Todd Heap

[ravensfan160]

Its sad to watch but he isn't anywhere close to the receiver he used to be. With defenses keyed in on the out patterns the middle of the field should be open. I've heard "experts" say its Flacco's fault but Heap looks slow and frankly...old. Even the tough catches he was known for making in the past are slipping through his fingers now.

I say its time we see more of LJ Smith. Harbaugh said on the radio last night that there will be some roster shakeups and I can't think of a more clear one than this (since Williams will probably start by default over injured Clayton).

Thoughts...?

[McBoller]

I think its time to get a young GOOD TE in the draft, Drew is not going to work out.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='McBoller' date='09 December 2009 - 10:07 AM' timestamp='1260371225' post='307995']
I think its time to get a young GOOD TE in the draft, Drew is not going to work out.
[/quote]

While I do believe the team needs to draft a good young TE, Drew could still work out.

As for Heap, it's sad to say but he's a walking injury right now. Not only is he being called to catch passes but staying inside and block. Meanwhile, L.J. Smith, is either too hurt to dress or too much of a scrub to contribute. People can say what they want about Foxworth and Carr but L.J. has truly been the worst signing this off-season. The team would've been much better off keeping Daniel Wilcox.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='09 December 2009 - 10:16 AM' timestamp='1260371763' post='307999']
While I do believe the team needs to draft a good young TE, Drew could still work out.

As for Heap, it's sad to say but he's a walking injury right now. Not only is he being called to catch passes but staying inside and block. Meanwhile, L.J. Smith, is either too hurt to dress or too much of a scrub to contribute. People can say what they want about Foxworth and Carr but L.J. has truly been the worst signing this off-season. The team would've been much better off keeping Daniel Wilcox.
[/quote]
I might be wrong but I think LJ Smith has been active a lot. I remember seeing him on special teams often this season. He just isn't being given a chance on offense. Gee...sound like some other players we know of (Williams, McClain)

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravensfan160' date='09 December 2009 - 10:25 AM' timestamp='1260372353' post='308001']
I might be wrong but I think LJ Smith has been active a lot. I remember seeing him on special teams often this season. He just isn't being given a chance on offense. Gee...sound like some other players we know of (Williams, McClain)
[/quote]

He may not be getting an opportunity like some other players on the team. There's no way any of us can say for sure. However, every time I've seen him around a play, he's been slow to get up.

He was deactivated for the Packer game because of an injury.

[Brad34]

[quote name='ravensfan160' date='09 December 2009 - 10:25 AM' timestamp='1260372353' post='308001']
I might be wrong but I think LJ Smith has been active a lot. I remember seeing him on special teams often this season. He just isn't being given a chance on offense. Gee...sound like some other players we know of (Williams, McClain)
[/quote]
LJ Smith is a good player he is just hurt.

[12th man]

I for one still have faith in Todd, i just think what we all are seeing is he's rusty let's face it he has been a non factor this year again not sure why but i think he's been in alot of blocking again maybe not as much as last year but enough.To me you need to get in a rythum with the QB and it takes more than 1-3 throws in a game to do that and like MN game most of the passes to Todd were out of reach ( bad throws) but Todd needs more reps and he would be just fine, he started of good but than they got back to last years form with him.

[ravensfan99]

Heap has also been blocking quite a bit.

[neepo13]

I hate that Heap gets a bad rap around here. He's still a very good player and if on a team with a direction that knows what it wants to do that can use him correctly he could still be effective. Right now we dont know what to do with him and we are not finding ways to get him good matchups.

Heap has spoiled Ravens fans. For years he carried our passing offense and now because of age, he cant do it anymore. If anything that shows how great of a player he truely was, not how horrible he is now. The Ravens need to figure out what type of offensive team they want to be and plan Heap's role accordingly. Either way, he's still a very good blocker and he can still be effective in our short passing game. We need more playmakers on offense, period. It doesnt matter if its at TE, WR, or RB.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='neepo13' date='09 December 2009 - 12:00 PM' timestamp='1260378033' post='308078']
I hate that Heap gets a bad rap around here. He's still a very good player and if on a team with a direction that knows what it wants to do that can use him correctly he could still be effective. Right now we dont know what to do with him and we are not finding ways to get him good matchups.

