Merged Todd Heap Threads

[kris21054]

after reading the article on espn.com, james walker brings up a good point, maybe smith is an insurance policy, who did we have backing up heap last year? defensive linemen, linebackers, offensive linemen. no true tight end, so maybe this is all a insurance policy, or even with smith having a one year contract maybe it gives time for a drafted tightend to be groomed.

[url="http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcnorth/0-2-240/What-L-J--Smith-means-to-the-Ravens.html"]http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcnorth/0-2-24...the-Ravens.html[/url]

[#1 D]

[quote name='kris21054' post='169709' date='Mar 17 2009, 06:31 PM']after reading the article on espn.com, james walker brings up a good point, maybe smith is an insurance policy, who did we have backing up heap last year? defensive linemen, linebackers, offensive linemen. no true tight end, so maybe this is all a insurance policy, or even with smith having a one year contract maybe it gives time for a drafted tightend to be groomed.

[url="http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcnorth/0-2-240/What-L-J--Smith-means-to-the-Ravens.html"]http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcnorth/0-2-24...the-Ravens.html[/url][/quote]
Yea it looks like Smith might just end up landing here. And if that's so, i mean from what i've seen he's nothing but a solid TE. But if L.J. Smith really comes here, then that means that you can probably say goodbye to the idea of drafting Brandon Pettigrew imo. ravens will probably assess bigger needs in the draft.

[Sizzle]

Last year the reason we used an O-line as a TE was because teams knew we were going to run and we knew we HAD to run so i don't think its an insurance policy. If Todd heap doesn't step it up next year look for him to take a pay cut or leave, the one problem is his cap charge is 6 mil i think if the nfl becomes uncapped by then we wouldn't care.

[kris21054]

most of the team when we had someone come in besides heap i was pretty sure we threw the ball

[POE]

I think Heap's status after last season actually got better. He showed true versatility in playing both the pass(not as good as the past) and staying in and blocking(better then previous years). He made some great plays when his number was dialed up and also made some bone head plays when we needed him, but all in all I love knowing that we have somebody out of Heap's caliber and I feel Cam will utilize him a little more this coming season.

If L.J. Smith does sign with us then maybe we are looking at running a 2 TE set to help confuse Defenses, ultimately buying time for Flacco. I don't like Smith's health issues but when healthy he seemed very effective. It could also be just an insurance signing, as some have said already, to insure we have a viable replacement/depth incase of injury but not sure you sign a guy like Smith for that type of role. He is a solid TE and look forward to seeing what the Ravens have in store for the upcoming season.

[itscbm5042]

I like the idea of a two TE set close to the end zone where Heap and Smith are both nice targets for Joe. Watching LJ's game film he has a knack for getting open in the red zone.

[T-Sizzle55]

[quote name='kris21054' post='169709' date='Mar 17 2009, 06:31 PM']after reading the article on espn.com, james walker brings up a good point, maybe smith is an insurance policy, who did we have backing up heap last year? defensive linemen, linebackers, offensive linemen. no true tight end, so maybe this is all a insurance policy, or even with smith having a one year contract maybe it gives time for a drafted tightend to be groomed.

[url="http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcnorth/0-2-240/What-L-J--Smith-means-to-the-Ravens.html"]http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcnorth/0-2-24...the-Ravens.html[/url][/quote]

It's probably an insurance policy for Todd and Quinn Sypniewski. Sypniewski had what turned out to be a herendous knee injury in mini camp.

"Quinn Sypniewski, a backup tight end, was lost for the season after tearing a knee ligament in minicamp. Sypniewski will need approximately nine months to fully heal." -Kori Ellis

[url="http://www.thefantasykickoff.com/quinn-sypniewski-injury-update/"]http://www.thefantasykickoff.com/quinn-syp...-injury-update/[/url]

Quinn underwent reconstructive knee sugery. For all the people who don't know if Quinn can come back in top form, it is very possible. Modern medicine has made wonderful advances and athletes are returning to action sooner and without major issues. Kelly Gregg underwent surgery for a different procedure, but in a past interview he said he feels great. He said he can't remember the last time his knee felt this good and jokingly told reporters he now wants to have surgery on his other knee.

