Dickson or Pitta (1 Viewer)

[Bob Magaw]

i'm seeing pitta's name come up more often as the most likely successor and the future at the position for BAL...

this prompted a few questions...

dickson (relatively high 3rd - 3.6) was drafted before pitta (mid 4th - 4.16)... it is possible that ravens view pitta as more likely to succeed heap, but also that he was, for whatever reason, more likely to be available later... this seems like a stretch, as they were i think graded similarly, and whoever they waited on, they were taking a chance on losing... it seems safe to infer they valued dickson more... so i take it the seemingly commonly held opinion that pitta is favored to replace heap long term implies that the ravens were mistaken in their respective evaluations of the two TE prospects?

pedigree aside (not really that much different), there seems be a disconnect if we map the BAL duelling TE situation on to the, on the surface, similar one with NE... gronk (relatively high 2nd - 2.10) and hernandez (4.15)... clearly gronk is the more well rounded, complete prospect (ie - better blocker)... in this case, there seems to be a concern that because of that, gronk will play more of an in-line blocking role... the lower graded (though i think he had some character, off field red flags, otherwise might have gone higher, if not as high as gronk), more one dimensional hernandez seems to be favored to play a more prominent role in the passing game...

if pitta is more well rounded (better blocker), like gronk, and dickson better downfield threat... why is hernandez viewed as better play in NE, but not dickson in BAL?

of course, another possibility, BAL could use more two TE sets in the future (boldin and stallworth are around 30, mason about 35)... as is expected in DET this year, where both scheffler and pettigrew could be productive, in different ways...

* the answer to this question probably involves a few factors... does a team have more one or two TE base set (especially in passing situations)... if the latter, pettigrew and scheffler (or gronk/hernandez) could be on the field TOGETHER... if BAL example of the former, in that scenario, if pitta is on the field, dickson isn't (or vice verce)... also, how are the TEs deployed... even if gates were in a one TE set, they don't ask him to block as much as gronk may be asked to in NE... if BAL primarily employs a one TE set in passing situations, and in that role functional run blocking is part of the job description, that could be an important separating factor...

BTW, if ravens value the TE position (they have certainly enjoyed production there from heap in the past, when healthy), taking two makes a lot of sense... very possible they didn't intend to grab two, but BAL/newsome, as much as maybe any other team in the league, is nearly defined as an organization by the overarching drafting principle of staying true to their board... by definition, pitta's value was too great at that point to pass on...

some good things that flow from that... it helps to have more than one TE... and heap is aging, hurt a lot and could be breaking down... i have no problem with getting not only future starter but key depth in same draft (especially when they filled some of few other holes in free agency - WR, with boldin and stallworth, and defensive depth with earlier picks)... also, even if depth doesn't need to be tapped due to injury, and even if they do have higher expectations for dickson (as a receiving weapon), but he disappoints, pitta could turn out to play a very important role in a year or two... newsome and harbaugh sounded excited in the wake of the draft about the potential of the TEs to elevate the offense, by enabling "big throwing to big" (flacco is like 6'5"?)...

 

[kurtrudder]

great read Bob!!

The only additional thought that struck me was that in a draft class that is deemed to be quite deep at the TE position, it makes even more sense to take a shot and pick two of them if they are high up on their draft board.

In the end, for fantasy purposes I'm not sure how much it truly matters where they were drafted because the NFL team is going to pick the best NFL TE for their team & us fantasy players are going to pick the better fantasy TE

 

[lyon812]

With Baltimore's underwhelming options at WR, a two-TE set supports their running philosophy and allows them some creativity.

Something tangential to think about is that we're somewhat blind to a team's view of a player's ceiling and development time. For example, the Patriots may feel Gronkowski has higher potential, but that it'll take him longer to contribute. Meanwhile, Hernandez, who is more one-dimensional (though he's excellent at it) can step in sooner, even if the Pats don't think he's going to match Gronkowski's value long term; selecting both allows them to fill their need both now and a few years from now, which is a smart way to take advantage of a TE-deep draft. FWIW, I've read a few reports that Gronkowski seems to be slow picking things up for the Patriots. Regardless, I don't think we're going to get any definite answers this year. I think this also applies to Houston (Casey and Graham) if Daniels departs.

