[Blogs] ‘Fingers Crossed’ Mason, Birk Don’t Retire

[BR News]

As the Ravens’ 2010 season comes to an end, it’s natural for veterans to consider their futures.
 
Head Coach John Harbaugh hopes retirement is not part of wideout Derrick Mason and center Matt Birk’s considerations.
 

Inside the Locker Room
Right Click for Full Screen Option

“I’m sure when they get to this stage, guys always have to think about that every year,” Harbaugh said Monday, two days after the Ravens’ 31-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. “I’ll keep my fingers crossed that they don’t. I think we’re a better team with both those two guys, and my guess is they have a couple years left. It’ll be a family decision for them probably, but those are staples of our team right now.
 
“We can replace everybody, from the owner through the coach through the senior vice president of public relations. We’re all replaceable, and we would obviously move on if anybody decided not to play anymore, but I’m going to keep my fingers crossed for those two guys.”
 
Mason expressed a desire to retire in July of 2009, but ended up returning to the Ravens that season.  Last summer, the 14-year veteran signed a two-year contract.
 
Mason, who caught only one pass for 11 yards in the playoffs, declined to put a timetable on his decision and left his status open.
 
“I’ve had fun the last 14 years,” said Mason.  “After this, we’ll just see what happens.  I have some business I need to take care of physically.  Once I take care of those things physically, be with the kids, then I’ll start thinking about what I’m going to do next year.”
 
Birk, a six-time Pro Bowler, took a similar approach to Mason.  The 13-year veteran said he is looking forward to re-evaluating his future with his wife, Adrianna, and five children.
 
“I think I’ll just go home and see how I feel for the next few weeks,” said Birk, who dealt with a knee injury as the season waned.  “It’s not something you sit down and say, ‘I’ll take 30 minutes and make a decision.’  You just go by what you feel.  This is a job, but you can’t just go through the motions. 
 
“Just speaking for me, it’s 11 ½ months out of the year.  You don’t take three months off and do nothing.”
 
Harbaugh was more confident that safety Ed Reed, another player who has contemplated retirement in the past, will return.
 
Reed has a nagging nerve impingement in his neck, which has bothered him for the better part of two years.  In addition, Reed spent the first six weeks of the season on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing hip surgery last May.
 
“I’m very impressed and proud of Ed Reed,” Harbaugh said.  “Always have been, but even more so this year than ever. But I’ve seen him say publicly where he plans on playing for as long as he can, and he’s told me – I don’t think he’d mind me saying this – he wants to play football.
 
“Ed’s got a chance this offseason, I think, to be healthier than he’s ever been going into a season, because I don’t think he has anything major – that I’m aware of right now – any major injuries. He’s got some things he’s got to work through, but I think he’s going to have a full year of offseason conditioning and he’s really excited about that. I don’t want to speak for him, he’ll have to tell you all that, but I think Ed’s going to have a great year next year.”

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/01/17/fingers-crossed-mason-birk-dont-retire/]View the full article[/url]

[Blazin Ravens]

I'd hate to see them go. Birk more then Mason though.

[Black&Purple#1]

Yeah I Agree.

[HEINY55]

Agreed, both are incredible players and huge lean ons in their position groups. But, Birk is a GREAT lineman and Ravens need to get back to running the game and passing only when we need to. That's how we got to the AFC championship two years ago.

[RavensFan8a]

One more Time Boys...One more Time....Please!

[ravensfan098]

I would hate to lose either of these guys just because of the way they play. they leave it on the field and deserve to go out on top.

[BaltimoreRavensFan52]

We should strongly consider drafting Mike Pouncy. Markice Pouncys twin brother. Hes an excellent linemen and can be our future center.

[ReeceRavenUK]

Love to see them both stay, but mason does have to consider his age, he can still make some great plays, but needs to learn that hes 36, he struggled the get separation on saturday, need to give some younger guys in this draft a chance

[jimmypowder]

Honestly,we need young and new wr's and center.

Both of these guys,thanks for your time,especially Mase, but its time to move on.

