Phillip Supernaw: His Crazy Season and Chance at Stardom

Oct 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Phillip Supernaw (84) celebrates with kicker Justin Tucker (9) after a field goal during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Ever since Dennis Pitta went down with his second major hip injury in two seasons, the Ravens have been searching for a suitable replacement.  The team though they had a capable backup in Owen Daniels, and he did a solid job early on in the starting role.  But Daniels has predictably showed his age as of late, and hasn’t recorded more than two receptions or 30 yards in a game since week 8.

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The Ravens also used a third round draft pick on Crockett Gillmore, who looked like he could make an impact at least in the red zone coming in to his rookie season.  Like Daniels, Gillmore had some reasonably solid performances early in the year but has mostly struggled in pass protection.  After playing his worst game of the season against the Chargers and suffering a back injury, he was inactive the following week.

Taking Gillmore’s place on the gameday roster was Phillip Supernaw.  Supernaw has bounced around rosters on an almost weekly basis this season, getting cut seven times in three years and spending time with the Ravens and Chiefs this season.  He has been signed to the Ravens’ practice squad four times this year alone, and spent three weeks with the Chiefs in between.

Ryan Mink at the Ravens’ official site put together a nice chart of the yo yo nature of Phillip Supernaw’s career that demonstrates the crazy NFL life this former undrafted Ouachita Baptist product has lived.

The perennial journeyman took full advantage of his latest chance on Sunday against the Dolphins, getting behind the defense and making the third catch of his career, a 29 yard reception that ended with him getting tackled at the 2 yard line.  It was his only target of the game, but a memorable moment nonetheless.

One memorable catch doesn’t mean that the Ravens have suddenly found their tight end of the future, especially with a high draft pick invested in Gillmore and Dennis Pitta all but sure to return in 2015.  But it is very likely that we see more of the Ravens’ cult hero in the coming weeks, especially if Gillmore stays on the shelf.  Ravens’ fans are surely looking forward to it, and Supernaw is probably happy just to stay in one place for two weeks.