Ravens Legends Bracket: Todd Heap vs. Jamal Lewis

Sep 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Baltimore Ravens helmet on the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Ravens defeated the Falcons 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Baltimore Ravens helmet on the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Ravens defeated the Falcons 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Ravens Legends Bracket continues with a battle between Todd Heap and Jamal Lewis In the second round:

The Ravens Legends bracket has entered the second round. The first battle of the second round is the best contest we’ve seen so far. Jamal Lewis and Todd Heap were two old school Ravens who made some of the most exciting plays in team history. There can be only one winner, despite the fact that both players are worthy of advancing. It’s the best running back in team history, pinned against the best tight end.

Why Todd Heap made it to round 2:

Heap was the toughest tight end I have ever seen in the middle of the field. He spent most of his career catching passes from quarterbacks like Kyle Boller and Anthony Wright. Heap sacrificed his body over and over again to make huge plays for the Ravens. When you think of Heap, you think of a player who was a leader, a class act and a fan favorite. Every time he caught a pass, Ravens fans yelled and elongated and enthusiastic “Heeeeeeeap!”

Heap caught 499 passes for 5,869 yards and 42 touchdowns in his career. He spent 10 years wearing the purple and black. You’ll still see Heap jerseys worn in the Baltimore area, though his last year as a Raven was in 2010. Heap made so many great memories for Ravens fans. Heap played a huge role in Joe Flacco’s first three seasons. He was his safety valve in the beginning of his career. Heap played a huge role in two different eras of Ravens football.

More from Ebony Bird

In the first round, Heap was unanimously voted to advance. He faced Kyle Juszczyk. While the former Ravens fullback is a player who has fans in Baltimore, Heap means more than words can describe to the Ravens faithful.

Why Jamal Lewis made it to round 2:

Jamal Lewis rushed for over 10,000 yards in his career. It was pretty obvious that he was going to make it past LeRon McClain in the first round. Lewis had five seasons with the Ravens where he rushed for over 1,000 yards. Lewis was ranked as a four seed. Heap was a five seed.

In 2003, Jamal Lewis rushed for over 2,000 yards. Lewis isn’t only integral to telling the story of the Ravens, his play wrote some of the best parts of the story. When you think of the greatest players in Ravens history, it doesn’t take long to think about this bruising running back. That’s the point. He carried the offense on his back for a huge portion of his career.

In his prime, he may have been the best running back I have ever seen. He was amazing. One thing is for sure, if you took him off those Ravens teams in the 2000’s the offense would have been miserable to watch.

Winner Jamal Lewis

While this seems like one of the harder choices on the bracket, Lewis won easily. Lewis won by a vote of six to one. It’s a little surprising that he won in such dominating fashion, but it makes sense that he won.

Next: 5 position battles created by the NFL Draft

Lewis really did a lot for the Ravens. He had 1,822 carries as a Raven. Think about that. The Ravens used him as a workhorse. In his prime he averaged well over four yards per carry. In 2003 he averaged 5.3 yards per carry. He had some down years in the second half of his career, but he took a beating every year. Lewis wins. While Heap was a big part of the Ravens success, Lewis was the most leaned on offensive player they ever had.