LJ Smith signed by Ravens (supposedly)

[italianjoker]

Anita Marks reporting. we shall see. if i find a link i will let you know.

[RAVENOUS52]

He'd definitely mean that the Todd Heap era may be ending if brought into the fold.

[RavenScallywag]

i wouldn't say that signals the end of the Todd Heap era... LJ Smith isn't an elite TE, it's not like he got scooped up quickly in FA. It just means we're looking to upgrade our TE depth and get a player who can push Heap. I don't see him immediatley being handed the top spot on the depth chart.

[RAVENOUS52]

Maybe not, but you have to admit that Heap's production and ability to stay on the field has suffered the past couple of years.

The handwriting could be on the wall, especially if Smith gives us a cheaper option for similar production.

[Jeremiah W]

i wouldn't say that signals the end of the Todd Heap era... LJ Smith isn't an elite TE, it's not like he got scooped up quickly in FA. It just means we're looking to upgrade our TE depth and get a player who can push Heap. I don't see him immediatley being handed the top spot on the depth chart.

He will be handed Wilcox's job not Todd Heap's.

[TheExtraPoint]

LJ Smith's is a poor man's Antonio Gates in terms of style of play, and I think fits solidly here. I would have traded for Tony Scheffler personally, but that's why I don't get paid the big bucks.

This is a good fit for Cam Cameron, and I do think it's likely the end of Todd Heap here. TE is not a priority position in the NFL, and bodies are easy to come by. Investing a lot of money in that position is not wise unless you are dealing with an elite player or players, neither of which Smith or Heap are.

So I'll like this move a lot more if it spells the end of Todd Heap's tenure here. But for now, until Heap's future is decided and the contract numbers come out, the jury is out IMO.

[italianjoker]

Smith has had injury problems himself, but i do like him as a TE. i will wait and see if it actually gets announced and happens though.

[srobert96]

Maybe not, but you have to admit that Heap's production and ability to stay on the field has suffered the past couple of years.

The handwriting could be on the wall, especially if Smith gives us a cheaper option for similar production.

This past year Heap was able to say healthy. He did uncharacteristically drop some catch able balls. I did read that he was asked to stay in and block quite a bit more than in past years because of the Oline.

LJ also has had some health issues and would be a nice backup to heap.

[Lee Van Cleef]

If this is the case I'm guessing it's to fit Cam's philosophy. I just wonder if we couldn't get someone in the middle of the draft with similar ability. I mean, going on last year's offense I'd have thought we'd want someone who could, y'know... block. That's not LJ Smith. Who knows though? Maybe we're going to see dual TE pass formations with Heap and Smith bookending the line.

I wonder where we'll go in the draft now? Maybe make a play for a WR or DT/DE?

[StingerNLG]

I doubt this has anything to do with Heap. Dan Wilcox wasn't resigned and we have no idea what the deal with Sypnewski is right now. We can't run 2 TE sets without.......well........2 TE's.

I'm thinking that would be the reason, to bookend Heap and Smith on those types of plays.

[f7eleven]

anyone know if LJ played any ST for Harbs in Philly?

[Bez513]

Anita is wrong, as usual. The Sun is reporting he's coming in tomorrow for a visit. Geez.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-ravens317,0,156425.story

[bmore4life]

lets hope its true. if we sign Smith and draft a guy like Chase Coffman from Mizzu in the 4th-5th round we would be set at TE for a long time. i just wonder what his cap number would be like...

[StingerNLG]

Anita is wrong, as usual. The Sun is reporting he's coming in tomorrow for a visit. Geez.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-ravens317,0,156425.story

Isn't Anita the best?

[italianjoker]

anyone know if LJ played any ST for Harbs in Philly?

if he played ST at all it was in his first couple years. 2003 and 2004. as his career went on, no, i am fairly certain he did not play ST.

Scott Garceau now says LJ is expected in town tomorrow.

Smith was expected to sign with the Atlanta Falcons. at least that is what rumor mills around the net had posted. nothing worth linking to though.


edit, Bez and Stinger, you guys do realize that if he is going to sign here he would have to come into town, right? the team needs to give him aphysical and look him over before giving him a contract. not saying that is why he is coming to town, but it does not neccessarily mean that Anita is incorrect.

[Jeremiah W]

Isn't Anita the best?

She may have got this one first. He is not likley to come for a visit and not sign at this point in free agency with an offer in hand from Detroit and after cutting of talks with Atl. There had to be another team in play at that point and he makes sense for the ravens. We can not afford to run out of TEs again.

[52decleetzu]

OP might want to change this thread title,and realize when that stupid broad says something you can flip a coin to see if its right or not.

[Dave Lap]

We haven't heard anything about resigning Lorenzo Neal. This move makes me think that we could be considering more 2 tight end sets which could mean that we don't re-sign Neal.

