5 Players Headed For Practice Squad, Pitta and Daniels An Elite Duo?

Jun 19, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (center) talks to tight end Dennis Pitta (left) during minicamp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to lunchtime links, where we round up all of the latest Ravens news from around the web for your consumption.  Today we bring you 5 players who are likely headed for the practice squad, the odds on Dennis Pitta and Owen Daniels becoming an elite tight end duo, and why Ray Rice’s suspension will force the Ravens to be a running back by committee.

Shehan Peiris at Bleacher Report earmarks five players who are likely headed for the Raven’s practice squad.  We like the talent that all five possess, especially Derrick Hopkins, who we profiled yesterday.  All are worth hanging on to (if they can) and possess great upside, which is exactly what you want on your practice squad.

Clifton Brown at CSN Baltimore wonders if Dennis Pitta and Owen Daniels will become an elite tight end duo in the league this season.  Pitta is healthy and just entering the prime of his career, and I have no doubt he will have a monster of a season in Kubiak’s system.

Daniels, on the other hand, is talented but on the back side of his career.  I feel like he will make a solid contribution this year but don’t think there are enough targets to go around for him to post a monster season statistically.  But if there is any place he could rejuvenate his career, this is it.

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Jeff Zrebeic at the Baltimore Sun feels that the Ravens could be forced to use a running back by committee this year due to Ray Rice’s looming suspension.  We agree and it is going to be very hard for Rice to return after missing 4-6 games and immediately reclaim the starting job, nor is it wise.  Players that do so typically end up injured, so the Ravens would be wise to ease him back in.

Speaking of Rice, Tyson Langland at Bleacher Report feels that he is one of the NFL’s most overpaid players.  Looking simply at last year, I would have to agree.  And it is quite possible that Rice may not have much tread left on his tires after carrying a heavy load through college and the pros to this point.

Thing is, because of injuries we can’t throw dirt on Rice yet.  The team is going to give him a chance to redeem himself this season, and rightfully so.  If he can’t produce after getting fully healthy and with the full support of the team, he will find himself either taking a pay cut or getting cut next offseason.

Finally, Drew Morita at Bleacher Report has started a debate over what Harbaugh’s biggest challenge will be this year. We think that getting through September will easily be his biggest challenge.  You have the Rice suspension, three divisional games, and a new offensive scheme being installed.  We’ll learn a lot about this team the first four weeks of the season.

What do you think is the biggest challenge Harbaugh will face this season?