Untitled Page

Todd Heap News & Rumors

Outside the huddle: Arizona Cardinals tight end Todd Heap
November 23
Arizona Republic
 
"Each week, The Republic spotlights a Cardinals player for a series of on-the-spot, off-beat questions. Today: Todd Heap, tight end. Question: Thanks for agreeing to do this. It'll be short and painless, unlike that hamstring thing you've got going on. How is the hammy doing, by the way? Answer: It's coming. Every one is different, so you've just got to make sure you're completely healthy before you get back out there or you risk re-injuring it. There's many different grades and different kinds of hamstring injuries."
Arizona Cardinals TE Todd Heap hoping to face former team
October 27
Arizona Republic
 
"Tight end Todd Heap spent his first 10 NFL seasons with the Ravens, so he has looked forward to returning to Baltimore this weekend since signing with the Cardinals last summer. The trip would be even better if Heap can play, something he hasn't done since suffering a hamstring injury three weeks ago. "I'm taking it day to day right now," he said. "I'm hoping I'll be ready." Heap was surprised when the Ravens released him in July. The Ravens needed the cap space ($4.6 million) and they had drafted two tight ends, Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson, the year before. "It's something that hit me out of left field. I didn't see it coming," Heap said."
Cardinals' Todd Heap, Joey Porter form new alliance in red
September 7
Arizona Republic
 
"That wasn't always the case between Todd Heap and Joey Porter. For six bloody years, they were in the middle of the NFL's most vicious rivalry. Porter was an instigating, bone-crushing linebacker for the Steelers. Heap was a quiet tight end for the mouthy Ravens, a team that delighted in matching Pittsburgh's Old World toughness. And then it became personal. "Joey and I obviously have a very good relationship now," Heap said. "But I wasn't too fond of him for a long time." Their relationship soured early in the 2004 season, after Heap injured his ankle near the end of the first half. He hobbled to the line of scrimmage, in no condition to play. The Ravens decided to spike the ball"
Cardinals' Todd Heap is happy to come home
August 3
Arizona Republic
 
"Todd Heap felt comfortable in the Cardinals cap he wore to his introductory news conference Tuesday, although he never dreamed he would acquire it the way he did. After playing 10 seasons in Baltimore, Heap figured he would end his career with the Ravens. Instead, the team released him last week, and after weighing offers from a few other teams, Heap signed a two-year deal worth about $6 million with the Cardinals. Heap was all smiles Tuesday, just more than a week after Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome shocked him with the phone call telling him he was no longer going to be with the team. "I was not expecting what was coming out his mouth," Heap said. "But, hey, I've been around this"
Cardinals agree to terms with tight end Todd Heap
August 1
Arizona Republic
 
"The former Arizona State and Mesa Mountain View player has agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the Cardinals, giving the club a pass-catching threat at tight end for the first time in a decade. Heap, 31, comes to Arizona after spending 10 seasons with the Ravens. He made the Pro Bowl twice and was twice all-Pro. Nicknamed "The Golden Retriever", Heap is a potent pass receiver who presents defenses with matchup problems. Heap has been hampered by injuries in his career, however, and the Ravens released him shortly before the start of camp in a cost-cutting move."
Ravens make surprising cuts after lockout ends
July 26
Baltimore Sun
 
"The celebration of the NFL's 4-month lockout ending turned into disbelief when the Ravens cut four players, including their top two receivers of all time. According to league sources, the Ravens informed tight end Todd Heap, wide receiver Derrick Mason, nose tackle Kelly Gregg and running back Willis McGahee that they will be released only a few hours after the NFL and its players agreed on a new 10-year collective bargaining agreement Monday, turning this city's football world upside down. Yes, football is back. But some of the most beloved Ravens might not be. While some Ravens fans wonder whether Monday represents an end of an era, there is a possibility that the Ravens will try to"
Todd Heap sets postseason record in catches and yards
January 10
Baltimore Sun
 
"Todd Heap is too modest to single out an opponent after an impressive performance. But after a 10-catch, 108-yard showing that aided the Ravens' 30-7 rout of the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC wild-card round Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, the tight end conceded that he felt confident when he was lined up against rookie strong safety Eric Berry. "Obviously, I think it's a good matchup anytime I can go up against a safety, but I know he's a good player," Heap said of the 6-foot, 211-pound Berry, who give up five inches and 36 pounds to Heap. "But [him] being a rookie, I just felt like there were a few looks that we could take advantage of." Heap seemed to enjoy particular success on crossing"
Heap takes a step closer to playing Sunday
December 25
Baltimore Sun
 
