Merged: Houshmandzadeh

[hammer]

I see this as a positive sign for the Ravens offense, Cam and Joe Flacco. I remember when Boller was the QB here and T.O. treated us like we were "radioactive" or something.

Even though TO might be thought of as one of the most selfish players to ever suit up - I did understand his point at the time. He was saying that Boller was a very inaccurate and unsteady QB and his productivity (happiness) would suffer as a result.

Things are different around here now. Flacco is emerging with true star potential and the offense is on the verge of becoming a prolific passing attack. I predict many more WR's wanting to play for the Ravens in the future. Big passing generally relates to big wins and big $$$.

Now say please Housh. No pretty please. LOL.

[Twoo]

TJ isn't an idiot. He knows this is Mason's last year and if TJ does stay he'll be the #2 receiver and will be catching balls from a top 10 qb.

[hammer]

[quote name='Twoo' timestamp='1290802845' post='551273']
TJ isn't an idiot. He knows this is Mason's last year and if TJ does stay he'll be the #2 receiver and will be catching balls from a top 10 qb.
[/quote]

I sure hope this is not Mase's last year. He is still a very, very good reciever and one of the best at what he does (route runnng).

[Jamal]

I would honestly take Housh over a 37 year old Mason next year. Either way, we can't bring both back, because we need some youth at the WR position.

[Jamal]

[quote name='JohnJohnson' timestamp='1290800401' post='551259']
Well we have Mason for one more year, but I really would like to keep Housh. He'll probably get some unmatchable offer from another team though.
[/quote]
I don't see any team giving him big money, after a year like this. Not even Snyder.

[hammer]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1290803748' post='551279']
I would honestly take Housh over a 37 year old Mason next year. Either way, we can't bring both back, because we need some youth at the WR position.
[/quote]

I actually thought Mase at 36 would have lost his effectiveness, but I was wrong. He must share Ray's DNA, because until he shows that he cant do it anymore, I just cant bet against him.

I agree that Housh is bigger, stronger (blocking) and maybe even faster (reminds me of Hines Ward). But Mase gets open against anybody consistently and he has hands of glue. Cant say that about Housh yet.

[Ed_Reed20]

I'd like to see Houshmandzadeh return next season as it'd give the team more time to develop a guy like Reed and another WR they hopefully draft next April.

[Jamal]

[quote name='hammer' timestamp='1290804587' post='551288']
I actually thought Mase at 36 would have lost his effectiveness, but I was wrong. He must share Ray's DNA, because until he shows that he cant do it anymore, I just cant bet against him.

I agree that Housh is bigger, stronger (blocking) and maybe even faster (reminds me of Hines Ward). But Mase gets open against anybody consistently and he has hands of glue. Cant say that about Housh yet.
[/quote]
I think we have to let 1 go, and I'd rather have that be Mason.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='hammer' timestamp='1290804587' post='551288']
I actually thought Mase at 36 would have lost his effectiveness, but I was wrong. He must share Ray's DNA, because until he shows that he cant do it anymore, I just cant bet against him.

I agree that Housh is bigger, stronger (blocking) and maybe even faster (reminds me of Hines Ward). But Mase gets open against anybody consistently and he has hands of glue. Cant say that about Housh yet.
[/quote]
Im on this side of this debate as well....amazing that we now have options and are up in the air with who goes - Mase or Housh? Love it!!

[irave89]

[url="http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/blogs/sports/ravens/article_2309552a-f992-11df-a6cc-001cc4c03286.html"]Housh article[/url]<--- click

Housh wants to stay in Baltimore.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='Twoo' timestamp='1290802845' post='551273']
TJ isn't an idiot. He knows this is Mason's last year and if TJ does stay he'll be the #2 receiver and will be catching balls from a top 10 qb.
[/quote]


[quote name='irave89' timestamp='1290819578' post='551393']
[url="http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/blogs/sports/ravens/article_2309552a-f992-11df-a6cc-001cc4c03286.html"]Housh article[/url]<--- click

Housh wants to stay in Baltimore.
[/quote]

Smart man indeed.

[Bltravens]

Preston's written a couple of articles lately on Masons deal with Flacco and in both of them he very blatantly states the Ravens should move on from Mason at the end of the season.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1290820811' post='551408']
Preston's written a couple of articles lately on Masons deal with Flacco and in both of them he very blatantly states the Ravens should move on from Mason at the end of the season.
[/quote]

I noticed that too and was a bit surprised. He talked about the Ravens privately being tired of Mason's rants.

Just another eventual off-season story-line to take note of.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='EdReedFTW' timestamp='1290800056' post='551255']
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/TJ-Houshmandzadeh-says-he-likes-playing-for-Ravens-wants-to-come-back.html

TJ talks about how he likes playing in baltimore, his family like it here and what some of the factors would be for him staying or going somewhere else. I actually hope he starts for us next year, he could be a good part of the team going forward. On a side note, I think everybody can relate to his "you like her but she may not like you" metaphor
[/quote]

Mason's contract expires at the end of the next season, so I think we'll have to keep him, which will be great for our WR corps.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='hammer' timestamp='1290803113' post='551276']
I sure hope this is not Mase's last year. He is still a very, very good reciever and one of the best at what he does (route runnng).
[/quote]

I think it's time to let Mason go. We don't want Mason to fall into the Favre trap. We should draft a new WR and develop him in the off-season (and of course, keep Houshmandzadeh).

