The (10-4) Baltimore Ravens travel this Saturday to Cleveland for a divisional game against the (5-9) Browns likely with the services of a returning Todd Heap.
Heap has missed the past two games due to a hamstring injury. He was injured on the first offensive play of the Steelers-Ravens game as he attempted to catch a deep pass from quarterback Joe Flacco.
His presence in the starting line-up will give the run game a better blocking tight end and Flacco another legitimate threat across the middle in passing situations. Heap has 546 receiving yards and 37 catches (fourth on the team in both categories) so far this year despite be unable to perform in the past three games. His 65 yard touchdown reception is the team's second longest reception of the year (Dante Stallworth's 67 yard reception is the longest).
In his absence, rookie Ed Dickson has been a more-than-serviceable solution. Last week he ran 34 yards, breaking through several arm tackles, to get his first career touchdown. He accumulated six catches for 61 yards during his time as the starter. Although he is a gifted receiver, he is not yet ready to overthrow Heap as the starting tight end in this offense.
Sunday, expect Heap to receive at least one touchdown catch on his return as he is three weeks overdue. The Browns have played decent defense against only sub-par competition. None of their last four opponents (Cincinatti, Buffalo, Miami and Carolina) have quarterbacks playing at a level comparable to Joe Flacco. Flacco will have a fine day. With Ray Rice emerging last week against the New Orleans Saints, the Browns focus on stopping the run will open up plays down field.
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