"Todd Heap appears to be closer to playing Sunday against the Cleveland Browns after a two-game absence because of a pulled right hamstring. The Ravens starting tight end participated in his third consecutive practice Friday. Heap, who had been limited Wednesday and Thursday, did not seemed hesitant or timid as he ran and caught passes. Linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo (knee) and safety Haruki Nakamura (illness) returned after sitting out Thursday’s session. Wide receiver Derrick Mason (ankle) also practiced after being limited the past two days."
Tight end Heap a game-time decision Sunday vs. Browns
December 25
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ravens tight end Todd Heap will be a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Heap, who has missed the past two games with a pulled right hamstring, has practiced on a limited basis for three straight days and is listed as questionable. He told coach John Harbaugh he felt "very good." "I think we'll wait until game time just to see for sure," Harbaugh said after Friday's practice, "and see how it feels up there with the weather [in Cleveland].""
Mason within reach of passing Heap for franchise lead in catches
December 19
Baltimore Sun
 
"Derrick Mason is within reach of a number of milestones, which he could accomplish this Sunday when the Ravens play host to the New Orleans Saints. The wide receiver needs just seven more catches to become the third player in NFL history to compile 60 catches in 11 consecutive years. He would join an elite group that includes only San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice and Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez. Mason, who is also 25 receiving yards away from eclipsing the 700-yard mark for the 11th straight season, is two receptions away from passing tight end Todd Heap for the franchise lead in catches. Heap has registered 464 receptions in 10 years, while Mason sits at 463"
Heap improving, but unsure about Sunday
December 16
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ravens tight end Todd Heap said his pulled right hamstring is improving, but he declined to speculate on whether he would be available for Sunday's home contest against the New Orleans Saints. "It's feeling better today," Heap said after Wednesday afternoon's practice. "It's getting better every day, so I think I'm day to day." Heap, who suffered the injury on the first play of a 13-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 5, was not present during the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media."
Ravens tight end Heap out with hamstring injury
December 12
Baltimore Sun
 
"Andre Johnson has been described as the model for NFL wide receivers. The Ravens are inclined to agree with that claim. As the Ravens prepare for Monday night's showdown with the Houston Texans, many of the defensive players are well aware of what awaits them in the form of Johnson. "He has everything you look for when you're thinking about a prototype wide receiver," cornerback Josh Wilson said. "You want a big, tall, strong, fast guy, and that's him to a 'T.' He makes plays on the ball, and he makes great runs after the catch. He's definitely — if not the top guy — one of the top two receivers in the league." The 6- foot-3, 223-pound Johnson ranks fourth in the league in receiving yards"
Todd Heap unlikely to play vs. Texans
December 7
Baltimore Sun
 
"Tight end Todd Heap likely won't be able to play in the Ravens' game against the Houston Texans Monday night. Heap pulled his right hamstring running a seam route on the very first play of the team's eventual 13-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night. Heap did not return to the game, and coach John Harbaugh said Monday that it doesn't appear that Heap will be ready for Houston. "I think Todd's probably the one that we really are concerned about," Harbaugh said. "I don't want to rule him out yet, but it doesn't look good for next week. It's one of those hamstring pulls that's going to be tough. The young guys are going to have to step up." Rookies Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta are"
If I were Todd Heap I would have retired by now
November 2
Baltimore Sun
 columnist Mike Preston
"Since the Ravens moved to Baltimore for the 1996 season, only running back Jamal Lewis and quarterback Kyle Boller have taken more vicious hits than tight end Todd Heap. So last week when some teammates were vacationing, Heap was seeing a chiropractor about neck and shoulder injuries. He also got acupuncture, muscle stimulus and ultrasound treatments. When the Ravens returned to work Monday, Heap was back on the field and as good as new. Well, almost. "I got a little rest, a little treatment and I feel good," said Heap, declaring himself fit for Sunday's game against Miami. "My legs feel good and my body feels good. I'm ready to go." Before the bye week, there were major concerns about"
Heap scores 2 TDs in first game since Meriweather's hit
October 25
Baltimore Sun
 
"Todd Heap's two-touchdown performance in the Ravens' 37-34 overtime win against the visiting Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium Sunday validated what he had been convinced of last week: that the tight end would play on despite absorbing a violent blow in the helmet the previous week. "I don't like sitting out," Heap said. "If there's any possibility of me playing and if I feel like I can play at the level I expect from myself, I'm going to be out there." The Ravens are probably thankful that Heap willed himself to play because he scored the team's only offensive touchdowns in the first half to trim what had been a significant deficit to Buffalo to a more manageable level. His first"
If Heap plays, he could have big day
October 23
Baltimore Sun
 
"Tight end Todd Heap is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills because of a neck injury, but this is definitely the kind of game he wants to participate in. If he was on my fantasy team, Heap would definitely start,The Bills' secondary boasts of being the best in the NFL, but they have yet to record an interception. On top of that, they have been getting killed by tight ends (26 catches for 357 yards and five touchdowns). Projected over 16 games, that's 83 catches for 1,142 yards and 16 touchdowns."
Neck injury won't prevent Heap from playing Sunday
October 22
Baltimore Sun
 
