Sit Derrick Mason

[cheeze]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='111086' date='Dec 21 2008, 09:49 PM']Even though I don't proclaim to be a head coach, I wouldn't cater to the fans by putting Mason in the game.

However...as a concession, if I [i]were[/i] Coach Harbaugh in this situation, I'd choose NOT to deactivate Mason, and would still keep him dressed on the bench, but would ONLY put him in if there was an injury.

There. Good compromise, right? [/quote]

i was hoping someone else would say this so i wouldnt have to type the whole thing

i vote mason the best one armed reciever this year lol. and since people were talking about post game interviews than you should all know it was his trap. muscle locking up that was bothering him, not his shoulder.

[MagicianCamille]

Let Derrick get the chance to go over 1k receiving this year, he's earned it and is only 40 yards off.

[Reed_4_President]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='111050' date='Dec 21 2008, 09:01 PM']I honestly believe that Mase should be given the week off. With a pretty pathetic Jacksonville team coming into town, Mason should be allowed to rehab this entire week and only begin to prepare after this Sunday.

Although it's a bit presumptuous to assume we're going to make the playoffs, I think benching Derrick is a risk we need to take. I do not want to go on the road in the first round and have Flacco throwing to an injured Mason.

Without Derrick, our offense quickly becomes an extremely weak unit. Although we may not rack up the points against the Jaguars without him, Clayton, Heap and McClain need to step up for the post season anyways.

I don't want to prepare this week and then have to go through the gameday rituals; rather, I'm hoping Mason gets rule out early this week so that he can rehabilitate his separated shoulder as much as possible.

Although a guy like Ray Rice needs to play so as to get back into speed, I have no doubt that Mason can come back full speed even with a week off.

So what are your thoughts? Should Mason be put in against the Jaguars, or is the smart move to let him rest?[/quote]

That is one of the dumbest things i have heard. Sit Mason?! are you crazy.. HE IS OUR ONLY RECEIVER, and I HOPE THE RAVENS ARN'T THINKING LIKE YOU BECAUSE THE JAGS PERSONALLY SCARE ME.. WE ALWAYS HAVE IT ROUGH WITH THEM I AM VERY WORRIED FOR US NEXT WEEKEND..

[STL Raven]

[quote name='MagicianCamille' post='111267' date='Dec 22 2008, 04:01 AM']Let Derrick get the chance to go over 1k receiving this year, he's earned it and is only 40 yards off.[/quote]
But at what cost?

Mason wants that milestone. His agent wants that milestone. The team wants a healthy Mason. He should sit, rehab, and start digesting tape of the Dolphins.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='Reed_4_President' post='111281' date='Dec 22 2008, 06:26 AM']That is one of the dumbest things i have heard. Sit Mason?! are you crazy.. HE IS OUR ONLY RECEIVER, and I HOPE THE RAVENS ARN'T THINKING LIKE YOU BECAUSE THE JAGS PERSONALLY SCARE ME.. WE ALWAYS HAVE IT ROUGH WITH THEM I AM VERY WORRIED FOR US NEXT WEEKEND..[/quote]

Not only was your sentiment well thought out, but it was also extremely informative and backed with strong logic.

[STL Raven]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='111292' date='Dec 22 2008, 06:48 AM']Not only was your sentiment well thought out, but it was also extremely informative and backed with strong logic.[/quote]
And a deft use of caps lock to rapidly convey a point. Clearly he's not bothered by holding down the shift key.

[raylewislapsu]

"That is one of the dumbest things i have heard. Sit Mason?! are you crazy.. HE IS OUR ONLY RECEIVER, and I HOPE THE RAVENS ARN'T THINKING LIKE YOU BECAUSE THE JAGS PERSONALLY SCARE ME.. WE ALWAYS HAVE IT ROUGH WITH THEM I AM VERY WORRIED FOR US NEXT WEEKEND.."

Finally someone with some sense, you alll are kidding me right? This game is still a must win and Jacksonville just gave Indy a tough game. I don't care if Mason's shoulder is shattered he better be starting against Jacksonville. Miami and NE are going to win out, AFC wild card is only won by an 11-5 team, this next game is our postseason. period. And what is all this talk on this forum worrying about next year and talking about Kyle Boller and about who is going to replace Stover, WHO CARES. Our football team is good enough to go the the Super Bowl THIS year. We just stomped out Dallas in their house, and besides the two away games against Indy and NY this year, the Ravens have played Super Bowl caliber football. Lets put Jacksonville to sleep and make the playoffs.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='STL Raven' post='111294' date='Dec 22 2008, 07:50 AM']And a deft use of caps lock to rapidly convey a point. Clearly he's not bothered by holding down the shift key.[/quote]

I don't want to derail this thread as I think sitting Mason is a legitimate option, but I just can't see why someone would respond if they have nothing constructive to contribute.

