MERGED: General Reactions to the Reported Cuts

[mawcb]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' timestamp='1311706557' post='715705']
Ray is old. Ed is old. Peyton Manning is old. Tom Brady is old. James Farrior is old. Terrell Owens is old. Charles Woodson is old. Darren Sharper is old. Hines Ward is old. Reggie Wayne is old. So what? Age is only a number, some players age much better than others. Mason is one of them.
[/quote]
but there all still good,
untill you explain how in a playoff game half a catch a game is okay , and paying a 37 year old 4.5mil to do that then shhh.

ozzie is the gm, not you.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='mawcb' timestamp='1311706671' post='715712']
but there all still good,
untill you explain how in a playoff game half a catch a game is okay , and paying a 37 year old 4.5mil to do that then shhh.

ozzie is the gm, not you.
[/quote]
Neither are you.....what's to say Mason isn't resigned and takes the #2 receiver spot once again?

[mawcb]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1311706716' post='715715']
Neither are you.....what's to say Mason isn't resigned and takes the #2 receiver spot once again?
[/quote]

I hope he is i love mason, i am arguing why he was cut, he wasnt worth 4.5mil, i am arguing for what OZZIE did, i didnt cut him.
never said he was terrible, but he isnt getting better, only slower...

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

Just because he didn't perform in the playoffs doesn't mean that he's completely done. The guy is still effective especially considering he's 37. I think that the Ravens will make him a cheaper offer and a smaller role and I think he'll take it. He has come out and said that Baltimore would be top of his list of teams he'd like to play for.

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1311706716' post='715715']
Neither are you.....what's to say Mason isn't resigned and takes the #2 receiver spot once again?
[/quote]

I really don't think so. I think Mason will attract some attention to teams with a superstar number 1, like the Cardinals or the Texans. Mason isn't a good compliment to Boldin. He's disappeared in the playoffs, he's getting slower and we need some speed/height for someone who's playing the number 2. I don't usually get in to the hype, but for some off reason, I think we'll sign either Holmes or Rice, which will obviously diminish any chance of Mason coming back. I love him, he'll forever be one of my favorite Ravens, but he's just not cutting it, and I really doubt he'll accept a role of being the slot WR.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='mawcb' timestamp='1311706671' post='715712']
but there all still good,
untill you explain how in a playoff game half a catch a game is okay , and paying a 37 year old 4.5mil to do that then shhh.

ozzie is the gm, not you.
[/quote]

That's not what you're saying. Mason is old, that's all. Stop harping and complaining about two catches. Flacco only threw for 125 yards in the Pittsburgh game and Heap saw nearly half of Flacco's completions against Kansas City.

Again, your viewpoint is ridiculous ignorant and absurd, so I'm done talking to an borderline troll. You've done nothing to strengthen your argument other than say "one catch" and "age" as to why Mason's "bad". However, the fact that you say we can get the same production out of Marcus Smith and Justin Harper who haven't had ONE career catch between either of them completely negates your argument in the first place. I'll take a consistent player who has chemistry with our quarterback over two guys who can't make the team aside from special teams (for Smith) or at all (for Harper).

And for the record, I'm not even talking about whether I want Mason on the team or not, it's the fact that you have ignorance and gull to claim Mason is terrible. So please, go back to watching football casually and leave the discussion to people who actually pay attention.

[RavensAllTheWay]

Speaking of Heap, he is more valuable to this team and offense than Mason. Am I in the minority in that I would resign Heap over Mason?

[mawcb]

no he can actually come to play in the playoffs.

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1311707228' post='715748']
Speaking of Heap, he is more valuable to this team and offense than Mason. Am I in the minority in that I would resign Heap over Mason?
[/quote]

Yep, I agree. Part of me wants Dickson to shine and start next year, but Heap is so vital because of his blocking and his hands. We'll see what happens.

[Blex64]

[quote name='mawcb' timestamp='1311706671' post='715712']
but there all still good,
untill you explain how in a playoff game half a catch a game is okay , and paying a 37 year old 4.5mil to do that then shhh.

ozzie is the gm, not you.
[/quote]

He also caught 61 passes for 802 yards, with the same number of touchdowns and YPC as Boldin, with only 3 less catches for 30 less yards.

