Is Heap Done If Both Rookie TE's Are Solid In Camp?

[PurpleChaos]

I really don't see us carrying 3 TE's if that be the case
Thoughts?

[itscbm5042]

[quote name='PurpleChaos' date='10 May 2010 - 09:06 AM' timestamp='1273496812' post='408026']
I really don't see us carrying 3 TE's if that be the case
Thoughts?
[/quote]

We will carry 3 TEs because the rooks can both line up as hybrid WR/TE and create some major mismatch formations. Heap will be allowed to play out his contract he has done a lot for Baltimore. The odd man out is Davon Drew.

[BirdWatcher]

If they're planning on using 2 TE sets regularly, we may even carry 4 TEs on the roster, with 3 active on gameday.

[beasy2487]

[quote name='PurpleChaos' date='10 May 2010 - 09:06 AM' timestamp='1273496812' post='408026']
I really don't see us carrying 3 TE's if that be the case
Thoughts?
[/quote]

So if our 2 rookies show that they are what? Athletic? Skilled? Heap knows everything there is to know about our offense, plus he might be a better blocker now than either Pitta or Dickson will ever be... I don't see the logic of cutting him. As an aside though, I don't even think the rookies could dream of showing enough to unseat Heap at this point in their careers. I think they'd say the same.

[ravens__]

Heap is not done whether or not Dickson and Pitta deliver in the camp.
He is a nine year veteran and he has incredible knowledge of the game. Even if both rookies do wonders in the pre-season, Heap will still have his name called more.
As of now, neither of the rookies can block effectively and that's another reason Heap cannot be cut.

[Twoo]

Heap will be carried along with the other Pitta and Dickson. If P/D perform well during the regular season it's possible Heap will not return next year (imo).

[justifythegame]

Just because rookie's perform well in camp doesn't mean they are going to play well immediately for the first time against real NFL defenses. If we drafted Jermaine Gresham, a first round TE, we still wouldn't cut a veteran player who knows what he is doing to start a rookie player. And Harbaugh doesn't like playing rookies unless he has no choice. Heap has much knowledge of the game and would be a perfect mentor to the young TEs, if we cut Shannon Sharpe before he could mentor Todd Heap, i really don't think Heap would've been as great as he was.

[berad]

Yeah, three tight ends is right on average.. I wouldn't be surprised if they held onto four, Cameron likes Davon Drew.

[itscbm5042]

[quote name='berad' date='10 May 2010 - 11:23 AM' timestamp='1273505022' post='408081']
Yeah, three tight ends is right on average.. I wouldn't be surprised if they held onto four, Cameron likes Davon Drew.
[/quote]

We can't keep 4 RBs 6 WRs and 4 TEs something has to give. I just haven't been impressed with Davon Drew maybe he can block? Just read the "10 Things We Learned at Mini Camp" article and it confirmed what I had been saying. Pitta and Dickson are looking like huge receivers instead of traditional tight ends. For the Ravens, this is a very good thing. I can't think of a team that has 2 legitimate receiving threats at TE that play on the field at the same time. I think the Ravens may start a trend here. Under Heap's mentorship, Dickson and Pitta will take their natural talent to a whole new level. They both have great hands, size, height, toughness, and the ability to get open. I am telling you now we will see 3 TE sets with Heap, Dickson, and Pitta all on the field and it will be amazing. They are too fast to have LBs put on them 1 on 1 and so big and tall that they create mismatches on the opponents secondary.

Really excited about this young duo. But Heap will make them better, not be replaced by them.

[smashmouth]

2 words. NO WAY!

Just like when we drafted Heap,with Shannon Sharpe still on the roster.

[FerrariFan87]

Heap is still a beast and is finally healthy. He is going to provide valuable insights to our young TEs and will make them that much better.

[indianstick]

The whole point of getting these TEs was to ensure that heap will be fresh through out the season..we will definetly have 3 TEs

[Raven07]

remember a few weeks to month ago (or so) when the team and/or Cam mentioned (when asked about Heap) he will see Less snaps, but be more productive.... which means...staying healthy longer, which leads to being a more effective weapon for our offense to drive on when it really counts...... Defenses can gameplan all they want but in reality....... trying to cover, Mason, Heap, Stallworth, Boldin, Pitta all at the same time... that leads to one on one coverage for at least two of our recievers which leads to favorable matchups on our part.

Bottomline..... Cam Said short in sweet... Heap will see less snaps, but be a more effective weapon.

[RavensAllTheWay]

Heap will not lay down and quit if he sees himself being outperformed. And he still knows the offense better than Dickson and Pitta. I think he still has at least another year or two as the starting TE, but knowing us, we tend to get several different people involved and on the field. Not to worry for Dickson and Pitta, their time will come just as soon as we feel Heap is truly done.

[JayDaRavensFan]

Of course we'll keep 3 tight ends. It wouldnt make sense to draft them and then cut the best person for them to learn from.

[XxSizzleXx]

Considering he has said himself that he feels better this time than last season, and has said the same thing last year as well, I don't think Heap is going anywhere soon.

[btully27]

[quote name='itscbm5042' date='10 May 2010 - 11:36 AM' timestamp='1273505791' post='408086']
We can't keep 4 RBs 6 WRs and 4 TEs something has to give. I just haven't been impressed with Davon Drew maybe he can block? Just read the "10 Things We Learned at Mini Camp" article and it confirmed what I had been saying. Pitta and Dickson are looking like huge receivers instead of traditional tight ends. For the Ravens, this is a very good thing. I can't think of a team that has 2 legitimate receiving threats at TE that play on the field at the same time. I think the Ravens may start a trend here. Under Heap's mentorship, Dickson and Pitta will take their natural talent to a whole new level. They both have great hands, size, height, toughness, and the ability to get open. I am telling you now we will see 3 TE sets with Heap, Dickson, and Pitta all on the field and it will be amazing. They are too fast to have LBs put on them 1 on 1 and so big and tall that they create mismatches on the opponents secondary.

