Ravens Add LJ Smith
by Rexx on Mar 17, 2009 7:17 PM EDT
47 comments
According to ESPN.com, the Baltimore Ravens have signed former Philadelphia Eagle tight end LJ Smith to a one year $1.5 million contract. This does not bode well for the future of current Ravens tight end, Todd Heap, who has not performed well in the past year or so.
Does this change whether or not the Ravens wil look at a tight end in April's draft? I think not, as Smith's contract is just fr one year. However, the chance that they use their first pick for a TE has diminished somewhat. Now more than ever, it is looking that they will be setting up to take a WR with the 26th pick of the first round.
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wtf
this one makes no sense. LJ is an injury prone TE who can’t block at all. Heap is an injury prone TE who is a poor blocker. I like LJ, but he is not an upgrade over Heap although he is less expensive. Does this mean that Heap will be cut?
by ppdoc on Mar 17, 2009 8:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Heap at least has good hands
LJ, not so much. Led our team in drops despite being a backup.
I’ve always described LJ as more athlete than football player. He’s very quick and has good size, everything you look for athletically in a really great TE… but he lacks football skills. He can’t block and has bad hands. Thats why he’s been so frustrating in his time here. You can plainly see he has the physical tools, but never has been able to put them together and become the kind of player we hoped he’d be.
The injuries have also been an issue.
by JasonB on Mar 17, 2009 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As a fellow Rutgers alum, I do wish LJ luck. I hope he’s able to secure a roster spot down there.
by JasonB on Mar 17, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pretty much opens the door
for Philly to grab Pettigrew if he’s available with one of their two first round picks, huh?
Rexx
by Rexx on Mar 18, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ozzie at it again
Actually, it looks like Ozzie’s on course to have all his holes filled so that he really can take the proverbial “best athelete available” in the upcoming draft.
by NFL Sage on Mar 17, 2009 10:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Exactly.
Smith was drafted high and has potential. Ozzie signed him cheap, and now he’s a quality backup. Now we have Heap, Smith and Sypniewski, and we will probably draft another tight end. I think that Heap will be rebounding next season. I’m actually disappointed how fast Ravens fans have turned on Heap. It’s actually embarrassing. Who are we? Philadelphia?
by BAL_Hawk on Mar 17, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Liking it
This may mean Wilcox will not be coming back. But who knows. Now we have like 5 TE’s I believe.
Heap, Smith, Sypnewski, Wilcox, Egdar Jones???
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Mar 17, 2009 10:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wilcox is a FA
And the ravens had done anything to retain him. He is really injury prone…
Not like Heap, that has played at least 15 games in 6 of his 8 seasons as starter, I dont know why people now say he is injury prone, thats unfare
THE MEXICAN RAVEN
by JORGE NITALES on Mar 17, 2009 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We wont keep Wilcox.
LJ Smith basically replaces Wilcox…. I’m sure that’s what the Ravens were thinking.
by BAL_Hawk on Mar 18, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Listen up people!
This is not the Ravens turning on Heap. He is under contract for 3 more years and not worth cutting. He will prob play out his contract with us. Hopefully he will regain some of his former success. LJ Smith is a quality TE who we signed to a small deal in hopes he can improve our recieving core for next year while we wait on whichever WR we draft in the top 2 rounds to develop. I think this shows that we will not be signing any Torry Holt’s or anything. It also enables us to use 2 TE sets, or keep one in to block and send the other one out as a reciever. Heap isnt going anywhere, Smith is a 1 year rental. He is prob trying to prove he is a good player and can stay healthy so he can sign a bigger contract next off-season.
by Rayisyourdaddy on Mar 18, 2009 2:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
there's more to this move then meets the eye
Todd Heap may be a cap casualty. He is owed 4 million dollars this year and didn’t acclimate to camerons system and an extra 2.5 million might help in trying to reel in Torry Holt. It could also be a tool to get Heap to restructure his deal. Smith also has a history with harbaugh and could just be a season fill in if we draft a te in the first 3 rounds.
by Ravens420 on Mar 18, 2009 6:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
OK
but the issue was that they was questions at OL in the beging of the year also and the rookie had trouble with throwing to the te early in the year and he got better but his play makers were WR and RB i think that they were 5th in rushing he has also drop because there was no real deep threat and if you think about it he has played threw injuries and has try to be productive and we will see this year what he dose
ravens get WR DHB
Cornils griffon
SP players and anothe FB
by 2000 ravens on Mar 18, 2009 8:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
umm
I didn’t understand any of that. Heap had to stay in and block and I am not busting on him or anything I am just saying money wise is Heap still considered a big time tight end or would we be better off re-evaluating his contract or his position as our number 1 te. If we stay with a blocking te system(even though smith isn’t a blocker) and move more money towards a wr or draft picks it would break my heart.
