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.”

As @jayglazer reported, Falcons are releasing DE Ray Edwards.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 13, 2012

The St. Louis Rams do have a solid rotation at defensive end, typically shuffling William Hayes in for 15-20 snaps per game for Chris Long and Robert Quinn. When healthy, Eugene Sims is commonplace in the lineup as well, ensuring that the defensive line is fresh enough to put on a consistent pass rush without have to blitz on every snap. The Jeff Fisher defense relies heavily on this type of rotation, something that dated back to the Spagnuola days, requiring solid depth at both the defensive tackle and end positions. So, should the St. Louis Rams take a flyer on Ray Edwards?

Well, being released by a team midway through the season is never a good sign for a player. However, the Falcons are not necessarily a team that is starved for talent, losing their first game this season last weekend against the New Orleans Saints. Atlanta’s defensive line got no pressure on Drew Brees, comiling only one sacks, while allowing a 21 of 31 passing night for nearly 300 yards and 3 touchdowns. However, the expectation may have been a bit high for Edwards, especially coming from Minnesota where he was the 4th largest threat on the defensive line, behind the Williams’ boys in the middle and Jared Allen on the end. Even in his best year in 2009, Edwards only put in 43 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and one forced fumble… Robert Quinn has 8.5 sacks and one forced fumble already, only 10 games into his sophomore season.

The asterisk next to Ray Edwards should have been that he played well in unison with other dominate players on the defensive line. Two big body defensive tackles, and a franchise defense end that requires a double team on nearly every snap. Sound familiar? The St. Louis Rams could be a perfect home for the disgruntled Ray Edwards, assuming he is willing to sign for a significantly lesser price tag. Edwards would immediately surplant Sims in the defensive end rotation, and serve as a strong, run-stuffer on the right side against rush heavy offenses like the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. He would receive little-to-no attention from the offensive line, likely getting the one-on-one matchup on the blind side whenever he was in the game. Throw in the fact that Fisher loves to blitz corners off the edge, and you have a perfect situation for a veteran defensive end to occasionally sneak past the line and wrangle down the quarterback. You can never have too many capable defensive lineman on your roster, the New York Giants two Super Bowl rings are proof of that. Some veteran leadership and fresh, healthy legs in the rotation may be just what the St. Louis Rams need…

That’s tough man. That’s real tough………

— Rokevious Watkins(@Rok_Watkins) September 18, 2012

It is a bit disappointing that Watkins only got enjoy the limelight for a couple of quarters against the Detroit Lions, but we all wish him a quick, healthy return. With Watkins and Wells on IR, the Rams will be looking thin at the OL position, at least until Week 7 when the new rules allow the return of Wells to the active roster.

Coinciding the Watkins placement on IR is the return of Austin Pettis to the Rams roster. Many thought the the RGIII-impressionist, Terrence Ganaway would be released to make room for the return of Pettis, but now his spot should be safe on the active roster… for now. Quintin Pointer was released late last week in order to make room for Tim Barnes on the active roster to backup Turner at center. Luckily, Pointer has cleared waivers and St. Louis, as  expected, signed him to their practice squad. Brandon Harvey, who had served as the lone wide receiver on the Rams practice squad was released today.

In news unrelated to the Rams current roster, a couple of former players have moved on and off teams. Jerome Murphy has been signed to the Detroit Lions, after going through a wild series of events. Murphy was surprisingly dropped by the Rams during the final 53-man roster cuts, but was quickly snatched up by the New Orleans Saints. Murphy was just cut by the 0-2 Saints, and now can hopefully find a home in Detroit amidst their ailing secondary.

Patriots release WR Greg Salas, a fourth-round pick in 2011 by the Rams, per Mike Reiss, ESPNBoston.

— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) September 18, 2012

After an underwhelming preseason, Salas was traded to New England in exchange for late-rounder in 2015. It appears that the Rams made out well in the deal with the release of Greg Salas today from the Patriots’ active roster. Salas was a non-factor in New England, and after the injury to Hernandez and the pick-up of Kellen Winslow and re-signing of Deion Branch today, he appears to be the odd man out. There is no speculation to whether he is back on the Rams radar, but, regardless, Salas will find his way to a roster soon rather than later.