"Tight end Todd Heap said he expects to play Sunday when the Ravens welcome the Buffalo Bills despite a neck injury suffered in last Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss to the New England Patriots. "It was a tough week, but I'll be ready to go," Heap said after Friday's practice. "I'm feeling relatively good right now. So we'll see how it feels Sunday, but right now, I expect to play." Heap said there's still some pain in the neck and shoulder area, but he is fighting through it. Heap suffered the injury when he absorbed a helmet-to-helmet blow from Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather in the second quarter. Although Meriweather was not suspended for the hit, he was fined $50,000 and the collision"
Solid day for Ravens' Heap marred by helmet hit
October 18
Baltimore Sun
 
"The play was cringe-worthy material, but Ravens tight end Todd Heap said he would reserve judgment on whether the helmet-to-helmet blow delivered by New England Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather was a cheap shot. "I really don't have a lot of thoughts about it right now," Heap said after the team's 23-20 overtime loss Sunday at Gillette Stadium. "I haven't seen it yet. I really didn't see him coming or see what happened. So I'll probably have more or better thoughts about it after I see it." On second-and-7 from the Ravens' 23-yard line in the second quarter, Heap couldn't hang on to a pass over the middle from quarterback Joe Flacco. But that was when Meriweather's helmet crashed into"
Todd Heap returns with a flair
August 2
Baltimore Sun
 
"Suiting up for the first time at this year's training camp, Todd Heap had a busy and impressive day. The longtime starting tight end passed his conditioning test 20 minutes before Sunday's morning practice at McDaniel College in Westminster and then caught two touchdown passes in a red-zone drill. Heap was on the team's nonfootball illness list for the first two days of camp because of swollen tonsils. "I'm still fighting through it," he said. "I felt good enough where I could go for it this morning." The 10-year veteran said it was more than a typical cold. "It knocked me out," he said. "There were three or four nights where I couldn't sleep. It was a battle." It didn't take long for Heap"
Heap ready to be mentor heading into season
July 30
Baltimore Sun
 
"Todd Heap heard the whispers, read the headlines and knew things would be different if he were healthy. They started in 2007, when injuries limited the Ravens tight end to six games and 23 catches. They continued in 2008, when the injuries lingered and the discontent among the team's fans festered. Though Heap didn't miss a game, he struggled to find a consistent role in coordinator Cam Cameron's new offense. Heap never thought about trying to get a fresh start somewhere else. "I think my personality has always been, if there's a challenge posed, you meet it head on," Heap said during the team's passing camp last month in Owings Mills. "You try to dispel whatever people say. Those types of"
Injured Heap says he will play against Colts
January 11
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ravens tight end Todd Heap sustained a back stinger with 2:21 left in the Ravens' 33-14 playoff win at New England. Asked if he would play Saturday in the divisional playoffs at Indianapolis, Heap said, "That's what I feel like." Heap, though, was in obvious pain in the locker room. He played with a back injury throughout last year's playoffs."
Ravens' Heap, Williams step up
December 21
Baltimore Sun
 
"So this is what the Ravens' offense looks like when Todd Heap and Demetrius Williams get involved: touchdowns to the right, touchdowns to the left, touchdowns all over the place. Down two wide-outs because of injury, the Ravens turned to their veteran tight end and their deep-threat apprentice Sunday to make a mockery of the Chicago Bears. Heap snared touchdown passes on the team's first two possessions, and Williams buried the Bears with a spectacular catch in the end zone in the third quarter. In fact, quarterback Joe Flacco had his choice of touchdowns on the 32-yard strike he threw to Williams three minutes into the second half. There, in an underneath route, was a wide-open Heap. And"
Heap listed as questionable
November 21
Baltimore Sun
 
"Ravens tight end Todd Heap did not participate in Friday's practice after all, and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts with a rib injury. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (ankle) had limited participation, but insisted after the practice that he would play against the Colts. Already listed as out are linebacker Terrell Suggs and special teamer Matt Lawrence, both with knee injuries. Center Matt Birk (neck), quarterback Joe Flacco (knee), and linebackers Tavares Gooden (concussion) and Jarret Johnson (shoulders) practiced today and are probable."
Heap sneaks up on Redskins to make key reception
December 8
Baltimore Sun
 
"It was the play-acting in Todd Heap that brought out the playmaker last night, when the Ravens showed once more their resourcefulness to get the job done no matter the circumstances. Heap temporarily disappeared from the Redskins' radar on a big fourth-and-one play in the third quarter, only to surface along the left sideline for a 24-yard gain that led to a 32-yard field goal by Matt Stover. The play calls for Heap to fall at the line of scrimmage while play-action takes the defense to the right. Then he sneaks out to the flat for the pass. "Part of the plan is that you have to be an actor on that kind of play," Heap said after the Ravens' 24-10 victory in sub-freezing temperatures and 20"