There is zero doubt that the Ravens currently have a need at tight end. With Crockett Gillmore and Phillip Supernaw being the only healthy tight ends currently on the roster, the Ravens are void of depth but also – and more importantly – experience.
Gillmore showed flashes last year, and he certainly looks the part of an NFL tight end at 6’6 and 256 pounds. While he’s known for his blocking skills, the Ravens are confident that he will be able to contribute more as a pass catcher in 2015. Steve Bisciotti gave high praise for Gillmore on his conference call with season ticket holders on Wednesday night. “I would really expect 30-40 balls to Crockett this year,” said Bisciotti.
Supernaw is likely not much of a factor. Despite his great name, he racked up more plane rides than catches last year. He was cut and re-signed a combined ten times between training camp and the regular season.
Then there’s Dennis Pitta.
Needless to say, his situation is murky at best. The Ravens were hopeful that he could be a key part of their offense for years to come when they signed him to a five-year $32 million dollar contract last March. However, when he went down in week three of 2014 with his second major hip injury in as many years, that changed. At this point, the Ravens are unsure about Pitta in 2015 and beyond.
The Ravens have sent mixed messages regarding Pitta. The truth is they are likely in a wait and see approach regarding his future. But you have to start to wonder if their lack of activity in the free agent market at tight end serves as a sign that they’re confident that he’ll return.
When he was initially asked in December, John Harbaugh was optimistic. “Everything I’ve been told…..and I’ve got to be honest, it was surprising to me because my assumption would be, wow, this is twice in a row now, this is going to be tough. But they said it has no bearing on the future. If it heals 100 percent, Dennis can play again.”
In January, Harbaugh was still optimistic, but was a little more cautious in his assessment. “I will say that I am cautiously optimistic because of the injury,” Harbaugh said during his season-ending press conference. “We all sit in here and all of us would be like, ‘OK, is this going to be good?’ We want to make sure he’s going to be totally healthy, totally safe as much is as reasonable in football to make sure that hip is sound and everything before our doctors would ever clear him. In the end, it will be up to the doctors and Dennis to determine that.”
Deciphering the vague language that coaches and general managers provide NFL fans and the media is never an easy task. Giving accurate information to the media that balances cautious optimism, what’s best for their team, and the worst case scenario is a difficult task for teams and coaches. The Pitta situation requires this type of delicate handling.
While the Ravens and Joe Flacco would love to have him back on the field, his long term health as a human being takes precedent. It’s safe to say that no one is hiding anything and no one can say for sure what will happen. However, there may be some quiet confidence within the castle which they are keeping under wraps.
Maybe the fact that they haven’t added a tight end is evidence of their optimism.
Reading between the lines it sounds like the decision will ultimately come down to Pitta and his doctors. They will likely weigh the pros and cons as well as the risks and rewards. The Ravens will respect Pitta’s wishes and what’s in his best interest long term.
If I had to give my best guess though, I’d say that we’ll see #88 on the field in 2015.
