Ebony Bird
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Baltimore Ravens: Bad luck and the curse of tight ends

By Chris Schisler

Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals inside linebacker Nick Vigil (59) in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals inside linebacker Nick Vigil (59) in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) catches a pass over the defense of Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Chris Kirksey (58) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) catches a pass over the defense of Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Chris Kirksey (58) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

2013-2014

In 2013 the Ravens traded away Anquan Boldin. They probably wouldn’t have done that if they knew that Dennis Pitta was going to be lost for the season with a hip injury. To make matters worse, Gino Gradkowski wasn’t the replacement to Matt Birk, the Ravens were hoping for.

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The injury of Kelechi Osemele caused the uninspiring A.Q. Shipley and the horrifyingly bad Gradkowski to play side by side on the offensive line. While there were a couple of bad decisions in there, the bad luck piled on. Pitta returned in 2014, only to suffer the same injury in week three against the Browns.

In 2014 the Ravens secondary was ravaged with injuries. Aaron Ross was signed that offseason, and he got hurt before the season began. Before the season was over, Jimmy Smith, Danny Gorrer and Asa Jackson would join Ross on injured reserve.

In week nine Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers took advantage of the depleted secondary. Let’s just say it was a bad chapter in the Ravens rivalry with Pittsburgh. Later in the playoffs the Ravens toppled the Steelers but their secondary couldn’t hold up against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Injuries told the story for the Ravens shortcomings in the two seasons after the Ravens hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.

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