Dennis Pitta and the draft

Since BYU's pro day... I've read a few articles about the Patriots showing interest in Pitta. Pitta had a personal work out with the Pats when they came to Provo. He performed well during that workout AND ALSO at the combine.



http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1248066



The Patriots haven't really incorporated TE's into their offensive scheme. Benjamin Watson didn't contribute a whole bunch. David Thomas who use to play for the Pats didn't do much, but now plays for the Saints and increased his productivity with them.



To sum up... If the Pats continue to run their offense they same ole way... Pitta will basically be there to be a blocker and not have the productivity of Dallas Clark, like this article has mentioned. Blocking has been Pitta's biggest weakness throughout his workouts and combine.



Pitta said this about his blocking,

It’s something I didn’t do a whole lot of at BYU and wasn’t asked to do,” Pitta said. “It’s something I have to continue to work at.

I personally believe who ever lands Pitta will get a steal, cause he'll be another Austin Collie-type of suprise. A blue-collar, hard working TE. Something that us Cougar fans already know.

I still find it hard to fathom that anybody would pass on the all-time NCAA receiving leader for TEs. All he's done is dominate virtually every game he's been in (at least the ones where he was healthy). And I love it when people talk about his "blocking skills" or lack thereof as being the reason he won't be one of the first TEs off the board. Yet, most of the TEs ahead of Pitta have had no more experience blocking than Pitta. But seeing as how Pitta has eliminated virtually every other reason they could knock him for, they always come back to the age thing.



I just really hope Pitta winds up with Indy or the Pats. I think he would be a perfect fit for either offense. There's other teams he could go to as well and still be successful but if nobody else picks him up and either Indy or New England drop a 2nd or 3rd round pick on him, he'll make them very happy.

I agree that whatever team gets Pitta in the 3rd round is getting a great deal. Some team will pick up the TE from Oklahoma or Florida in the 1st or 2nd round and pay way more money for someone who isn't any better then Pitta.



Also, if the Pats don't use their TE's as receivers very often, why would Pitta be a great fit? Seems like if they want a blocking TE, it'd be smarter for them to take George in the 6-7th round.

I think Gresham is the #1 TE, if healthy. I'd put Pitta at #2, personally, and the Florida kid at #3. Pitta blocks better than he does by far. Florida sucked at running it. Oklahoma was awesome with Gresham. He is the real deal. It is no disrespect to Dennis to say he is #2 behind Gresham, because Gresham is an absolute physical freak who can run and play the game.

Pitta is faster than Gresham and a better receiver. And I don't recall Gresham even being used all that much for blocking. I'm not saying he's not good but he just got a lot of hype from playing with Bradford and OU.

And Pitta is 1-0 head to head against Gresham! ;) :D :crazy:

gmj81 wrote:
Pitta is faster than Gresham and a better receiver. And I don't recall Gresham even being used all that much for blocking. I'm not saying he's not good but he just got a lot of hype from playing with Bradford and OU.

No offense, but this is the NFL Draft, not some lame publication on college players. Publications rate based upon school. The NFL looks for measurables to rate a player. It is more scientific. Gresham is taller, heavier and had the same speed as Pitta. He has more blocking experience from the line, while Pitta usually was split outside in the BYU O. That is why Pitta had a rep as being a below average blocker. Gresham blocked for 2 1,000 yard backs in 2008. Not taking anything away from Dennis, just saying the way he was used in the BYU O is not the way TE's are used in the NFL, and that is what is putting him in Round 3, per draft experts. By the way, Round 3 is awesome all the same.

First of all, Thank you so much for starting a topic that doesn't involve the Honor Code. That has turned into one of the most ridiculous threads CC has ever seen. So thank you for bringing up a topic that is actually interesting and worth my time.

I think Pitta will be successful with whatever team he plays for. That being said I am still holding out for the Colts drafting him, he would be a perfect fit. Like a Dallas Clark clone. But not the Pats. Please. I've always hated the Pats. But for some reason I am marrying a Pats fan in 3 weeks and if they draft Pitta she will do nothing but rub it in my face. I can see it now, I sit down to watch football and she walks in wearing a Dennis Pitta Patriots jersey...

CannonCougar85 wrote:
First of all, Thank you so much for starting a topic that doesn't involve the Honor Code. That has turned into one of the most ridiculous threads CC has ever seen. So thank you for bringing up a topic that is actually interesting and worth my time.

I think Pitta will be successful with whatever team he plays for. That being said I am still holding out for the Colts drafting him, he would be a perfect fit. Like a Dallas Clark clone. But not the Pats. Please. I've always hated the Pats. But for some reason I am marrying a Pats fan in 3 weeks and if they draft Pitta she will do nothing but rub it in my face. I can see it now, I sit down to watch football and she walks in wearing a Dennis Pitta Patriots jersey...

Clearly your choice in women exceeds your choice of NFL teams!! ;) ;)

I am just impressed that your future wife loves the NFL. What I would give to have my wife actually enjoy sports at all.......

Lawboy wrote:

Pitta is faster than Gresham and a better receiver. And I don't recall Gresham even being used all that much for blocking. I'm not saying he's not good but he just got a lot of hype from playing with Bradford and OU.

