WTF Ravens finally get a wideout - Sign Derrick Mason

Derrick Mason has agreed in principle to a five-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens, giving the team one of the most desirable receivers on the free-agent market and filling the most glaring need of a team that ranked 31st in passing last season.

The 31-year-old Mason was second in the NFL with 96 receptions last season and has been a Pro Bowler twice. He was one of six Tennessee Titans released last month in a salary cap move.
"We were high on his list, and he was high on our list," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said Wednesday. "He was really the only receiver we have had any active discussions with thus far. What this does is we bring in a veteran receiver who has the type of attitude and type of personality that we look for in a football player."

Mason's 96 catches trailed just tight end Tony Gonzalez last year. They accounted for 1,168 yards and seven touchdowns.

Originally a return specialist, Mason has been a starting receiver for four seasons.

"The signing of Derrick Mason is the most substantial move we've made particularly in free agency, particularly at the wide receiver position," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "When you take someone of Derrick Mason's caliber, you expect it to have an impact."

Newsome didn't rule out acquiring more help at the position - the Ravens were the only team in the league that had no one catch as many as 40 passes.



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now they will have no excuses for why Boller sucks.

Boller will be in the Pro Bowl next year. With Fassell running the offense and Neuheisel coaching him and now more than 1 target to throw to. Look out.

Jacks- Don't you mean Kyle Boller will be "at" the Pro Bowl. The only way that stiff will ever see the Pro Bowl will be as a spectator. He can't play at all. As I write this, Derrick Mason is getting fitted for a suit of body armor seeing as the Boller loves to throw the ball so the reciever has to jump five feet off the ground to catch it.

When you mix in the fact that the Ravens have a "star" running back that can't pass a buffet without stopping for a meal and a defense that's a shell of what it used to be, they're an 8-8 team. If that.

Stick to soccer Bob. Jamal Lewis has about 8% body fat. That is before he went to prison. He looks big but that is all muscle. He did average 4.3 yards a carry last year. If you are talking about a defense a "shell" of 2000, then you are correct. The Ravens 2000 D was the best in history. However, they are still in the top 5 in football. I guarantee the offense will be vastly improved just because they got rid of Matt Cavanaugh. He was a horrible offensive coordinator. I stand by my statement. Boller will be in the Pro Bowl this year. Well maybe not but it sounds good. The AFC is loaded at QB. The Ravens will win the AFC North this year with Cincy second and Pittsburgh third. Pittsburgh does have the only AFC North coach witout a Super Bowl ring.

wonder if they still go for Burris from pitt???...if not I bet he goes to minny

don't the ravens have 5 free agents from their starting Defense?? Better get to signing those guys cause that is the only chance ravens have at winning games. Their D scores more than their O.

viking611 said:

don't the ravens have 5 free agents from their starting Defense?? Better get to signing those guys cause that is the only chance ravens have at winning games. Their D scores more than their O.

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I hate to see Ed Hartwell go..this guy will be a Pro Bowler outside of Ray Lewis shadow.

I believe Owens might of had his SuperBowl if he would of went to the Ravens instead of Philly. Bad choice for TO.

I'm the first one to admit I'll make homer comments but come on Richkas.

"I'm the first one to admit I'll make homer comments but come on Richkas."


If you look at the scores. I truley believe if Owens was on Baltimore they would have been 13-3. Their offense sucked. If they get any offense at all they would have been 13-3.

Ravens were decimated with injuries on offense..Heap , Lewis, Ogden..

Ravens still have work to do. They need another threat other than Mason, who really isnt a BIG PLAY type threat.

Teams will still have 8 in the box unless they sign another top receiver. And the problem is there not going to. Billick is committed to solidifying the O-line now that he thinks he has a playmaker.

