The NFL is a league built on adjustments, and defenses appear to be game-planning to account for tight end Dennis Pitta following his fast start this season. Pitta caught 18 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns in the first two games and has 30 receptions for 276 yards overall, emerging as one of quarterback Joe Flacco's most frequent targets.

Over the past four games, though, Pitta has generated only a dozen catches for 88 yards and no scores and was shut out against the Browns on Sept. 27. HC John Harbaugh acknowledged that teams may have shifted their schemes to try to slow down Pitta, but emphasized there's more nuance to what's happening on the field.

"It’s probably some of that," Harbaugh said. "To me, it’s a product of everything across the board. Typically, you say, ‘OK, this guy’s not involved. That guy’s not involved.’ It’s something you can take a look at, but when you start breaking it down and you start studying it, what you really find out is it’s more a product of us executing."

Ravens TE Dennis Pitta was targeted a team-high 15 times in Sunday’s 24-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and he is now listed ahead of fellow third-year tight end Ed Dickson on the team’s official depth chart. But in that game, Pitta, who got 51 offensive snaps, lined up as a wide receiver or slot receiver more than two-thirds of the time.

Pitta lined up next to an offensive tackle as a traditional tight end on 15 plays and was not targeted once by Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco on any of the plays as he was often run-blocking on either the left or right edge. He lined up as a wide receiver on four plays, and Flacco threw his way on three of them, including two quick completions while Pitta ran slant routes against a safety. Pitta also lined up in the backfield on one play.

But usually, Pitta was lined up in the slot, where he did most of his damage in a game where he led the team with eight catches and with 65 receiving yards. He was targeted eight times on the 16 plays in which he lined up as a slot receiver to Flacco’s left and four times on the 15 plays where he was in the slot to Flacco’s right -- including a third-quarter interception when Flacco tried to squeeze a pass between three Eagles defenders.

Ravens RB Ray Rice on QB Joe Flacco: “In pecking order, this is Joe’s offense, then everybody else. And he’s proven that this preseason with how he’s played, his tempo, how vocal he is, and the quiet Joe phase I think is pretty much over. He’s been outspoken – and I guess you guys get to see it more going into Year 5 – but for me and him, we came in together, and I think he’s going to prove to everybody why he’s a top quarterback in the league. And going into this game, I’m confident, he’s confident. I just can’t wait to get out there with the guys so we can go out there and show guys what he’s really capable of doing.”

From the offseason minicamps to training camp to the preseason, Ravens WR Torrey Smith is looking more like the Ravens' No. 1 wide receiver this season, a title owned by Anquan Boldin for the past two seasons. Smith is running routes more smoothly this year and catching the ball with more confidence.

"He's sure of himself," quarterback Joe Flacco said. "When you don't what to worry about a simple thing as where to line up, you're able to focus a lot more energy on more important things. He can relax and play. He can be who he is. That's what is exciting."

Since 1952 only 21 rookie wide receivers have posted at least 50 catches for 841 yards and 7 touchdowns, which is what Smith racked up in his first season. We are bullish on Smith in 2012. He makes a nice WR2/WR3 in the 6th or 7th round.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco looked terrific in training camp, the best he’s ever looked. And he’s been great in the Ravens’ first three preseason games (43-of-60 passing for 433 yards and three touchdowns.)

The Ravens have shown off a no-huddle, pass-heavy offense during the first three preseason games.

In last week’s win over Jacksonville, quarterback Joe Flacco threw the ball 36 times in a little more than two quarters. Running back Ray Rice had only two carries and one reception in a little less than a quarter.

So will Rice see fewer touches once the Ravens get into the regular season?

"Absolutely not,” Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron said on Tuesday. "It has nothing to do with touches for Ray. Ray, we know, is one of our best players.”

Ravens QB Joe Flacco wants to see the Ravens use more no-huddle, more “quick game.” He said he loves the hurry-up offense.

“I really think that in order to win the whole thing in this league, you’ve got to have a high-powered offense,” Flacco said. “I think we do. It’s just a matter of making our mind up that we are.”

Baltimore has long been known for its ground-and-pound, grinding attack. But Flacco doesn’t see this offense in that light, and believes that formula is a thing of the past.

“Maurice Jones-Drew led the league in rushing last year,” Flacco said. “Who cares? [Jacksonville] didn’t win any games.”

Flacco isn't getting a lot of attention in drafts. He's ranked as a borderline QB2 in ten-team leagues. But, keep an eye on how he progresses through the season. Right now, you can probably get a better QB2 for your team, but he could be someone you pick up if you get in QB trouble.

Teammates, coaches and beat reporters rave about Ravens QB Joe Flacco's training camp. Throwing the ball has never been a problem. Flacco has one of the strongest arms in football. He has won playoff games on the road. But this is clearly his best training camp in terms of focus and execution. In camp, Flacco has taken even more of a leadership role on offense. He continues to suggest to coaches he wants the offense to be more aggressive in the latter stages of games. Instead of trying to run out the clock with a running offense when the Ravens have a fourth-quarter lead, he wants them to attack more with the pass. For more than a decade, the Ravens have been constructed to win with defense and good running. Flacco wants the Ravens not to be as cautious. Because the Ravens' defense is so good, Flacco thinks the Ravens should go for the jugular. Instead of sitting on 17-3 leads that could end up being 20-17 victories, Flacco wants more offense and more points. Not a bad idea. He also suggests more passes on early downs, so the offense isn't stuck with too many tough third-down situations. From what he hears and what he sees from Flacco this summer, Harbaugh believes his quarterback will have a breakout year.

Unlike with RB Ray Rice’s franchise tag situation, there is no deadline for the Ravens and QB Joe Flacco to come to terms on a new long-term contract. But either way, Flacco is optimistic that the two sides can reach a new deal before the start of training camp this week.

"There have been talks. My agent has definitely been talking and they've gone back and forth a little bit," Flacco explained, per the Baltimore Sun. "I can't really comment on how close it is. I don't really know. I'm not talking to Joe every day. Joe updates me every now and then. If he comes to me and something is really crazy about an update, then OK. But it's not like I'm talking to him every day and I could actually tell you how close it is. We have talked and that's really about it."

"I see myself being here for many years no matter what happens," the QB added.

Now that the Baltimore Ravens have inked Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice to a $40 million contract, the next priority for the organization is locking up quarterback Joe Flacco to a long-term deal.

Flacco is maintaining his focus on the upcoming season, though, not his unresolved contract status as he heads into the final year of his rookie contract, according to his agent.

"Joe is very, very excited for the season," agent Joe Linta told the Times in a telephone interview. "He's really adamant about getting the Ravens to the next step. The contract at this point is secondary to that goal. Joe has the attitude that he'll earn it."