Desperate to improve their production at the tight end position, the Ravens will reportedly try out Jake Ballard.
The former New York Giants tight end was waived by the New England Patriots at the end of the preseason after missing the entire 2012 season due to the torn ACL he suffered in Super Bowl XLVI. Prior to the injury, Ballard had a good 2011 season with the Giants, catching 38 passes for 604 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games.
According to FOX Sports’ Mike Garafolo, Ballard will work out for the Ravens in Owings Mills on Monday.
Ballard struggled in the preseason as the Patriots were hoping he could help fill the void left behind by Aaron Hernandez and the currently-injured Rob Gronkowski.
The Ravens have struggled to find production at the tight end position following the long-term hip injury to starter Dennis Pitta in late July. Fourth-year tight end Ed Dickson struggled to catch the football several times and veteran Dallas Clark dropped a sure touchdown right before halftime in the season-opening 49-27 loss to Denver.
Baltimore also signed veteran Visanthe Shiancoe during training camp but decided to cut him on Aug. 25.
With the Ravens struggling to find viable targets for quarterback Joe Flacco in the passing game, watching Anquan Boldin catch 13 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown had to sting even more.
Ravens to try out former Giants tight end Ballard on Monday
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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