 

[Bob Magaw]

good points, kurtrudder & lyon*...

* i actually like the addition of boldin and stallworth...

but they do have history of missed time... and as noted above (and with mason), are aging...

so perhaps there could be more two TE sets in the future...

 

[BeTheMatch]

Pitta cannot be viewed as a better blocker according to anything I've read. The book on Pitta is that he's the best pure pass catcher of the whole class.

 

[treat88]

Pitta cannot be viewed as a better blocker according to anything I've read. The book on Pitta is that he's the best pure pass catcher of the whole class.

Exactly right and I think why most view him as a more likely fantasy factor.Dickson, by my understanding is faster and more athletic, and will likely evolve into a better in line TE. Pitta though, has the best hands of any receiver (WR's included) in this class and knows how to find a soft spot in the D.I've never seen a better hands catcher in my years of watching the combine. Think Chris Cooley with stickum.

 

[Bob Magaw]

wasn't dickson known more as a receiving TE than a complete player with polished blocking skills (this could probably said about most young TEs)...

it sounds like BAL didn't plan on getting both, but that is just how the draft broke...

so i am still curious, if they planned on dickson being the heir apparent to heap, by how they prioritized him in the draft, that would seem to make him the favorite to be the eventual primary receiving weapon at TE (which heap is obviously... certainly neither he nor dickson are known as blocking specialists)...

again, UNLESS the thought process is that BAL miscalculated (fortuitously), and they will discover in time pitta is the superior receiver...

OR, as earlier speculated, they will go with more two TE base sets in passing situations going forward... and pitta is more of a possession skill set-type, and dickson more of a downfield threat to exploit the seams of the coverage?

DAL uses two TEs at times (witten and bennett), and witten is clearly the guy to have in that scenario... witten is also very well rounded and a great blocker... but if that describes neither dickson or pitta, it is still a question of how their respective skill sets will enable them to be deployed within the evolving BAL passing attack in the future?

 

[Cecil Lammey]

Saw both of these guys on the All Star trip this year, Pitta in Orlando at the Shrine Game, Dickson in Mobile at the Senior Bowl.

Pitta catches EVERYTHING thrown at him, very sure hands, knows how to use his frame to get open. However, is not a threat to do much after the catch.

Dickson is SMOOTH, very smooth. A fluid athlete who can get upfield and attack the seams in a hurry. Hands are not as consistent as Pitta, but he'll play like a 'super sized' WR.

The answer is .... both. With more teams going to a two TE set, I expect Baltimore to utilize both of these players. Pitta could catch more passes and should become a trusted target for Flacco. Dickson should have more big plays off fewer targets. think of it like Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler worked in Denver back in 2008. With Pitta in the Graham role, and Dickson in the Scheffler role.

 

[Bob Magaw]

Saw both of these guys on the All Star trip this year, Pitta in Orlando at the Shrine Game, Dickson in Mobile at the Senior Bowl.

Pitta catches EVERYTHING thrown at him, very sure hands, knows how to use his frame to get open. However, is not a threat to do much after the catch.

Dickson is SMOOTH, very smooth. A fluid athlete who can get upfield and attack the seams in a hurry. Hands are not as consistent as Pitta, but he'll play like a 'super sized' WR.

The answer is .... both. With more teams going to a two TE set, I expect Baltimore to utilize both of these players. Pitta could catch more passes and should become a trusted target for Flacco. Dickson should have more big plays off fewer targets. think of it like Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler worked in Denver back in 2008. With Pitta in the Graham role, and Dickson in the Scheffler role.

thanx for the clarification, cec...i always play close attention to to your observations and insights in general, but especially on DEN players...

speaking of scheffler, below is a good article in how the lions intend to move in the direction of a two TE base set (assuming pettigrew returns to form)... scheffler's projection seems to have some ambiguity... his expected role has been characterized by some as dallas clark-LIKE (like doesn't connote identical to)... yet some report he won't be startable on a consistent basis, as pettigrew will steal red zone looks (yet clearly clark is startable )...

BTW, not just BAL and NE, but HOU and STL also had draftniks and fantasy players seeing double at TE... i think the article mentions a record number of TEs were drafted in 2010 (?)...

