Ravens fans remain fixated on whether Derrick Mason is coming back.
On a different level, the same question could be asked of Todd Heap. As the veterans reported to Ravens training camp Wednesday, the two-time Pro Bowl tight end is looking to become a key component in Cam Cameron's offense, reversing a series of disappointments.
It started with training camp last season, when Heap missed most of the preseason with a calf injury. It continued throughout the regular season when a coaching decision turned the franchise's all-time leading receiver into more of a blocker. Then it extended to this offseason when there was talk of the Ravens trading Heap or replacing him if Brandon Pettigrew fell to them in the draft.
Heap, 29, acknowledges that last year was difficult, but he wants to prove that it wasn't deflating. "There's no doubt in my mind that I can be a top tight end," he said. "I have confidence in myself and my abilities."
When Cameron was named offensive coordinator last season, many expected Heap to put up numbers similar to All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates of the San Diego Chargers. Instead, Heap had 35 catches, fewer than Minnesota Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (42) and the Jacksonville Jaguars' Marcedes Lewis (41).
Heap's slump can be traced to last year's training camp, Cameron said. He injured his right calf in the ninth practice and missed all but one preseason game.
"It's hard for a guy to miss practice and realistically think there is going to be that chemistry that you need when a quarterback is in his first year playing," Cameron said. "The quarterback needs to throw to guys in practice in order to trust a guy."
It was basically the same story this offseason. A lower-back injury, which Heap suffered in practice during the playoffs, lingered into the spring and kept him out of most of the minicamps.
When he returned for the final minicamps of the spring, he did his best to play catch-up, working with quarterback Joe Flacco before practice.
"The real work is going to come during training camp," Heap said. "Obviously, there's positives in repetitions."
Heap's goal for this training camp is to get a rhythm in the offense.
When Daniel Wilcox parted with the Ravens at the end of the season, he said the tight ends had a tough adjustment to the new offense. Cameron wanted the tight ends to run "speed routes," which eliminated the head fakes and cutting they had done in the past.