Really excited about this young duo. But Heap will make them better, not be replaced by them.
[/quote]
There already is a team with two legit Recieving threat type TEs..THE Dallas Cowboys..except we hav a bttr line to protect our QB

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='btully27' date='10 May 2010 - 12:38 PM' timestamp='1273523896' post='408208']
There already is a team with two legit Recieving threat type TEs..THE Dallas Cowboys..except we hav a bttr line to protect our QB
[/quote]

Jason Witten plus...?

[btully27]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' date='10 May 2010 - 04:45 PM' timestamp='1273524313' post='408209']
Jason Witten plus...?
[/quote]
Martellus Bennett.drafted 61st overal in '08..not a complete TE yet but is a good receiving TE so far & is said to hav a high ceiling for his NFL future especially since hes 6'6'' 265lbs...he caught 20 receptions for 283yds & 4Tds in 08..n only 15 receptions for 159yds in 09..not great yet but respectable for being #2 to witten..i mean a 12.6 yd per catch avg...id take that from a #2 TE

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' date='10 May 2010 - 04:45 PM' timestamp='1273524313' post='408209']
Jason Witten plus...?
[/quote]

...Martellus Bennett.

He's a huge guy (6'6" I think) with pretty good speed but has stone hands and obviously hears footsteps when he's catching in traffic. Another one of these huge potential guys that, for some reason or other, found himself compared to Vernon Davis.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='btully27' date='10 May 2010 - 04:57 PM' timestamp='1273525030' post='408211']
Martellus Bennett.drafted 61st overal in '08..not a complete TE yet but is a good receiving TE so far & is said to hav a high ceiling for his NFL future especially since hes 6'6'' 265lbs...he caught 20 receptions for 283yds & 4Tds in 08..n only 15 receptions for 159yds in 09..not great yet but respectable for being #2 to witten..i mean a 12.6 yd per catch avg...id take that from a #2 TE
[/quote]

Jinx...

[Romo Ravens]

Duly noted...

[Romo Ravens]

But either way, Heap is not done if Dickson and Pitta come out and perform well. It'll help us a lot when those two are able spell Heap while he has a breather. They might not be the best blockers, but I have heard that Dickson is above average at blocking, but they will still catch anything in site. Like so many have said, Flacco really doesnt have any excuses this year barring a meltdown or injuries.

[berad]

[quote name='itscbm5042' date='10 May 2010 - 11:36 AM' timestamp='1273505791' post='408086']
We can't keep 4 RBs 6 WRs and 4 TEs something has to give. I just haven't been impressed with Davon Drew maybe he can block? Just read the "10 Things We Learned at Mini Camp" article and it confirmed what I had been saying. Pitta and Dickson are looking like huge receivers instead of traditional tight ends. For the Ravens, this is a very good thing. I can't think of a team that has 2 legitimate receiving threats at TE that play on the field at the same time. I think the Ravens may start a trend here. Under Heap's mentorship, Dickson and Pitta will take their natural talent to a whole new level. They both have great hands, size, height, toughness, and the ability to get open. I am telling you now we will see 3 TE sets with Heap, Dickson, and Pitta all on the field and it will be amazing. They are too fast to have LBs put on them 1 on 1 and so big and tall that they create mismatches on the opponents secondary.

Really excited about this young duo. But Heap will make them better, not be replaced by them.
[/quote]

Who said anything about all of those other players? This is a topic on TEs. I'm absolutely sure, barring injury, that the Ravens will hold onto three TEs and I said I [i]would not be surprised[/i] if the Ravens kept four. That doesn't mean they will...

[edreedfromtheu]

[quote name='PurpleChaos' date='10 May 2010 - 09:06 AM' timestamp='1273496812' post='408026']
I really don't see us carrying 3 TE's if that be the case
Thoughts?
[/quote]

Heap's season only depends on one thing... and that is Heap's health. If he is healthy, he will be on the field. He's a great receiver, great hands, and can go up over people. Considering the Ravens didn't really add any height to their receivers, and might not have Kelley Washington back... Heap's height makes him a major impact, especially in the red zone. The only time Heap is a liability is AFTER the catch. If he tried to run, look out. The first defender he sees, he jumps up in the air and tried to hurdle them every single time, and it usually results in a fumble. If that's not the case, then an injury usually occurs.

The one exception to this being years ago against San Diego where Heap caught the game winner, absorbing a Shawne Merriman knockout attempt, and diving in for the touchdown.

So yeah, if Heap is healthy... he will be on the field. The starter, and the primary pass catcher of all tight ends. The way Cam Cameron used Gates in San Diego, I thought Heap was in for a huge year last year. Hopefully they get it right this year, and we don't see dump-off passes to Ray Rice every single snap even when others are open.

[TSizzle00]

Even if both TEs are solid Heap wont be cut. he knows the offense and can block and catch the ball well.

[RoflDogs]

Heap will be our blocking TE

[berad]

[quote name='RoflDogs' date='11 May 2010 - 09:22 PM' timestamp='1273627378' post='408805']
Heap will be our blocking TE
[/quote]

He's going to be a receiving option, as well, he won't only be relegated to blocking duties. He just came off his best, healthiest season since 2006. Why would the Ravens not continue to utilize him to the best of his abilities?

[BloodRaven]

They're still just rookies with no NFL experience, not to mention neither can block yet.

[JohnnyBoy8102]

Heap is still just 30 years old and if he has the two rookies to spell him at times he will not wear down during the season.

Having the two rookies actually benefits him more in my opinion. If they don't produce, it will put more wear and tear on Heap.