Anyone missing Heap?

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1349319719' post='1176680']
I'm just concerned about Ed Dickson being a no-show through 4 weeks... where'd he go?
[/quote]

We haven't really needed him. Three WR sets have been serving us much better thus far.

But yeah, I miss Heap for sentimental reasons. He was a true Raven and will certainly make our RoH, but right now, Pitta is flourishing.

[BMORElegacy]

[quote name='codizzle' timestamp='1349323688' post='1176709']
Heap got hurt on a play when the ravens were on a 2 minute drive in 2nd Q( hurt his ankle pretty bad).. They had to line up to spike th ball... Obvious play...
It was obvious to everyone Heap was hurt.. He was limping really bad

Heap lined up just so Boller could hike it and spike..well porter decked heap as soon as the ball was hiked and it sent Heap falling back.. Heap didn't return to the game
[/quote]I hate that SOB Porter... The epitome of "Steeler Football."

[rlh445]

Yea. Let's not get it twisted; I love American Express. He's made lots of clutch catches already and the chemistry between him and Joe is already apparent. He's the Jason Witten to Flacco's Tony Romo. I don't want people to get the wrong idea, I just couldn't believe that people were saying they don't miss him because of injuries he incurred while trying his hardest to advance this franchise. He wasn't some Mr. Glass like Mike Vick is, he just got hung out to dry on way too many throws and when he was in his prime, it wasn't nearly as wussified as today's NFL so guys just laid that wood and his injuries accrued over time. I stand by what I said: if the football Gods came down to me and said, 'You can have either Pitta and Dickson, or Todd Heap in his prime again,' I'd choose Heap every time.

[rlh445]

[quote name='BMORElegacy' timestamp='1349324449' post='1176717']
I hate that SOB Porter... The epitome of "Steeler Football."
[/quote]

God, Joey Porter ALWAYS made me sooooo angry. He was the mouthiest, dirtiest player and I hated him more than any other Steeler until the day he FINALLY left the game. Thank God for small favors.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='rlh445' timestamp='1349324460' post='1176718']
Yea. Let's not get it twisted; I love American Express. He's made lots of clutch catches already and the chemistry between him and Joe is already apparent. He's the Jason Witten to Flacco's Tony Romo. I don't want people to get the wrong idea, I just couldn't believe that people were saying they don't miss him because of injuries he incurred while trying his hardest to advance this franchise. He wasn't some Mr. Glass like Mike Vick is, he just got hung out to dry on way too many throws and when he was in his prime, it wasn't nearly as wussified as today's NFL so guys just laid that wood and his injuries accrued over time. I stand by what I said: [b]if the football Gods came down to me and said, 'You can have either Pitta and Dickson, or Todd Heap in his prime again,' I'd choose Heap every time.[/b]
[/quote]

No one is arguing against that. We almost all agree. We're just stating the obvious, which is that that's not the situation.

[BMORElegacy]

Found this on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette about the Porter incident. It was like a blast from the past reading quotes from Ogden and McAlister.

[url="http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/porter-finds-a-heap-of-trouble-550924/"]http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/porter-finds-a-heap-of-trouble-550924/[/url]

[CalvinSmoke]

Since we are playing KC next i think it's appropriate to say, that Heap DESTROYED the cheifs... he had something like 9 catches against them last time we played

[Ravensfan23]

Man i would have loved to see Heap in this offense. You know how they say guys are ahead of their time? Well Heap was definitely ahead of the offense. I always got a little POed when people mentioned Tony G and Gates as the best TEs in the NFL and wouldn't mention help. It was never a knock to those guys, i just felt if Heap had someone better throwing him the ball in a better offense, he'd be just as good.

People talk about Heap always being injury, go back and watch his tape and see how often the poor Ravens QBs hung him out to dry over the middle. Everybody in the stadium would know that Heap was getting the ball, often time hearing Heeeaaapppp before the ball was even caught, yet the defense couldn't stop him.

