Baltimore Ravens: Local Media Gets First Two Selections in Ravens Top-20 Wrong

Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com has polled many members of the Baltimore media for their top-20 Baltimore Ravens on the 2015 roster. The countdown of Ravens is to be revealed daily with the No. 1 choice being announced just before the start of training camp. Quarterback Joe Flacco was the top player on the Ravens’ 2014 player ranking.

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In his piece, Hensley explains how the voting works: “The rankings are based on a poll of local media members that asked them to give their 20 players on the Ravens based on talent and not on how valuable they are to the team. It’s a simple tally system where a first-place vote is worth 20 points, a second-place one is 19 points, a third-place one is 18 points, etc.”

Here is the panel of voters: Morgan Adsit (WBFF-TV), Clifton Brown (Comcast SportsNet Baltimore), Jerry Coleman (105.7 The Fan), Bruce Cunnningham (WBFF-TV), Steve Davis (105.7 The Fan), John Eisenberg (Baltimore Ravens website), Pete Gilbert (WBAL-TV), David Ginsburg (Associated Press), Brent Harris (Comcast SportsNet Baltimore), Brett Hollander (WBAL Radio), Qadry Ismail (WBAL Radio), Luke Jones (WNST Radio), Rob Long (105.7 The Fan), Jon Meoli (Baltimore Sun), Keith Mills (WBAL Radio), Joe Platania (the Press Box), Gerry Sandusky (WBAL-TV), Mark Viviano (WJZ-TV), Aaron Wilson (Baltimore Sun), Jeff Zrebiec (Baltimore Sun) and Jamison Hensley (ESPN.com)

The countdown began yesterday and the media voted Breshad Perriman, the team’s 2015 first-round draft choice, as the 20th ranked player on the team. The ranking makes sense. Perriman is just a rookie, but he has size and speed on the outside that the Ravens have never had. There is a reason why the Ravens selected him in the first round. Only 22 players are starters and the organization is hopeful that Perriman is a starter for years to come. Every time he touches the ball, he is a threat to take it to the house. Some of the numbers that Perriman put up in college are staggering:

"“Perriman averaged 20.9 yards per catch last season at Central Florida, including 33.1 yards per touchdown. An intriguing playmaker, he caught a touchdown in seven straight games in 2014.” -Hensley"

The problem with Perriman is his hands. As Hansley stated, “Perriman had nearly as many drops (eight) as touchdowns (nine) for Central Florida last season.” He also had a few during the team’s organize team activities. The Ravens are hopeful that he can get that problem under control and become the next rookie sensation at wide receiver.

Perriman deserves to be ranked. That is not the argument here. What makes little sense is how he is ranked behind a player who essentially hasn’t played at all in two years?

Hensley revealed earlier today that Dennis Pitta is rated the No. 19 player on the current team. It is a significant drop for Pitta, who was ranked No. 9 a season ago. Pitta has done fantastic things for the Ravens when he has been on the field, and everyone is hoping he can make the comeback.

The problem is he is not on the field. He has yet to be cleared by doctors to return to action and there is no definitive timetable on whether he will come back at all. So with all that said, how can he be ranked ahead of a perfectly healthy Perriman?

“The return of Pitta would be an emotional lift to the team and a big boost to the Ravens’ passing game. Pitta became Joe Flacco’s security blanket in 2012 and 2013.”

Pitta does benefit from having experience in the league that Perriman does not. He knows the playbook and the little nuisances of the league. Pitta will not make many mental errors, and that is what most rookies struggle with. Pitta has also shown to us that he can make an impact on the field. He is not the same kind of player as a Rob Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham, but he has made plays in the NFL. He was certainly on his way to becoming one of the better tight ends in all of football. The fact is we have no idea if he is ever going to take the field, and that is why most media members (14 of the 21) didn’t rank Pitta at all.

Perriman will be on the field. He should not start Week One due to the fact that he has a lot to learn, but he is going to get an opportunity to be a dynamic player for the Ravens. He is a red-zone threat at 6-foot-2, but also can score a touchdown on any play with his blistering 4.25 speed. Most importantly, he is healthy and ready to go.

There is no guarantee Pitta will see a single snap this season, and even if he does play, he will not be the same player. Pitta will also be sharing time with second-round pick Maxx Williams and Crockett Gillmore. Pitta’s comeback would be great for the locker room, but we cannot expect much from him.

In all due respect to the opinions of the Baltimore media, they got this one wrong here. This is not a list of who has done the best in the past, it is the best of the 2015 team. Until Pitta gets on the field, there is no reason for him to be ranked ahead of Perriman.

Next: Lardarius Webb Must Have a Big Year

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