[tweety]

All I know is Heap can't be happy here. Let's see how he is implemented next year.

[jezzy]

[quote name='Sizzle' post='169726' date='Mar 17 2009, 05:59 PM']Last year the reason we used an O-line as a TE was because teams knew we were going to run and we knew we HAD to run so i don't think its an insurance policy. If Todd heap doesn't step it up next year look for him to take a pay cut or leave, the one problem is his cap charge is 6 mil i think if the nfl becomes uncapped by then we wouldn't care.[/quote]
heap had a good year he dont have to step up he did what he was asked to do which was blocking heap is still a top 10 te he dropped a couple passes but he didnt complain and was solid so heap aint going no were with this signing i think heap will have a much bigger role in the passing game he did make the game winning catch at the titans so he def dont have to prove nothing

[McBoller]

[quote name='Sizzle' post='169726' date='Mar 17 2009, 06:59 PM']Last year the reason we used an O-line as a TE was because teams knew we were going to run and we knew we HAD to run so i don't think its an insurance policy.[/quote]
tell me about it...You had everyone on espn, nfln, etc talking about our unbalanced line formations and using three tackles instead of a tackle and 2 TEs. Yet somehow when we were showing 100% run and we did, it was effective. Hopefully being able to throw in another tight end can mix it up some more...

[DBOWSRAVENS]

Call me crazy, but even though smith only got a one year deal, i think he was brought in as the "new direction" for the ravens at tight end. Lets face it, heap does not belong in this offense, he doesn't seem to be as versatile anymore and is mainly used as a extra over-paid lineman. He dropped a lot of passes last year that could have been caught with linebackers on his back a few years ago. I am not saying i hate heap by any means but we need to get back to the big show and he is not really gonna help us get there the way someone else would (if he keeps playing that way) . Which leads me to think that he could be used as bargaining chips along with a pick or two to go out and get crabtree or maclin. Think about it, the one thing that this team needs (in my opinion) is a receiver but the ravens have not even talked to a free agent receiver (according to all the sites that i read on) and they just signed a TE and heap is going to make a couple mil this year and our salary cap needs a stimulus package. To me, it makes sense. But i will be honest, i think the only way that crabtree becomes a raven is if he falls out of the top ten and the eleventh team does not want him. We cant afford to pay top ten money but it would be nice. Maclin would just be a good fit because he can do so much for the team as a return man, a slot guy and a option guy. Remember, the ravens ran the option with troy and clayton so just add maclin to the mix. Besides, cam cameron is great at creating mismatches and would figure out a way to get maclin one on one with a linebacker or safety. But i do think that the ravens could still go after DHB, but that's if they cant trade up to get the other two. The bears have showed a lot of interest in DHB and i hope the ravens do what they have to do. I know a lot of y'all like hakim nicks, probably because of that behind the back circus catch but i want y'all to notice something. That ball should have been caught clean but it was not and also in the NFL, he would have been hit on the second bobble and that play would have been just another incompletion or a pick in the books, not a highlight reel. Besides, we have too many possession receivers as his because he ain't a deep threat. Like i said, call me crazy but that's how i feel. What do you think?

[ravensalways]

Why does everyone want to trade heap? Smith isn't even on the same level as heap.

[McBoller]

[quote name='DBOWSRAVENS' post='169807' date='Mar 17 2009, 10:34 PM']Call me crazy....[/quote]
You're Nuckin Futs
[quote name='DBOWSRAVENS' post='169807' date='Mar 17 2009, 10:34 PM']Like i said, call me crazy ...[/quote]
You are one crazy-insane-out-of-your-mother-Fing-mind SOAB.