by Ravens420 on Mar 18, 2009 9:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Heap is not going anywhere - yet
Remember, the Ravens were shortchanged at TE last year and needed to move a LB to TE (Jones) to compensate. Ozzie doesn’t want to be put in that position again. Smith is a great signing for the money. A solid veteran with decent hands who is a pure pass catcher as far as tight ends go. He is also basically taking Wilcox’s roster slot. This does not change anything for the draft. Remeber that Ozzie said we are not finished in FA.
Rexx
by Rexx on Mar 18, 2009 9:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
LJ can do a some good things on a football field, he’s fast, elusive, and can get yards after the catch… but “decent hands” is simply not something he possesses. He had the 3rd most drops of any TE in football and has led the Eagles in that dept for several years.
Like I said before, I went to school with LJ so I’ve always been a fan and I’m not trying to slam the guy because he’s no longer a member of my NFL team… I’m just warning you guys to expect drops, his hands have always been an issue with him.
by JasonB on Mar 18, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But now he is catching from a real QB
Plus, we dont sign free agents if we had any concerns about their hands or any aspect of their game. LJ blows up in B-More. He may very well be the future at TE if Heap goes down.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Mar 18, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Say what?
But now he is catching from a real QB
Meaning McNabb is not a real QB but Flacco is? Not sure I follow the logic train on that one.
by ajay on Mar 18, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was being facetious
Although Joe Flacco’s passes could probably catch themselves.
On the real, we have love for McNabb, at least I do. He has been my favorite non-Baltimore QB since he came into the league.
by DT711 on Mar 18, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Word
And Flacco turned out to be a whole lot better than I thought. Good pick there.
But when he throws it to LJ on the numbers and the oaf drops it, don’t say we didn’t warn you! ;-)
by ajay on Mar 18, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha
We will make sure to come back and take our medicine from you. Really hope he doesnt drop it though. All though I think Joe could throw the ball hard enough for it to just melt LJ’s jersey, then infusing with the ball to make the catch.
Just the type of powers that come from a 6 inch eyebrow like Joe has….
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Mar 18, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Couldn't be much more frustrating
than Heap either dropping, fumbling or falling down last year or so. The only saving grace for him was that incredible play in Tennessee on third and long when the play clock “expired” but the ref’s whistles weren’t working. Other than that, Heap had a very forgettable year, and LJ Smith is in the right position to take advantage of it if Heap falls short once again.
Pettigrew will be long gone by then, so expect the Ravens to go wideout and grab a second tier TE in the later rounds. Not normally a Terp supporter, but their TE, Dan Gronkowski, is a beast of a physical specimen, and might be worth a flyer in the latter part of the second day of the draft.
Rexx
by Rexx on Mar 18, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True.
This was a rare risky move by Ozzie. I have a feeling that John Harbaugh was behind the final decision. We now have two very similar pass-catching, injury-prone tight ends. It doesn’t look good on paper necessarily, but I think that they must know what they are doing. They didn’t spend alot to get him here. If he blows up into a first-round quality talent, then Ozzie looks like a genius. If he’s a bust, we haven’t lost too much.
I think that Smith has tons of potential and hope that a change of scenery helps him to develop.
by BAL_Hawk on Mar 18, 2009 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well… It’s only 1 year. I don’t think there’s much risk. They could probably cut him before the season and lose little to no money.
by JasonB on Mar 18, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah… I was referring to the risk of having two injury-prone tight ends. If they both break down during the season, the Ravens could be in trouble. When they had Wilcox, he was always the stop-gap.
by BAL_Hawk on Mar 18, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LJ Smith is MUCH better at
getting YAC than Heap ever was. All Heap does after the catch is put his head down and get flipped head over heels.
Rexx
by Rexx on Mar 19, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And us here in Philly are Flacco fans. He’s a local guy.
by JasonB on Mar 18, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yea, Audobon is like right next to Philly, right?
When I hear Joe talk, I can already tell he is starting to get the Baltimore accent down. He didnt need to come to far to adapt.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Mar 18, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup
Just a little ways up 95 from Baltimore…
by JasonB on Mar 18, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good ol' route 95
Love to hate it….
