The biggest problem facing Heap is trying to regain explosion.
The Ravens' offense is built on timing patterns. They don't do a lot of head-faking and juking when they run routes because they want to get to a certain spot as soon as possible.
Without explosion, Heap has been slow getting off the line of scrimmage. That has to change before he becomes Pro Bowl-caliber again, especially in this offense.
Veteran influence
Rookie safety-cornerback K.J. Gerard has been impressive, and it's interesting that the veteran to have the most impact on Gerard has been fellow safety Dawan Landry. Reed has taught Gerard, and Gerard likes being in the same huddle with Lewis.
But Landry draws most of his attention.
"Not only does he have a strong work ethic on the field, but he is quite impressive off the field, as well," said Gerard, a free agent from Northern Arizona. "I wasn't aware of him before I got here, but he is a first-class person all the way around."
Playing like a Raven
Here's an interesting story about new Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth:
Apparently, Foxworth got off to a slow start at the first Ravens minicamp. He must have thought he was still playing for the Denver Broncos, because he was playing soft coverage on the Ravens' receivers.
Neither Harbaugh nor new defensive coordinator Greg Mattison had to say a word to Foxworth. A couple of veterans on defense reminded Foxworth that he was playing for the Ravens and not Denver. They told him he had to pick up his game, and to attack, instead of being attacked.
Foxworth got the message, and the coaching staff has been pleased with his play ever since. Coaches like to use a lot of cliches, but there is truth to the term "play like a Raven" when it comes to defense.
Keep an eye on ...
I have my choice for the Ravens' breakout player in 2010: inside linebacker Tavares Gooden. It's a shame he missed 11 games last season, his rookie year, with an ankle injury and had to go on injured reserve.
But you have to like his enthusiasm. He plays as hard in practice as he does in games, and that puts him in the same classification as Lewis and defensive tackle Kelly Gregg when it comes to work ethic.
Give him another year in the weight room, and he could become a beast.
