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The uproar after Week 1 was how much the Baltimore Ravens missed wide receiver Anquan Boldin, and the Ravens certainly would benefit from his toughness and clutch plays. But the Ravens miss tight end Dennis Pitta much more than Boldin.

Pitta, who is on the injured reserve-designated for return list after injuring his hip in training camp, may have been the Ravens' leading receiver at this point. Now the tight end position is one of the biggest weaknesses for the defending Super Bowl champions.

The Ravens have gotten little production out of Dallas Clark, Ed Dickson and Billy Bajema. Joe Flacco has connected on a little more than half of his passes to them (20 completions on 39 targets). Compare that to last year with Pitta, who caught 65.5 percent of the passes thrown his way (61 of 93).

The Ravens' tight ends have scored no touchdowns and have produced no catches more than 20 yards. Pitta had seven touchdowns and eight receptions greater than 20 yards.

Entering the season, the Ravens looked like they were in better position to handle the loss of Pitta more than the void left by the trade of Boldin. But undrafted wide receiver Marlon Brown, who has filled Boldin's spot in the starting lineup, leads the team with three touchdowns.

The biggest disappointment for the Ravens is Dickson. He has dropped four of the nine passes thrown in his direction, according to Pro Football Focus. One pass in Buffalo went off Dickson's hands and resulted in an interception.

The Ravens are clearly losing patience with Dickson.

“Ed just needs to go catch the ball,” coach John Harbaugh said. “He needs to run fast, get open and catch the football, put it away and get up field. That’s all he needs to do. And if he’s thinking about anything besides that, he’s doing himself a disservice.”

The pressure is on Dickson, who will be a free agent after the season. Through four games, he has more drops than catches (three).

"Mentally, it seems like a bad dream," Dickson said.

The Ravens' tight ends have produced the fewest receiving yards in the AFC North. Even the Pittsburgh Steelers, who didn't have Heath Miller for two games, have gotten 230 yards out of their tight ends, which is 12 more than the Ravens. Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Cameron has more catches, yards and touchdowns than the entire tight end group in Baltimore.

The statistics would look different if the Ravens had gotten the projected production out of Dickson. A third-round draft pick in 2010, Dickson caught 54 passes and scored five touchdowns in 2011.

“The stats kind of speak for themselves that you’re alluding to,” Harbaugh said. “He’s not the same player right now that he was then, obviously.”

Here's your morning briefing on the Baltimore Ravens beat with the wake-up caw ...

• Tight end Ed Dickson told The Baltimore Sun he isn't frustrated by his slow start. He's motivated. "Things may have gotten off to a rocky start but it is a long season," Dickson said. "As a team, it is working the way we want it to go. We want to keep getting better and I want to get better. Who knows? This might be a big week for me." Dickson's inability to catch the ball consistently has hurt the Ravens, and I would think twice throwing the ball to him. But he's too athletic to write off this quickly. He'll emerge again in the game plan.

• Continuing our tight-end storyline, Dallas Clark told USA Today that his improvement comes from extra film study with quarterback Joe Flacco. "Joe has us in there and goes over where he wants us, what he expects on each play," Clark said. "That's a huge help so everyone can see the big picture of where they belong, what their responsibilities are."

• Daryl Smith's sure tackling has impressed the Ravens. “When that guy grabs you, you go down,” defensive coordinator Dean Pees said, via Comcast SportsNet. “I can’t say enough good things about the guy." Smith is one of three linebackers with at least 25 tackles, one sack and one interception this season.

• A year after injuries limited his game plans, Pees is enjoying being more creative with his personnel groupings this year. “It’s a lot of fun,” Pees said, via the team's official website. “I think it gets boring to me as a coach and I think it’s boring as a player if you go out and every week it’s the same dang-gone thing. ... You put in little tweaks here and there. I think the players like it, and I like it.”

