Arizona Cardinals Drop Todd Heap: Should The Rams Pair Him With Lance Kendricks?

Aug. 30, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end (86) Todd Heap is greeted by teammates during player introductions prior to the game against the Denver Broncos during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals may be following the lead of the Philadelphia Eagles, beginning to clean house with the release of veteran tight end, Todd Heap. After sustaining an injury early in the season, Heap has only played in three games this season, starting only one of those, on way to the worst year of his long tenured career in the NFL.

Heap is long removed from his Pro Bowl days as a Baltimore Raven, where he caught 125 passes for 1529 yards and 9 touchdowns in the ’02 and ’03 seasons. From 2004 through 2010, Heap averaged roughly 47 receptions per season, amassing 3757 total receiving yards and 31 touchdowns in 89 games.

Heap signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2011, but played in only 13 games in 2 season, leading to his release from this team yesterday. While Todd Heap is rolling up on his 33rd birthday, the veteran tight end may still have some “left in the tank.” Assuming they can accurately assess his health situation, Heap could be another veteran presence in the St. Louis Rams’ locker room, especially on a team that is still trying to claw their way into the playoffs this season. The Rams have not had success in the red zone this season, and could use another tight end that is an adequate blocker, but, more importantly, a threat in the passing game. Heap may be “old” by NFL standards, but he is still 6ft, 5in tall, which towers above anyone on the Rams current roster that isn’t a punter or a lineman. Heap could also teach Lance Kendricks a thing or two about playing the tight end position in the NFL.

Heap may not be an ‘elite” tight end at this point in his career, but the St. Louis Rams should never be at fault when adding potential playmakers to the roster for Sam Bradford to work with through the air. Assuming Heap is healthy enough to contribute and will sign a low-money, incentive filled contract, there is no reason the Rams shouldn’t at least bring him in for a visit.

Just imagine the chants in the Dome when he catches a touchdown or lowers his shoulder for the first down, “HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAP.”