Baltimore Ravens Tight Ends Season Grades
Oct 19, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Owen Daniels (81) catches a touchdown in the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
For the second straight year, the Ravens were forced to dig into their depth chart due to an injury to Dennis Pitta. Yet, this year was different, as the Baltimore Ravens tight ends stepped up and found ways to succeed. Owen Daniels and Crockett Gillmore were up to the task of maintaining production at the tight end position, making Pitta’s absence less of a factor than it was the year before.
Let’s get into the grades.
Dennis Pitta – Incomplete
Dennis Pitta’s career is in doubt after what was a productive start to the season. With 16 receptions in just three games, Pitta was on pace to set a career high in receptions, though that 7.8 average on his receptions needed to come up.
Though Pitta didn’t completely have his speed back in his limited action, it was a promising start. Ravens fans can only hope Pitta returns and his hip cooperates.
Owen Daniels – B+
To get an idea of how important Owen Daniels was to the Baltimore Ravens tight ends corps, a review of 2013 is necessary. Dallas Clark and Ed Dickson tried to fill in for the injured Pitta and failed miserably. Clark being too slow and Dickson unable to catch the football.
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Daniels was not far from gaining more yards in 2014 than those two had combined for in 2013. Daniels became a trusted safety blanket for Joe Flacco, catching 48 balls, of which 32 went for first downs.
Daniels was featured heavily on two routes: a simple comeback in which Daniels turned around in the soft spot of the zone coverage; and a deep crossing route, in which Daniels cut inside between the linebackers and the safeties. Both produced consistent gains throughout the year.
Though not a blocker, Daniels was at least willing in that area.
Unfortunately, no discussion of Daniels is complete without noting his game-changing drop in the Divisional playoff game. With the score tied 28-28, Daniels dropped a sure touchdown in the back of the endzone, forcing the Ravens to take a field goal. The Patriots would go on to score a touchdown and win the game.
The drop doesn’t change what was a quality season for the veteran, especially considering how many chances the Ravens had to win otherwise. All in all, Daniels was a critical piece of the puzzle this season and deserves credit for turning back the clock.
Crockett Gillmore – B
Crockett Gillmore has generated quite a following among Ravens fans, despite his relatively limited role. His name, a true football name, may have something to do with that.
@63brubaker Skipping ahead, but if Crockett Gillmore does not automatically get an A+ because he is named Crockett Gillmore, I will riot.
— Will Stokes (@William_Stokes) January 13, 2015
Or maybe it’s the fact that Gillmore caught his only two touchdown this year against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Or maybe it’s his rumbling, bumbling style after the catch. Whatever it was, Gillmore plays like a Ravens and is a surefire fit in Baltimore.
His impact was relatively minimal this year, which was expected. Blessed with great size at 6’6″ and 251 pounds, Gillmore was more used as a blocker than a pass catcher, a role he did surprisingly well in. NFL coaching did him a lot of good in the blocking game, which could give him an even bigger role next year.
The key for Gillmore is turning that height into production in the redzone. The Ravens were in the middle of the pack in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on 54 percent of their trips. That number should be higher, and Gillmore should play a role in that.
Phillip Supernaw – C+
When a player doesn’t play much, his job is to make those limited reps memorable. For one brief, shining moment, Phillip Supernaw did that, when he reeled in a 29-yard reception against the Miami Dolphins. That was the only highlight of his season, but it was a good one. Supernaw will be hard-pressed to make the roster next year.