Is it really that far fetched to suggest the benching of our most important receiver so that he can get ready for a playoff game?

I'm not completely overlooking the Jaguars, but the rest of our squad should be able to take care of Jacksonville pretty easily. If Heap/Clayton/McClain/Flacco/Rice can't make up for the loss of Mason against a pretty bad team, then we don't deserve the playoff anyways.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='raylewislapsu' post='111296' date='Dec 22 2008, 07:51 AM']"That is one of the dumbest things i have heard. Sit Mason?! are you crazy.. HE IS OUR ONLY RECEIVER, and I HOPE THE RAVENS ARN'T THINKING LIKE YOU BECAUSE THE JAGS PERSONALLY SCARE ME.. WE ALWAYS HAVE IT ROUGH WITH THEM I AM VERY WORRIED FOR US NEXT WEEKEND.."

Finally someone with some sense, you alll are kidding me right? This game is still a must win and Jacksonville just gave Indy a tough game. I don't care if Mason's shoulder is shattered he better be starting against Jacksonville. Miami and NE are going to win out, AFC wild card is only won by an 11-5 team, this next game is our postseason. period. And what is all this talk on this forum worrying about next year and talking about Kyle Boller and about who is going to replace Stover, WHO CARES. Our football team is good enough to go the the Super Bowl THIS year. We just stomped out Dallas in their house, and besides the two away games against Indy and NY this year, the Ravens have played Super Bowl caliber football. Lets put Jacksonville to sleep and make the playoffs.[/quote]

Thank God our front office doesn't have your foresight

[STL Raven]

[quote name='raylewislapsu' post='111296' date='Dec 22 2008, 06:51 AM']"That is one of the dumbest things i have heard. Sit Mason?! are you crazy.. HE IS OUR ONLY RECEIVER, and I HOPE THE RAVENS ARN'T THINKING LIKE YOU BECAUSE THE JAGS PERSONALLY SCARE ME.. WE ALWAYS HAVE IT ROUGH WITH THEM I AM VERY WORRIED FOR US NEXT WEEKEND.."

Finally someone with some sense, you alll are kidding me right? This game is still a must win and Jacksonville just gave Indy a tough game. I don't care if Mason's shoulder is shattered he better be starting against Jacksonville. Miami and NE are going to win out, AFC wild card is only won by an 11-5 team, this next game is our postseason. period. And what is all this talk on this forum worrying about next year and talking about Kyle Boller and about who is going to replace Stover, WHO CARES. Our football team is good enough to go the the Super Bowl THIS year. We just stomped out Dallas in their house, and besides the two away games against Indy and NY this year, the Ravens have played Super Bowl caliber football. Lets put Jacksonville to sleep and make the playoffs.[/quote]
I seriously doubt that Jacksonville will hang 400+ yards on the Ravens like they did on the Colts. That's just not going to happen.

And if Mason's shoulder blows up against the Jaguars, you've lost a guy for the playoffs who caught 6 passes for 87 yards and a score against the Dolphins, who, with a win on Sunday, will be our first round opponent.

And I'll be realistic, our team is not good enough to go to the super bowl this year. We're on the cusp, but we're not there yet.

[STL Raven]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='111298' date='Dec 22 2008, 06:55 AM']I don't want to derail this thread as I think sitting Mason is a legitimate option, but I just can't see why someone would respond if they have nothing constructive to contribute.

Is it really that far fetched to suggest the benching of our most important receiver so that he can get ready for a playoff game?

I'm not completely overlooking the Jaguars, but the rest of our squad should be able to take care of Jacksonville pretty easily. If Heap/Clayton/McClain/Flacco/Rice can't make up for the loss of Mason against a pretty bad team, then we don't deserve the playoff anyways.[/quote]
I agree completely.

Next man up, right? I don't see a viable scenario where Mason plays and doesn't get hurt. The only way he plays and doesn't get hurt is if he's running sideline routes and can dart out of bounds before contact. I don't see that being an option.

[jfc13]

I sometimes think the doctors should have a say, or at least, a strong influence, on what should happen in these circumstances. Could playing injured ruin a man's career? If so, one game, even if that game means getting into the playoffs, isn't worth risking a player's career. I'm not saying this injury IS career-threatening, but that is one of the things that should be considered and while some people here are saying the decision should be the player's or it should be coach's, I haven't seen anyone say anything about it being, at least partly, the doctor's decision.