• Matt Vensel of The Baltimore Sun broke down the snaps of the outside linebackers, which show the Ravens have been keeping their top pass-rushers fresh. Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil and Courtney Upshaw have played at least 60 percent of the defensive snaps. Suggs, the team’s starting rush linebacker, has played 161 out of a possible 191 snaps. Dumervil, who usually splits time with Upshaw at strongside linebacker, has played 125. Upshaw has been on the field for 119 plays.

• Former Ravens defensive lineman Trevor Pryce doesn't agree with Ray Lewis that the "party bus" incident means there is a leadership void in Baltimore. "Here's the thing about the Ray Lewis leadership thing, when you start telling the media that things would be fixed if you were there, that can be a little self-serving," Pryce told The Baltimore Sun.

DENVER -- My thoughts on the Baltimore Ravens' 49-27 loss to the Denver Broncos:

What it means: The Ravens' title defense -- as well as life without Ray Lewis and Ed Reed -- opened with a dud. This is the first season-opening loss for coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Joe Flacco in their six years together, and it wasn't even close. An interception by Flacco in his own territory, a blocked punt and a drop near the goal line all led to the worst loss by a defending Super Bowl champion in a season opener, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The 49 points are the most allowed by the Ravens in their history.

Stock watch: Falling -- Ravens secondary. The Ravens gave up an NFL-record-tying seven touchdown passes, and everyone took turns getting roughed up. Safety Michael Huff couldn't keep up with tight end Julius Thomas (two touchdowns), cornerback Corey Graham struggled covering Wes Welker (two touchdowns) and cornerback Jimmy Smith watched a good game turn bad when he was beaten by Andre Caldwell (one touchdown). The Ravens allowed Peyton Manning to throw three touchdowns in a disastrous third quarter, which turned Baltimore's 17-14 lead into a 35-17 deficit.

Why not challenge?: With the Ravens ahead 17-14 early in the third quarter, Welker trapped a ball that was ruled a completion, which converted a third down. If Harbaugh had challenged, the drive would've ended. Instead, Manning rushed to the line to snap the ball, and three plays later, Caldwell scored a 28-yard touchdown. The Broncos took a lead they would never relinquish.

Too many drops: The loss of tight end Dennis Pitta (hip injury) was felt right away. Dallas Clark and Ed Dickson dropped at least five passes. The devastating one was Clark failing to hold onto a third-down pass inside the 5-yard line. The Ravens had to settle for a field goal and a 17-14 lead at halftime.

Self-inflicted: Two Ravens starters were hurt in the second quarter by their own teammates. On a punt return, Jacoby Jones was leveled by rookie Brynden Trawick and suffered a sprained knee. Then, on Ray Rice's one-yard touchdown run, right tackle Michael Oher sprained his ankle when guard Marshal Yanda rolled into him. Two rookies, wide receiver Marlon Brown and offensive tackle Rick Wagner, replaced the veterans in the starting lineup.

What's next: The Ravens (0-1) get nine days before playing the Cleveland Browns at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium on Sept. 15. Baltimore has a 10-game winning streak over Cleveland.

It was 236 days ago when Joe Flacco threw that fateful, 70-yard touchdown pass to Jacoby Jones, leading the Baltimore Ravens to a double-overtime playoff win at the Denver Broncos. The Ravens went on to win the Super Bowl, and the Broncos were left to think of what might have been. Flacco and the Ravens return to Denver's Sports Authority Stadium on Thursday night to kick off the 2013 season in a rematch of two of the top teams in the AFC.

The stakes are different, and so are the teams. Gone are Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Anquan Boldin from the Ravens. Baltimore is expected to have 10 different starters from the team that hoisted up the Lombardi trophy, and that doesn't include former Broncos defensive standout Elvis Dumervil, who is expected to play in passing situations.

The Broncos won't have Dumervil or Von Miller, who has been suspended for six games, rushing after Flacco this time. But Peyton Manning is back, along with the addition of Wes Welker to an already dangerous wide receiver group.

Broncos team reporter Jeff Legwold and Ravens team reporter Jamison Hensley discuss whether the opener will be a repeat of that memorable AFC divisional playoff game.

