Dennis Pitta returned to the practice field for the first time in 2015 on Wednesday as the team begun preparations for their game against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night.
During the limited open portion of practice, the veteran tight end work with the quarterbacks before heading to the sideline to await the start of full team activities.
It was a quick sight with not much to see.
Pitta along with the Ravens brass have some tough decisions ahead of them, as they examine the risk factors that go along with his potential return.
Following practice, Pitta stated that the three-week window that he can practice before the team has to decide whether to activate him will be used as an assessment time.
“Yes, that will be part of the assessment process,” said Pitta. “I’ll be working closely with our doctors and telling them how I feel, if any issues arise. It’ll be a joint decision, certainly, moving forward.”
With the Ravens’ record one has to wonder if the organization would be smart to have him back on the field. After all it’s been more than a year since the sure-handed tight has played after suffering his non-contact hip injury.
Pitta did advise that he’s been cleared for contact.
Back Foot Joe
After witnessing perhaps the very worst interception of his eight-year career against the 49ers last Sunday, it’s apparent to fans and media alike that Joe Flacco is back to having footwork issues.
Following practice on Wednesday, the Super Bowl MVP pointed out that he wasn’t as comfortable in the Ravens offense as he would like to be, something he attributes to the turnover of personnel.
“I think the biggest thing is, probably,” remarked Flacco, “I wish I was a little more comfortable than I probably am, but we’re dealing with getting different guys in there and different guys the ball and shuffling this guy in, this guy out.
“We’ve had to deal with some things, and that’s just the nature of it. I have to hone in a little bit more just to make up for some of that stuff.”
While it’s hard to hang much of the disappointment of the Ravens on the offense this year, they have their crosses to bear. Yes it’s true the turnover with the wide receiver corps is abundant, and the offense lacks speed which injured rookie Breshad Perriman was supposed to bring, but regardless of the points Flacco and company have put up, some of Joe’s seven interceptions have proved costly.
Through six games, of Joe Cool’s seven picks, four have resulted in 18 points for opposing teams.
Noticeably his mechanics are off and he’s throwing off his back foot once again. That’s something he’s regressed on since last season.
Where’s Rick Dennison when you need him..
It’s 3rd Down
Hearing those words kind of make one cringe when it comes to the Ravens defense in 2015. Quarter after quarter throughout game after game we seen the same thing: Dean Pees’ unit can not get off the field on third down.
OLB Elvis Dumervil knows it’s a problem and doesn’t hide from trying to find an explanation for it.
“We know pass rushing and coverage goes hand-in-hand, so, I guess we have to do more,” said a quiet Dumervil. “We have to do a better job pass rushing, myself included.
“And the times we do pass rush, the coverage has to do better. We just have to be on the same page, and I think we’ll fix that issue.”
This season, the Ravens have dropped opposing QBs 18 times, the NFL’s fifth most and they had better hope the pass rush and coverage are on the same page under the lights Monday Night against a dangerous Arizona Cardinal offense led by Carson Palmer.
So far this year, the Ravens defense have allowed Peyton Manning, Derek Carr, Andy Dalton, Michael Vick, Josh McCown and Colin Kaepernick to throw for a combined 1833 yards.
“He is a good quarterback, really good,” responded Doom when asked about Palmer. “It’s a well-coached team. [They have] a lot of good weapons. They have an offense that can get things done. We have to make sure we go down there and make sure we put our best foot forward.”
No doubt Palmer, veteran receiver Larry Fitzgerald and fellow wideout John Brown are licking their chops somewhere in Arizona as I write this.
Follow me on Twitter @sportguyRSR
