With the 16th pick in the 4th round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens select...
by Bruce Raffel on Apr 24, 2010 10:58 AM EDT
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Print...Dennis Pitta, TE (BYU). another big, strong pass catching tight end. Why did the team take another TE in the draft this season, but it certainly reeks of the mantra, "Best Player Available."
6'4", 245 is a nice size and similar to their other tight end, Ed Dickson. Click here for NFL.com's take on Pitta.
UPDATED NOTES: Pitta was one of three finalist for the Mackey Award, given to the nation's best TE. Dropped just one of 76 balls targeted at him this past season. Caught eleven passes in the Red Zone. Third highest receiving yards in BYU history (2,901) behind the Colts' Austin Collie and Eric Drage (1990-93).
After his freshman year, Pitta went on a two-year LDS Church mission to the Dominican Republic.
UPDATED: Click on the 'Jump' to see my questions w/ him.
I asked Pitta a couple of questions when he called into the media room at Ravens HQ:
Beatdown: "Are you looking forward to catching passes from Joe Flacco?"
Pitta: "Yeah, I'm really excited to catch passes from Joe Flacco. And they also have another quarterback there named John Beck who I've played with before, so I'm excited to come into that situation. I just look at it as a great opportunity to prove what I'm capable of."
Beatdown: "Talk a bit about your blocking abilities?"
Pitta: "Blocking, I think, was a question mark for a lot of teams coming into the Draft simply because I hadn't done a lot of it at BYU. But, I think I've worked hard at it, and I think it's definitely something I'm improving on, and it's something I'm very capable of doing at the next level."
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who knows...
trust el OZ.
maybe theres some stud he expects to drop to 5th or 6th round. Maybe he’s going to pull a Kenobi on one of the other weak-minded GMs and trade up…
"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden
Info from the conference call with Pitta coming shortly,
as it just concluded here at team HQ, where I’m stationed for the day once again.
aka 'Rexx'
Whoa.
http://twitter.com/RavensInsider
Edgar Jones is converting to fullback, so essentially the Ravens only have: Todd Heap, Ed Dickson, Dennis Pitta and Davon Drew.
Yeah, knew that
Edgar Jones is the man on the move. Next season, expect him to play corner!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Apr 24, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Still a pretty impressive TE group!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Apr 24, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Some key stats on Pitta
In 2009 season, never had less than 31 receiving yards in a game, with the high of 9 catches for 111 yards and 2 TDs vs. Air Force.
In big games, he did this: Oklahoma (7 catches, 90 yards), Florida State (5 for 60), Oregon St. – Bowl Game ( 5 receptions, 45 yards, 1-TD).
aka 'Rexx'
not bad. still, NFL.com tells me he lacks the release and speed to threaten at the NFL level
not saying he can’t play, but we’re at best looking at a #2 TE in the years to come.
"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden
this from NFL.com, which obviously does my thinking for me...
“The Ravens pick up a versatile pass catcher with exceptional skills in Dennis Pitta. The BYU product gives the team a dynamic weapon to feature as a possible H-Back. With the Ravens continuing to add pieces to their aerial attack, Joe Flacco is poised to make another significant leap in his development in 2010.”
"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden
He need another HB?
My comments aren't random, you just can't think as fast as me....
by Zachary Beard on Apr 24, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah i didnt think so either.
who knows. maybe Heap will break his face and Dickson will get AIDS and Pitta will make the pro-bowl as a rookie and Ozzie will look like a genius. who knows.
"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden
lol
My comments aren't random, you just can't think as fast as me....
by Zachary Beard on Apr 24, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Be careful what you say
Raven King might be offended to the word “AIDS” as well.
My comments aren't random, you just can't think as fast as me....
by Zachary Beard on Apr 24, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
let it go
you told him to get over it, you should too
"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden
Alright
My comments aren't random, you just can't think as fast as me....
by Zachary Beard on Apr 24, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Haha...
It’s over, and it wasn’t personal. I’m sorry if you felt I was attacking you. I needed to stand up for my beliefs and my culture. Let’s just talk Ravens. At least we agree on our team.
Well, the kid from IUPUI is gone. :(
The Cowboys took him
I'm very happy with Pitta-along with Dickson
Basically we have a) a full compliment of TE’s for the first time in years, and b) two rookie TE’s who can take the slot. This pick says that the team clearly saw better value in the deep TE class than in the WR’s and that we’ll be seeing Pitta and Dickson running WR routes.
okey i guess i can dig it.
i should just remind myself never to question the wizard of Ozzie
"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden
Ugh. Mel Kiper and Todd McShay give Akwasi Owusu-Ansah high praise.
They said he could play safety or corner, and help in the return game. :(
While I do like our picks, I feel our most urgent need is a corner. Webb and Washington both are “?”. The nature of the injuries suggest they won’t be 100% until after the by week at the earliest. WE NEED A CORNER!!!
by Georgia Raven on Apr 24, 2010 11:46 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
i guess the feel we did okay with Carr, Foxworth, and Walker. They will have to hold up until they get healthy
by Raven_all_day on Apr 24, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
i mean, anybody but frank walker. please. he's my enemy.
