Other NFL Rookie Receivers Not Much Better Off Than 
At this point, the Ravens would simply like to get a glimpse of what their first-round pick Breshad Perriman can do this season. Four games would be nice, said Head Coach John Harbaugh.
But the “clock is ticking” on that goal – after returning for the bye, Perriman still isn’t practicing – and ESPN’s Jamison Hensley believes the organization is “close to giving up hope” on seeing him at all this year.
Nobody is more disappointed than Perriman, who didn’t envision his NFL career starting off by rehabbing “the all-time slowest-healing strained PCLs ever.” He hasn’t played since the first day of training camp, missing valuable experience during his rookie year.
“But he isn't the only rookie receiver who has failed to make an immediate impact,” wrote Hensley.
Six wide receivers were selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and only one, Amari Cooper of the Raiders, has had much success. Outside of Cooper, none of the first-rounders has even reached 200 receiving yards through nine weeks of the season.
One of the few rookies that’s had solid production wasn’t even drafted in the first round. Vikings’ fourth-round pick, Stefon Diggs (University of Maryland), has surprised many by putting up 461 yards and two touchdowns. (Diggs and Cooper face off this Sunday.)
The injury bug has also taken a toll on several first-round receivers outside of Perriman, including Kevin White (stress fracture in shin), DeVante Parker (season-long foot issues), Nelson Agholor (ankle) and Philip Dorsett (fractured fibula).
The first-round rookie class stats are listed below:
No. 4 overall: Amari Cooper, Raiders
8 games played, 7 starts, 45 catches, 653 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns
No. 7: Kevin White, Bears
Hasn’t played since undergoing surgery in August to repair a stress fracture in shin; has ‘slim chance’ of playing this year
No. 14: DeVante Parker, Dolphins
7 games played, 0 starts, 4 catches, 49 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns; foot surgery in June
No. 20: Nelson Agholor, Eagles
5 games played, 5 starts, 8 catches, 105 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns; missed last 3 games with ankle injury
No. 26: Breshad Perriman, Ravens
Hasn’t played since spraining PCL in training camp
No. 29: Phillip Dorsett, Colts
7 games played, 0 starts, 11 catches, 167 receiving yards, 1 touchdown; fractured fibula in Week 7 (four-to-six week recovery time)
“Eventually, the wide receiver class from the 2014 NFL Draft could go down as one of the best ever,” wrote SB Nation’s Dan Kadar back in October. “The start for the class of the 2015 NFL Draft is just the opposite, and the results are showing up in the standings.
“None of the six teams that took first-round wide receivers has a winning record this season. It's not all on the player chosen, but the lack of production is staggering and having a negative impact.”
The Ravens aren’t expecting Perriman to return and suddenly turn around their 2-6 season. That would be nice, but the goal is to simply get him on the field – even the practice field. In the Ravens’ 20-year history, no other first-round pick has ever missed his entire first season.
“With No. 1 receiver Steve Smith out for the rest of the season and previously intending to retire, Harbaugh and General Manager Ozzie Newsome would love to take a look at what they have with the first receiver selected in the first round by the organization since Mark Clayton in 2005,” wrote WNST’s Luke Jones.
‘Awkward’ Interview With Jimmy
Cornerback
Russell Street Report’s Brian Bower called the interview “awkward.”
Smith was asked about Pees’ assessment, and he didn’t have an answer.
“Honestly, I don’t even want to … I don’t know,” he said. “I’ve just got to keep getting better, keep playing my game.”
Smith did say that he didn’t agree with how some of the media have portrayed his performances so far this season.
“You guys write one thing — I feel totally different than how you guys feel,” he said. “So, I’m not going to get into that, but I’ve got to keep playing ball.”
The Baltimore Sun’s Jon Meoli summarized Smith’s year as such:
“This season, top receivers have produced against Smith, whose confidence doesn’t seem to have wavered,” Meoli wrote. “He does, however, have two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. And outside of some difficulties in Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals, Smith has played much better of late.”
Ravens Hope Forsett Rubs Off On West
You couldn’t ask for a better mentor than running back
So, newly-signed
CSNMidAtlantic.com’s Clifton Brown says the Ravens envision some of Forsett’s maturity rubbing off on West.
“The Ravens hope newly-acquired running back Terrance West learns about being a professional from veteran running back Justin Forsett,” Brown wrote. “One of the team’s most respected players, Forsett keeps himself in great shape, practices with enthusiasm, and studies film relentlessly. That’s a blueprint the Ravens want West to follow.
“… Forsett took advantage of his opportunity two years ago after joining the Ravens last year, going from fourth-string running back in training camp to having a career year as a starter. The Ravens would love to see West’s career blossom the same way.”
Hensley: Pitta Should Retire, But Determination Won’t Let Him
For me, the snippet below was the most endearing part of
"I love competing and I love playing at the highest level. That's something I don't think I'm ready to give up." https://t.co/LRZaCABEGZ
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 11, 2015 It shows how badly he wanted to play this season, and why. He wants to play because A) he’s a football player at heart and B) he felt a sense of duty to his team and the contract he received.
How many people would take the money and never look back? The guy is a class act, and never gave up because of that sense of duty.
“The lasting image shouldn't be of the Baltimore Ravens tight end getting carted off the field in Cleveland 14 months ago,” wrote Hensley. “It should be Pitta working before every game and after every practice in an effort to return to a team that invested so much in him.”
While what Pitta has done to get back has been noble, Hensley believes its time for Pitta to take things one step further from not playing this season, and retire from the game altogether. But Hensley knows that Pitta’s personality won’t allow him to do that just yet.
“It's easy to say Pitta should retire right now based on the risk and quality of life,” Hensley wrote. “It’s not easy to do so if you're Pitta, which has become clear, based on his determination to get back on the field.
“At this point, it looks inevitable that he will have to call it quits. Pitta just isn't going to do so without a fight.”
Pitta's catch on third-and-13 from the #Ravens' own 3 in OT of the Denver playoff game is one of the more underrated plays in team history.
— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) November 11, 2015 @jeffzrebiecsun @BaltimoreLuke tossed in "Road to XLVII" to relive that huge play. #Pitta pic.twitter.com/bp0N9Bds3W
— Mike Yehia (@MikeYehia) November 11, 2015 Quick Hits
Sam Koch leads all punters in Pro Bowl voting. Justin Tucker is second behind only New England's Stephen Gostkowski among kickers. #Ravens
— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) November 11, 2015 Much gratitude to service men & women this Veterans Day. Freedom doesn't come free. It's our privilege to honor you. pic.twitter.com/mxmYkrog7U
— SteveSmithFDN (@SteveSmithFDN) November 11, 2015 Happy Veterans Day!! #TrueHeroes
— Justin Forsett (@JForsett) November 11, 2015 Happy Veterans Day! #Salute
— Zachary Orr (@ZO35) November 11, 2015 Happy Veterans Day! I look up to you all. #SaluteTheSoldiers
— Terrence Brooks (@_Showtime31) November 11, 2015 Win $10K CASH with #FANPICKS go 2 https://t.co/TrciBxveie & share your best Movember look #Movember #fantasysports pic.twitter.com/kEHOLgvo9Y
— Steve Smith Sr. (@89SteveSmith) November 11, 2015 Terrance West will wear No. 42 on the #Ravens practice squad. #FashionTweets
— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) November 10, 2015 