Hensley: Much has been made of the 50-foot Flacco banner hanging at the Broncos' stadium. Flacco has embraced the hate, saying it's not a bad thing for opposing fans to dislike you. The Ravens' focus, as it has been all offseason, has been to move forward. It's the start of a different era in many ways for the Ravens in their first game without Lewis and Reed. But it's easier to move forward when you're the ones sitting on top of the football world. How much will the "revenge factor" play into this game for the Broncos?

Legwold: Broncos coach John Fox, much like John Harbaugh with his "What's Important Now" mantra to leave the championship season behind, has tried to leave the past in the past. But questions about the kneel-down in the waning seconds despite Manning at quarterback and two timeouts in hand, as well as a third-and-7 running play late in the game, have trailed him all through the offseason. A lot of the Broncos players are willing to say memories of the playoff loss pushed them through the tedium of May and June. But over the past two weeks, they've stuck to the script -- that it's a new year, a new team -- but deep down they all know they let a potential Super Bowl trip, home-field advantage and a seven-point lead with less than a minute to play get away. And Dumervil's departure does add a little spice as well. How has Dumervil fit in and what kind of year do you think he'll have?

Hensley: Terrell Suggs has talked about Dumervil having the right mentality to play for the Ravens, and Harbaugh commented how Dumervil is already taking a leadership role. He really is a perfect fit for the Ravens on the field, too, where they have never had an elite pass-rusher to pair with Suggs. Over the past six seasons, Suggs has had only one teammate record more than seven sacks in a season. And being a pass-rusher is Dumervil's primary role. The Ravens will use Courtney Upshaw on early downs to set the edge against the run, which should keep Dumervil's legs fresh in pass-rushing situations. The Ravens have a familiarity with Dumervil because inside linebackers coach Don Martindale was Denver's defensive coordinator in 2010 and was Dumervil's position coach in 2009, when the linebacker-end led the NFL with 17 sacks. Baltimore is catching a break Thursday night with Dumervil now wearing purple and Miller serving his suspension. How are the Broncos going to generate a pass rush on Flacco?

Legwold: That is the $380,687.50 question, which is how much of Miller's base salary he'll surrender during the six-game suspension. But without Miller (18.5 sacks in '12) and Dumervil (11.0 last season), the Broncos will mix and match on a variety of down-and-distances. Derek Wolfe is a key player, because of his ability to play inside and outside along the defensive line and still create matchup problems. Jack Del Rio believes Wolfe is ready to take an enormous step in his development, and among the defensive linemen only Dumervil played more snaps up front than Wolfe did as a rookie last year. The Broncos will ask Shaun Phillips, who they think has plenty left to give after 9.5 sacks for the struggling Chargers last season, to be a spot rusher. And Robert Ayers, who was a first-round pick in 2009, has always said he could put up the sack numbers if given the chance. He's played through four different coordinators -- Del Rio is his first to be on the job for two consecutive seasons -- but has just 6.5 career sacks. Now is his time. On Flacco, how has he dealt with all that comes with a Lombardi trophy and a nine-digit contract?

Hensley: The money and increased notoriety haven't really affected Flacco. If anything, he's become more vocal. There was a playful trash-talking exchange during training camp between Flacco and Suggs, who told his quarterback that the defense's "swag is on a thousand million." Flacco responded: "Then what's my swag at? I get paid more than you. A lot more!" What has really changed is the wide receiver group around Flacco. This unfamiliarity led to four interceptions in six quarters of work this preseason. His top two receivers from a year ago won't be there Thursday. Boldin was traded to San Francisco, and tight end Dennis Pitta is out indefinitely with a dislocated hip. They accounted for 36 receptions in the postseason, which was nearly half of Flacco's completions. That being said, it was Torrey Smith and Jones who did the most damage in the playoff game in Denver. The Ravens are hoping wide receiver Brandon Stokley can move the chains on third downs and tight end Ed Dickson (hamstring) can contribute in the season opener. There has to be more confidence in the Broncos' passing attack with Manning and his bunch of talented receivers.