"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden
Are either of our new TEs any good on special teams, ‘cause if they are that’s just icing on the cake
dont know yet
but honestly, anybody can be good on special teams. thats why all the guys who aren’t good enough to start play special teams.
"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden
Oh yeah Frank “throw to my guy and he will score” Walker
by Georgia Raven on Apr 24, 2010 12:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
you must not have seen much tape
its Frank “let me hit him now so its illegal contact and not pass interference” walker.
"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden
No he draws penaltys like people think the ravens do.
Matt Wieters Was Drafted 5th Overall Because The First 4 Teams Thought That Harnessing The Power Of Ten-thousand Suns Was Playing God.
by 17oriolesfan on Apr 24, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
frank spits in Jeff Reed's mouth like a Raven
“I don’t care. I hate Pittsburgh.” —actual Frank Walker quote.
Love the attitude buddy, but you still suck ass.
"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden
Yup. Wait a second how do you know he sucks ass?
Matt Wieters Was Drafted 5th Overall Because The First 4 Teams Thought That Harnessing The Power Of Ten-thousand Suns Was Playing God.
by 17oriolesfan on Apr 24, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I saw that too.
I guess he’s not that bad after all.
A-Rod uses steroids, but steroids use Matt Wieters.
i just mentionned that on another post
pretty cool
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
by Fandemonium on Apr 24, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Still keeping my eye on
CB’s
Dominique Franks
Perrish Cox
Donovan Warren
WRs
Dezmon Briscoe
Carlton Mitchell
Riley Cooper
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
who will still be there?
CB’s
Perrish Cox
Donovan Warren
WRs
Dezmon Briscoe
Carlton Mitchell
Riley Cooper
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
i'm on the board.
and i’m projected to be there… FOREVER.
I’m 5-9, 180, beer belly, good explosiveness, sufficient rage, terrible technique in all aspects of football, run the 40 in about 4.9, and i can’t kick, throw, or catch. i’m a pure value pick in the 7th round.
"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden
what we've got here is a failure to communicate.
or a failure to draft a corner… whichever you prefer.
"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden
Perrish Cox is not sucky
he was a character concern. Top flight punt returner too
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
by Fandemonium on Apr 24, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
never said he did, he is gone and there is no one else there. Just because we have a hole doesnt mean we draft whom ever is there
by Raven_all_day on Apr 24, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
agree
Perrish Cox was my last hope
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
by Fandemonium on Apr 24, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Jets took RB John Conner
in case the machines rise up or something. but seriously, another RB?
"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden
Just cause we need a corner doesn’t mean we draft a sucky one?
FYI the way it stands we will be starting the season with Foxworth and Frank “no one can say anything good about me other than I spit in the face of a Steeler(he was a kicker, I choose my battles wisely)” Walker.
by Georgia Raven on Apr 24, 2010 12:25 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
BPA
Ok Oz according to BPA law we should take Rolle somtime soon.
by Georgia Raven on Apr 24, 2010 12:28 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Jets trade Leon Washington to Seattle
Combined w/ LenDale White who is already there, Seattle is loading up on RB’s. Now we understand the pick of the Jets of USC RB Joe McKnight.
aka 'Rexx'
BPA
Ok Oz according to BPA law we should take Rolle somtime soon.
by Georgia Raven on Apr 24, 2010 12:30 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
At this point I take Dezmon Briscoe
if he is still there
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
13 picks to go ...
any predictions? I think it looks like better value at WR at this point
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
Don’t forget we have Eron Riley on the practie squad. I don’t think we need anymore wr projects
by Georgia Raven on Apr 24, 2010 12:34 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Eron Riley has alligator arms
I watched him at Ravens camp and was very unimpressed
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
what happened then, at Duke he was there bread winner. Does the size of the football change in the pros.
What I saw
Looked like he can make the easy catch but not the difficult one.
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
by Fandemonium on Apr 24, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok ok I’m biased about Eron. He’s from Savannah and his dad is my mechanic. Plus he hooks me up with tickets when I come home. Dude was the truth at duke though and he has 4.3 speed.
by Georgia Raven on Apr 24, 2010 12:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I am an ex-Dukie which is why I was watching him
I really wanted to like him but I just didn’t see it. Could be he was having a bad day.
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
by Fandemonium on Apr 24, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Steelers have two picks before the Ravens
Dezmon Briscoe will be gone
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
Whoever picks Myron Rolle will get a steal. He’s the smartest person in the draft. Think he would be a good guy to learn from Reed.
by Georgia Raven on Apr 24, 2010 12:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Coach Harbaugh stopped by the media room
to just chat w/ us press guys on an informal basis. He was joined by a couple members of the PR staff for some commenting o how the draft has gone so far.