For you young guyys that didn't get the chance to see Heap in his prime, you truly missed out. Also in terms of him often being injured, think about the shots that Ed Dickson takes working the seams, now intensify it by 20, because guys weren't getting penalized most times. Heap would just pop back up and go to work. There aren't many offensive players that you look at and say he played like a Ravens. Heap was definitely one of them.

From a talent standpoint, Pitta doesn't come close and that says a lot because Pitta is real good, but Heap was special. No doubt that if the Ravens had a better offense, that Heap would be our second offensive HOFer behind JO when he was ready to retire. Not sure Pitta has that type of potential

[Tank 92]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1349333029' post='1176752']
Man i would have loved to see Heap in this offense. You know how they say guys are ahead of their time? Well Heap was definitely ahead of the offense. I always got a little POed when people mentioned Tony G and Gates as the best TEs in the NFL and wouldn't mention help. It was never a knock to those guys, i just felt if Heap had someone better throwing him the ball in a better offense, he'd be just as good.

People talk about Heap always being injury, go back and watch his tape and see how often the poor [i][b]Ravens QBs hung him out to dry over the middle. Everybody in the stadium would know that Heap was getting the ball, often time hearing Heeeaaapppp before the ball was even caught, yet the defense couldn't stop him.

For you young guyys that didn't get the chance to see Heap in his prime, you truly missed out. Also in terms of him often being injured, think about the shots that Ed Dickson takes working the seams, now intensify it by 20, because guys weren't getting penalized most times. Heap would just pop back up and go to work. There aren't many offensive players that you look at and say he played like a Ravens. Heap was definitely one of them.[/b][/i]

From a talent standpoint, Pitta doesn't come close and that says a lot because Pitta is real good, but Heap was special. No doubt that if the Ravens had a better offense, that Heap would be our second offensive HOFer behind JO when he was ready to retire. Not sure Pitta has that type of potential
[/quote]


And he always made the catch and held the ball, no matter how hard the hit. The guy was amazing!

Some commenting in this thread draw comparison to Mase, but Derrick was a transplant. Todd was with us from the beginning of his career. When the time comes, I hope there is a way that he can retire as a Raven.

[BMORElegacy]

Anybody remember this spectacular grab in the season opener two years ago? Even at the end of his career he still had something special left in the tank.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtKUSU0lFog"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtKUSU0lFog[/url]

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1349312572' post='1176643']
If we're talking Heap in his prime then everyone here should miss Heap, he was a better TE in his prime than Pitta is now. Pitta doesn't run much up the seam stuff or deeper over the middle. Heap ran routes all over the field and was a savvy route runner with above average hands. Even on the downswing of his career he absolutely ate up Eric Berry in the 2010 divisional playoff game against the Chiefs.

I don't know how many young dudes are in this thread, but for about 5 years Heap and Jamal Lewis were literally the only players on the team that could score points. And Heap took an absolute licking trying to make plays for Kyle Boller. If Heap had Flacco throwing to him his whole career Heap would still be playing at a high level.

If we're talking about the here and now, then obviously the FO made the right decision to go with young legs.
[/quote]

Quoted for truth.

Heap was the man.

[display name]

[quote name='Hjulmann' timestamp='1349303585' post='1176526']
So, I saw this post [url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000069155/article/alfred-morris-brian-hartline-lead-nfls-earlyseason-surprises?module=HP11_content_stream"]http://www.nfl.com/n..._content_stream[/url]
on NFL's website, which is basically an analysis of the breakout players this far in the season, where Gil Brandt has been mentioning Dennis Pitta as one of the breakout players. He was showing some of his star ability late last season, especially in the playoffs. This made me think, has he been THE replacement for Heap, and is it true what Gil Brandt says, are we better on TE than we were when Heap was here?
No disrespect to Heap, but I have to say, I really don't miss him all that much, and my personal opinion is that Pitta has been an incredible addition.
[/quote]
I'm with [i]The Raven[/i], I only miss him for centimental reasons. Heap was a great tight end when he wasn't hurt, but we have a good thing going right now with Dickson and Pitta that will last a lot longer. Plus, they will get injured a lot less than Heap did.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1349323421' post='1176707']
Porter cheap-shotted Heap after i believe some sort of illegal procedure penalty? Anyways Heap was dealing with an ankle injury if i remember and Porter just leveled him for no reason other than being a dirty player.
[/quote]

My son and I were at that game. I felt like running onto the field with a bb bat and clocking porter. It was like witnessing a mugging out on the street.

