Spotlighting the Baltimore Ravens' TE Position Heading into the 2012 Season

Season after season, the role of the tight end has become more important in the NFL. From blocking to receiving, these dual-threat players have become the difference-makers in offenses all around the league.

The Baltimore Ravens are no exception. They fielded quite the effective tight-end tandem last season in an attempt to replace the departed Todd Heap. This year, the tight ends should get even more attention from quarterback Joe Flacco as the Ravens work to ramp up their passing offense.

Let's take a closer look at the tight ends on the Ravens roster and see what they'll contribute to the team in the upcoming season.

Ed Dickson

Ed Dickson was the most productive member of that aforementioned tight-end tandem, with 54 targets, 89 receptions, 528 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

Dickson may not remain Flacco's top tight end target this year—Dennis Pitta, another third-year player, was getting much of Flacco's attention during the end of last season and may have a serious breakout season on his hands.

However, the Dickson/Pitta duo represents a positive shift toward a more modern direction with the Ravens passing game. The more Dickson can be involved, the better the Ravens' overall offense should be this season.

Dennis Pitta

Dennis Pitta's 2011 season started off slower than Dickson's, but he ended the year strong, with three touchdowns in the last six regular-season games and an increased number of targets. His catch rate was also better than Dickson's, with 40 receptions on 56 targets for 405 yards and three scores.

Look for Pitta to have an even better year this season. It's going to be a big year for receiving tight ends all around the league, Baltimore included, and Pitta could be one of the season's biggest surprises.

Davon Drew

The Ravens brought Davon Drew back into the fold after waiving him at the start of the 2011 season. If Baltimore carries a No. 3 tight end, Drew will likely be that guy. If he gets much action this year, it will be of the blocking variety, though it wouldn't be surprising if he got a handful of passing targets as well.

Matt Balasavage

The Ravens brought Matt Balasavage to their rookie minicamp for a tryout and ultimately signed the Temple product. Balasavage is a blocking tight end who will add to both pass protection and to run-blocking. He's not much of a receiving threat and thus may not find his way onto the 53-man roster once the season is set to start.

Balasavage would be useful for the Ravens to develop on their practice squad, however, and he may make an appearance on the field in future seasons.

Bruce Figgins

Bruce Figgins is another undrafted rookie signing for Baltimore. Figgins finished his final season at Georgia as a fullback, and though he's listed as a tight end for the Ravens currently, he could end up with the backup fullback job behind Vonta Leach.

Otherwise, Figgins will be battling Balasavage and Drew for the No. 3 tight end job. Figgins does have the edge when it comes to his college production, but that production was also so marginal that the team may go the fullback route if they want to keep Figgins around this year.

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