Replacing Dennis Pitta

At least this week Raven fans can loom and gloom regarding the unfortunate non contact injury suffered by one of their own. As opposed to the negative light being shown to the world while the Ray Rice experience continues. However, as I have stated before there are still games to be played. If the Ravens look across the parking lot at the Orioles they can learn something about dealing with injuries. No all star catcher? They had a Caleb Joseph for that. No big eared platinum glover at third? Let's throw anyone and everyone who has ever played third base since grade school over there. Throw some overachievers on the mound and we got ourselves a bonafide division winner at Camden Yards.

So without Pitta once again, how will the offense look? Who will step up and help produce? How will people's fantasy team survive? When will I stop asking so many questions that I am about to answer?

First and foremost, if you didn't grab Steve Smith Sr. in the late rounds of your draft or scoop him up off the waiver wire than shame on you! Smith is going to apparently make it rain blood and guts against his former team this Sunday so make sure you got your goggles. After his case of drop-itis back in Week 1 Smith Sr. has been Flacco's go to receiver. We all saw that late in the Cleveland game when Flacco hit Smith Sr. with that 32 yard pass that set up Optimus 9's (Justin Tucker for those who don't know) game winner. Expect him, Smith Sr. , to be even more involved in the offense. Especially this week against his former squad of 13 years. The Panthers might have to double up on him.

Kyle Juszczyk also looked great coming out of the backfield on Sunday. He couldn't have been more open on his touchdown catch from the flat where he barreled into the end zone. Preceding to imitate LeBron James' powder entrance, I didn't know Juszczyk had that in him. I expected him to be a huge step up from Leach when it came to the passing game. Juszczyk has more speed and better hands than Leach had. Being a former tight end in the Ivy League helps.

Speaking of tight ends did everyone forget we have Owen Daniels? Is he injury prone? Abso-freaking-lutely. Has he dominated in Kubiak's offense before? You betcha! Daniels is certainly not the player he once was but he is certainly better than most expected. For those expecting something like Dallas Clark was last year, you were wrong. A warm body that would drop more passes than he caught, thank goodness that is not the case. Daniels wasn't used much in last week's game but during weeks 1 and 2 he fared well. For the 2nd tight end that is, having 9 catches for 72 yards with 2 TDs. He figures to have many more targets being the number one option at TE with Pitta down for the year. He will also have the highest acquisition rate for anyone who owned or thought about owning Pitta in fantasy football.

My original sleeper before the season started was Lorenzo Taliaferro. Thank the fantasy football gods he performed when given the chance last week as he rumbled all over Cleveland. It only took a Ray Rice release and a, shocker, Bernard Pierce injury. As long as he can hold on to the ball I don't see why he wouldn't keep getting opportunities in the future. Pierce is still hampered by the quad injury and running back committee seems to be what everyone is doing these days. That Carolina D didn't look too sharp at home against Cheech and Chong(Le'Veon Bell and LaGerrette Blount) last week. So why not let Forsett and Taliaferro  keep the trend going by running all over those Panthers!

There are plenty of others who may step up that I have forgotten to mention. Marlon Brown, last season's end zone bloodhound, could be seen with more 3 receiver formations. He is superior to how Jacoby Jones has looked so far and obviously once you are inside the opponent's 30 Jacoby can go relax. Not to mention he has had a case of butter fingers this season. Also where in the world is Torrey Smith? He has been nonexistent in this post and this offense so far this year. A few days ago I saw his post about his brother's passing 2 years ago. It made me think back to that epic performance he dropped on the Pats in his brother's remembrance. Where is that guy? He's in there somewhere!

So let's hope for another home win this week with some more dominance. I expect to see some flags fly this week and possibly Steve Smith Sr.'s fist. Let's remember he punched someone when he was actually on the team. Should make for an excellent game to watch.