No offense, but this is the NFL Draft, not some lame publication on college players. Publications rate based upon school. The NFL looks for measurables to rate a player. It is more scientific. Gresham is taller, heavier and had the same speed as Pitta. He has more blocking experience from the line, while Pitta usually was split outside in the BYU O. That is why Pitta had a rep as being a below average blocker. Gresham blocked for 2 1,000 yard backs in 2008. Not taking anything away from Dennis, just saying the way he was used in the BYU O is not the way TE's are used in the NFL, and that is what is putting him in Round 3, per draft experts. By the way, Round 3 is awesome all the same.

Gresham is not the same speed as Pitta. Pitta was a 4.63 and Gresham was a 4.76. He is taller by an inch and 16 lbs heavier. But nfl.com has even labeled him as more of a finesse blocker on the line and says he does most of his blocking damage down field. Pitta is also stronger than Gresham so it stands to reason that he can pick up the blocking fairly easily once he actually gets some coaching in it because as you said, he just didn't do it in college. That doesn't mean he can't. In fact, it's been reported there's been many times where people have been pleasantly surprised by Dennis' blocking abilities.



And the NFL DRAFT is far from a perfect system too. There's countless examples of high round misses and guys who went undrafted that were success stories. You're right as far as the measureables go. They do seem to place an inordinate amount of weight on them. But in this case Dennis is better than Gresham in nearly every one, save the height and weight which you mentioned.



And Dennis will be a better player than Dallas Clark. Clark was a first round pick. A 3rd round pick for the all-time NCAA TE leader will be a steal for whoever gets him, but a slap in the face for Dennis (while he won't complain about it, I will). And there are very few TEs in the league who are very good at both blocking and receiving. Most teams have to pick which kind of a TE they are going to use in their system. But despite the common misconception that NFL TEs only block, more and more are becoming receiving TEs. It's a passing league and teams are looking more and more to get playmakers on the field.

You lost me when you said Pitta will be a better player than Dallas Clark. Sorry, but he has a LONG way to go, and many years to prove it, to get to that level. Clark is an elite NFL player, and Pitta not even a rookie. That is a statement way too prematurely made.

With the recent trade that Denver made, Pitta seems like a perfect fit for the Broncos. They don't have any receivers, traditionally throw to the TE, and don't have a legit pass-catching TE on the roster. I think he would do well there.

CannonCougar85 wrote:
I can see it now, I sit down to watch football and she walks in wearing a Dennis Pitta Patriots jersey...

Now how upset would you REALLY be if this was all she was wearing?

cscoug wrote:
With the recent trade that Denver made, Pitta seems like a perfect fit for the Broncos. They don't have any receivers, traditionally throw to the TE, and don't have a legit pass-catching TE on the roster. I think he would do well there.

That Denver offense is gone, and it was Mike Shanahan. the new coach uses the patriots offense, which does not really utilize the tight end so much.



Personally, I think the Redskins would be a great fit for Dennis now that Shanahan is the new coach there. He does really use the tight end. New Orleans would be good as well. As would Seattle, Green Bay, New York Giants, Dallas, Indy, San Diego or Baltimore.

Ya know I think Pitta will be a great catch for who ever gets him. I thought after the combine he was on the rise but I've look at several pre draft scouting reports that have him rated between the 5th and 10th best TE in the draft and going in the 4th or 5th round at best. Most of the writeup's talk about his poor blocking and lack of strength. Did they even see the combine results??? What's up with that! I guess it doesn't matter as long as he gets his foot in the door but he's so much better than many ranked above him and he proved it at the combine??? Anyway best of luck.



Go Pitta!

Go Cougs!



L Hatton

Louisville, KY

KYCoug wrote:
Ya know I think Pitta will be a great catch for who ever gets him. I thought after the combine he was on the rise but I've look at several pre draft scouting reports that have him rated between the 5th and 10th best TE in the draft and going in the 4th or 5th round at best. Most of the writeup's talk about his poor blocking and lack of strength. Did they even see the combine results??? What's up with that! I guess it doesn't matter as long as he gets his foot in the door but he's so much better than many ranked above him and he proved it at the combine??? Anyway best of luck.



Go Pitta!

Go Cougs!



L Hatton

Louisville, KY

The combine is a joke. Even after Pitta owned Gresham across the board, Gresham remains way ahead of Pitta on the draft board. Pitta will be a steal for someone: They'll get a strong, fast, mature, game-ready tight end in the fourth round.

Lawboy wrote:
You lost me when you said Pitta will be a better player than Dallas Clark. Sorry, but he has a LONG way to go, and many years to prove it, to get to that level. Clark is an elite NFL player, and Pitta not even a rookie. That is a statement way too prematurely made.

Yeah, me too. Pitta has been awesome, but I just have a hard time imagine him turning a 3 yard out pattern into a 95 yard catch and run touchdown.



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Lawboy wrote:
I am just impressed that your future wife loves the NFL. What I would give to have my wife actually enjoy sports at all.......

Let me rephrase what you said, but for me:

I am just impressed that your future wife loves the NFL. What I would give to have A wife at all.......

urroner wrote:

I am just impressed that your future wife loves the NFL. What I would give to have my wife actually enjoy sports at all.......

Let me rephrase what you said, but for me:

I am just impressed that your future wife loves the NFL. What I would give to have A wife at all.......

My next door neighbor is a dentist, and my wife cuts hair. Just sayin...