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100621/SP...ord-this-season

back to scheffler & graham... in 2007 & 2008, when graham overlapped with scheffler's two best seasons (his second and third), he had a combined 56-635-6... scheffler had a combined 89-1,194-5... similar TDs, but scheffler had better than 50% more receptions, and nearly double the receiving yards (and that was missing three games to one for graham)... so if dickson were more likely to play a scheffler role, he would seem to be the guy to own in dynasty leagues (if heap plays, probably neither do much for redraft purposes... the thrust of this question and thread purpose is definitely intended in a dynasty context)...

though maybe this is still murky, as i think of graham as being more of a blocking specialist, and it sounds like probably neither dickson or pitta fit that description...

in the instance of witten and bennett, witten is not only a great WR, but a complete TE with pro bowl caliber all around game and blocking chops, enabling him to be on field in all situations... bennett seems more of a gadget/gimmick player, so far (maybe that can change in future, i think the hope was when drafted was that he could evolve into more)... but if neither dickson or pitta are witten-like, this example also doesn't seem to shed much light on things...

maybe if they both can become better and FUNCTIONAL, if never dominant as blockers, they can both be on the field at the same time a lot in the future... especially in passing situations... even in two TE sets, IF BAL employs a more conventional run blocker on early downs (not necessarily dickson or pitta), and just used one of the current rookies in those situations... which one would it be more likely to be?

also, a quick question about respective blocking skills (such as they are) and potential, as it could be an important determinant in how the roles shake out... though pitta was described as not being known as blocker, he could still be better than dickson (also i think known more for his receiving than blocking prowess)... who is better now, and who has better future upside (or is it pretty even?)...

measurables/combine specs...

dickson (6'4" 250 lbs.), 4.67 40, 34" VJ, 23 reps (? three cone and shuttle drill times)

"Dickson is an excellent receiving tight end that will give effort as a blocker but lacks the top size and bulk to be a dominating blocker at this level. He is quick on his release and shows a burst coming out of his breaks to separate from defenders. He has the downfield speed to stretch the middle of the field when running seam routes. He can show a tendency to short-arm some passes when going over the middle and in traffic. He has the speed and open field running skills to get a lot of yards after the catch." NFL.com scouting profile

“He’s very athletic,” Ravens director of player personnel Eric DeCosta said. “He ran a sub-4.6 [40-yard dash] at the Combine, which is very good for a tight end. He can stretch the field. He’s got very good hands and catching range. He’s a big target. We think he’s got loads of promise as a receiving tight end, and we think he’s a pretty good blocker, too. He’s going to develop in that regard. He’s often detached from the line of scrimmage, but we think this is a guy who’s going to be a three-down tight end for us.” ravens bio/post-draft commentary

50. Ed Dickson, TE, Baltimore - "Dickson in Baltimore worries me a little because he's not a blocker at all and he doesn't work the middle of the field without fear consistently. He's basically an oversized WR, but he is not so athletically talented or natural that he demands a big part of the passing game." bloom's top 100

pitta (6'4" 245 lbs.), ? 40, 34" VJ, 27 reps (best three cone and shuttle drill times among TEs*)

"Pitta is an older senior in that he has five years of football at BYU plus a two year mission which will put him at 25 during his rookie season. He is more of a receiving tight end than a blocking or dual purpose one and will need some time to get used to lining up in a three point stance as BYU generally flexes their tight ends out in a two point stance. He is not real explosive on his release and will need some work on escaping the press at the next level." NFL.com scouting profile

“Dennis is a real instinctive player,” described Ravens director of college scouting Joe Hortiz. “He lines up in the slot and at traditional tight end. He’s got outstanding hands. In the five or six games I’ve watched him, he dropped one ball. He’s a real savvy route runner and just knows how to get open versus a zone. He’s quick and sudden enough to be a mismatch versus linebackers, and he just brings that flexibility to an offense where you can line him up on the line or put him out in the slot.” ravens bio/post-draft commentary

32. Dennis Pitta, TE, Baltimore - "Like Gronk and Hernandez, Pitta has been drafted with a sparring partner that cuts into his chances of hitting because they could have to share the role. Pitta is more reliable than Ed Dickson, even if he is the inferior athlete, and I think he'll get more looks when it's all said and done, but the presence of Dickson adds risk and limits upside." bloom's top 100

* tebow had better three cone and 20 yard shuttle times than jahvid best (!), a 38.5 VJ, and i have seen reported 38 reps (not sure if at combine)... pretty freaky...

