Owen Daniels – Good Wheels Coming to the Baltimore Ravens?
Sep 29, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels (81) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) after making a reception during the third quarter at Reliant Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Texans 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Ravens have concluded an agreement with former Houston tight end Owen Daniels on a one-year deal … with those three famous words attached, “pending a physical.” As the Orioles demonstrated with the Grant Balfour debacle, physicals can be more than obligatory annoyances and procedural paperwork. And they should be, especially in this case where Daniels played only five games in 2013 due to a leg injury, and was then release three weeks ago under the designation of “failed physical.”
But honestly, chances are decent that the physical issue is in the past and that this signing will be another offseason positive for the Ravens. Adding to his value is Daniels’ long-term association with new Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak. Early in any discussion of a Kubiak-designed offense is a highlighting of the issue of the importance of tight ends. Daniels has lived it for his entire eight-year career, and here is the guy who can handle the blocks as well as make tough catches in tight situations. Below are his career numbers, including being a Pro Bowl player* in 2008 and 2012 …
Year |
Age
Tm
G
GS
Rec
Yds
Y/R
TD
Lng
R/G
Y/G
2006
24
HOU
14
12
34
352
10.4
5
33
2.4
25.1
2007
25
HOU
16
16
63
768
12.2
3
29
3.9
48.0
2008*
26
HOU
16
16
70
862
12.3
2
35
4.4
53.9
2009
27
HOU
8
8
40
519
13.0
5
44
5.0
64.9
2010
28
HOU
11
10
38
471
12.4
2
31
3.5
42.8
2011
29
HOU
15
15
54
677
12.5
3
34
3.6
45.1
2012*
30
HOU
15
13
62
716
11.5
6
39
4.1
47.7
2013
31
HOU
5
5
24
252
10.5
3
28
4.8
50.4
Career
100
95
385
4617
12.0
29
44
3.9
46.2
The addition of Daniels would seem to put an end to any possibility of seeing Ed Dickson return. Two weeks ago when writing that Dickson was apparently offered a contract, I icluded this summary, “Drafted in 2010 in the third round, Dickson had a particularly strong season in 2011 with 54 catches. His consistency has not been the same since then, making him a frequent goat for the local fans. Dickson’s role has been more often with blocking assignments.”
This acquisition also made me think immediately that Eric Ebron of North Carolina will be less of a desired pick in the draft, though as I’ve written frequently I do not believe he will still be available at selection #17.
Step by step the offense is being rebuilt, and each step makes the next easier to discern.