[italianjoker]

OP might want to change this thread title,and realize when that stupid broad says something you can flip a coin to see if its right or not.

hence the word (supposedly). i am pretty comfortable with the way it is worded. you do realize there is a spacing constraint for the title, correct?

[Jeremiah W]

2nd source.

RAVENS SIGN L.J. SMITH
Posted by Mike Florio on March 17, 2009, 5:04 p.m.
We just wrapped up a spot on 105.7 the Fan in Baltimore with Scott Garceau and Anita Marks, during which they reiterated their report that free-agent tight end L.J. Smith would/could be signing with the Ravens.

So after ending the call we decided to poke around a bit, and we confirmed that, indeed, Smith already has been signed.

Per a league source, it’s a one-year, $1.5 million deal.

Smith was the Eagles’ franchise player in 2008, but they made no serious bid to keep him this time around. He reportedly had narrowed his choices to Atlanta and Detroit. On Monday, however, word broke that the Falcons were out of the running.

It’s unknown what this development means for veteran Todd Heap, who is due to earn a base salary of $3.6 million in 2009.

Coach John Harbaugh is closely familiar with Smith, given that Harbaugh served as an assistant coach in Philadelphia during most of Smith’s career there.

[Jeremiah W]

Does not sound like the kind of deal that would push Heap out the door or affect the draft plans.

[BArellano]

Looks like Anita had this one right after all. That can't be good.

[purplepoe]

I seriously doubt this means the end of Heap.

As others have stated, the TE spot was thin and this supplements it.

1 year/1.5 = 2nd TE.

PP

[jonboy79]

It's kind of funny, but Anita has been right more often then not lately, and when she gets something, she is ALWAYS the earliest. PFT has been more reputable as of late as well, perhaps peopel should talk less shit.

I think at this point this move adds depth, and "perhaps" opens the door for Heap's departure. I don't think it pushes him out though.

[52decleetzu]

This move has ZERO to do with Heap.

LJ Smith is a one year replacement for Wilcox,and nothing more.

It will have an effect on the draft though,we only carry 3 TE every year and we wont be taking one early if Smith is signed.Maybe one late to put on the PS,but thats it.

[bmore4life]

so, if it is only a 1 year 1.5MM what happened in ATL? i would think he would be at the top of the depth chart there... here is a number 2...

[Rxdoxx]

My guess is that Atlanta has figured out what the draft board is and has Pettigrew falling to them, so Smith was unneeded after their FO all got on the same page.

Agree he is taking Wilcox spot, but are there concerns about Syp's knee also? or is he still iffy for early in the season?

[Mike B]

He'd definitely mean that the Todd Heap era may be ending if brought into the fold.

More than likely Dan Wilcox. You need more than one tight end. We proved that last year.

[StingerNLG]

Well, alrighty. Anita got one!

I would be surprised if a one year deal with LJ Smith means Todd Heap is getting cut.

[sdeclue]

I like this move a lot. Smith has a lot of upside and we need a tight end in the worst way.

http://www.examiner.com/x-1089-Baltimore-Sports-Examiner~y2009m3d17-Breaking-News-Ravens-to-sign-LJ-Smith

[claxkeeper]

First off if he is vistiting that almost garentees he will be signed if he isent already, for real like 90% of the FAs that vist us sign on. I like this move, I have always liked Smith even though he has some health issues. Todd, LJ and Quinn is a sick lineup at TE!

[ebs40476]

I think it falls in the OZ's plan, get your depth now and take the best player available in the draft.

[52decleetzu]

Well, alrighty. Anita got one!

I would be surprised if a one year deal with LJ Smith means Todd Heap is getting cut.

Lets not go overboard now,she obviously is getting info from Florio who conicidently now appears on the show regularly.Funny how the Chris Carr signing and this one was reported(by her) within an hour of PFT putting the news up on their site.


RAVENS SIGN L.J. SMITH

Posted by Mike Florio on March 17, 2009, 5:04 p.m.

We just wrapped up a spot on 105.7 the Fan in Baltimore with Scott Garceau and Anita Marks, during which they reiterated their report that free-agent tight end L.J. Smith would/could be signing with the Ravens.

So after ending the call we decided to poke around a bit, and we confirmed that, indeed, Smith already has been signed.


Coincidence? I think not.

Florio gets radio time,and Manita gets tipped off every once in a while to make her look good.

Thats just a business arrangement that works out for both parties.

[808 Raven]

ESPN is also reporting the deal. One year $1.5 million.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3990774&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines

[Paintballguy]

i think its a good move. we needed another te bad and it gives us flexibility in the draft. if pettigrew drops, we can still draft him and cut heap.

[gsxjockey]

LJ Smith's is a poor man's Antonio Gates in terms of style of play, and I think fits solidly here. I would have traded for Tony Scheffler personally, but that's why I don't get paid the big bucks.

