For the first time in his seven seasons with the Ravens, Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap will spend the offseason in Baltimore, not in his home state of Arizona.
Instead of going for visits with the in-laws and other relatives, they have to come here. Heap has pressing business on his mind.
Usually at this time, he's finishing up a month of rest after the season. But he has already begun serious offseason workouts.
"I was so frustrated after this past year trying to get on the field, but my hamstring wouldn't allow it," said Heap, who missed nearly two-thirds of the season because of a torn left hamstring. "The biggest thing right now is to get it right through offseason preparation. Also, I'm going to be around here to see what Cam is doing."
Cam Cameron, the Ravens' new offensive coordinator, hasn't implemented an offense yet, but Ravens fans are so starved for one that Cameron is as popular as any of the presidential candidates.
He has Heap buzzing, too, and with good reason. Cameron built a highly productive offense when he was the offensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers from 2002 through 2006, and his passing game was built around Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates.
The Ravens and the Chargers have similar personnel at the skill positions. Ravens running back Willis McGahee is no LaDainian Tomlinson, but Heap and Gates have a lot in common.
"I sat down and talked with [Cameron] on Monday," said Heap, who has been selected to two Pro Bowl teams. "The biggest thing that sticks out is what he did in San Diego. You see what he did with their talent, how he used their receivers as playmakers. He was extremely successful with that offense.
"I heard from a lot of people who said, You're getting Cam Cameron from Miami,'" Heap said. "I said, `No, we're getting Cam Cameron from San Diego.' You have to look at the entire resume. I'm definitely excited and ready to hit the field."
Even before the Ravens signed Cameron, Heap had studied film of the Chargers and Gates. He liked how they did different things to isolate him, such as putting him in motion or splitting him wide, and the Ravens ran similar plays.
Inside the opponent's 20-yard line, there was little doubt about who was getting the ball.
"Gates has quick hands, and I like the way he uses his body," Heap said. "When the ball comes his way, he is always trying to get it at the highest point, and he doesn't allow it to come down. He is always making plays."