He played as well as Boldin did last season, and he's still an asset to the team. An extremely valuable one. Honestly, your attitude is extremely disrespectful and it kind of offends me. Were not the Patriots who dump players on their ***, and I'm proud of that. I love Mason, he's been a steady rock for this team to lean on. I really hope he comes back for another season. He's STILL an awesome receiver, despite the crap you write about him (citing 2 games out of the 18 we played? Really?)and I think pretty much everyone wants to see him get a ring. He's earned it, and he can certainly help get one for his teammates.

[BMORElegacy]

The way Foxworth was talking in his presser (can be found in the videos section) it makes me think that he sees the writing on the wall and that he knows he's going to get cut. He kept saying that being involved in the CBA negotiations has put a target on his back and that he is going to be "black balled" throughout the league.

This may not be a popular observation but I feel like that's a real groundless and underhanded thing to say; it really irks me. I feel like he knows the axe is coming because of his contract and the recent releases of previous franchise players, and he's trying to reach for excuses and look like a martyr... If the axe does come and you are released, I hope you can take it in stride like Mason and realize it's not because of the CBA, but because you're being overpaid. Nothing personal, its just business Fox.

[mawcb]

[quote name='Blex64' timestamp='1311707419' post='715761']
He also caught 61 passes for 802 yards, with the same number of touchdowns and YPC as Boldin, with only 3 less catches for 30 less yards.

He played as well as Boldin did last season, and he's still an asset to the team. An extremely valuable one. Honestly, your attitude is extremely disrespectful and it kind of offends me. Were not the Patriots who dump players on their ***, and I'm proud of that. I love Mason, he's been a steady rock for this team to lean on. I really hope he comes back for another season. He's STILL an awesome receiver, despite the crap you write about him (citing 2 games out of the 18 we played? Really?)and I think pretty much everyone wants to see him get a ring. He's earned it, and he can certainly help get one for his teammates.
[/quote]


OK everyone in here, I am sorry I come off like that or as a troll. honestly i am not, i feel strongly about it is all, he needed to be cut and come back cheaper, simple as that

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='BMORElegacy' timestamp='1311707429' post='715763']
The way Foxworth was talking in his presser (can be found in the videos section) it makes me think that he sees the writing on the wall and that he knows he's going to get cut. He kept saying that being involved in the CBA negotiations has put a target on his back and that he is going to be "black balled" throughout the league.

This may not be a popular observation but I feel like that's a real groundless and underhanded thing to say; it really irks me. I feel like he knows the axe is coming because of his contract and the recent releases of previous franchise players, and he's trying to reach for excuses and look like a martyr... If the axe does come and you are released, I hope you can take it in stride like Mason and realize it's not because of the CBA, but because you're being overpaid. Nothing personal, its just business Fox.
[/quote]

He's getting payed way too much for someone who was mediocre in his first year with us, then didn't play all last year and is coming off of a torn ACL. The way I see it, either restructure your contract and take less so we can sign Wilson and others, or be cut. I just can't see a way where he stays on the team with what he's getting payed now, especially since Yanda wants way more than what we thought. He should have been cut before McGahee, Mason and Heap to be honest.

[mawcb]

they prob felt bad all the work he has been doing to cut him right away, tho I do think he they may

and I couldnt care any less about people on here going off on me, bring it i love a good argument.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='Blex64' timestamp='1311707419' post='715761']
He also caught 61 passes for 802 yards, with the same number of touchdowns and YPC as Boldin, with only 3 less catches for 30 less yards.

[b]He played as well as Boldin did last season[/b], and he's still an asset to the team. An extremely valuable one. Honestly, your attitude is extremely disrespectful and it kind of offends me. [b]Were not the Patriots who dump players on their ***[/b], and I'm proud of that. I love Mason, he's been a steady rock for this team to lean on. I really hope he comes back for another season. He's STILL an awesome receiver, despite the crap you write about him (citing 2 games out of the 18 we played? Really?)and I think pretty much everyone wants to see him get a ring. He's earned it, and he can certainly help get one for his teammates.
[/quote]
To be fair, I believe Boldin was double teamed and schemed out a lot more towards the second half of the season, which is when Housh and especially Mase really picked up the slack.

The Patriots don't dump people on their a**es, they do what's best for their team. Nature of the business. Winning doesn't have to be pretty, it just has to happen.

