The speculation came to an end today when the Baltimore Ravens released the much beloved tight end, Dennis Pitta. Dennis Pitta, a career long Raven, dislocated his hip for the third time in the last four years last week. Pitta had had hip troubles ever since first dislocating it in the offseason of 2013. Since that time, he has only been able to play for one full season, After remarkably coming back from his second hip dislocation, that doctors thought would keep him out of football for the rest of his career. During that season, Pitta led both the Ravens’ offense and tight ends league-wide in receptions. He caught the ball 86 times. The loss of Dennis Pitta is a huge blow to the Ravens offense and team as a whole.
Pitta joined the team in 2010, first taking a real part in the Ravens offense in 2011. In 2012 Pitta was instrumental in the run for the Super Bowl, helping to propel the Ravens to a Lombardi Trophy. Pitta had become great friends with quarterback Joe Flacco and became his favorite target. However, injuries, as stated prior, derailed his career. Pitta was a fan favorite for Baltimore and will be greatly missed by the community. To fill his roster spot, the Ravens signed tight end Barret Burns, an undrafted free agent out of Appalachian State. The release of Pitta will open just under $2 million in cap space, bringing the Ravens to a number around $6.3 million in cap space. The Ravens seem to be clearing the way for another free agent addition. Baltimore is scheduled to host wide receiver Jeremy Maclin tonight and possibly tomorrow, in an attempt to bring the receiver to Baltimore. If negotiations do not work out between the two sides, Baltimore has the option to pursue Jets wide receiver Eric Decker, who will either be traded or released from New York.