[darklight1216]

I miss him so much.

[Alexir]

[quote name='Hjulmann' timestamp='1349303585' post='1176526']
So, I saw this post [url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000069155/article/alfred-morris-brian-hartline-lead-nfls-earlyseason-surprises?module=HP11_content_stream"]http://www.nfl.com/n..._content_stream[/url]
on NFL's website, which is basically an analysis of the breakout players this far in the season, where Gil Brandt has been mentioning Dennis Pitta as one of the breakout players. He was showing some of his star ability late last season, especially in the playoffs. This made me think, has he been THE replacement for Heap, and is it true what Gil Brandt says, are we better on TE than we were when Heap was here?
No disrespect to Heap, but I have to say, I really don't miss him all that much, and my personal opinion is that Pitta has been an incredible addition.
[/quote]

We don't need slow, injury prone guys. Glad he was with us, but all good things must come to an end.

[GOTA]

It's okay to miss Heap as a person. As a 12 season veteran who's been pounded playing in the middle of the field, not so much. Not everyone is able to play forever at a high level like Ray Lewis has be able to.

[display name]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1349361406' post='1176809']
[b]We don't need slow, injury prone guys.[/b] Glad he was with us, but all good things must come to an end.
[/quote]
Are you forgetting that Heap and Jamal Lewis were our offense for years? Sure he wasn't fast and got injured often but he was a big, possession receiver and a class act. Who knows how many games he won for us!
Edit: But I must admit, I'm glad we got rid of him.

[bauer77]

I loved having him, like many have said, him and Mason were our only receivers for a good 5 years. They were our offense. He got to learn under Shannon Sharpe, one of the best TE's to ever play the game. And if Heap would've had Flacco throwing to him from the beginning of his career, i honestly believe we would be considering Heap one of the best in the game (and take away his injuries obviously).

If your asking if i miss him now? Then no. Ever since he left he's been injured. Pitta is like Heap in a lot of ways anyway. I just hope that one day Heap goes into our ROH, and i have a huge amount of respect for him.

[SideStep77]

I like our receiving corps now, but I'll always be able to wear my first Jersey #86 around with pride knowing he was a great guy for us while we had him. We've moved on to younger players and I wish him the best of luck with Arizona this season especially staying healthy.

[izvoodoo]

I wanted him to win a ring. Him and JJ I wanted to win a championship with us.

[Purple Punishment]

I think the real question shouldn't be do miss Heap. It should be

What kind of career would Heap have had in this offense of ours now? Honestly like I said, I don't miss him but without him we wouldn't have won as many games with a stagnant offense in the early to mid 2000s.

Imagine his abilities in this offense. Great all around blocking and receiving TE. He would be better than Jimmy Graham IMO

[The Raven]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1349333029' post='1176752']
Man i would have loved to see Heap in this offense. You know how they say guys are ahead of their time? Well Heap was definitely ahead of the offense. I always got a little POed when people mentioned Tony G and Gates as the best TEs in the NFL and wouldn't mention help. It was never a knock to those guys, i just felt if Heap had someone better throwing him the ball in a better offense, he'd be just as good.

People talk about Heap always being injury, go back and watch his tape and see how often the poor Ravens QBs hung him out to dry over the middle. Everybody in the stadium would know that Heap was getting the ball, often time hearing Heeeaaapppp before the ball was even caught, yet the defense couldn't stop him.

