OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta’s surgically-repaired right hip rarely crosses his mind anymore.
Sidelined for the first dozen games last season due to a dislocated, fractured right hip, Pitta is feeling great on the practice field and moving well.
“It’s nothing I even think about when I’m at practice,” Pitta said yesterday at the Ravens’ minicamp. “That’s a good sign. I feel like I’m at 100 percent and able to run and do what I need to do.”
Last season, Pitta played in the final four games. However, he clearly wasn’t very explosive as he was limited to 20 receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown.
In 2012, Pitta caught 61 passes for 669 yards and seven touchdowns.
Pitta is excited about being a big part of offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak’s tight end-friendly offense.
“It’s a fun offense to be a part of as a tight end,” Pitta said. “It’s still a learning curve for me. I’m still making mistakes and trying to work my way through it. I think when it all comes together, I think we’re really going to like the finished product.”
Pitta has been mentored by veteran tight end Owen Daniels, who played for Kubiak with the Houston Texans and was signed to a one-year contract by the Ravens in March.
“Owen has been a huge complement to what we’re doing here,” Pitta said. “He’s, No. 1, a great football player. He’s had a lot of success in this league and continues to make plays out here. He’s been critical for me to be able to learn from. He’s been in this offense for, I think, eight or nine years and done a great job at it, so I’m able to bounce questions off him, see how he runs certain routes, and how he does things and it helps me become better.”