Legwold: There is plenty of confidence in what the potential can be with Welker in the mix. The Broncos loved Stokley as a slot receiver, but Welker is younger and offers a bigger upside in terms of production. Welker will also have the best receivers to his outside shoulders in Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas, the best combo he's had since the Patriots decided they didn't want Randy Moss around any longer. The 229-pound Thomas and the 214-pound Decker make the Broncos a tough matchup for any secondary. In the preseason, teams simply backed off into coverage and took their chances they could allow the catch and make the tackle before too much damage was done. The pace, especially at altitude, is a little something new as well. The Broncos ran 49 plays, excluding penalties, in the first half alone against the Rams in the preseason. They won't always go that fast, but if they get the look they want from a defense, they'll put the pedal to the floor and not allow a substitution. The key issue will be protection: Left tackle Ryan Clady missed plenty of the preseason after offseason surgery, and Denver has surrendered pressure in the middle of the field at times. The three-wide look is what the Broncos want their base formation to be on offense, but they can't do it if they can't protect Manning. It has to be a strange thing for a Baltimore defense that has been the franchise's signature for so long to have so many changes.

Hensley: There were a lot of changes to the Ravens' defense, but there were necessary changes. The Ravens weren't a top-10 defense for the first time since 2002. This defense had slumped to No. 17 in the NFL. It's never easy to part ways with the likes of Lewis and Reed. But the Ravens aren't replacing two Hall of Fame players in their prime. Baltimore had to replace two aging players who weren't the same playmakers from a few years ago. The additions of Dumervil, defensive lineman Chris Canty, linebacker Daryl Smith and safety Michael Huff have made this a stronger and more athletic defense. The Ravens' defense is going to be significantly better in two areas: stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback. The biggest concern, especially when you're starting two new safeties, is the communication in the secondary. One mistake there and Manning will burn you for a touchdown. How is the Broncos' secondary holding up this summer?

Legwold: The Broncos would feel better if Bailey felt better. Bailey did not practice Sunday or Monday because of a left foot injury he suffered in the preseason loss in Seattle and is still a major question mark for Thursday's game. Bailey has been on the field for practice, but has not participated in any of the drills. The end result means Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie would likely line up much of the time in Bailey's left cornerback spot. Rodgers-Cromartie is one of the more athletic sidekicks the Broncos have had for Bailey since Bailey arrived in 2004. Chris Harris and Tony Carter, the player who gave Jones a free release off the line of scrimmage on the game-tying bomb last January, will play in the nickel and dime as well. But overall the Broncos kept 11 defensive backs -- six corners, five safeties -- and can mix and match for almost every situation. They have flexibility and use it, so every defensive back in uniform Thursday night could see some action in the defense.

Here is the Baltimore Ravens' injury report for Thursday's game in Denver:

OUT: DT Art Jones (non-football illness).

DOUBTFUL: C Ryan Jensen (foot), WR Deonte Thompson (foot), DT Brandon Williams (toe).


PROBABLE: TE Ed Dickson (hamstring), DE Pernell McPhee (knee).

By the time the Wake-up caw pops up on the site, it will be about 36 hours until the Baltimore Ravens kick off their title defense in Denver. In the meantime, let's take a look at some headlines on the Ravens beat ...

• The Ravens expect to open up the offense, which running back Ray Rice described as "very vanilla" in the preseason. “I’m not going to say a lot different, but you’re going to see some things different than what we’ve done previously probably here or there,” offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell said, via the team's website. “We’re not giving away any trade secrets, but there could be a wrinkle here and there.” Even though the Ravens offense was bland in the preseason, they still have to figure out a way to improve their run blocking. Remember the Ravens ran the ball more than they threw it in the double overtime AFC divisional playoff game in Denver.

• All signs point to tight end Ed Dickson (hamstring) playing Thursday night in Denver. “I’m not 100 percent sure, but I feel 100 percent,” Dickson told Comcast SportsNet after Tuesday’s practice. “I’m being smart with it. I’m going with the coaches, I’m going with the trainers, I’m going day-to-day.”

