Entering the 2022 season, it was never an inquiry that the Falcons would have a various offending operation with Matt Ryan in Indianapolis and Marcus Mariota under center in Atlanta.  It was mosting likely to alter, most likely drastically so.  A potential dip in production for a player like Pitts was to be expected because of this adjustment.  However, the level of that dip left numerous outside looking in disappointed with Pitts' usage and lack of targets.  But that perception is flawed due to the fact that through 10 games in 2021 Pitts only had 10 more targets than he did at the same point in 2022.  The distinction? The completion price in between Pitts and his quarterback.  Kyle Hess/ 2021 Atlanta Falcons In the exact same 10-game period of both periods, Pitts linked with Ryan on 62 percent of his 69 complete targets.  That equated to 43 catches for 635 receiving lawns.  In 2022, Pitts linked with Mariota on 47 percent of his 59 targets.  This connection corresponded to fifty percent of the stat line it went to the same time a year before, landing on 28 catches for 356 getting yards.  So, yes.  A modification at quarterback did influence Pitts, but so did the Falcons run game.  As it evolved from what it was in 2021 to what it has remained in 2022, Pitts duty as a tight end progressed, too. " Where you saw a lot of development remained in a lot of other work that we asked him to do," Smith clarified.  "Absolutely there are points that you want would certainly have gone different, and that's possibly yearly, yet you could see that development as a gamer as he came to be an extra total gamer. " Kyle Hess/ 2022 Atlanta Falcons In Smith's violation, the duty of tight end is an intricate one.  It's a role that Smith said is "possibly" a little bit extra considerable in what they ask their limited ends to do than what it remains in various other offenses.  Smith has actually said on a couple of celebrations that Pitts' run barring has improve one of the most from Year 1 to Year 2.  The Falcons are able to run the ball behind Pitts this year in a manner they weren't able to in 2014, Smith said.  That's a testament to Pitts' development.  It's evidence that does not reveal up on Pitts' private stat line, however.  It's that growth that offers Smith self-confidence in Pitts' overall trajectory.  Even if the Pitts' touches and total backyards don't look exactly how they did a year back, Smith has self-confidence in his young tight end and the development he's made as a run blocker and pass catcher.  Why? Because Smith claimed you're not desiring and wishing concerning Pitts' manufacturing.  "You know he's done it," Smith stated Commanders Store.  "And you know he's made other gains in other locations of what we've asked him to do.  You're extremely confident and favorable concerning..  his predicted future.  You can not predict whatever but you have actually obtained proof. " Pitts is getting in into a brand-new world of his professional job, one that involves rehabbing to get back to Smith, he is not worried about the Pitts that will certainly go back to him in 2023.  The proof reveals him there's nothing to be concerned concerning.  "He's made a lot growth," Smith stated of Pitts.  "He's such an impactful gamer whether he touches the ball or doesn't. " Black And White Monday Falcons vs Commanders We take a monochrome consider the game against the Washington Commanders on November 27, 2022.  1/ 31 Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith # 40 warms up before the video game against the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field in North Englewood, Maryland on Sunday, November 27, 2022.  Image by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons) Shanna Lockwood/ 2022 Atlanta Falcons 2/ 31 Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Mykal Walker # 3 reacts after an interception throughout the second quarter versus the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field in North Englewood, Maryland on Sunday, November 27, 2022.  

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