Derrick Mason Wants To Return Punts

[BohBalmerOsbohs]

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2010/11/mason_serious_about_returning_punts.html

Why not, I say let him. We all worry about injury but no different from him running routes and if the heat is on, fair catch. But I like to see him or Stallworth.

[Moderator 2]

He used to be really good at it in Tenn.

[theFRANCHISE]

I'd normally be averse to having starters get involved in special teams, but in this case, Mason has had experience with the job at the professional level and has played well in that capacity; you couldn't say the same for Tom Zbikowski, who was a great returner in college but had never had significant experience with it in the NFL prior to this season. That lack of experience is partially why Zbikowski was horrible in that role.

WIth Mason, however, I'd be fine in letting him risk injury given that the depth on offense, not just the WR corps, is pretty solid. If Mason happens to go down, there's still other weapons to distribute the ball to, not just the receivers.

I'd get it a shot and see what happens. What Mason might be lacking in acceleration at his age, he could make up for in great decision-making and some nifty veteran moves.

[PuRock]

Sweet a veteran that wants to get more involved. Give him the rock! He use to be great in special teams. Anything will be better than what we currently are doing. We need a change, any type of change.

[BohBalmerOsbohs]

agreed. hey a thread started with some of my favorite people.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='BohBalmerOsbohs' timestamp='1288657585' post='525339']
agreed. hey a thread started with some of my favorite people.
[/quote]
You suck-up.....

[T-Sizz]

reed is one of the best returners i've ever seen.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='T-Sizz' timestamp='1288657612' post='525341']
reed is one of the best returners i've ever seen.
[/quote]
Reed is great with the ball in his hands, but with that neck injury still lingering and that hip injury just recently on the mend, I wouldn't risk him back there on returns. Furthermore, he's too much of a gambler; the team needs consistency and stability more than it needs risk-taking in the return game. In special teams, you worry more about getting yards than trying to break it for a touchdown on every runback, as returns for touchdowns happen less frequently than any other scenario in the game.

[Bltravens]

Mason used to be a G with returns in Tennessee

[1/28/01]

[quote name='BohBalmerOsbohs' timestamp='1288657585' post='525339']
agreed. hey a thread started with some of my favorite people.
[/quote]
Thanks....that's very nice of you

OT - All for it!!

[hawkprey]

Mason is probably frustrated and wants to take more of the game into his hands. I say let him do it (after seeing Stallworth's abilities of course). And we know he can catch the ball.

[purple.n.black]

He is a tough man to hurt. Just gets right back up. So I think it is an option

[PuRock]

This could be a sign that this will be the last year, and he's ready to give it all. If that's the case, let the man claim his final stake. Let's see his passion in the return game.

[svt2nv04]

Man, last year for Mason. That's kind of weird to think about.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='svt2nv04' timestamp='1288658370' post='525361']
Man, last year for Mason. That's kind of weird to think about.
[/quote]

He's in a 2-year contract for a reason - he didn't want a 1-year contract. Don't believe what PuRock says. Go with me. He's frustrated.

[PuRock]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1288658600' post='525365']
He's in a 2-year contract for a reason - he didn't want a 1-year contract. Don't believe what PuRock says. Go with me. He's frustrated.
[/quote]

I'm not going to say he will retire. But he wanted a multi-year deal to ensure that if he did want to return he'd be under contract. That doesn't mean he'll play it out.

I challenge thy to a duel!

[hawkprey]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1288658917' post='525372']
I'm not going to say he will retire. But he wanted a multi-year deal to ensure that if he did want to return he'd be under contract. That doesn't mean he'll play it out.

I challenge thy to a duel!
[/quote]

Okay...

If Mason was doing this because he thought it would be his last year, wouldn't he have offered to return punts the last like... 4 years?

Check and mate.

[Ed_Reed20]

Like others have said, the man wants to further help the team and he has tons of experience doing it.

While he isn't exactly explosive, he's still got some wiggle and I could see him making some plays.

[theFRANCHISE]

We've seen a lot of players with gutsy performances this year. We've seen Flacco willing to make contact in running for a first down (remember when he bowled over DJ Williams of the Broncos?), we've seen Boldin regularly slam into players as he makes catches in traffic, we've seen Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb rush their recoveries to get back on the field, we've seen Ed Reed risk his quality of life in returning to the field with that lingering neck impingement, we've seen Todd Heap return to action after taking a series of rough blows to the head and shoulder area.