[Tyler]

With all of the recent cuts, Listening to radio shows such as Scott Garceau etc.. I've been hearing these guys say that this could possibly be a transition year? Come on man! That makes no sense at all. We are the favorites to not only win the division, but we are also poised to make a big super bowl run. We are built to win now. So for Scott Garceau to say that this year is a possible transition year is absurd. He did make a good point that from what we lose, we will gain when free agency starts. Jeremy also said we will be better off. Sorry to get on my soapbox, but right now, Ravens and the words rebuilding or transition don't belong in the same sentence. Those are reserved for another Baltimore team.

[BMORElegacy]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1311707673' post='715781']
He's getting payed way too much for someone who was mediocre in his first year with us, then didn't play all last year and is coming off of a torn ACL. The way I see it, either restructure your contract and take less so we can sign Wilson and others, or be cut. I just can't see a way where he stays on the team with what he's getting payed now, especially since Yanda wants way more than what we thought. He should have been cut before McGahee, Mason and Heap to be honest.
[/quote]
Trust me, you're preaching to the choir. I've been wanting them to deal with Foxworth since February. It just irked me that he was making the comments he was making about the possibility of him being released. He of all people should understand the business side of the game; I just feel like its extremely unprofessional for him to try and make something out of nothing.

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='BMORElegacy' timestamp='1311708197' post='715797']
Trust me, you're preaching to the choir. I've been wanting them to deal with Foxworth since February. It just irked me that he was making the comments he was making about the possibility of him being released. He of all people should understand the business side of the game; I just feel like its extremely unprofessional for him to try and make something out of nothing.
[/quote]

I think he's a good man, I like his character and all, but I'd honestly rather have Chris Carr over him, and Josh Wilson over him. I doubt we can trade him because of his contract, but we need to sign some key players, and he's not one of them, not since we drafted Jimmy.

[Blex64]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1311708054' post='715793']
To be fair, I believe Boldin was double teamed and schemed out a lot more towards the second half of the season, which is when Housh and especially Mase really picked up the slack.

The Patriots don't dump people on their a**es, they do what's best for their team. Nature of the business. Winning doesn't have to be pretty, it just has to happen.
[/quote]

In the beginning of the season Mason was schemed for and doubled. Remember the Jets season opener? Ryan knew how much the team relied on him and stuck Revis on him.

And just because the Patriots seek one avenue of success doesn't mean its the only one. They treat their players like crap. They've gotten rings for it, and they've obviously been successful, but that doesn't mean the players are any more respected by the organization.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='mawcb' timestamp='1311707198' post='715746']
, so I'm done talking to an borderline troll.


lol


playoffs where it matter, and if you didnt see mason slow down towards enbd of lasdt year before playoffs then your blind, [b]just because i agree with cutting him[/b] and i said id love to have him back cheaper i am troll?

[/quote]

Did I say I didn't agree with cutting him. No, I'm not. I'm not even debating his salary, and whether it's too much for his ability. I'm arguing your point of claiming Mason is terrible. What I'm saying has had [i]nothing[/i] to do with the financial aspects of Mason, but his contributions. You've done nothing but make silly statements and uncalled for insults. I called you a borderline troll due to how you're coming off with your statements.

Mason DOES come to the playoffs:
[u]2000 Playoffs (1 Game):[/u]
7 Receptions, 88 Yards

[u]2002 Playoffs (2 Games):[/u]
10 Receptions, 115 Yards

[u]2003 Playoffs (2 Games):[/u]
10 Receptions, 118 Yards, 1 TD

[u]2006 Playoffs (1 Game):[/u]
2 Receptions, 16 Yards

[u]2008 Playoffs (3 Games):[/u]
12 Receptions, 190 yards, 1 touchdown

[u]2009 Playoffs: (2 Games)[/u]
5 Receptions, 72 yards
(Note: Flacco only threw for 34 yards total in the New England game for those who forget)

[u]2010 Playoffs (2 Games):[/u]
1 Reception, 11 Yards

That makes Mason's career playoff production:
47 Receptions, 610 yards, 2 touchdowns

It's not amazing, but the man hardly "never shows up in the post season". It's not his fault the Ravens ended up facing the Colts and Steelers the past two years and that our running game destroyed New England.

Now I'm done with this conversation.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1311707413' post='715760']
Yep, I agree. Part of me wants Dickson to shine and start next year, but Heap is so vital because of his blocking and his hands. We'll see what happens.
[/quote]

After that catch by Dickson against Denver, man... I'm definitely excited to see how well he'll play starting. But you're spot on when it comes to the blocking though. Dickson and Pitta are extremely rough when it comes to the blocking game.