[atcsraven]

I agree with sitting him. I would let him suit up just in case. The Jags are 8th against the run and 11th against the pass, 10th in interceptions. Hardly a shut down roster. McGahee seems to have broken his slump(fingers crossed). We can pound the rock all day. Clayton seems to playing well and we have Heap and Wilcox too. Does anyone know about Rice? Im surprised we didnt see him Saturday. There wasnt even a mention...

[raylewislapsu]

I don't want to derail this thread as I think sitting Mason is a legitimate option, but I just can't see why someone would respond if they have nothing constructive to contribute.

Is it really that far fetched to suggest the benching of our most important receiver so that he can get ready for a playoff game?

I'm not completely overlooking the Jaguars, but the rest of our squad should be able to take care of Jacksonville pretty easily. If Heap/Clayton/McClain/Flacco/Rice can't make up for the loss of Mason against a pretty bad team, then we don't deserve the playoff anyways.

I agree completely.

"Next man up, right? I don't see a viable scenario where Mason plays and doesn't get hurt. The only way he plays and doesn't get hurt is if he's running sideline routes and can dart out of bounds before contact. I don't see that being an option."


First of all, if you do not make the playoffs it makes no difference what Mason's status is in a week dumb. He is by far our best reciever, especially on 3rd down. Literally all season Flacco has been hitting him to keep the chains moving in huge situations, not to mention he is our best goal line option through the air. And I guarantee Mason will not let himself be benched in a game we must win to clinch. These type of games cannot be overlooked as soft or unimportant. Unless it's the lions no NFL game is an easy win. Jacksonville has absoultely nothing to lose, they are going to throw everything they have at us, its a pressureless game for them. If Indy didn't have Peyton Manning they would have lost last week. And have you learned nothing from the Giants last year. They came out in the last game of the regular season against the pats firing, their intensity that game is what catapulted them to making a SuperBowl run, and they sat noone. That same week Indy and Dallas sat all their starters and went into the playoffs flat and lost as favorites. The giants were not the best team in the NFL, they weren't even the best team in the NFC East and yet they won the superbowl. And to the idiot on this forum who says that we aren't a superbowl contender, how can you call yourself a Raven's fan. You don't even have to be a Raven's fan to know that teams will want to run and hide at the prospect of facing us come postseason. THAT'S RAY LEWIS TIME. What wins championships, oh yea defense and pounding the football. Again the Giants beat a team that had the best passing offense of all time, and they did it in the trenches. We just happen to have the number 2 defense and running offense in the NFL. Oopsies. Start Mason, bring the heat and let's burn the AFC to the ground.

[MDmid14]

As much as I want him to sit and get healthy I think he needs to play. We need him out there to make sure we can put away Jacksonville. If they play like they did against the Colts, this could be a much closer game then expected. If we get up by 14 or more then sit him, if not we need him out there.

[MKdave]

Personally, I agree with Ravenet, and I think we should sit him. Clayton has proved that he is a quality reciever, and he was particularly good the last time Mason had to sit. Remember? Everyone in the game thread was thinking (and typing) 'Oh god, now all we have in there is Clayton, and Clayton is no #1 reciever', but then he pretty turned into Mason, if they wore the same number I don't think I'd have noticed that Mase wasn't on the field anymore. Plus we have Heap, Wilcox and our full rotation of running backs should be healthy. If the D plays the way it can, we probably won't have to take the ball off the ground anyway. Like Ravenet said, it's really not worth putting Mason through a week of practice. I think we can win this game without him.

[PIG 20]

Bottom line, he needs to play.

Everyone around here is acting like this game is a "lock" for the Ravens. Maybe it will be but I don't think you put the best offensive weapon you have in the passing game on the bench for a game that determines whether we get into the playoffs or not.

If he can't go, that's one thing but if he says he can play, you put him in.

The Jags went blow for blow last week against the Colts. Granted the Colts didn't bring their defense to the game but still if there was ever a definition to a "trap game", this is it!

The Jags would love to spoil our chances for the playoffs. This was a team who at the beginning of the season were favored to go to the Superbowl.

If we lose this game, that's it. No more Ravens football until next year. We must use every player that is ready to play so that we ensure a victory and a playoff birth.

I went home pissed off two weeks ago after that Steelers game. I don't want to go home next week feeling the same way.

[RavenFever]

[quote name='Ryan561' post='111121' date='Dec 21 2008, 10:25 PM']I think I have an easy solution. Get a conformable lead quickly using mason, and then take him out of the game...[/quote]

I'd reverse that order.......... Dress him and don't put him in unless it's needed. He deserves to rest it a bit!!

[theFRANCHISE]

For the record...the suggestion of sitting Mason DOESN'T mean we think this game is a guaranteed win. This isn't about overlooking an opponent or gambling on our playoff chances -- it's about the long-term health of our most reliable receiver.