This is a team that really wants it. It shows in how they keep winning close games. It's not how you start, it's how you finish.

[BloodRaven]

Let him return, maybe it'll take his focus off how many receptions he's making.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1288663312' post='525459']
Let him return, maybe it'll take his focus off how many receptions he's making.
[/quote]
I dont even get that, hes 2nd on the team in receptions. If he though he was gonna see 200 targets like he usually does with the trade for Boldin he was fooling himself.

[RivenHale]

No, probably not, but it's sort of like having a crush on Angelina Jolie. I mean, you know she's gonna end up with Brad Pitt because he's ridiculously rich, handsome, and talented. But you sure do still [i]wish[/i] she'd end up with you.

Yeah, I just made the only analogy ever between Angelina Jolie and football. Call the world records people. Get my name on that one.

[Clutch Ravens]

Mason could get hit by a bus, pick himself up, dust himself down and get on with playing.

No puny special teamer could hurt D-Mase!

Seriously though, he couldn't be any worse than Zibby. Multi-use-Mase ftw.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='RivenHale' timestamp='1288663929' post='525465']
No, probably not, but it's sort of like having a crush on Angelina Jolie. I mean, you know she's gonna end up with Brad Pitt because he's ridiculously rich, handsome, and talented. But you sure do still [i]wish[/i] she'd end up with you.

Yeah, I just made the only analogy ever between Angelina Jolie and football. Call the world records people. Get my name on that one.
[/quote]

I've made an Angelina analogy about football. Actually, I used 2 footballs

Really though I have no idea what you're talking about.

[letsgoflacco]

When I first read this I got really excited. I guess I was too young to remember him returning punts for Tenn but if he is as good as I've heard he is, why not? I don't think he wants to do it because it is his last year or he isn't getting that many balls thrown to him, I just think he wants to help. #overlyoptimistic

But seriously, he would make excellent decisions and I wouldn't be as nervous as I am with Ed Reed back there... more nervous about him getting hurt than anything.

Harbs let him do it!!!

[lgcs27288]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1288659175' post='525378']
Okay...

If Mason was doing this because he thought it would be his last year, wouldn't he have offered to return punts the last like... 4 years?

Check and mate.
[/quote]

Not so fast. Let me step in for a bit.

He was our number 1 receiver those years with an already thin receiving group behind him. We didn't need to take risks like that. Not only that, we were already pretty good on special teams. He may have offered then too, just the risk to the reward was not worth it.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

I mean I guess we could give it a try. I say give Stallworth a chance first though. Not all the way comfortable with risking our oldest yet one of the most productive players on offense but at least he's caring for the team. If Stallworth doesn't pan out when he comes back then yeah, I'm up for anything.

[purple.n.black]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1288659251' post='525382']
We've seen a lot of players with gutsy performances this year. We've seen Flacco willing to make contact in running for a first down (remember when he bowled over DJ Williams of the Broncos?), we've seen Boldin regularly slam into players as he makes catches in traffic, we've seen Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb rush their recoveries to get back on the field, we've seen Ed Reed risk his quality of life in returning to the field with that lingering neck impingement, we've seen Todd Heap return to action after taking a series of rough blows to the head and shoulder area.

This is a team that really wants it. It shows in how they keep winning close games. It's not how you start, it's how you finish.
[/quote]
That is very well said. They need to play like that if they want to get far. A lot like Andre Johnson playing through the game tonight. Just shows how dedicated he is since they have a very good team for a change, and that he wants to win in Indy lol

[Ravens Lover]

I don't know if Mason will be fast enough at this point in his carrer so I say Stallworth right now

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Ravens Lover' timestamp='1288696431' post='525614']
I don't know if Mason will be fast enough at this point in his carrer so I say Stallworth right now
[/quote]
At this point, speed doesn't matter as much as consistency at the return position. It's not like Mason is the slowest guy on the field; he still has some speed, he just won't break one every time. The Ravens don't need a burner on special teams, they need someone who'll make smart decisions in fielding each kick. The biggest problem in the return game was not speed but decision-making; running laterally won't get you anywhere if the wall's closing in on you.