• Wide receiver Torrey Smith told The Baltimore Sun he's preparing as if Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey is playing. Bailey hasn't practiced this week because of a foot injury. I'm thinking Smith wants Bailey to play after how he burned the 12-time Pro Bowl cornerback in the last meeting. Smith scored on touchdown catches of 59 and 32 yards against Bailey.

• Owner Steve Bisciotti told The Baltimore Sun that he wasn't concerned that Ozzie Newsome would step down as general manager after winning the Super Bowl. "And if I had that fear, I would've been more reluctant to back this purge of these veterans," Bisciotti said. The Ravens won't be caught off-guard when Newsome decides to retire. The Ravens will turn to their general manager-in-waiting Eric DeCosta.

• The Ravens will help spread the word about Obamacare enrollment in Maryland, the website Politico reports.

Baltimore Ravens tight end Ed Dickson had his second full practice, a sign that he'll play in Thursday's regular-season opener in Denver.

Dickson has been dealing with a hamstring injury throughout the preseason. On Monday, Dickson sounded optimistic about his chances of suiting up.

"I’d go with what Ed said," coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday. "He knows himself as well as anybody, and he’s had good practices.”

Wide receiver Deonte Thompson (foot), nose tackle Brandon Williams (toe) and center Ryan Jensen aren't expected to be available after missing Tuesday's practice. Linebacker Pernell McPhee was limited with a knee injury.

Starting defensive end Art Jones, who was ruled out Monday with an illness, addressed his situation on Twitter on Tuesday.

"As many of you know i'm having personal health issues. Please respect my privacy. We as athlete's go through real life problems also.Thank You all for your love and support. Ravens fans are the best!! See you all on the field soon!!! : ) #Onelove"

Harbaugh said he would leave it to Jones to discuss the specifics of his illness.

"It’s not anything that’s life threatening or anything like that, but it’s non-football related," Harbaugh said. "We’ve just got to get some tests done to make sure he’s OK. And until the tests come out the right way, he’s not going to be able to play. It’s something that I’ve been told now that they can’t tell you how long it’ll be. It could be a week. It could be indefinitely. We don’t think it’s going to be the second part of it, but he’s going to see a specialist here on Wednesday."

Let's start the Wake-up caw with a stroll down memory lane with your favorite Dancing With The Stars athlete ...

• Wide receiver Jacoby Jones relived the dramatic 70-yard touchdown, which he caught behind Broncos safety Rahim Moore and tied the AFC divisional playoff game in the final minute. "I think he was trying to make a play and we caught him slipping," Jones told The Baltimore Sun. "They weren't up for us. Bingo." I was surprised that Jones was able to get behind the secondary. I am shocked that Moore remains a starting safety in Denver.
• Tight end Ed Dickson is upbeat about playing Thursday night, according to The Baltimore Sun. ’"Im pretty optimistic about my chances of playing this game and working toward playing," Dickson said. "I always feel like I’m playing so I’m working towards it that way. We’ll see what the trainers and the coach say.” The Ravens really need Dickson in the lineup after seeing Dallas Clark do basically nothing in the preseason.
• Echoing coach John Harbaugh's comments from earlier in the week, cornerback Lardarius Webb is set to play in Denver after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in October. "Knowing all the hard work I put myself through, I miss it to the fullest," Webb said, via Comcast SportsNet. "I just can't wait to touch my foot on that field."
• Being the underdog is a familiar spot for the Ravens, The Baltimore Sun's Mike Preston writes. "No, it doesn't surprise me at all," Ravens running back Ray Rice said of the Broncos being favored.
• Backup nose tackle Brandon Williams is out indefinitely after being seen in a walking boot, according to The Press Box. With defensive end Art Jones already out, the Ravens have five healthy defensive linemen: Haloti Ngata, Chris Canty, Marcus Spears, Terrence Cody and DeAngelo Tyson. Meanwhile, rookie linebacker John Simon switched his jersey number from No. 47 to No. 94, which was last worn by Sergio Kindle. Obviously, Simon isn't superstitious.
• Starting cornerback Corey Graham doesn't get much attention but plays a big part. In his last trip to Denver, he picked off Peyton Manning twice in the AFC divisional playoff game. Here's the full story in the Carroll County (Md.) Times.