Birk is done.He is getting pushed off the ball big time.

[Davido52]

I'd love to see Mason make it to 1000 career receptions. 76 more catches and a super bowl may be his drive for the season.

On the other hand If he decides to retire, Jon Baldwin out of Pitt and Titus Young of Boise State both seems promising. Who knows mabey Julio Jones will fall on our laps like Dez Bryant almost did.

[Irish Girl]

Last year's scare with Ed Reed was just...well, scary. Now that he's most likely back, I can breathe again...almost. I'm glad the team will look similar, and hopefully they'll keep Birk and Mason.

[Free Agent]

Ed Reed CANNOT retire!!!! We need him!!!!

[ESTAN]

Let Mason run his retirement song and dance. By all rights he needs to be a 3rd receiver. Boldin was destined to be his replacement.

[HardKnocks]

Mason not ready to retire, he wants his QB to be on point.

[spiffy91]

Happy Birthday Mase! Come back baby! One more year...

[swaggerall]

OZZIE NEWSOME PLZ SIGN NNAHMDI ASMOGUHA

[Ravens205]

let mason go hes old and runs his mouth too much we need somebody who is fast and can strech the field

[RiseNconquer]

No problem... put Mattison @ center. I mean we've kept him on the roster for some reason haven't we?

[Davido52]

If mason does decide to retire we could consider bringing in a veteran receiver who can contribute early in the season. Someone like vincent Jackson or santana moss who I beleive are both unrestricted free agents.

This should be done if there is enough money left over after re-signings and if Asomugha decides to take more money over wins (goes elsewhere).

[cbay52]

mason plays pretty great for a guy his age. i hate to say it though, but maybe if mason does retire we take away flaccos security blanket and make him throw to other recievers.

[ravens1game at a time]

if mason retires i say keep housh and stallworth we could use stallworth at slot in the 3rd wr position and housh running #2 and david reed can alson play the deep ball with his good speed soo i think we could go with drafting maybe a 3rd 4th round wr and use wat we have now

[GoingUpTop]

Want cam gone? EMAIL THE TEAM WITH THIS MESSAGE (just go to the bottom of this page and click contact us....then past this in there!) LETS TELL THEM THAT IF HE'S BACK WE'RE NOT!

Baltimore Ravens Mission Statement:

Our mission is to win football games, serve our fans, and be a positive force in the community.

If this is the case then you need to get rid of Cam Cameron! I'm sorry but if you don't you'll have a hard time convincing me that your mission is to win football games. You'll have an even harder time convincing me to pay to go to your games or buy anything raven related.

So please get rid of him now. If you don't consider this my, and numerous fans like me, resignation letter. As Albert Einstein once said "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".

[Ravenous5286]

I dont think it would be a complete loss if they retire because these are 2 positions that maybe we need some youth injected into the team. A young WR could add speed to the offense and a new center might add a little bit more to the pass protection.

[Raven4Life21]

Mason is so in shape he still plays like a youngster, Matt Birk had a great year (not sure what happend on that blown snap to Joe) but i hope he's back

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

come on boys... please you both to come back and give us at least a year of top football... you know you can... i hope you will

[sami]

weve got some speedy recievers, cam just dont use them. Adding a couple more isnt gonna help. And who is Asmoguha and what makes him so special?

[GregRaven]

I don't blame these guys if they retire. They don't need the money and there is no committment to winning in Baltimore as long as we have these coordinators. Why hang around when there is no possibe chance to get a ring.

[faithfulravenfan#1]

I would retire why come back to the same team doing the same thing....go live your lives you deserve it your family deserves it...........if nothing is going to change you both will find your self in the same place next year if there is any football next year you will punch your ticket only to sit and watch Rex and the Jetts go!

[bleed_purple351]

An yall call yalls self Raven fans. Why after we lose a playoff game start talking down about the ravens. Why talk so bad it is what it is get over it. Like them or dont, dont talk down about them when ever we lose. Be a real fan.

[shaggy2424]

Asmoguha is the best cornorback in the game