The Facts:
The Ravens' evaluation of whether to use the franchise tag on Pitta is complicated by the uncertainty of exactly how much it would cost. Would Pitta fall under the franchise tag number for a tight end or a wide receiver, a difference of nearly $5 million?
Reported by the Baltimore Sun
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
As
previously reported on the site, a similar debate is playing out in New Orleans, where the Saints might be forced to apply the franchise tag to their star tight end Jimmy Graham. If they do, it's widely assumed that Graham's agent will file a grievance through the NFL Players Association, maintaining that Graham, who often lines up in the slot or out wide, should be tagged as a receiver ($11.5 million) not as a tight end ($6.7 million). An arbitrator would then rule on the matter after a hearing. Pitta, 28, would have a similar case. He ran 79.7 percent of his routes last year out of the slot, according to Profootballfocus.com. That was the highest rate among qualifying tight ends. Pitta returned from a fractured and dislocated right hip last season to play four games and remind the Ravens of his importance to their offense. He caught 20 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown while being targeted 33 times. New OC Gary Kubiak hopes to feature the TE. Or is he a WR? Stay tuned.
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