Baltimore Ravens tight end Ed Dickson was a full participant in Monday's practice, which likely means he'll be ready for the season opener at Denver on Thursday, but starting defensive end Art Jones has been declared out with an illness. Marcus Spears, a free-agent pickup this offseason, started six of the final seven games last season for the Dallas Cowboys.

Dickson suffered a slight tear in his hamstring on Aug. 4, and he missed all of the preseason games. He is expected to replace Dennis Pitta, who dislocated his hip, in the starting lineup.

At one point last month, Dickson was skeptical about playing in the regular-season opener. But he returned to practice on Aug. 19 and hasn't had any setbacks.

"Obviously, they are kind of bringing him along slowly, but it shows that he’s making rapid improvement," offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell said. "We’re certainly glad to get him out there and get him a little work.”

Jones, meanwhile, hasn't practiced in more than a week. There won't be a downgrade in run defense with the stout Spears, but Jones provides more of a pass rush.

With Jones out, the Ravens defense will likely have seven different starters from their lineup in the Super Bowl.

As expected, Pitta has been ruled out as well. The plan is to put him on the injured reserve-designated to return list Tuesday. Nose tackle Brandon Williams (toe), wide receiver Deonte Thompson (foot) and center Ryan Jensen (foot) all didn't participate in Monday's practice.

The AFC North blog is going to keep the Steelers morning links in the wake-up call for one more day. Who says camaraderie is gone in this division? Here's what is happening around the AFC North ...

RAVENS: Ed Dickson had another strong day of practice with the Ravens on Monday, and all indications point toward the starting tight end being ready to go for the season opener at Denver, according to Comcast SportsNet. He missed time this preseason with a hamstring injury. "He’s running well. He’s catching the ball well," offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell said. "He looks just as explosive as he did a few weeks ago before he was injured, so that’s coming along well."

BENGALS: Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer came to the defense of struggling cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who allowed a touchdown to Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, committed two pass interference penalties, missed three tackles and gave up nine receptions. “Everybody is all nervous about Kirkpatrick,” Zimmer said, via The Cincinnati Enquirer. “He got beat up pretty good by Dez Bryant and a couple of the other guys. If it is a real game, we are doing things differently. He’ll be fine. I want him to go out there and compete against guys. This is how you learn. You don’t learn nothing by going out and shutting a guy down every time.”

STEELERS: Outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley hopes increasing his sack total will decrease the talk about his weight. “People have got to find excuses for you, or say things about you, when your numbers drop,” Woodley told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “But it's all about how you handle it at the end of the day, and coming back this year and bouncing back and trying to get back to the Super Bowl.” Woodley had nine sacks in the first eight games of the 2011 season before recording just four in the past 13 games that he's played.

BROWNS: Quarterback Brandon Weeden said there is "no reason to push the panic button like everybody wants to" on the Browns' offense. Weeden believes the rough outing against the Colts, which included 12-of-25 passing -- will serve as a lesson for an offense that had little trouble scoring in the first two preseason games. "Sometimes you need that," Weeden said, via The Plain Dealer. "You need a little slap in the face to say 'listen, you've got to keep continuing to grind.' It's human nature to get a little ahead of yourself, but what better timing? It doesn't count in the win-loss record for the regular season. We knew it wasn't going to be perfect all the time. It's just impossible to play 20 perfect games. It's just not going to happen. We'd been pretty good the first two games. Now it's just, 'how do we deal with that adversity? How do we move on?' And it'll be a big step for us." ... Also, the Browns have placed backup running back Dion Lewis on season-ending injured reserve with a surgically repaired fractured fibula.