Ebony Bird
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5 Baltimore Ravens Who Exceeded Expectations In 2016

By Chris Schisler

Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) makes a first down reception during the second quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) makes a first down reception during the second quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) makes a first down reception during the second quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) makes a first down reception during the second quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /

The Baltimore Ravens had some standout performances in 2016. Some of which were quite surprising:

The Baltimore Ravens went 8-8 in the 2016 season. They were on the cusp of a playoff spot, but ultimately fell short. We’ve gone over the season a lot. We’ve talked about what went wrong. We have even talked about who the Ravens can and cannot blame for their short comings, and even which Ravens took a step backwards last season. What we haven’t gone over, are the five players that exceeded all expectations.

These five players each came into the season as a major ambiguity. Nobody knew what to expect from these players. We begin giving credit where credit is do, with Dennis Pitta.

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1. Dennis Pitta

Coming off back to back hip injuries, the Ravens couldn’t expect much from Dennis Pitta. To make matters worse, Pitta hurt his finger in training camp. When he suited up for week one of the NFL season, he wasn’t expected to be the main target at tight end. Pitta put up better numbers than anyone saw coming.

Pitta caught 86 passes for 729 yards and two touchdowns. It wasn’t flashy, but it was bit by bit production that Joe Flacco could count on. The Ravens didn’t have much else at the tight end position. Ben Watson got hurt. Crockett Gillmore battled injuries. Nick Boyle was suspended for 10 games. The Ravens needed Pitta and he delivered.

The Ravens offense wasn’t a well oiled machine. Baltimore didn’t have a ton of options in the passing game. Without steady play from Pitta, there were games where that offense would have been unwatchable.

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