** disclosure...

a few things prompted this question/thread... first, the relative disparity in bloom's top 100 grade (though dickson was first TE after pitta)... also, some of FBG daily e-mails have alluded to pitta being expected to be more likely to be heap's heir apparent (possibly with some influence in part contributed by bloom?)...

 

[TheWheel]

I see Harbaugh doing the following:

1) plans on using big sets as a passing threat. A goalline with the three TEs could be scary. They can learn to block better as well.

2) is increasing his chances of having a heir to Heap. Heap isn't going to last that much longer and having two guys who can push eachother will really make the position easier to fill.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

My thoughts:

1. The Ravens (as usual) selected the best player on their board when their pick came - position be damned. If another TE had been at the top of their board with their 5th pick, I wouldn't have been surprised if they took a 3rd.

2. Things change fast in the NFL - injuries, trades, FA. It's very likely that one (or both) may not even be here in 3 years.

3. As several have mentioned, Pitta & Dickson are different types of players, so they can be used differently. Which leads me to...

4. Cameron wants weapons & doesn't much care how they fit with conventional wisdom. If his 3 best receivers are TEs, I'd expect to see 3 TEs on the field.

5. Remember that Harbaugh/Cameron have only been here for 2 years. However Heap was used before that is irrelavent to trying to forcast TE performance going forward. And even using the last 2 years isn't a very good predictor because I get the feeling that Cam wasn't able to use Heap the way he wanted (due to injury & other things) and it frustrated him. So I'm not even sure that one of the rookies is even considered Heap's "heir" - I think the Ravens will use both as they feel comfortable with what they can do.

 

[cr8f]

Pitta cannot be viewed as a better blocker according to anything I've read. The book on Pitta is that he's the best pure pass catcher of the whole class.

Yes I see Dickson as the TE and Pitta as TE/H-back/slot receiver. I think they'll move him all over the field maybe even out of the backfield.

 

[hotboyz]

Think of it like this i live in baltimore if you look at the jets what don they have probaly the best cb tandem in the nfl right thats all well in good but while reivis and cromartie are busy with boldin stallworth and mason who is gonna cover 3te with sure hands and very good speed not to mention ray rice catching the ball out of the backfield? Word out of camp is they have been working Pita out of the backfield some too and i believe the ravens view ed dickson as a big wr not a small te! The offense really has the potential to be explosive and very multi dimensional

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Think of it like this i live in baltimore if you look at the jets what don they have probaly the best cb tandem in the nfl right thats all well in good but while reivis and cromartie are busy with boldin stallworth and mason who is gonna cover 3te with sure hands and very good speed not to mention ray rice catching the ball out of the backfield? Word out of camp is they have been working Pita out of the backfield some too and i believe the ravens view ed dickson as a big wr not a small te! The offense really has the potential to be explosive and very multi dimensional

I don't think the Ravens will have 3 WRs, 3 TEs, and Rice in the game at the same time.But I do agree about the potential to be multi-dimensional.

 

[JamesTheScot]

If I have to bet on one of the TE's, I'd go with Dickson.

Most rookie TE's that come into the league and hold any fantasy value are the ones that have strong receiving skills. But most also have rather lackluster blocking skills. In fact, a good run-blocking TE is almost a specialist at this point similar to the good lead0blocking FB's. So to me it's a push on the blocking issue at this point.

Why I like Dickson more is that I think he's the better athlete of the two and brings more of a vertical threat to the passing game than does Pitta, particularly in terms of what Dickson can do with the ball after he makes the catch. He's also younger, which I didn't realize until this thread. And while Pitta has sticky hands, it isn't like Dickson has poor hands.

To me, that adds up to a slight advantage to Dickson.

But with Heap still in the mix for another year or two, and with Pitta being so close, I probably steer clear of this situation altogether until a clear winner emerges. It may be another year or two before we know which one is better and the odds don't favor one over the other to any significant degree at this point. I'd rather wait for a better situation than to gamble on which of the two emerges. And if both remain pretty even, it'll probably ruin the value for both as a fantasy TE1.

