State of the Nation

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By Justin Henry

Baltimore Ravens: Ed Dickson vs. Dennis Pitta

Make no mistake, both men will get their reps if they stay healthy in 2012.

Together, they combined for 94 catches, 933 yards and 8 touchdowns last season.

Dickson had the better output by about a 1.5-to-1 ratio, but he was also the full-time starter.

That seems to show that Pitta, one of the surprises of 2011, is developing into one of Joe Flacco’s favorite targets.
 
Pitta’s edge will be his superior blocking skills, which will come in handy for a team that has a) Ray Rice, and b) an offensive line that’s declined from a year ago.

Pro Bowl starter Ben Grubbs defected to New Orleans, his replacements (an aging Bobbie Williams, and two inexperienced/injured kids in Jah Reid and Kelechi Osemele) are struggling, and troubled tackle Bryant McKinnie is proving unreliable thus far.

If Rice is going to continue to thrive, inserting Pitta to help block seems appropriate. Dickson has the edge athletically, but Flacco has Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith for that purpose.
 
EDGE: Dennis Pitta
 
 
Arizona Cardinals: Todd Heap vs. Rob Housler

If a youngster performs well in a backup role behind an All-Pro talent, the team has a good backup. If a youngster performs well in a backup role behind a former Pro Bowler who has seen better days, talk of a switch becomes heavier.

Heap has been limited to 22 games over the past two seasons, and just four starts a year ago. His 24 catches, 283 yards and 1 touchdown are his lowest totals since an injury-plagued 2007.

Housler is a second-year player who saw action in 12 games last season. Former Panther Jeff King saw most of the starts in Heap’s absence, but Housler’s a wider target and is five years younger than him. The more Heap’s hurt, the more Arizona gets to look at what their youngster brings to the table. But a change won’t happen until the Cardinals know for sure that Heap can no longer pay dividends.
 
EDGE: Todd Heap
 
 
Seattle Seahawks: Zach Miller vs. Kellen Winslow

While Seattle has three quarterbacks competing to see who will lead a passing offense that was stagnant last year (fifth worst in touchdowns, third worst in first downs), coach Pete Carroll traded for Winslow from Tampa Bay to form a reputable tandem with Miller, who struggled last year in his first season with the Seahawks.

The numbers may be deceiving: Winslow totaled 763 yards and two scores for a team with which he’d played three seasons with Josh Freeman. Miller mustered career worsts of 233 yards and no touchdowns for a team he’d only known post-lockout.
 
Winslow, when his knees allow it, is capable of being a dynamic tight end who makes big plays with his hands. On the other hand, Miller’s the better blocker, and of more use in helping Marshawn Lynch unleash his inner beast. For a team that struggled early last season to score, I think Seattle will entrust Winslow in the starting role, while utilizing double sets to maximize Miller’s blocking prowess.
 
EDGE: Kellen Winslow

 

 

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