Boller will not make the pro bowl untill he learns how to run a team. ( and throw the ball)

Tamers Take

A good team will find away around the injury bug--see pats and steelers this past yr.

http://www.examiner.com/x-26495-Bal...-Baltimore-Ravens-wide-receiver-Derrick-Mason
What Gen Y didn't know about Baltimore Ravens wide receiver, Derrick Mason

December 22, 10:48 AM Baltimore Generation Y Examiner

Heather Smith

If you’re a Baltimore Ravens fan (or if you’re a football fan in general) then you’ve probably heard the name Derrick Mason quite a few times. If you’re not familiar, Mason is a wide receiver for the Baltimore football team and has been since 2005 (he has been in the league since 1997). Among his many accomplishments, Mason most recently made his 850th career reception during Sunday’s (December 20th) game against the Chicago Bears.
I was fortunate enough to have the chance to interview Mason after one of his radio shows (which airs on WBAL radio) at BlueStone restaurant in Timonium, MD. Since I am a writer for Baltimore's Gen Y, I didn’t want this interview to be exclusively about football. I figured since he (Mason) plays the game and deals with interviews all the time regarding the sport, why not ask questions on a few other subjects? However, I just had to throw in a few football questions here and there.
I started the interview by graciously thanking him (Mason) for taking the time to talk with me. Despite how intimidating Mason may appear to be on the field, he is definitely a down-to-earth type of person off the field, which was apparent throughout the interview.
Heather Smith (HS): What is your ideal type of weather to play football in?
Derrick Mason (DM): Between 55-60 (degrees) with the sun out. Kind of cool, but not too cool; and not too hot either.
HS: So the snow we had over the weekend wouldn’t have worked [laughs]?
DM: I could play in it. You know, it’s good because then I get to run all day. You don’t get as tired (in the cold/snow) as if you would in the heat. If you’re playing in cold weather you don’t get as tired as fast.
HS: About your touchdown dance, is there any specific meaning behind it?
DM: I’m just a big Michael Jackson fan, I’ve always been, and it hasn’t changed. And it’s not going to change.
HS: Are you a superstitious person? If so, do you have any pre-game rituals that you follow before each game?
DM: I’m not a superstitious person; I just think I’m a creature of habit. I just do the same thing over and over again. I have a routine; it’s not because I’m superstitious. If I don’t do something, I don’t go crazy because I didn’t do it. I like to get myself, and my body, into a routine before the game and I try not to break that routine. Not because I’m superstitious, but because I know how my body reacts and I know how long it takes for me to get warmed up.
HS: What do you like most about being a Baltimore Raven?
DM: Obviously Sundays, and I get the opportunity to meet a lot of people and a lot fans. I come into contact with a lot of people and build relationships here in the city of Baltimore.
HS: You were a communications major at Michigan State, and you have your radio show. After your football career, do you see yourself continuing in the media and broadcasting?
DM: Yeah, I love radio. I do want to do some television, but I think my first love is radio. So hopefully, once I stop playing (football) I will make that transition to become a post-game type of guy (broadcaster). Meaning, I like to talk about the game as opposed to talking while the game is going on.
HS: You seem like a pretty easy-going person, but do you have any pet peeves?
DM: Oh boy, annoying people [laughs] - when people ask you things that are just crazy. There are just certain things that kind of irk you. I’m still nice, but it’s just, ‘why did you ask that?’”
HS: Name something in your everyday routine that you can’t function without.
DM: Music.
HS: That leads onto my next question actually [laughs]. What are your top three favorite songs or artists?
DM: Wow, I have a bunch. I don’t have a favorite song per-se, but I like Jay-Z, Trey Songz, and I listen to The Temptations a lot.
HS: What are your top three favorite television shows?
DM: Oh, that’s easy - Lost, Fringe, and Desperate Housewives.
HS: What are your top three favorite kinds, or types, of food?
DM: Italian, Italian, and Italian [laughs]! I do like soul food, but I love Italian food.
HS: What do you do to unwind?
DM: Sit at home, relax, and watch movies.
HS: What do you like most about Baltimore, as a city?
DM: The (close) proximity from DC, Philly, and New York.
HS: What do you miss the most about Detroit (MI), since it’s your hometown?
DM: Just my family, that’s really it. Other than that you can’t really do anything else in that city [laughs].
HS: And lastly, what is your favorite aspect of the holiday season?
DM: Being with family. Sometimes, with family members, you probably don’t get the opportunity to see them all the time. You might only get to see them during Christmas or Thanksgiving. You tend to see them (family) more during that period (holidays) than you probably would during the whole year.
After the interview, I was able to see a different side of Derrick Mason other than the big name football player that’s portrayed during a Sunday (or Monday) Ravens football game. Hopefully Gen Y’s of every age are able to take away the same thing.