But I disagree with the thinking that being a good blocker hurts a TE's fantasy value. If one of the two develops as a better blocker, I think it becomes a boon to that player, not a detriment. A great receiving TE who can also block is a more versatile TE. And versatility gets you on the field more, not less. This kind of TE doesn't telegraph to the D what's getting reasy to happen, so the OC can better disguise the play. And when he is in there for called runs, he also gets the benefit of being there for audibles because of favorable passing matchups. I think in that scenario the poorer blocking TE becomes the clear TE2 and a package specialist. TE's are kept in to block out of necessity. And that necessity isn't determined by how well or poorly a TE can block.

 

[Bob Magaw]

recent rotoworld blurb...

"Rookies Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta are competing at OTAs to be the Ravens' No. 2 tight end.

Todd Heap's job is safe. Dickson has reportedly shown better speed than Pitta in practice, but Pitta has impressed with his "acceleration" and soft hands. Both have a ways to go to be viable NFL blockers. According to the Baltimore Sun, Pitta and Dickson's 2010 roles are not expected to be major." Jun. 13 - 6:43 pm et

an article... both these tend to confirm what has been already discussed here...

http://www.pressboxonline.com/story.cfm?ID=6315

Dickson And Pitta Can Provide Depth Where It's Needed

By Joe Platania

Pitta and Dickson. Dickson and Pitta.

Perhaps no two draft picks in Baltimore Ravens history have ever been joined at the hip as much as this year's third- and fourth-round selections. While they play the same position -- one that has suffered some setbacks on the Ravens' depth chart in recent years -- it's still bewildering to coach John Harbaugh how much he is questioned about them.

During all but one media session following an organized team activity practice, he has been asked about Oregon tight end Ed Dickson, the 70th overall pick, and Brigham Young product Dennis Pitta, the 114th player selected.

"We've talked about those guys a lot," Harbaugh said. "Dennis and Ed, to me, they look like NFL tight end, pass-catching-type receivers. Now, that being said, they've got a long way to go. They'll drop some passes, they'll run the wrong route, but they've got some talent."

The rookie tight end tandem certainly needs to bring talent to the table, considering what has happened to that position in Baltimore.

It has been nearly a full decade since Arizona State's Todd Heap was the team's first draft pick after winning Super Bowl XXXV. Since that time, Heap has vaulted himself to the top of the Ravens' all-time catches and receiving touchdowns lists, only recently falling slightly behind Derrick Mason in receiving yardage. Backups have come and gone since then.

There was the pass-catching prowess of a Daniel Wilcox, the tough blocking of a Quinn Sypniewski, the athletic versatility of an Edgar Jones and the all-around attributes of a Terry Jones and a Darnell Dinkins.

But, little by little, they all faded away.

Wilcox, Jones and Dinkins were simply not brought back after their contracts expired. Sypniewski suffered a broken leg during Harbaugh's first-ever OTA in 2008 and Jones was recently returned to the defensive side of the ball, where he is currently among a seven-strong passel at outside linebacker.

Last year's fifth-round pick, Davon Drew, is a big, down-the-middle target who struggled during his rookie year and had to go to the practice squad to hone his craft.

With two players at opposite extremes in their careers such as Drew and Heap, a void had to be filled.

Enter Dickson and Pitta.

SAME, YET DIFFERENT

The two rookies were taken for three reasons.

One, the Ravens needed numbers at the position. Secondly, their dimensions -- Dickson is 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Pitta is the same height but five pounds lighter -- certainly reminded the Ravens' brass of future Ring of Honor selectee Heap (6-foot-5, 245).

But perhaps the most important reason is the value the Ravens got for where they selected the tandem.

One of the deepest overall drafts in years pushed these two talented tight ends into the middle rounds. Tight ends aren't usually thought of as first-round targets. Only one tight end has been taken in the first round in each of the last four years (Greg Olsen, Dustin Keller, Brandon Pettigrew, Jermaine Gresham).

Tight end is a unique position. It's where a lot of the grunt work is done to provide run-game blocking, yet it is an area that can give a team another option in the passing attack.

