as long as he's healthy. So, he may easily be back in Baltimore on a cheaper contract.

All this, of course, assuming he's cut. He may not be cut at all.

Oh no he's going to be cut. He's not enough TE for the money they're paying him but hey we're the Ravens who kinda do that sort of stuff.

Edited February 25 by ellicottraven

[ellicottraven]

Is Linta Joe Flacco bestie Pitta's agent too now? Either way I think Pitta is gone. Its not a good idea to keep him knowing he can't really get yards after catch nor can he gain a ton of separation. The dink and dunk passes he catches can easily be replaced with the players we already have on the roster. Good luck Pitta.

[raven4evr]

Cut Pitta, he's due another breakdown so save some cap space. Wagner leaves for big payday. That's just how it works anymore. Get rid of all the "old and slow" players. Time to start over.
Our biggest problem is GM and Head coach. What we need is a GM who can draft!!! Ozzie just doen't have it any more. Harb's got his SB ring and he's not into it anymore.
Until those problem are fixed we will just be another 7-9 or 8-8 team.

Have to say, I agree with you!

[OzzieBisciotti]

We sure know how to draft Tight Ends who love performance enhancing drugs. Anyhow, we need to break up this bromance between Flacco and Pitta bread and even Juice- they are all hanging out and there was a conspiracy last year for Flacco to throw all these dink passes so Pittabread could get his $3M back in incentives. Anyhow, in order for Flacco to play better, we need to take Pitta bread away, and we need to take Juice away too- Juice couldn't block if he was driving a semi truck on the football field.

[OzzieBisciotti]

Pitta bread needs to stop worrying about styling his greasy head so that he looks like Lance Bass- Pitta also needs to stop worrying about trimming Flacco's unibrow and taking credit for Flacco's improved style- forget the bromance - forget the looks, focus on football guys..  Cut juice while you're at it- he's overrated 

Edited February 25 by OzzieBisciotti

[bigcatfrank1]

the dollar comparison is not quite accurate, because Pitta carries dead money the actual difference for the Ravens is less than 1 million, unless there is something I don't know about Watsons deal.
Pitta has had successful tears for the Ravens, he seemed a bit slower this past year however the injury and recovery may have been a factor. If he proves that his speed has recovered a bit, I don't see the Ravens letting Pitta go to keep Watson. They might as well release both.

[bigcatfrank1]

If cutting ties with Webb is considered as an option then Jefferson should be high consideration.

[Grapple Raven]

Draft Zay Jones and problem at WR goes away, lol.

[rmcjacket23]

Releasing Pitta with a post June 1st designation would be beneficial to the cap as a deferred cost. There are expenditures post June 1st that add up quickly, such as rookie contracts, and possible late season cuts added to the roster.

Downside is it pushes dead money into future years, so you're essentially paying cap space for a player who hasn't been on your roster for two seasons.

[sizzlingdoom]

Pitta needs to go one way or another

[Swift 1]

What am I forgetting? I seem to think prior to his injury Pitta  was regarded as one ogf the best TEs in the NFL. Is it my memory or everybody else?

[ByTheBay]

16 hours ago, BigUgly said:

Stanley was hurt early and it took him a couple of games to get healthy and adjust for the pro game.  Ditto for Lewis.  He didn't get an opportunity at RT because there was no reason for him to move out of the spot he was learning.  The kid was a LT at Nebraska...hardly a chump.  I would be fine with him at RT.  It's easier to find a guard or center in the draft you can slot in right away, or pick up a more affordable veteran than Wagner at RT if need be.  Besides, with Castillo gone, I expect the entire line to play better.

I completely agree. I feel Lewis would be fine at RT which would create an easier to fill hole at LG. It would be great if Wagner returned but you have to concider that Yanda helps to make him look better than he may be on another team. I'm confident Stanley will be even better next year and will help take some of the pressure off of the LG possition whoever that may be. 

[jsarrocohome@yahoo.com]

  19 hours ago, steelcityraven said:

  22 hours ago, jsarrocohome@yahoo.com said:

I will take pitta over Watson any day of the week reguardless of salary

Really why? Pitta is smaller then Watson, slower then Watson and doesn't come close to the career production that Watson has put up. (Watson in 11 seasons - nearly 5000 yards and 38 TDs / Pitta is 6 seasons has just over 2000 yards and only 13 TDs

Watson is coming off of a serious injury but his pales in comparison to Pitta's injuries. Pitta is 5 years younger but I do not believe that his body knows that.

and we have Watson at nearly 1/2 the salary as Pitta. Just curious why you say that you would rather have Pitta over Watson every day of the week... (I can only assume that this has more to do with non-football related preferences)?

I would choose Pitta over Watson as well. Pitta had a decent season with 700+ yards by just getting back from injury, he's younger than Watson; Watson about to be 37 Pitta is 31. Pitta gets open and a relivable target for Joe along with the connection. We don't even know what we are gonna get from Watson after his injury. IDK, just my opinion. I keep Pitta.

Pitta's is way better than Watson it ain't even close Watson is about 35 years old coming off acillies injury

[rmcjacket23]

What am I forgetting? I seem to think prior to his injury Pitta  was regarded as one ogf the best TEs in the NFL. Is it my memory or everybody else?

I think he was generally overvalued by Ravens fans and by the organization as a whole. I think many teams in the league have a TE as good as him if not better.

Lots of catches last season, but his yards/reception was downright embarrassing, and its the perfect example of why evaluating WRs based on flawed statistics like receptions isn't very smart.

