Ravens tight end Todd Heap knew he couldn?t afford to stay at home like many veterans did during the offseason.
Coming off a frustrating season where he watched far more than he played, Heap wanted to prove he is still among the elite players at his position. To do that, Heap made sure he was at nearly every voluntary offseason workout, as he continues his comeback from a hamstring injury that limited the 28-year-old to six games in 2007.
“I am getting close, but I have some time and I have been putting in a ton of work [in] this offseason,” Heap said. “It?s been good. I?ve seen the benefits, but coming off that hamstring last year, I knew I had a long offseason ahead of me.”
Last season, he had just 23 catches for 239 yards and a touchdown, his lowest offensive production since his rookie season in 2001. When healthy, the former Arizona State star is one of the best tight ends in the NFL. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has 339 receptions for 3,897 yards and 27 touchdowns in seven seasons.
While he has played in all 16 games four times, Heap has also dealt with his share of injuries, as he missed 10 games due to injuries in 2004.
Having a healthy Heap has become even more important for the Ravens this year. Fellow tight end Quinn Sypniewski is outfor the year with a knee injury and Daniel Wilcox is still recovering from a toe injury. The injuries have forced the Ravens to try a number of different players at tight end, including rookie Xavier Lee, a former Florida State quarterback, who was waived today.
Wilcox and Heap are both expected to be ready for training camp, with players beginning to report July 21 to McDaniel College in Westminster.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh has been impressed with Heap?s work ethic and expects him to return to Pro Bowl form this season.
“It?s been good to see Todd?s progress,” Harbaugh said. “He had the hamstring [injury], and early on he was unable to do anything, and he?s out here running around. He?ll tell me, ?Coach, you haven?t seen anything yet.? So, I?m looking forward to seeing the rest of it, but he?s had a good couple of weeks here.”
Another motivating factor for Heap has been his desire to learn the Ravens? new offense being installed by offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. Cameron has had great success utilizing tight ends, especially in San Diego where Antonio Gates developed into one of the league?s premier players. Gates has 340 catches for 4,362 yards and 43 touchdowns since joining the Chargers in 2003.
“It still is a process and a lot to learn, but I am trying to pick it up as quickly as I can,” Heap said. “It?s been fun. I?ve lined up most places on the field in my career but to come in and learn a totally new offense, from the bottom, from the beginning, its been fun, and I have enjoyed it.”