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1290822154' post='551418']
I think it's time to let Mason go. We don't want Mason to fall into the Favre trap. We should draft a new QB and develop him in the off-season (and of course, keep Houshmandzadeh).
[/quote]

This probably will be Mason's final year here but what trap did Favre fall into that Mason could as well? They play completely different positions.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1290822377' post='551419']
This probably will be Mason's final year here but what trap did Favre fall into that Mason could as well? They play completely different positions.
[/quote]

I mean playing well after your prime. Football isn't full of 41-year olds for a reason.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1290822595' post='551423']
I mean playing well after your prime. Football isn't full of 41-year olds for a reason.
[/quote]

Obviously. However, Mason has been well past his prime for a while now but is still a solid contributer and still manages to surprise CBs with his speed.

[irave89]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1290821257' post='551412']
Mason's contract expires at the end of the season, so I think we'll have to keep him, which will be great for our WR corps.
[/quote]

In that article I posted about Housh,it says in one of the paragraphs that Mason is signed for next season.

On another note, I don't think we should let Mason go,that's like saying we should got head and cut Ray Ray also (which I don't think anyone wants right now). Mason is still a big contributer so I don't really see a need to let him go.

Cam just needs to find a way to incorporate everyone into the game so everyone is satified.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='irave89' timestamp='1290824481' post='551433']

Cam just needs to find a way to incorporate everyone into the game so everyone is satified.
[/quote]
I dont subscribe to that theory, Cams needs to win games, not make people happy. Those people should be concentrating on winning games and not how many times they get the ball, if theyre not then theyre not the right people.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1290822154' post='551418']
I think it's time to let Mason go. We don't want Mason to fall into the Favre trap. We should draft a new QB and develop him in the off-season (and of course, keep Houshmandzadeh).
[/quote]
You mean WR, correct?

[1/28/01]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1290821257' post='551412']
Mason's contract expires at the end of the season, so I think we'll have to keep him, which will be great for our WR corps.
[/quote]
Masons contract "expires" next year.....

[hammer]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1290822154' post='551418']
I think it's time to let Mason go. We don't want Mason to fall into the Favre trap. We should draft a new WR and develop him in the off-season (and of course, keep Houshmandzadeh).
[/quote]

The Favre Trap? Could you explain what you are alluding too. I think I know what youu are saying, but I should probably let you say it before responding to it.

[hammer]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1290825168' post='551440']
I dont subscribe to that theory, Cams needs to win games, not make people happy. Those people should be concentrating on winning games and not how many times they get the ball, if theyre not then theyre not the right people.
[/quote]

Agreed. Cam neds to win games. However, winning games and making players happy are not mutually exclusive goals in todays NFL culture. The players hold the power to the locker room. Unfortunately, but true.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='hammer' timestamp='1290831324' post='551475']
The Favre Trap? Could you explain what you are alluding too. I think I know what youu are saying, but I should probably let you say it before responding to it.
[/quote]

I mean you should know when to retire. Mason's still been playing great, but he and GM are going to have to decide whether or not they feel Mason can sustain his current efficiency. Favre now has a blemish on his otherwise stellar career because of all the INT (17) he threw this season, among other things. He and everyone else at M.O.A. Field should have realized that he should have stayed in retirement. Regardless of whether Mason stays or not, we definitely need to draft a new WR to prepare for the future.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1290832968' post='551494']
I mean you should know when to retire. Mason's still been playing great, but he and GM are going to have to decide whether or not they feel Mason can sustain his current efficiency. [b]Favre now has a blemish on his otherwise stellar career because of all the INT (17) he threw this season, among other things.[/b] He and everyone else at M.O.A. Field should have realized that he should have stayed in retirement. Regardless of whether Mason stays or not, [b]we definitely need to draft a new WR to prepare for the future.[/b]
[/quote]

If we are talking about interceptions, Favre has numerous "blemishes" on his career. Leading the league in INTs in '05 and the costly picks in the 07 and '09 season's NFC title games come to mind.

To your point about a WR, David Reed has potential but a big-bodied WR with hands to develop would be nice.

[CapoRocky]

Ok. Let's re-sign TJ for another 3-4 years and throw him the ball more. I guarantee that he will have many TDs for us for years to come. I honestly thought that we were going to lose the Steelers game after we couldn't get the ball into the endzone. Joe didn't give up so easily. His pass to TJ was amazing. As for his TD in the Panthers game:(1)the pass was badly under thrown;(2)he adjusted to it and slowed up to catch the ball;(3)he held on to it even though the defender was trying to strip it from him; (4) he fought his way into the endzone. I'm not saying that Mason hasn't had a great run here in Baltimore, that may or may not be surpassed by Boldin in the next few years. Maybe Todd Heap will eventually give in to injuries and retire, but I'm optimistic that Dickson and Pitta will carry on for him when he finally goes. We are set at RB and FB for a few years. I think we need to draft a pass rusher and a CB in 2011. Let's go with what we have and train Reed in case of injury.

[hammer]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1290832968' post='551494']
I mean you should know when to retire. Mason's still been playing great, but he and GM are going to have to decide whether or not they feel Mason can sustain his current efficiency. Favre now has a blemish on his otherwise stellar career because of all the INT (17) he threw this season, among other things. He and everyone else at M.O.A. Field should have realized that he should have stayed in retirement. Regardless of whether Mason stays or not, we definitely need to draft a new WR to prepare for the future.
[/quote]

Ok, I see your point.

[UMDan]

Houshe will be productive as long as he's open. Does he have any drops this year? It's just a matter of getting open and he'll get the ball more. Boldin will always be a more common target if open though.

And re: the Favre/Mason comparison... I don't see Mason continuing to play if he has many hiccups (drops, fumbles, etc.) Favre is a franchise QB and a legend, Mason (not to discount him) but he's not the icon Favre is and thus he wont be kept around if he becomes a liability.

[hammer]

I am not sure what you mean that Mase might be a liability. How do you come to that conclusion?