What irks me more about releasing Heap and Mason is more about how truncated the offseason is. Unless a big signing comes, you're asking potentially two young rookies (Doss and Smith) and a young second year player to step in and make big plays in the passing game. When it comes to Smith and Doss, they've had an extremely short amount of time actually with the team, the transition period to the professional level is going to be steeper for them. So this is a time when you'd want those clutch guys who have chemistry with your quarterback and offensive scheme. Now I know the financial aspect really trumps all, and sacrifices must be made for the overall good of the team, so that doesn't really bother me. You just have to hope you're not going to hinder the passing game.

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' timestamp='1311709174' post='715850']
After that catch by Dickson against Denver, man... I'm definitely excited to see how well he'll play starting. But you're spot on when it comes to the blocking though. Dickson and Pitta are extremely rough when it comes to the blocking game.

What irks me more about releasing Heap and Mason is more about how truncated the offseason is. Unless a big signing comes, you're asking potentially two young rookies (Doss and Smith) and a young second year player to step in and make big plays in the passing game. When it comes to Smith and Doss, they've had an extremely short amount of time actually with the team, the transition period to the professional level is going to be steeper for them. So this is a time when you'd want those clutch guys who have chemistry with your quarterback and offensive scheme. Now I know the financial aspect really trumps all, and sacrifices must be made for the overall good of the team, so that doesn't really bother me. You just have to hope you're not going to hinder the passing game.
[/quote]

Don't get me started about Dickson's blocking. Ouch! It's hard to release someone like Mason, especially considering how important he is to the offense, and how he and Joe are always on the same page. But I have a lot of faith in Boldin. He's been in the system for a year, he has the same "winning" attitude that Mason has, and I fully expect him to have a bounce back year. You have to put the rookies in the fire at some point. It seems as if we shy away from that, ever since Clayton had up and down seasons, Williams with his injuries, and Marcus Smith and Justin Harper never seeing time. This is just my opinion, but I think Smith and Doss are more talented than any of those names, and if they want to prove it, you have to put them in huge games at huge moments. The growing pains will be there, but they could develop into something that Baltimore has never had, and that's a young, talented pair of WR's that can grow with the franchise QB for several years. I'll miss Mason, but he's replaceable, and like I said in another thread, I think the Ravens will sign a younger Vet to come into the rotation to give the two rookies a breather.

[grantkyle2003]

I still say we cut foxworth. Im still hesistant on trying to resign gaither to any big deals, he just hasnt earned a big pay day. Watch the redskins get him and be there new albert haynesworth.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1311709636' post='715873']
Don't get me started about Dickson's blocking. Ouch! It's hard to release someone like Mason, especially considering how important he is to the offense, and how he and Joe are always on the same page. But I have a lot of faith in Boldin. He's been in the system for a year, he has the same "winning" attitude that Mason has, and I fully expect him to have a bounce back year. You have to put the rookies in the fire at some point. It seems as if we shy away from that, ever since Clayton had up and down seasons, Williams with his injuries, and Marcus Smith and Justin Harper never seeing time. This is just my opinion, but I think Smith and Doss are more talented than any of those names, and if they want to prove it, you have to put them in huge games at huge moments. The growing pains will be there, but they could develop into something that Baltimore has never had, and that's a young, talented pair of WR's that can grow with the franchise QB for several years. I'll miss Mason, but he's replaceable, and like I said in another thread, I think the Ravens will sign a younger Vet to come into the rotation to give the two rookies a breather.
[/quote]

If this were a normal offseason where Smith and Doss would have had the usual amount of time to acclimate themselves with the team, I think it would have lessened the blow. Our two rookies are definitely infinitely better than Harper and Marcus Smith, there's just alot of faith being put in Torrey and Doss with such short time to get accustomed is all.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='Blex64' timestamp='1311707419' post='715761']
He also caught 61 passes for 802 yards, with the same number of touchdowns and YPC as Boldin, with only 3 less catches for 30 less yards.

