Heap Looking To Run A Comeback Route

Heap could be a good comeback story. His struggles during the past two seasons have been well-documented, including a hamstring problem that forced him to injured reserve after only six games in 2007.

Early last season, he struggled catching the ball. You didn't see that explosion that allows him to get off the line of scrimmage, or the acceleration that allows him to get separation from safeties and linebackers. The Ravens also had him pass-block more, partly out of necessity because their tackles struggled trying to protect Flacco.

Though he dropped his first pass, we might have seen the re-invention of Heap on Saturday night. The Ravens need a tight end who can work the short and intermediate routes and can occasionally go long to keep defenses honest down the middle of the field.

They need a big body inside the red zone, where the vertical game becomes almost a nonfactor and the width of the field and one-on-one matchups take on greater importance. It was never more evident than Saturday night when Flacco threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Heap in the left corner of the end zone as Heap beat linebacker Na'il Diggs.

"That was awesome," Flacco said. "A tight end can make you very successful in that area."

And Heap also knows the value of a good quarterback.

"Obviously, it's the preseason, but we're feeling good about where we are right now," Heap said.