Say goodbye and thanks for the memories to the great tight end Todd Heap, who was a casualty of the Ravens’ necessary effort to make salary cap space for the signing of their younger restricted free agents and their rookies…
Of course, if Heap is not picked up as a free agent by another NFL team, it’s always possible he can later be re-signed at a restructured contractual cost…
Todd Heap was set to make about $4.5 million this year… but that money had to be allocated to other matters, like re-signing Marshall Yanda (RG) and a bunch of young RFA’s and rookies…
Heap was not the only casualty of the salary cap… veterans Kelly Gregg (NT), Derrick Mason (WR) and Willis McGahee (RB were also let ago in a move even Mason described as “just business”… The combined release moves by the Ravens put the team about $20 million under the cap…that is, before the re-signing and extension of right guard Marshall Yanda today at about $6 milz per year…
Meanwhile, the Ravens signed a bunch of promising Undrafted Free Agent rookies— here’s the list:
C/G Ryan Bartholomew, Syracuse
Bartholomew is on the short side at 6-foot-1, but he’s very athletic. He had the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine (4.97 seconds) among offensive linemen. Bartholomew is a weight-room warrior and has high character. He was a voted team captain during his senior year.
RB Damien Berry, Miami
The Ravens have a history of finding successful Hurricanes. Berry became Miami’s leading rusher as a senior, and responded with 190 attempts for 899 yards and five touchdowns. The 6-footer has potential to be a special teams standout, says The Sun.
G Justin Boren, Ohio State
Unlike Bartholomew, Boren has ideal size for his position. The 6-foot-3, 320-pounder envelops defensive linemen. He was the first player since World War II to transfer from Michigan to Ohio State, where his tough, physical demeanor earned him a spot on the first-team All-Big 10.
RB Walter Sanders, St. Augustine
The 5-foot-9 back has been tutored by Ravens running back Ray Rice. He’s similarly small in stature but strong and explosive. The local Mervo High School product led the CIAA with 1,377 yards and 15 touchdowns, earning him league offensive player of the year honors.
WR La’Quan Williams, Maryland
Williams trained with Ravens rookie wideout Torrey Smith during the lockout. While he hasn’t made much of an impact as a receiver (six catches, 101 yards, two touchdowns last year), he was a special teams captain who blocked two punts.
The Sun is also linking the Ravens to C Tim Barnes (Missouri), WR Rod Bradley (Hawaii), ILB Josh Bynes (Auburn), DT Bryan Hall (Arkansas State), NT Terron Sanders (Florida), SS Mana Silva (Hawaii), DE Chris Walker (Tennessee).
Stay tuned…
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