[rmcjacket23]

  On 2/24/2017 at 7:08 PM, hen826957 said:

  On 2/24/2017 at 4:38 PM, steelcityraven said:

  On 2/24/2017 at 1:36 PM, jsarrocohome@yahoo.com said:

I will take pitta over Watson any day of the week reguardless of salary

Really why? Pitta is smaller then Watson, slower then Watson and doesn't come close to the career production that Watson has put up. (Watson in 11 seasons - nearly 5000 yards and 38 TDs / Pitta is 6 seasons has just over 2000 yards and only 13 TDs

Watson is coming off of a serious injury but his pales in comparison to Pitta's injuries. Pitta is 5 years younger but I do not believe that his body knows that.

and we have Watson at nearly 1/2 the salary as Pitta. Just curious why you say that you would rather have Pitta over Watson every day of the week... (I can only assume that this has more to do with non-football related preferences)?

I would choose Pitta over Watson as well. Pitta had a decent season with 700+ yards by just getting back from injury, he's younger than Watson; Watson about to be 37 Pitta is 31. Pitta gets open and a relivable target for Joe along with the connection. We don't even know what we are gonna get from Watson after his injury. IDK, just my opinion. I keep Pitta.

Pitta's is way better than Watson it ain't even close Watson is about 35 years old coming off acillies injury

While I agree based on the age and the injury, prior to those, nobody would have taken Pitta over Watson.

At the moment, yes. But this team last year, no way.

[OzzieBisciotti]

  On 2/24/2017 at 5:07 PM, akacrow said:

Releasing Pitta with a post June 1st designation would be beneficial to the cap as a deferred cost. There are expenditures post June 1st that add up quickly, such as rookie contracts, and possible late season cuts added to the roster.

Downside is it pushes dead money into future years, so you're essentially paying cap space for a player who hasn't been on your roster for two seasons.

Hey- we've already done this with Eugene Monroe and Ray Rice- so why not add Pitta to the list. Maybe we need a new GM after all- and I'm not talking about DaCosta because I think DaCosta's been picking players as of late- or both DaCosta and Oz should let Bisciotti draft players this year because our drafts in Harbaugh era have been flawed

[OzzieBisciotti]

  21 hours ago, jsarrocohome@yahoo.com said:

  On 2/24/2017 at 7:08 PM, hen826957 said:

  On 2/24/2017 at 4:38 PM, steelcityraven said:

  On 2/24/2017 at 1:36 PM, jsarrocohome@yahoo.com said:

I will take pitta over Watson any day of the week reguardless of salary

Really why? Pitta is smaller then Watson, slower then Watson and doesn't come close to the career production that Watson has put up. (Watson in 11 seasons - nearly 5000 yards and 38 TDs / Pitta is 6 seasons has just over 2000 yards and only 13 TDs

Watson is coming off of a serious injury but his pales in comparison to Pitta's injuries. Pitta is 5 years younger but I do not believe that his body knows that.

and we have Watson at nearly 1/2 the salary as Pitta. Just curious why you say that you would rather have Pitta over Watson every day of the week... (I can only assume that this has more to do with non-football related preferences)?

I would choose Pitta over Watson as well. Pitta had a decent season with 700+ yards by just getting back from injury, he's younger than Watson; Watson about to be 37 Pitta is 31. Pitta gets open and a relivable target for Joe along with the connection. We don't even know what we are gonna get from Watson after his injury. IDK, just my opinion. I keep Pitta.

Pitta's is way better than Watson it ain't even close Watson is about 35 years old coming off acillies injury

While I agree based on the age and the injury, prior to those, nobody would have taken Pitta over Watson.

At the moment, yes. But this team last year, no way.

Pitta and Watson both aren't that good, but Oz likes to rent the old FA for a year or two, hoping that the player provides leadership on our leadershipless (thanks avg Joe Flacco) team

[Ravensfansince03]

The only problem with releasing pitta is that we do not have a proven TE to step into his absence. That's the strategy that has been destroying this team. They keep releasing starting players without having a sure go to guy. They just assume that the next guy will perform just as good or better without having seen any real performance from them.

[Ravensfansince03]

Let's gen honest. Pitta had all those receptions because our pass offense was garbage outside of SSS. I don't hardly remember any of our other WR's

[bigcatfrank1]

Let's gen honest. Pitta had all those receptions because our pass offense was garbage outside of SSS. I don't hardly remember any of our other WR's

You forget that Wallace lead the receivers?

[bigcatfrank1]

Ok here is another option for WR and RB that you can comment on, I present the following:
Let go of Juice (1.5), Watson (3.5 mil), Pitta (5.5), West (3 mil) , Aiken (4 mil) Camp (1.5) and Allen (1m) go. Also add SSsr. replacement salary to get to about 22mil.

Pick up Latavious Murray (10mil), Pierre Garcon (8 Mil) and Cordarrelle Patterson (4 mil). Use Waller as the Slot receiver/TE option. Use Patterson as a 3rd RB/WR/option flex.
keeping Dixon, Wallace, Perriman, Waller, Boyle, Gilmore, Moore and Renolds
get Rookies RB and WR in the draft.

Change the play book around to work to the strengths of RB game, WR and Flacco (option, flex and long ball).

[rmcjacket23]

6 hours ago, OzzieBisciotti said:

Hey- we've already done this with Eugene Monroe and Ray Rice- so why not add Pitta to the list. Maybe we need a new GM after all- and I'm not talking about DaCosta because I think DaCosta's been picking players as of late- or both DaCosta and Oz should let Bisciotti draft players this year because our drafts in Harbaugh era have been flawed

LOL, well with Ray, we really didn't have any other choice.

[ravenalltheway]

Mangold just got released. I think it would be a major upgrade to scoop him up