[DBOWSRAVENS]

[quote name='ravensalways' post='169808' date='Mar 17 2009, 10:35 PM']Why does everyone want to trade heap? Smith isn't even on the same level as heap.[/quote] do we need to waste about six mil on a blocking tight end? No! And smith isnt on the same level as heap cuz he down field catching passes while heap pass blocks!!!! You know its the truth.

[FabFabian]

[quote name='DBOWSRAVENS' post='169815' date='Mar 17 2009, 10:44 PM']do we need to waste about six mil on a blocking tight end? No! And smith isnt on the same level as heap cuz he down field catching passes while heap pass blocks!!!! You know its the truth.[/quote]

heap is no where near as good as he used to be... and ur exactly right he is a blocking tight end.. and yes L.J Smith is def on the same level as heap, look what he did for the past years with phili yea last year wasnt to big for him but he just need to have a new scenery and he got it.. he didnt want to even play in phili alst year if u havent been keeping up with nfl network... same as lito and hes a hell of a corner.. for u who all think we need heap desperately.. ur sad, dont be even commenting on these forums if u think we need heap so abdly. im tired of seeing him catch 1 ball a game. and mostly HE DROPS THEM.... the first post i agree with 100% i think ozzi def has something up his sleeve and it is for a reciever.. possibly for a defensive end.. who knows, but will find out and see..
also whoever starts a new topic on old ****** veteran reciever.. what the heck? SERIOUSLY.. ur all being ridiculous. if anything mason will have an extension or he will be released bring in holt and go to the draft.. thats how its going to pan out. releasing will be samari tomorrow and hopefully yamon who is such a puspack.. ok going to bed peace fools. before u post anything make sure u know what ur talking about before u make urself sound like an idiot

[ravensalways]

[quote name='DBOWSRAVENS' post='169815' date='Mar 17 2009, 10:44 PM']do we need to waste about six mil on a blocking tight end? No! And smith isnt on the same level as heap cuz he down field catching passes while heap pass blocks!!!! You know its the truth.[/quote]
It's not heaps fault that he's blocking. Heap can still go deep, He made a great catch against the titians. Smith longest catch went for 23 yards, Heaps longest went for 30 yards last season, So saying smith is a better down field player is not true at all. At least with heap we had a player that could go down field and block, Smith isn't a better run blocker than heap and we like to run a lot. I'm just saying I wouldn't agre with trading up when one of those WR's would still probably fall to us at the #26th pick.

[I*Bleed*Purple]

[quote name='FabFabian' post='169823' date='Mar 17 2009, 09:57 PM']heap is no where near as good as he used to be... and ur exactly right he is a blocking tight end.. and yes L.J Smith is def on the same level as heap, look what he did for the past years with phili yea last year wasnt to big for him but he just need to have a new scenery and he got it.. he didnt want to even play in phili alst year if u havent been keeping up with nfl network... same as lito and hes a hell of a corner.. for u who all think we need heap desperately.. ur sad, dont be even commenting on these forums if u think we need heap so abdly. im tired of seeing him catch 1 ball a game. and mostly HE DROPS THEM.... the first post i agree with 100% i think ozzi def has something up his sleeve and it is for a reciever.. possibly for a defensive end.. who knows, but will find out and see..
also whoever starts a new topic on old ****** veteran reciever.. what the heck? SERIOUSLY.. ur all being ridiculous. if anything mason will have an extension or he will be released bring in holt and go to the draft.. thats how its going to pan out. releasing will be samari tomorrow and hopefully yamon who is such a puspack.. ok going to bed peace fools. [b]before u post anything make sure u know what ur talking about before u make urself sound like an idiot[/b][/quote]

Oh you mean like every post you make? I'm not saying that I disagree with your opinion, but my 6-year old nephew can write better than you.

[52Kia Kaha92]

why do people want to trade heap when we signed a back up tight end, With Gaither now ready to take on one on ones and Flacco knowing the offense better heap wil be running more routes so he will be his old self, id much rather have a stud TE like Heap in his prime than some slow as, product of the system Crabtree who we would be wasting 45 mil on.

