Ravens tight end Todd Heap had the most productive season of his career last year. At the same time, it may have been the most painful.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection caught 75 passes for 855 yards and seven touchdowns ? all personal bests. However, he did so while dealing with the lingering effects of offseason ankle and shoulder surgeries.
Heap said he wasn?t sure what to expect from himself last year and literally had to assess his health on a game-to-game basis. Each game was a struggle for the 6-foot-5, 252-pounder, who last season set franchise records for career receptions (243) and career reception yards (2,893).
“Last year, I just spent training camp trying to get healthy,” Heap said. “I spent a lot of time in the training room trying to rehab my injuries. I was never sure I?d be ready to play in the first game of the season.”
This season is a much different story for Heap. He appears to be completely healthy for the first time in two years and is excited about working with new quarterback Steve McNair. McNair, the NFL?s co-MVP in 2003, has a history of working well with tight ends. One of his favorite targets during his tenure with the Tennessee Titans was former University of Maryland standout Frank Wycheck.
“Steve?s really good at going through his progressions,” Heap said. “We have certain reads on any given play, and he?ll read each one and makes sure to hit the open guy.”
Ravens head coach Brian Billick likes what he has seen so far from Heap, the team?s starting tight end since 2002.
“He had the whole offseason to get ready for the season rather than rehab,” Billick said. “He?s excited and I?m excited. He feels great, and that bodes well for the season.”
One person who understands how much McNair likes utilizing the tight end is wide receiver Derrick Mason, another former Titan who is entering his ninth season playing with the quarterback.
“Right now, he?s been hitting Todd like he?s been playing with him for the past eight or nine years,” Mason said.
THE HEAP FILE
Age: 26
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 252
College: Arizona State
How acquired: First-round draft pick (31st player taken) in the 2001 draft
Did you know? Heap made the Pro Bowl in 2002 and 2003. Has started all 16 regular-season games in three of his five seasons entering this year. Holds the Sun Devils? career reception record for tight ends with 115.
