Ravens TE Dennis Pitta Has Big Decision To Make Over The Next 3 Weeks
By Samuel Njoku
The Ravens, after having suffered their 2nd straight loss at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers, look to rebound against an Arizona Cardinals team with hopes of rebounding themselves. With these two teams heading in two totally different directions, how will this Monday Night Football Contest play out?
Should Ravens Consider Selling As Trade Deadline Approaches?
The common thought process for any fan following a slow start is to blow up the team and start over. With the trade deadline only a few weeks away, might the Ravens explore that option?
Not a chance.
Anyone who's watched the Ravens this season realize that they've underperformed. But the core players of this team can still contribute to this team long after the 2015 season has ended. One of the problems the Ravens face this year rests with their salary cap. Baltimore has a load of dead money eating up their cap space from players who no longer wear Ravens uniforms. Ray Rice ($9.5 mil), Haloti Ngata ($7.5 mil), and Jacoby Jones ($2.625) account for nearly 14% of the salary cap. That money could have been used to add a playmaker on both sides of the football. With that dead money set to dissipate following the 2015 campaign, it would be foolish for Baltimore to blow up what could be a formidable roster in the years to follow.
So don't expect the Ravens to sell commodities just because they seem destined to fail this year. Baltimore's goal will continue to be to bring good players in — not kick them out.
Dennis Pitta has a very tough decision to make over the next 3 weeks
Over the last 10 months, there is one question that I've been asked more than any other. And this question is centered around one of the biggest mysteries in Ravens history. That question is simply:
Is Dennis Pitta coming back?
Well wait no longer Ravens fans. Because Dennis Pitta is indeed back — kind of. It's true that the veteran tight end made his long awaited return to the practice field on Wednesday. He participated in practice and was seen catching passes from his best friend, Joe Flacco. All signs point to a future Dennis Pitta touchdown in a stadium near you, right?
Not so fast.
Dennis Pitta is still currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list. With this designation, the Ravens have 21 days to decide whether he's ready for activation or if he's done for the season. Of course this situation is a lot more complicated. Pitta suffered his second straight hip injury and the likelihood of this injury being a career ender is very real indeed. So number 88 is excited, but understandably cautious.
"Obviously, it's good for me to be back out there — emotionally, mentally — and I felt pretty good physically," stated Ravens TE Dennis Pitta after practice on Wednesday. "Obviously this is an assessment period for us to really see where we're at. This is just day one of our journey. I think it felt pretty good and I'm encouraged by that. It's certainly great to be back out there with my teammates, but we'll see where we go from here."
Joe Flacco was understandably pleased to see his good friend back on the field as well.
"It's exciting," stated Joe Flacco. "I was just talking to him and seeing how he felt, and he said that everything is still going a million miles an hour. I got to throw some good routes versus air to him, and it felt good, and he looks good. It's exciting to see him back in uniform."
As exciting as it is to have Pitta back on the practice field, Pitta realizes that a big decision will need to be made one way or another.
"I would like to think that if I can't make it back this year, then what's going to change next year? For me, in my mind, it's kind of like I'm working to get back this year, and if I can't, then that might be it."
From the sounds of it, this appears to be an all-or-nothing gamble with Dennis Pitta. If his hip holds up and he's cleared to play, Ravens fans will rejoice. But if his body doesn't respond the way he likes, it's likely game over for the talented tight end. That's something neither the fans, players, or coaches want to see.
Has Steve Smith Changed His Mind About Retirement?
There aren't many NFL players that are as candid as Steve Smith. With Baltimore struggling, many wonder if he would reconsider retirement for at least one year in order to take another crack at a championship. When asked last week, it appeared that Smith was avoiding the topic. This gave many the impression that he was indeed reconsidering calling it quits. But the veteran wideout took the time to make it perfectly clear for anyone wondering where he was on the subject.
"I'm on schedule for what I discussed earlier in the year," Smith told reporters.
Ok, maybe not perfectly clear. He didn't actually use the word retirement. And Smith has been known to toy with reporters in the past whenever the need for info arises. But it certainly appears he will still retire following the 2015 season. That's a real shame because Smith has been one of the few bright spots in what has been a dark year for the purple and black.
Samuel Njoku was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and is a graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Samuel has covered the Ravens for Examiner.com since 2010. Prior to 2010, Samuel was an avid blogger and radio personality in Salisbury, MD. Samuel Njoku is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @Ravens_Examiner.