WE MUST KEEP HEAP!!!!!
Dont you guys love him like i do, or are you just gonna kick him to the curb ?

[kris21054]

[quote name='FabFabian' post='169823' date='Mar 17 2009, 10:57 PM']heap is no where near as good as he used to be... and ur exactly right he is a blocking tight end.. and yes L.J Smith is def on the same level as heap, look what he did for the past years with phili yea last year wasnt to big for him but he just need to have a new scenery and he got it.. he didnt want to even play in phili alst year if u havent been keeping up with nfl network... same as lito and hes a hell of a corner.. for u who all think we need heap desperately.. ur sad, dont be even commenting on these forums if u think we need heap so abdly. im tired of seeing him catch 1 ball a game. and mostly HE DROPS THEM.... the first post i agree with 100% i think ozzi def has something up his sleeve and it is for a reciever.. possibly for a defensive end.. who knows, but will find out and see..
also whoever starts a new topic on old ****** veteran reciever.. what the heck? SERIOUSLY.. ur all being ridiculous. if anything mason will have an extension or he will be released bring in holt and go to the draft.. thats how its going to pan out. releasing will be samari tomorrow and hopefully yamon who is such a puspack.. ok going to bed peace fools. b[b]efore u post anything make sure u know what ur talking about before u make urself sound like an idiot[/b][/quote]
dude take ur own advice, first of all this is the 1st year heap has been a blocking tight end, he used to always be a recieving tight end having some very clutch plays but when u have a young line and even younger qb u got to have a vetern there to help block and protect. He drops a few balls and had an off year, Braylon Edwards had a good season the year before and this year drops a league high does that make him a bad reciever no. we all have bad seasons it part of life, unless u r perfect but u r a fabian washington fan and i am pretty sure he doesnt always have a great game. (he is a good player but isnt great, maybe we should trade him i mean we did just sign carr and foxworth maybe its to clean house completely on cb?)

[SupaBwandin]

Trade Heap?
Nahh

Were a run first team, and with two great TEs on the line, send them both on routes, pop out of PA and hit them clean for the first down.

Then, switch it up; have teams guessin. All im saying is that why get rid of major talent that causes mismatches? You don't.

[mhead66]

[quote name='DBOWSRAVENS' post='169815' date='Mar 17 2009, 10:44 PM']do we need to waste about six mil on a blocking tight end? No! And [b]smith isnt on the same level as heap cuz he down field catching passes while heap pass blocks!!!! You know its the truth[/b].[/quote]
So what you're saying it, Smith is more of a downfield receiver, and Heap is more of a blocker, right?

If I'm accurately interpreting your statement... you're wrong.

Smith averaged 8.1 Yds/catch in '08. Heap averaged 11.5.

Smith averaged 10.9 Yds/catch for his career. Heap, 11.5.

Heap is more of a downfield threat than Smith - it's just that he was USED as a blocker. You can't expect him to run post patterns if the play called requires him to stay in & block.

Heap will be the 1st string TE. Smith will be the 2nd TE.

Heap > Smith.

[neepo13]

I said like two weeks ago that I thought Smith would be coming here to back up Heap. Heap isnt going anywhere. He's already restructured his deal.

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

Heap was used as a blocker last season to add additional protection for Flacco. He may have dropped a few passes because his primary function was to block, not catch. Hopefully, Heap will return as a receiver next year.

[Ravensfan23]

With the addition of Lj and Quinn coming back, i think that will free up Heap. Also with the oline improved and in year 2 that should free Heap up even more.

I think people will be surprised by Heap and McGahee this year. I think they will both bounce back and have pro bowl caliber years.

[smashmouth]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' post='170215' date='Mar 18 2009, 08:42 PM']With the addition of Lj and Quinn coming back, i think that will free up Heap. Also with the oline improved and in year 2 that should free Heap up even more.

I think people will be surprised by Heap and McGahee this year. I think they will both bounce back and have pro bowl caliber years.[/quote]

I think your right, barring Injury of course.