Tight End Planning a Comeback
Word has leaked out that Dennis Pitta is planning on playing again and if true it shouldn’t be in Baltimore. Press play or read the transcript below to find out why it’s time to say goodbye to Pitta.
Mike Garafolo from FOX Sports is reporting that Ravens TE Dennis Pitta plans to continue his football career after consulting with doctors.
News on Dennis Pitta: Ravens’ TE has decided to continue his NFL after consulting with docs this offseason regarding his twice-repaired hip.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 12, 2016
Pitta is a reasonable man. He’s a God-fearing family man and it’s doubtful that he would risk his future as a husband and father if he wasn’t totally sure that he is no longer risking the chance of a healthy future.
And I wish him well. He deserves that chance.
Just not with the Baltimore Ravens – at least not under the terms of his current contract.
Pitta is scheduled to make $5M in 2016. He hasn’t played a down since September of 2014. Over the last two seasons the Ravens have drafted 3 tight ends and they signed free agent TE Ben Watson last month.
Obviously the team has little to no confidence that Pitta can again play effectively in the NFL, otherwise they would never have beefed up the position so dramatically.
Activating Pitta as a Raven would create a logjam at tight end. It would take practice reps away from young, promising players like Crockett Gillmore, Maxx Williams and Nick Boyle. It would take reps away from Watson who will be trying to establish a rapport with Joe Flacco.
And of course there are no guarantees that we would not see Pitta go down again, untouched, like he did on that unforgettable September afternoon in 2014 at Browns Stadium.
It’s a difficult situation for the Ravens. Perhaps Pitta and the team will rip up the current contract and play for the veteran minimum with no guarantees. That’s really the only acceptable solution other than saying goodbye.
And goodbye, as harsh as it might sound, particularly when it involves such a good player and man, is the best thing for the Ravens.
It may even be the best thing for Dennis Pitta.
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