Teams are aware of this these days, since more than two decades have passed since the trendy run-and-shoot offense dictated teams load up on speedy wideouts and treat the tight end position as an afterthought.

Eighteen different teams snagged 20 tight ends in this year's draft. Baltimore was one of two teams that drafted two players at the position (St. Louis was the other).

"We ask a lot of them," offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. "But just open your eyes and you can see why we drafted these guys. These are two talented guys."

At least on paper, the Ravens could have landed a couple of steals. Dickson was an All-Pac-10 first-team pick and a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, the college plaudit given for the best tight end in Division I. Pitta was not only a Mackey finalist, he also a first-team All-America choice.

Each brings a unique style to the position. Dickson has an effortless stride that eats up ground with each step, enabling him to get to the sidelines or down the seam with deceptive quickness. His greatest attribute could be getting yards after the catch, as he can easily make defenders miss.

Pitta simply catches the ball wherever it is thrown and can get open with tremendous downfield acceleration. Many times during OTAs, Ravens' quarterbacks could often be seen trying to hit Pitta on "nine" (streak) routes down the sidelines.

However, Cameron believes training camp will tell the tale.

"You can get fooled a little bit at this time of the year, because there's no threat of contact, per se," Cameron said. "So, training camp I think becomes the first test, preseason games the second test, and at that point, you just let it rip and let them grow."

THE LEARNING CURVE

Cameron certainly isn't the only one getting into the rookies' ears.

All-time leading receiver Heap, head coach Harbaugh and tight ends coach Wade Harman -- one of only three at that spot the Ravens have ever had, following current Fresno State coach Pat Hill and present-day Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt -- are all trying to impart their knowledge as well.

"Wade is a great coach," Pitta said. "I think he's pretty understanding with us young guys and knows the learning curve that's involved in being comfortable in the offense. And so he's very supportive and helpful in getting us in the right spot and helping us know our assignment.

"He does a great job helping us with our technique and the little things that make you good at this level. Obviously, we have a ways to go, but it definitely helps to have a coach like him."

The no-nonsense approach Heap has always played with, and Harbaugh and Harman have always coached with, helped straighten out the steep learning curve every NFL rookie faces, one born out of pro-level speed.

"You need to pick up on the speed a little bit and everything else, too," Dickson said. "If you play fast, play hard, everything else will come naturally."

Never one for being very vocal or animated -- witness the restraint he showed when Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter shoved an obviously-injured Heap before the snap in a game in Baltimore several years ago -- Heap has years of experience lining up all over the field that he can share with the tandem.

"I've mainly played two different positions, the 'Y' (slot) and the 'F' (tight end)," Pitta said. "It's a big learning curve, obviously, as opposed to just learning one. But, the more I can do, the better off I'll be, and I think for us right now it's about finding our niche in this offense and on this team. I'm going to do whatever I can to help this ballclub win, and so whatever they need me to play, that's what I'll do."

WHO HAS THE EDGE?

So, who will be higher on the depth chart come September -- Dickson or Pitta?

The Ravens like to have their tight ends be blockers first and receivers second, especially with their best-ever quarterback commodity in Joe Flacco standing in the pocket. For Heap, they're willing to allow him to get downfield. But even he has had to take on a more subservient blocking role in recent years.

Pitta and Dickson can certainly block and be taught to be better blockers, but both made their collegiate mark as receivers. That's not such a bad thing in today's pass-happy league, but the Ravens want to maintain a running identity while protecting Flacco to the utmost.

Does that give either an advantage?

"We don't really talk about it like that," Dickson said. "We help each other out, because we're total team players. But we compete on a high basis. So, if I drop a pass or something like that he'll give me crap about it, and then if he drops a pass I'll be like, 'See, I would have caught that.' "

Pitta agreed. "It's a lot of fun being a part of this kind of competition, having a great player in Todd Heap ahead of you to learn from, and then a talented player in Ed to compete with. And so we're having a lot of fun, we're learning from each other, and you can never back away from competition. It's part of this game, and you're always fighting for a job, and so we're excited to be a part of it."

While it may be part of a game, it's also part of a business. As well as the Ravens' organization has done drafting players all over the depth chart, it has not hesitated to jettison those players it feels aren't grasping their program fully.

That means this pair, seemingly joined at the hip while separately trying to take the tight end spot into the future, could be split up at any time.