Nice to have Coach acknowledge us and stop by for a few moments as he just has to be so busy at this time of the day, along with a bunch of other guys upstairs in the team’s ‘War Room.’
aka 'Rexx'
lol
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
by Fandemonium on Apr 24, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
hate having both the Bengals and Steelers picking before us
not a good feeling
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
im surprise the ravens didn't go after
the tight end anthony mccoy since he one of the beast blocking tight end
A guy I'd like to see the Ravens grab
is James Madison University’s Arthur Moats. Moats, a LB/DE is around 6’1" and 250 pounds and would be a great Special Teams guy and a reserve linebacker. He is a team leader and reminds me a bit of Ray in how he led JMU’s defense.
aka 'Rexx'
NEW POST COMING UP
with our next two picks (#156, 157). Click ‘Home’ to check it out shortly after the pick is made.
aka 'Rexx'
The Steelers need o line. The will be using 7 o linemen now to block mount Cody and Ngata
by Georgia Raven on Apr 24, 2010 12:54 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
They need to draft a bulldozer ...
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
by Fandemonium on Apr 24, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope we take
Dezmon Briscoe here… I’ve seen him play and he really is a great receiver and would be a steal here!
"The Baltimore Ravens are on the clock"
Check out the new post going up as soon as the two selections are made!
aka 'Rexx'
Looks like Boller could be
the odd QB out, with Campbell, Russell, Gradkowski and him.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Apr 24, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Good Pickup for Arizona
John Skelton QB from Fordham, I hope he gets a legitimate chance to start.
My comments aren't random, you just can't think as fast as me....
Rolle is def not a corner but Briscoe Rolle back to back would make everyone happy… Who is David Reed?
by Georgia Raven on Apr 24, 2010 1:08 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Na man, this guys is reallllllly good. I thought he would have been gone by the 3rd round. Our D-Line is set for years.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Yea I know, but Ozzie didn’t see one worth picking here. Gotta take the BPA in these rounds.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
CB is glaring need. Its nice to take BPA, but when you have a glaring need at skilled
position like cornerback, it would be nice to fill that void with a good player that is available.
YES!
That guy in early mock drafts was supposed to be a first round pick and then he slipped to third round. The fifth round for him is amazing!! BUT… I DO NOT LIKE the david reed pick… Dezmon Briscoe is REALLY good! I hate passing him up!
by NgataChance!! on Apr 24, 2010 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
but they passed on ....
Dex and Carlton Mitchell? Well I guess Oz kows best.
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
what I just read this guy is a project
… but I guess they see something there
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
Big TD from Reed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=071T8yNRT38
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
This guy is fastttttt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP6VxFbuDW0&feature=related
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Congrats
Editor from SBN’s BYU blog Vanquish the Foe here…
Just wanted to extend my congratulations on the selection of Dennis Pitta. I know you got Dickson the round before and don’t know exactly how the Ravens plan on utilizing both of the rookies AND Heaps, but…
All I can say is you are getting the most productive receiving TE ever from one of the most pass-happy schools over the past 40 years. More so than former Eagles Pro-Bowler Chad Lewis, two-time All-American Gordon Hudson, and long-time Seahawk Itula Mili.
It’s funny actually because current Raven John Beck was partly responsible for Pitta receiving a scholarship after the TE walked on as a wideout in 2003. He wasn’t recruited out of high school but so impressed Beck that the QB told former BYU Head Coach and Bears OC Gary Crowton to get the kid a scholarship pronto. The rest is history.
Last season the Colts selected Austin Collie with the 127th overall pick. There were similar concerns considering athletic ability in comparison to other wideouts and slot receivers. After his rookie season though, those concerns have largely disappeared.
Pitta will be older than most rookies this season but he will also have ZERO off-field issues during his career, and has the experience of 4 years of college – playing on mostly Top 20 teams with quarterbacks good enough to stick around in the NFL (Beck and likely undrafted free agent Max Hall). He isn’t ever going to be a superstar blocker or athlete a la Vernon Davis – but he is a very good value for the 4th round.
I don’t think he ever dropped a pass at BYU, he is absolutely not afraid of contact, and has a knack for huge receptions on key 3rd down conversions. Flacco will LOVE him the way Manning already loves Collie in Indy.
Should you have any questions regarding Pitta in the future, feel free to visit VTF and post away.
Links:
BYU Press Guide – Dennis Pitta
Video Draft Profile
BYU Cougars NFL Draft Preview
Thanks for the comments
We’re all pretty psyched about Pitta. I’m sure Cam Cameron is already plotting some 2 and 3 TE sets that will take advantage of our now 3 TE threats. The middle of the field was a real weakness in our passing attack the last few years. With the addition of Pitta and Dickson along with Heap, it may now be Flacco’s favorite place to look. Hope your anaogy to Collie proves accurate and Joe develops a similar rappor with Pitta. Thanks again!
"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
Classy act
Thanks for the info on Pitta from someone WHO really knows Pitta. We’re looking forward to Pitta have a long and productive Ravens career.
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