He played as well as Boldin did last season, and he's still an asset to the team. An extremely valuable one. Honestly, your attitude is extremely disrespectful and it kind of offends me. Were not the Patriots who dump players on their ***, and I'm proud of that. I love Mason, he's been a steady rock for this team to lean on. I really hope he comes back for another season. He's STILL an awesome receiver, despite the crap you write about him (citing 2 games out of the 18 we played? Really?)and I think pretty much everyone wants to see him get a ring. He's earned it, and he can certainly help get one for his teammates.
[/quote]

That was Boldin's first year with Joe, and in Cam's system... not to mention Cam grossly misused Boldin and his talents. Boldin will have a big year this year.

[RavensAllTheWay]

http://blogs.nfl.com/category/jason-la-canfora/?module=HP11_content_stream

Apparently, we are likely to lose Landry, LeRon McClain, Carr and Gaither.

1. Just how much are we going to pay Ngata and Yanda?

2. Are we really planning on dumping a few serviceable players for one or two huge signings?

3. Are we bringing back Heap and Mason (and Gregg) for cheaper deals?

So much going on right now.

[mawcb]

good lord your still going on about this, why do we casre about his playoff games from 5-10 years ago, fact is he was easily covered with one guy last year towards end of year, he then went into 2 playoff games and had 1 catch, again who cares about 10 years ago its about now and the FUTURE not 2000

atleast boldin has an excuse he was being double covered all the time because ol reliable mason was being held in check by 3rd stringers

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

This is just the part of the game that sucks, the business aspect. The Ravens have to do what they have to do and, yes these cuts are kind of hard to take. That being said, I just have to trust Ozzie and Eric to do what they do best. As for the players, I just want to say thank you and I wish you all the best in the future!

[12jerry]

with the season and workouts right around the corner we should not be cutting heap or mason we can work in our rookies along the way but if we want to win we cannot put our hopes with rookies yet they will not have the time to fully understand the offense or be prepared to go againest the nfl elite mason great for short yardage heap might not keep getting hurt if flacco could hit him in stried not jump for the ball leaving him opean for big shots he might not get hurt the biggest thing we need to change is the o line to protect flacco better he does not have good awarness and change the offensive coordinator and bring in a person who knows how to run the offense we are a run built team that could open up the pass if it was run right

[Blex64]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1311710713' post='715921']
That was Boldin's first year with Joe, and in Cam's system... not to mention Cam grossly misused Boldin and his talents. Boldin will have a big year this year.
[/quote]

I'm not saying he won't, and I'm not putting Boldin down. I love Boldin, and I hope he has a HUGE year. That's not what I was arguing.


[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1311710782' post='715925']
http://blogs.nfl.com/category/jason-la-canfora/?module=HP11_content_stream

Apparently, we are likely to lose Landry, LeRon McClain, Carr and Gaither.

1. Just how much are we going to pay Ngata and Yanda?

2. Are we really planning on dumping a few serviceable players for one or two huge signings?

3. Are we bringing back Heap and Mason (and Gregg) for cheaper deals?

So much going on right now.
[/quote]

We've been likely to lose Landry, McClain, Gaither, and either Carr or Wilson since the start of the offseason. Landry is one of, if not the best Safeties on the market. McClain wants to be a RB, not a FB, and we don't need to overpay for him if he doesn't even want to do what we want to pay him for. We'll probably keep either Carr or Wilson, but not both of them. Gaither is the big question mark. I think if both he and the organization actually want him to stay, he'll end up staying, but that's completely up in the air.

Yanda reportedly turned down a 6.5m contract before the lockout, so we'll see how that turns out I guess. Ngata's going to get an absolutely massive deal.

Were cutting these players because we need the cap room. Gregg might be back, and Mason seems like he really wants to be here. Heap is the big question mark, and also the one I personally want to return most. He's an ENORMOUS asset to the team, and if we really do lose him it's going to be really heartbreaking.


[quote name='mawcb' timestamp='1311710859' post='715931']
good lord your still going on about this, why do we casre about his playoff games from 5-10 years ago, fact is he was easily covered with one guy last year towards end of year, he then went into 2 playoff games and had 1 catch, again who cares about 10 years ago its about now and the FUTURE not 2000

atleast boldin has an excuse he was being double covered all the time because ol reliable mason was being held in check by 3rd stringers
[/quote]

Apologies don't seem too sincere if you continue saying the things you just apologized for. You continue to cite one bad playoff run after a perfectly good season, and tons of past successful seasons. You're citing the exception, not the rule, and its pretty much the worst argument you could make. I'm not arguing that he's probably not worth the money he's in line to make, but that doesn't make him the terrible player you keep calling him.