That's why Pitta and Dickson will continue to push themselves -- and each other -- toward ultimate success.

"We're both competitors and we want to play," Dickson said. "Not next year or something like that; we want to play this upcoming season."

 

[Warpig]

Pitta cannot be viewed as a better blocker according to anything I've read. The book on Pitta is that he's the best pure pass catcher of the whole class.

Yes I see Dickson as the TE and Pitta as TE/H-back/slot receiver. I think they'll move him all over the field maybe even out of the backfield.

This is what I believe as well.

 

[lyon812]

Eighteen different teams snagged 20 tight ends in this year's draft. Baltimore was one of two teams that drafted two players at the position (St. Louis was the other).

Great article. Minor quibble: New England, of course, made three teams drafting two tight ends.

 

[(unwelcomed)GUEST]

That was a good read, thnx for posting it.

I agree with the general consensus that neither Dickson nor Pitta were brought in to be Heap's heir appearant. Both of the guys will make the team barring an unforeseen injury. I think the true indication of who's ahead on the depth chart will be special teams. If these guys are viewed as B1 and B2 to Heap (A), both will contribute on special teams significantly. If one of them isn't playing special teams, that player is more likely to be A2 to Heap (A1).

I Cam Cameron's offense, all three will see the field in certain offensive sets and as mentioned, Pitta and Dickson will be moved from positions in the backfield, to the line and split out. It's going to be an interesting year for the Ravens, they're going to be nasty on offense.

Something that hasn't been mentioned about Pitta and Dickson is that both are top quality men. I was pleasantly surprised in the interviews that I've heard with both. Both sound extremely intelligent, say the right things (and i don't mean the canned/rehearsed answers that we all hear), convey that they are about contributing to the team first and foremost, and are appreciative to have an opportunity to be NFL players. They remind me a lot of Oher in interviews last year, and he's shown what a quality person he is. I'll be rooting for both of these guys and hope that they're both in Ravens uni's for years to come.

Dickson

The Ravens are a quality organization, have been assembling a team with good quality guys on and off the field and are going to be nasty this year. The club has improved a team that has made the playoffs the past two years this off-season. They've added veterens: WR Boldin, WR Stallworth, QB Bulger, S Hamlin, CB Harris, K Shayne Graham, CB Fisher, DL/DE Redding and a very good draft with the likes of DT Cody, OLB Kindle, TE Dickson, TE Pitta, DL Jones, huge OT Harewood, WR Reed. Not to mention the signing of some interesting rookie free agents.

 

[Bob Magaw]

likewise...

thanx for the great article...

here is another one from same source (ravens blog)*...

few interesting points...

- BAL graded dickson as the fifth best player left on the board day two (obviously kindle & cody were in the top four )...

- another reason to like the dickson (& pitta) picks specifically, by proxy, in addition to BAL having such a stellar draft record during newsome's tenure... newsome was one of the best TEs ever...

- dickson was a good enough athlete to play DE & WR earlier in his career (from your article)...

- in his first action at his natural position (as redshirt soph), broke school record for TE receptions in a season...

- "Dickson is a tall, lean, good-looking athlete who possesses an explosive element to his game. He needs to do a better job slipping the bump and cleanly getting into his routes when his hand is on the line, but when standing up off the line, he exhibits an explosive first step and gets into his routes quickly. He has an ability to consistently threaten the seam and showcases an impressive burst in and out of his breaks. He has good body control as a route runner and is doing a much better job this season setting up his routes and changing gears. Dickson looks a lot more balanced in the pass game and isn't trying to do everything at full speed. He does a nice job using his length to pluck the ball away from his frame and has the toughness to take a hit over the middle and hang on to the ball. He showcases a toughness after the catch and isn't afraid to take on would-be tackles and fight for additional yards. He isn't overly physical at the point of attack and doesn't block with much leverage, but he does a nice job extending his long arms on contact and the athletic ability to stay in front of his man. Dickson showcases good effort blocking downfield and has the ability to consistently reach and seal defenders at the second level. He has the makings of a guy who can create mismatches in the pass game and create plays downfield." scouting profile from comments section of below article (source?)...

* http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2010/04/2...ckson-at-no-70/