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Mar 18, 2009 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just bustin your chops
Love McNabb. One of the toughest guys I have ever seen play QB. Just given you guys a hard time cause of what happened here in Baltimore against the Eggles. Thanks again for LJ
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Mar 18, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Philly Fans
I love how everyone concentrates on the drops. Everyone considers TO one of the best WR’s in football, but he regularly drops 25+ passes a year. Braylon Edwards also will be a Pro Bowl caliber player most of his career, but last year he was top 5 in drops. My point is, drops are common even among the best players. It is mostly about concentration, which can be worked on. Im not saying LJ Smith is TO or anything, but i would be much more worried about the fumbles.
LJ is still in his prime, one year removed from being franchised. If he has a bounce back year, all us ravens fans will be very happy. If not, its not like we spent alot of money
by Rayisyourdaddy on Mar 20, 2009 2:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just sit him down....
and show him hours upon hours of other players running with the ball using BOTH hands. After that, he should be good to go for you guys lol
Not that he fumbles, it’s just really really iritating when you watch it.
by NFC-BEAST on Mar 18, 2009 2:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ok
tje reason was syupnewski injured last ear they dont think he will b ready so they are having a back up plan also tey use eager Jones as a DE and label him as a Te so that he was on Special teams as a blocker that is why
by 2000 ravens on Mar 18, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
look at the big picture
Sorry first I don’t get where people try saying Heap is a poor blocker, he has always been mentioned as one of the best blocking TE. Injury prone? Please he had one truly bad season year before last, this past year he played through most of his injuries just like he has in the past.
Why look at the big picture? This past season the Ravens played a more protection style offense giving Flacco as much protection as possible, which meant TEs staying in and blocking or blocking and then a delay route which often took them out of the passing game. LJ add another man with athletic ability, hopefully the drops can be reduced, he has good speed and power as a runner which will add to the chances of “trick plays” and open up our offense.
The combination of him and Heap on a double TE will add to the ability to confuse other teams coverage. One year deal to see how he fits our team and little is lost if he doesn’t.
One Holt I doubt we go after him because of his age, but if we could get him under cap and get a quality tall, fast WR in the draft his abilities and Masons would lead to great coaching from vets for a rookie… WRs like Holt, Mason, or Harrison even if their skills decline the knowledge they have of their position doesn’t fade and what they can teach the younger players on a team if they choose to share can not be matched by any coach alone.
by Asmodeus1971 on Mar 19, 2009 9:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Heap is an average blocker at best
Do you have any sources who mention him as one of the best blocking TE’s? I’m just curious as I’ve never heard Todd Heap and best blocking TE in the same sentence.
And yes, I would say he is injury prone as he has only played in 20 of our past 32 regular season games. Also, watching him these past two years it is clear he is not the player he was five years ago. I’m not saying he can’t contribute this year, but he is not our TE of the future anymore. My guess is he will be cut next year and we will draft a TE at some point to replace him.
by DT711 on Mar 19, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember Cameron praising Heap's blocking.
It was last season when everyone was angry about his lack of production and blocking duties. Cameron said several times that Heap was an excellent blocker. I don’t see it either. I don’t think that he’s as bad as Rexx says. If Cam said it, it may be true or it may be a tactic to sooth Heap’s ego.
by BAL_Hawk on Mar 19, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rexx just wants everyone on this team to leave so Orlando Pace and Shannon Sharpe can come back
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Mar 19, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
While were at it
Lets cut all our RB’s and start fresh with Terry Allen and Jason Brookins.
What a disaster that was. I’m pretty sure Oz will never go into a season with one NFL caliber back on his roster, ever again.
by DT711 on Mar 19, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jason Bookins
was the ugliest Raven – EVER!
Rexx
by Rexx on Mar 19, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He showed some signs at first of being a decent back
Then the next year, he came into mini camp like 40 pounds overweight.
What about Brendan Ayenbadajo’s brother, Ofemini, or however you spell it,
OR! we can go back to the 1996 draft, not take Ogden, and draft Lawerance Phillips.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Mar 20, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I recently heard
that Heap’s ankle is just not healed right. He can’t cut at all, which is why he might not be getting open enough for Joe to get him the ball. It also explains the problems he’s had in pass protection. Finally, it makes sense as he never makes cuts after catching the ball; he just puts his head down and tries to bowl guys over, but ends up getting flipped EVERY time!
Rexx
by Rexx on Mar 19, 2009 9:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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