Playoff picture

[cincygrad]

To be fair, it's not better, but it is close.

2012: Boldin had 65 receptions for 921 yards in 15 games.
2012: Pitta had 61 receptions for 669 yards in 16 games.


My rebuttal would be that with Boldin taking a lot of the coverage for one side, and teams watching Smith's deep speed, this opened up a lot of routes for Pitta. Also, the run game, again, opened up a lot of things for the passing game. Something that Gruden is finally figuring out (these past two weeks anyway) with the Bengals.

Against a better defense this year, without a clear #2 WR, or a running game to take the pressure off, Pitta will find that it is not so easy to post those numbers. But, that remains to be seen.

I think there is a pretty big difference between 14 YPC and 10 YPC. And I'd also say that 250 yards isn't trivial. Regardless, the original statement was ludicrous -- Pitta was in no way more productive than Boldin.

 

[Cincyfan78]

I think there is a pretty big difference between 14 YPC and 10 YPC. And I'd also say that 250 yards isn't trivial. Regardless, the original statement was ludicrous -- Pitta was in no way more productive than Boldin.

Agreed. He's not more productive. I believe that Pitta benefited from being a 4th options last year (Rice, Bolden, Smith, then Pitta).

Boldin and Rice really helped to open up that underneath for him. It will be interesting to see how that works when no one is afraid of Rice, and there's not legit #2 WR to worry about.

 

[bengaldoug]

I think there is a pretty big difference between 14 YPC and 10 YPC. And I'd also say that 250 yards isn't trivial. Regardless, the original statement was ludicrous -- Pitta was in no way more productive than Boldin.

To make a run like they did last year, they need Pitta, Boldin, and their center to come out of retirement, not to mention Rice finding where he put his legs. Not gonna happen, and just that simple.

 

[futballiscool]

Pitta's not a superstar, but he's a quality player.

I wouldn't downplay what his presence means for the Ravens. When Boldin was traded it left a huge void for a possession receiver that could make plays in the redzone and move the chains on third down. Pitta's been coming into his own and was expected to pull even more weight this yr as that type of player. They could lose Pitta or Boldin, but losing both in one offseason was huge for their offense.

Torrey Smith, Pitta and some complementary pieces makes for a serviceable wr/te corps

 

[cincygrad]

Pitta's not a superstar, but he's a quality player.

I wouldn't downplay what his presence means for the Ravens. When Boldin was traded it left a huge void for a possession receiver that could make plays in the redzone and move the chains on third down. Pitta's been coming into his own and was expected to pull even more weight this yr as that type of player. They could lose Pitta or Boldin, but losing both in one offseason was huge for their offense.

Torrey Smith, Pitta and some complementary pieces makes for a serviceable wr/te corps

I'm not downplaying Pitta. I think he's a good tight end. In fact, I thought the Bengals should have made a play for him to force the Ravens to overpay for him when his contract was up.

But he's not a transcendent type player like a Rob Gronkowski or a Jimmy Graham. And I don't think he's nearly as valuable as Boldin was to that team. During their playoff stretch last season, Flacco lived on the one on one matchups with Boldin.

 

[DanBengalfan]

I'M DENNIS PITTA, BITCH!

KNEEL BEFORE ME!!!

 

[futballiscool]

I'm not downplaying Pitta. I think he's a good tight end. In fact, I thought the Bengals should have made a play for him to force the Ravens to overpay for him when his contract was up.

But he's not a transcendent type player like a Rob Gronkowski or a Jimmy Graham. And I don't think he's nearly as valuable as Boldin was to that team. During their playoff stretch last season, Flacco lived on the one on one matchups with Boldin.

I'd agree that Boldin was a bigger part of their SB run last year.

But I would think with the loss of Boldin that Pitta became even more important to their offense this year. I haven't watched many of their games, but I don't think they had a legitimate 2nd option.

He's not a dominant player, but if he's healthy I think he should help the Ravens passing game. Flacco has the deep threat with Smith and the security blanket with Pitta. Neither are elite, but both are good enough in their role that it makes the offense more complete when they're on the field.

With that said, I still think the Bengals are the more talented team by a good margin

 

[Tgann69]

The Ravens have had no middle threat this whole year out te's in Dickson and Clarke are slow and Dickson can t catch <hit.