Heap has spoiled Ravens fans. For years he carried our passing offense and now because of age, he cant do it anymore. If anything that shows how great of a player he truely was, not how horrible he is now. The Ravens need to figure out what type of offensive team they want to be and plan Heap's role accordingly. Either way, he's still a very good blocker and he can still be effective in our short passing game. We need more playmakers on offense, period. It doesnt matter if its at TE, WR, or RB.
[/quote]
I agree with a lot of the things you say but this is a "what have you done for me now" league. He was an incredible player but he simply is middle of the pack now. Five years ago he outruns AJ Hawk on that play that was picked off. The announcers even said that Hawk was a liability in pass coverage for much of his career. I'm sure he's improved but Heap has also regressed. I love Heap too but the reality is he is gone after this year. He will be too expensive for the production. Ozzie will either draft his replacement or sign a cheaper veteran blocking TE. Flacco doesn't seem to like throwing to TE anyway.

[bce086]

Heap led the team in catches and yards against the Packers. He also leveled guys out blocking downfield, and stayed on the line to protect Flacco.

What do you want him to do? Play defense and try to pick the ball too?! Heap can only do what he is assigned to do, and when he is asigned to run a route, the other half is put on Flacco to find him, when he is open. He is still tough enough to run routes over the middle, and doesn't shy from contact. He fights for every yard.

[Twoo]

Heap had more catches and more yards than Mason and Clayon COMBINED at the Packers game. Yeah. He's getting old alright =)

[McBoller]

[quote name='Twoo' date='09 December 2009 - 02:24 PM' timestamp='1260386658' post='308216']
Heap had more catches and more yards than Mason and Clayon COMBINED at the Packers game. Yeah. He's getting old alright =)
[/quote]
thats not saying a lot when we only had 130 pass yards. We should have receivers with those kind of numbers, not the QB.

[T-Sizzle55]

[quote name='McBoller' date='09 December 2009 - 10:07 AM' timestamp='1260371225' post='307995']
I think its time to get a young GOOD TE in the draft, Drew is not going to work out.
[/quote]
L.J. Smith might play if he wasn't constantly hurt!

If Jermaine Gresham from Oklahoma is on the board guess who's comin to Baltimore. Never underestimate how much Ozzie loves his TEs.

[Twoo]

[quote name='McBoller' date='09 December 2009 - 02:27 PM' timestamp='1260386827' post='308220']
thats not saying a lot when we only had 130 pass yards. We should have receivers with those kind of numbers, not the QB.
[/quote]

Ok, how about the fact Heap averages 4 completions per game, Clayton averages 3, Mason averages 5.

[Raven-In-ATL]

I'm looking forward to the playoffs god willing but im really looking forward to the draft.

[FerrariFan87]

I've always been a big HEEEEEEEEEAP fan, but my goodness, he can't seem to catch anymore. His drops are costing us dearly.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='Twoo' date='09 December 2009 - 02:29 PM' timestamp='1260386980' post='308222']
Ok, how about the fact Heap averages 4 completions per game, Clayton averages 3, Mason averages 5.
[/quote]
Let me first reiterate that I love Heap and wish he stays a Raven for life. However..

When was the last time we saw Flacco hit Heap for a big gain down field? I can't remember. Thats because those 4 catches per game are short comeback routes in zone coverage. Anything in man coverage he cannot out run the linebacker anymore. They are right on him. Its not his fault. All those years of Boller hanging him out to dry over the middle and the resulting hits have had an obvious toll on his body.

Is Heap still valuable? Yes.
Is Heap a decent blocker? Yes.
Is Heap a game changing receiver anymore. No.

[Jamal]

I have been one of those people in denial of Heaps decline, but even I have to admit it now, as much as it pains me to say.
Forget the tough catches, he couldn't even make the easy catches Monday Night. He can't create separation, and doesn't have the same hands as he used to.

Todd Heap is one of my favorite Ravens to play in this franchise, but its time to find a new TE who Flacco can develop chemistry with.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='ravensfan160' date='09 December 2009 - 10:42 AM' timestamp='1260369773' post='307983']
Its sad to watch but he isn't anywhere close to the receiver he used to be. With defenses keyed in on the out patterns the middle of the field should be open. I've heard "experts" say its Flacco's fault but Heap looks slow and frankly...old. Even the tough catches he was known for making in the past are slipping through his fingers now.

I say its time we see more of LJ Smith. Harbaugh said on the radio last night that there will be some roster shakeups and I can't think of a more clear one than this (since Williams will probably start by default over injured Clayton).

Thoughts...?
[/quote]
Not everything is a problem with the Ravens. The kicking game isn't a problem like we say it is, and don't tell me Heap has no receiving skills. We just don't throw him the ball enough. And just for the record, I've seen some tough catches from him this year. Is he as good as he used to be, not at all, but that doesn't mean he sucks