This is a good fit for Cam Cameron, and I do think it's likely the end of Todd Heap here. TE is not a priority position in the NFL, and bodies are easy to come by. Investing a lot of money in that position is not wise unless you are dealing with an elite player or players, neither of which Smith or Heap are.

So I'll like this move a lot more if it spells the end of Todd Heap's tenure here. But for now, until Heap's future is decided and the contract numbers come out, the jury is out IMO.


How can you say Todd Heap isn't an elite TE? Maybe we have different perceptions of the definition of the word. Yes, Heap has had some very unlucky injuries and hasn't had all the catches and touchdowns that he used to, but in this past season's offense he hasn't had the opportunities he used to. He's being used more to protect Flacco and block than to make plays down the field. I think he does his job and then some.

[52decleetzu]

How can you say Todd Heap isn't an elite TE? Maybe we have different perceptions of the definition of the word. Yes, Heap has had some very unlucky injuries and hasn't had all the catches and touchdowns that he used to, but in this past season's offense he hasn't had the opportunities he used to. He's being used more to protect Flacco and block than to make plays down the field. I think he does his job and then some.

Most (but not all)fans have been trying to run Heap out of town for 2 years now,get used to it on this board and any other one you read.

He is pretty much worthless in their eyes,and is "finished".

[jonboy79]

It's possible to show he may have never been elite, and it certainly stands to say those days are in the rearview.
I agree, if Pettigrew fell I'd still pick him up and cut Heap. If not, select a guy day 2 and have a nice camp battle between Heap, Smith, Syp and Rook and one will get cut. The rook would likely be the only one PS eligible, but if he beats Syp out no biggie, especially as he is no guarantee, coming off injury.

[B-more Ravor]

It's possible to show he may have never been elite, and it certainly stands to say those days are in the rearview.
I agree, if Pettigrew fell I'd still pick him up and cut Heap. If not, select a guy day 2 and have a nice camp battle between Heap, Smith, Syp and Rook and one will get cut. The rook would likely be the only one PS eligible, but if he beats Syp out no biggie, especially as he is no guarantee, coming off injury.


I think they will still draft a rookie high and I agree they would take Pettigrew in a heartbeat if he were to still be there.

What this means for Heap, I'm not sure.

Smith and Heap are the same type of player, a pass catcher first and not much of a blocker. I've got no problem with the signing given the modest cost, but it strikes me as a bit of an odd fit. Most teams that use 2 TE set have one TE who is a good blocker first. Neither Heap or Smith fit that role.

Also, Smith had options and while Detroit is Detroit, it's still a starting job. If he's going to take just a 1-year deal, that would seem to be a better place to go in order to postition himself for a bigger contract next year.

So, while it remains to be seen what happens during the draft, if they were to draft a WR early, I'm not so sure that they wouldn't look to move Heap for a draft pick.

And, to be clear, Heap is one of my favorite Ravens, so this isn't a case of wanting him out of town. It's just that I find this signing to be curious.

[festivus]

I wonder if Heap's back was worse than we were told? Even worse than rumored?

[Mike B]

Lets not go overboard now,she obviously is getting info from Florio who conicidently now appears on the show regularly.Funny how the Chris Carr signing and this one was reported(by her) within an hour of PFT putting the news up on their site.




Coincidence? I think not.

Florio gets radio time,and Manita gets tipped off every once in a while to make her look good.

Thats just a business arrangement that works out for both parties.

So what a source is a source. She is trying to do a job. She was digging around and got the story out first. That is what reporting is about. I am not a big fan of Anita's but people are overboard on ripping her.

[4G63]

I'd pass on him at that price.....seems we maybe could have had him for less. Its only a 1-year deal so I guess its not too bad....

[James R(aven)]

This is good news. Oz filling holes so that on draft day we can go best player available.

Neither Heap or AJ are long term TE answers so I can definitely see us trying to get our hands on a good TE in the draft. Looking forward to seeing us use a two tight end set!!

[LOT"H"TAILGATER]

Don't Read To Much Into This, Its A One Year Deal That Will Help With Depth,,, Also We Can Still Add Someone In The Draft, , This Fills A Need And Allows Us To Draft The Best Player Available

[jonboy79]

This team is shaping up very complete. AS Lot H mentioned, we are getting close to being able to TRULY select BPA in round 1. We could use a pass rusher and an elite WR, there are no truly thin areas of the roster past that. Those two areas should get preference, bu tthere is enough depth to address them later if a truly elite prospect falls.

[Losac]

Don't Read To Much Into This, Its A One Year Deal That Will Help With Depth,,, Also We Can Still Add Someone In The Draft, , This Fills A Need And Allows Us To Draft The Best Player Available

Why do you capitalize the first letter of every word? Makes it very tough to read what you're trying to say.