Pitta is a big short yardage threat and is clutch for Flacco. Jones Smith and Brown are all deep threat wr's...Brown is coming on as a rookie and played big last week in our win.

"With that said, I still think the Bengals are the more talented team by a good margin"?

Andy Dalton is still your QB and he has yet to win a playoff game. Flacco is a beast in the playoffs.

Flacco>>Dalton until further notice.

 

[jwil007]

Bengals beat Bmore last game of the year.... If starters play the whole game....

Who disagrees???????????????????????????????????????????????

 

[Tgann69]

We didn't play our starters last game last year bc we already owned the division... I would expect Marv Lewis NOT to start his starters if the division is wrapped up by then...Don't count on it though U lose In Pitt and we win its one game...Gronk out and at M&T we can beat NE...then we play in Cincy...looking fwd to that game.

 

[Cincyfan78]

We didn't play our starters last game last year bc we already owned the division... I would expect Marv Lewis NOT to start his starters if the division is wrapped up by then...Don't count on it though U lose In Pitt and we win its one game...Gronk out and at M&T we can beat NE...then we play in Cincy...looking fwd to that game.

You won't beat Detroit.

You wont beat NE

Ratbirds are done....


:ss:

 

[DanBengalfan]

Well, the Broncos are looking soft on defense at least.

 

[bengaldoug]

You won't beat Detroit.

You wont beat NE

Ratbirds are done....


:ss:

What he said...........

 

[bengaldoug]

Well, the Broncos are looking soft on defense at least.

Nobody in the AFC looks unbeatable.....Denver just got hammered by a team we had no trouble with in their place......

 

[kramer1]

#1 seed?

 

[bengaldoug]

#1 seed?

We just have to take care of our business, and everything else will work itself out.....

 

[kramer1]

We just have to take care of our business, and everything else will work itself out.....

Your optimism IS sickening.

Ban this man!

 

[Tgann69]

You won't beat Detroit.

You wont beat NE

Ratbirds are done....


:ss:

The confidence by u is refreshing. After the playoffs last year I Thot u guys might fold up the tent.

we shall see what happens in Detroit...but I know what's going to happen in Pitt..ur a** is going to get kicked. remember we won tr Lombardi last year and are the reining champs it goes a long way u can some play it if u want but as a Cincy fan u have no idea.

If u don't take the division it's a failure and if our teams play in the playoffs we smoke u. Book it.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

You won't beat Detroit.

You wont beat NE

Ratbirds are done....


:ss:

I don't think they will win in DET, but domes are comfortable for the road team as well so if' they can deal with the noise...who knows...you can throw it on DET. NE...I think w/o Gronk they will win that one...the North title could go down to the final week if you guys lose this week.

 

[Cincyfan78]

The confidence by u is refreshing. After the playoffs last year I Thot u guys might fold up the tent.

we shall see what happens in Detroit...but I know what's going to happen in Pitt..ur a** is going to get kicked. remember we won tr Lombardi last year and are the reining champs it goes a long way u can some play it if u want but as a Cincy fan u have no idea.

If u don't take the division it's a failure and if our teams play in the playoffs we smoke u. Book it.

I bet many people said that last year, too. Yet the Bengals won, despite a not so great day by Dalton. This defense is better, pitt overall is worse...You're just reaching now, because you know a loss in Detroit and a win by Miami puts Baltimore squarely on the bubble. The last thing Baltimore wants is to come into Cincy with the #2 or #1 seed on the line for Cincinnati, and Baltimore needing a win to get into the playoffs. The seeding would mean you'll see the starters the entire game...considering how well the Bengals have played at home, and how poorly the Ravens have played on the road...statistically speaking...that doesn't bode well at all.

You guys won last year, and you can keep bringing this point up again and again, and yet it will change NOTHING about 2013. That team was a much better team on offense, Rice could still actually ru more than 3 yards without falling down and Boldin was a key player, especially in the playoffs. Also the line hasn't been the same since birk retired this year, and it has further deteriorated.

So, go ahead and keep jerking off to your lombardi poster from 2012, while the rest of us watch the NFL that is being played now in 2013.