Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Previously, I listed Dennis Pitta was on my Baltimore Ravens’ five most irreplaceable players list as Joe Flacco’s security blanket. That blanket now has a dislocated hip. Without Pitta, a cloud of uncertainty will hover over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. This is a sad day for Pitta, as well as all of Ravens Nation.
Pitta and Flacco were projected to be the best TE/QB combination in the upcoming 2013 season. Those aspirations were literally sidelined or at the very least postponed today after Pitta dislocated his hip in training camp, day three. The two rising stars combined for 61 receptions for 669 yards and seven TDs last year.
Pitta has been compared to the former Baltimore great Todd Heap; there was certainty when the ball was thrown in either of their direction. Now with the former BYU Cougar unfortunately out of the picture for Week 1, can Ed Dickson step up in training camp and prove that he can be a No. 1 tight end?
Dickson was the starter in Baltimore in 2010 and half of 2011, prior to Pitta stealing the show. Dickson didn’t necessarily do anything wrong, but the chemistry between Flacco and Pitta was just too strong to be ignored by Ravens coaches. Dickson has shown he can be a capable tight end in the past. The question that lingers is if he and Flacco can actualize their own form of chemistry to make up for the loss.
John Harbaugh’s philosophy has always been “next man up.” There are similar happenings with other position groups on the team. With the loss of Anquan Boldin, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, the team did not even flinch, rebuilding via the draft and free-agency.
When Lardarius Webb tore his ACL, Corey Graham showed he was more than a special team guy by replacing the No. 1 corner. Although Pitta’s injury hinders the passing attack slightly, look for another Ravens player to rise from the ashes to glory. The hits keep coming, but Baltimore will not lay down.
Jermaine Lockett is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
