Derrick Mason Retires…Or Does He?
I was as surprised as everyone else when news broke earlier today that Ravens wideout Derrick Mason had announced his retirement. I went from surprised to confused when — shortly thereafter — word started trickling out that something wasn’t quite right.
For starters, the announcement caught the Ravens off guard. Mason, in fact, was working out at the team facilities earlier today. And according to this Twitter post from ESPN’s Mike Hill, Mason appears to be having second thoughts.
Two takes on this:
First, I don’t think Derrick Mason is the kind of guy who would do this as a negotiating ploy. My guess is that it’s something that has been on his mind, especially in light of recent events, and at some point today he had a moment of clarity and said “that’s it.” People are unpredictable creatures.
It would be normal, then, to start having second thoughts after friends and family weigh in. He’s probably being pulled in a hundred directions right now, and it can’t be much fun. I’d bet we won’t have a final word on this for at least a week or two.
Second, if it is true it’s a serious blow to the Ravens’ chances in 2009. Mason may not be a true number one on the order of Anquan Boldin or Brandon Marshall, but he is productive and gritty. There’s no way they get anywhere close to the AFC Championship game last year without him.
I hope he changes his mind and signs up for one more tour. If he doesn’t, though, it puts Ozzie Newsome and company in a serious hole heading into camp.
Stay tuned.
Interesting… maybe it forces the Ravens’ hand to trade for Marshall. Or maybe we’ll see once and for what’s up with our young receivers.
Definitely a bizarre story – we’ll see how it plays out. Not ready to throw out the Ravens’ season just yet. After all – we were throwing out last season with Mason in the picture and look what happened. Anything can happen in football if you just have a solid team with a good quarterback, which we do.
once and for *all
fuck brandon marshall. opposite of an ozzie guy.
i have a feeling mason will change his mind.
if not, fuck derrick mason. the only moment of clarity he should get from the steve mcnair situation is that steve mcnair would play dead if he could.
and he would probably be more disgusted than anybody that he retired with good football left in him (and may screw his team in the process).
he = mason
^ why was i told that that comment was too short when i tried to post it?
@Big Ben’s Motorcycle – I agree with your feeling that he’ll change his mind. My gut says he’ll probably settle down and realize he’s got one more season left.
That said, he’s been through his share of injuries and maybe this really is just him reaching a point where he can’t give any more than he’s already given.
If that’s how it plays out I don’t think we should go too hard. He’s earned the right to leave on his own terms, even if it doesn’t happen the way we’d like it to.
Receptions for Baltimore WR’s, 2008:
Mason: 80
Clayton: 41
Williams: 13
Figurs: 1
Jones: 1
This is a problem.
yeah when flacco is now like, your 4th option at receiver that spells trouble.
the dawn of troy smith as a pro-bowl wideout?
you heard it here first.
and last.
I agree re: Brandon Marshall. I’d roll the dice before I give up the farm (you know the asking price for Marshall or Boldin will be even higher now that other teams know we have a pressing need). Marshall’s a shit character guy, and that’s not the way Ozzie or Harbaugh operate. We’re not the Cowboys or the Bengals here.
I agree about Marhsall too – don’t get me wrong, I was just speculating. After all, I’m not really sure losing Mason kills this team, regardless of the fact that he caught 80 passes last year. If a guy can get open, Flacco can find him. It would be nice to grab another receiver somehow, but odds are Mason will be back anyway. He was pretty damn close to getting that Super Bowl ring last year.
given those stats, i think he had a pretty reasonable case for getting his contract extended…if he does end up retiring this might be a ozzie blunder *GASP!*.
just sayin’
@Kevin B – You’re right, no one on the Ravens has ever been accused of drug trafficking or been brought up on murder charges.
Anyway,
Clayton cannot be a #1 receiver. Just no way. He’s 5’10 (!!!). There are a few free agent WRs out there… I’d be tempted to take a flyer on Brandon Jones from the Jags. Cocaine habit or not, the Ravens need to do something quick. Maybe Mason will snap out of it.
who wants to wager on on how jones does if he makes it into the game tonight?
i hope he blasts a home run into the arch, but more likely is striking out with a high fastball or a ball in the dirt.
*crossing fingers*
I wouldn’t have predicted George Sherrill going 2+ scoreless innings last year, so I’m as prepared to be surprised as I am disappointed.
greg to be fair i should have said “harbaugh guy”.
but it’s been pretty well documented that the ravens have passed on known scumbags since the days of ralph staten.
@Greg – agreed. here’s to jones saving the day