With Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta clearly becoming quarterback Joe Flacco's favorite target it has meant less looks for fellow tight end Ed Dickson who started off last season looking like he would be an integral part of the Ravens offense. Now, when third down comes around and the Ravens need to make a play it seems that everyone on the field knows exactly where Flacco is going to look, to his new best friend Dennis Pitta. the Philadelphia Eagles knew that last week and blanketed Pitta every time the Ravens needed a big play and it worked.
With the Eagles secondary shutting down our wide outs last week and Pitta being their next option Dickson could have maybe taken on a bigger role but I have a feeling that they may have needed him to help stay in and block with the constant penetration that Philly was getting in the second half. Either way, with both tight ends on the field, one can stay in and block and the other can test the linebackers or safeties over the middle of the field. I know Flacco shows much more trust in Pitta's catching ability but if the team could get Dickson involved more early than we could again keep them off balance between the two tight ends if our wide receivers are not getting the job done.
Although Dennis Pitta does have the best hands on the team and a unique ability to box out defenders with his big body he is not quite as fleet of foot as Dickson and Dickson's surprising speed can throw a defense off if they are not expecting it.The two of them need to work together to use each others strengths to promote their own. Both are capable of making high impact plays all over the football field and should be used accordingly especially if one or the other is being keyed in on like last week.
The New England Patriots secondary is no where near the level of that of Philadelphia so our receivers should have better luck getting open this week but the production of both of our young tight ends can only help the rest of our player find more one on one match ups and holes in zone schematics.
So, I know Joe has his shiny new toy in Pitta but let's not forget why the Ravens drafted Dickson one round higher as well. He can be a game breaker and a match up nightmare with his speed and size so the more we use him the better for both of them in the long run.