[b]For you young guyys that didn't get the chance to see Heap in his prime, you truly missed out. Also in terms of him often being injured, think about the shots that Ed Dickson takes working the seams, now intensify it by 20, because guys weren't getting penalized most times. Heap would just pop back up and go to work. There aren't many offensive players that you look at and say he played like a Ravens. Heap was definitely one of them.[/b]

From a talent standpoint, Pitta doesn't come close and that says a lot because Pitta is real good, but Heap was special. No doubt that if the Ravens had a better offense, that Heap would be our second offensive HOFer behind JO when he was ready to retire. Not sure Pitta has that type of potential
[/quote]

You forgot to mention that Heap actually held on to the ball after taking a shot, unlike Dickson who drops it every time he takes a shot.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Purple Punishment' timestamp='1349364954' post='1176841']
I think the real question shouldn't be do miss Heap. It should be

What kind of career would Heap have had in this offense of ours now? Honestly like I said, I don't miss him but without him we wouldn't have won as many games with a stagnant offense in the early to mid 2000s.

Imagine his abilities in this offense. Great all around blocking and receiving TE. He would be better than Jimmy Graham IMO
[/quote]

If we had a rookie Todd Heap in this offense he could break records.

[Alexir]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1349362078' post='1176820']

Are you forgetting that Heap and Jamal Lewis were our offense for years? Sure he wasn't fast and got injured often but he was a big, possession receiver and a class act. Who knows how many games he won for us!
Edit: But I must admit, I'm glad we got rid of him.
[/quote]

Hence the rest of my post. Thankful for them both, but we had to move on

[Dudeman]

Our upcoming game against the Chiefs has reminded me of Heaps 2010 play-off game. I miss him more for the man he is than anything else. A true class act, his only downside was being oft injured AFTER Boller left town.

Furthermore, people forget that Heap was a mentor to Dickson/Pitta in the same way that Sharpe was his mentor. They shared a season and most of an off-season together, and I am sure the younguns learned plenty from Heap about being a pro.

I also feel that something should be said about the nature of the game and having to move on from players. As a fan we have the luxury of sentimentality and nostalgia that the front office can't. I really feel that Heap emptied the tank here for us in so many ways, even if he wasn't aware of it before his time was done.

There is certainly a place in the Ring of Honor for Todd whenever he retires.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1349365639' post='1176848']


You forgot to mention that Heap actually held on to the ball after taking a shot, unlike Dickson who drops it [b]every time he takes a shot.[/b]
[/quote]

And more importantly, when he doesn't take a shot.

[display name]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1349377066' post='1176933']
And more importantly, when he doesn't take a shot.
[/quote]
And that's one of several reasons why we all wanted Pitta to be the starter.
Pitta and Heap are actually very similar.

[admartian]

I do get surprised on how people are quick to stain Heap's name. Dude and Jamal (before decline) was our [b]lone [/b]bright spot in the passing game for years.

Was a great guy too. Like I said before, his letter just after leaving was just pure class.

[Hjulmann]

[quote name='redrum52' timestamp='1349322155' post='1176700']
I can't believe what I'm seeing. How disrespectful *Stephen A Smith voice. The man was a warrior and though oft injured for a while was our only vertical offense. He never feared going over the middle and sacrificed his body for the betterment of the team. Don't forget what division he played in. Its no walk in the park being a TE in the AFC North especially before all the rule changes. Let's also not get into the qbs that left him out to dry with some terribly thrown balls. I'm definitely a fan of Pitta but there is no reason throw dirt on HEEEAAAAPP'S name.
[/quote]
As I wrote in my post, this thread was meant in no disrespect to Heap, I miss Heap for being Heap, but I don't miss him as a player, since we have better replacements.

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1349322366' post='1176703']
So by saying that we don't miss him is disrespecting him? I have all the respect in the world for him, but Pitta is the better tight end at this point and there isn't much you can say to argue differently. There is no reason to miss Heap right now for anything other than sentimental reason. Nobody threw any dirt on Heap's name. We all love him.
[/quote]
And this was exactly what I was getting at.

[Militant X 1]

do i miss Heap? let's seeeeeeeee.....

Dennis "THE WHITE TIGHT END.....DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT HIM" Pitta.

absolutely not!!!

~Mili