June 10, 2010|By Mike Preston
A year ago, Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron was trying to keep one tight end from playing so much. In the next couple of months, however, he might have the problem of trying to find enough playing time for three tight ends.
It's a concern Cameron doesn't mind.
Besides veteran Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap, rookie tight ends Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson have performed well in the offseason and rookie minicamps. Training camp doesn't start until the end of July, but one of the most heated battles will be Pitta against Dickson for the right to back up Heap.
"It's a lot of fun being a part of this kind of competition, having obviously a great player in Todd Heap ahead of you to learn from, and then a talented player in Ed to compete with," said Pitta, the Ravens' fourth-round pick out of Brigham Young. "And so we're having a lot of fun; we're learning from each other, and you can never back away from competition. It is part of this game, and you're always fighting for a job, and so we're excited to be a part of it."
The only two who might be more excited are Cameron and Heap. Last season, Heap was basically a one-man show at the position because his backup, L.J. Smith, was pretty much a no-show, missing extensive time because of numerous injuries.
Maybe four or five years ago, Heap was fine taking nearly all the snaps, but after 10 years in the NFL, he should be able to take a break.
Heap had another stellar offseason as far as working out, according to Cameron, and the Ravens should be able to do more with him in the passing game in 2010.
With the development of young offensive tackles Michael Oher and Jared Gaither, Heap shouldn't have to pass-block as much. Those changes, though, will come in the regular season. For now, Heap has become the tutor for Pitta and Dickson, a third-round pick out of Oregon.
"He's a great leader out there, for one, and we just want to learn from him," Dickson said. "He leads by example. He's not very vocal, but he leads by example."
There were some eyebrows raised in the media room in April when Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome drafted tight ends in back-to-back rounds, but it was an indication of a serious weakness, especially on offense.
With Dickson and Pitta, the Ravens now have two tight ends who can work the middle of the field, especially deep in the secondary, an area the Ravens rarely attacked last season.
Both players were involved in high-powered offenses. Pitta's great acceleration made him a mismatch for linebackers. He had 62 receptions for 829 yards last season.
Dickson appears to be faster and can play wide receiver. He had 42 catches for 551 yards last season for the Ducks and is known for making the first tackler miss, which can ultimately lead to big plays, especially with his speed.
"I think both tight ends have done well," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "We've talked about those guys a lot. ... To me, they look like NFL tight end, pass-catching type receivers. Now, that being said, they've got a long way to go. They'll drop some passes, they'll run the wrong route, but they've got some talent."
They're having a lot of fun with the competition. Despite what is at stake, there appears to be no back-stabbing. At times, the two rookies even joke about the competitiveness.
"We don't really talk about it like that," Dickson said. "We help each other out, because we're total team players. But we compete on a high basis. So, if I drop a pass or something like that, he'll give me crap about it, and then if he drops a pass I'll be like, 'See, I would have caught that.'"
They both have a lot to learn, especially when it comes to run blocking. The days of finding the "complete" tight end are basically over. They are still out there but as rare as the next Jim Brown or Johnny Unitas.
The position has undergone an evolution.
"The 'complete' tight end has changed a bit," Cameron said, "because what you do in the running game now is not what you did in the running game necessarily 10 to 15 years ago. Defenses have gotten faster but gotten smaller, so you have to remember that you need a more athletic tight end. The reality is that a tight end today is a pass receiver first, and being a pass protector and a run blocker are like 2A and 2B."
Barring injury, it's unlikely that either Pitta or Dickinson will play major roles this season. Whoever wins the backup position will be confined to spot duty in the regular offense and playing on special teams.
For both players, this season is about picking up knowledge and learning from one of the best in the game.
"I think it's just the knowledge that you have to have -- knowledge of what the defense is doing, knowledge of what your assignment is, and the reads that you have to make at the line of scrimmage," Pitta said. "I think the toughest part still is being able to process all of that information before the snap. That's something that takes time.
"Certainly, you can study all you want," he said, "but it's about getting those repetitions and being able to process it that quickly before the ball is hiked. And so, that's the biggest challenge, I think, for me right now and some of the other rookies."
mike.preston@baltsun.com
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