Besides, as other people have said (and I'll reiterate), this is a case of "next man up." How can we expect to win a playoff game if all we do is rely on ONE receiver? Everyone else needs to step up, period.

[ravensfan160]

Lets not forget that we only have 3 healthy receivers and thats including Mason. If he doesn't play that only leaves Clayton and Smith. Smith by the way hasn't even caught a pass yet. For that reason alone I don't think sitting Mason is an option.

Also, we all saw how tough Mason is and how determined he was to help us win a critical game. Well next weeks game is no less important that the Cowboy game. They may be considered a lesser opponent but the win against the Cowboys won't mean much if we lose to the Jags.

Mason will play.

[foreversunny23]

I've noticed that in some posts people have argued to sit Mason so that he will be healthier for a playoff game. The only problem is that the Jags game is a must win game. Just to clear things up we "can clinch playoff berth with win over Jacksonville OR Miami loss at NY Jets OR New England loss at Buffalo." The Jets and Bills haven't been looking good at all. Because of that Mason is going play.

Should he play? I don't think he should because other receivers should step up in his place. In my opinion, Heap is not a good blocker and should be used as a receiver more. Unfortunately with the injuries in our O-line, he's going to be blocking more. That leaves Clayton, Figurs, and Smith to step up. Figurs has been nonexistent (injuries perhaps?) and I haven't seen anything from Smith. I hope our running game can carry us to the playoffs...

[Sizzle]

Are you a dumb ****** if we lose the game we are out of the play-offs. Do you think mark clayton and smith are going to get the job done. Jacsonville is not a bad team at all they have had many close games. Just having derrick mason out there gets him a double coverage and if he is out joe flacco will be blitzed by one guy more.

[20ravens52]

I believe since no one on here knows the specifics of his injury besides "dislocated shoulder", the coaching staff should analyze his injury and help him decide if he should play or not.

You can not look past any team in the NFL.

[Ravnet]

I think some of you are missing the point. Should Mason play this Sunday, he's most certainly going to get hit hard; with no bye week, Derrick will have to limp into his second consecutive game and endure blow after blow aimed specifically at his separated shoulder.

Although a week will not get Mason back to 100%, six days of complete and total rehabilitation will most definitely put him in a better situation than he is right now.

We all know that Flacco locks in on Mason, so by playing him this week you're assuring some additionally painful shots. Although I doubt he'd get knocked out for the entire season, Mase would go into the Miami/New York/New England game just barely hanging on.

I'm interested in making a Super Bowl run, and a 65% Mason just is not going to do the job.

[neepo13]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='111359' date='Dec 22 2008, 11:24 AM']For the record...the suggestion of sitting Mason DOESN'T mean we think this game is a guaranteed win. This isn't about overlooking an opponent or gambling on our playoff chances -- it's about the long-term health of our most reliable receiver.

Besides, as other people have said (and I'll reiterate), this is a case of "next man up." [b]How can we expect to win a playoff game if all we do is rely on ONE receiver? Everyone else needs to step up, period.[/b][/quote]

It would be alot easier for everyone else to step up with Mason on the field because him being there takes the pressure off. Some players just have that impact. And Mason is that guy on our offense.

[neepo13]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='111512' date='Dec 22 2008, 03:33 PM']I think some of you are missing the point. Should Mason play this Sunday, he's most certainly going to get hit hard; with no bye week, Derrick will have to limp into his second consecutive game and endure blow after blow aimed specifically at his separated shoulder.

Although a week will not get Mason back to 100%, six days of complete and total rehabilitation will most definitely put him in a better situation than he is right now.

We all know that Flacco locks in on Mason, so by playing him this week you're assuring some additionally painful shots. Although I doubt he'd get knocked out for the entire season, [b]Mase would go into the Miami/New York/New England game just barely hanging on.[/b]
I'm interested in making a Super Bowl run, and a 65% Mason just is not going to do the job.[/quote]

Your assuming we would beat the Jaguars without Mason. Thats the problem. We probably could do it but we need to give ourselves the best possible chance to win. We are not in the playoffs yet. Derrick Mason on the field gives us the best chance to win, period.

[MKdave]

[quote name='neepo13' post='111517' date='Dec 22 2008, 08:40 PM']It would be alot easier for everyone else to step up with Mason on the field because him being there takes the pressure off.[/quote]

Yeah but it's hard for a reciever to step up when you're hearing 85 get called every play.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='neepo13' post='111518' date='Dec 22 2008, 03:44 PM']Your assuming we would beat the Jaguars without Mason. Thats the problem. We probably could do it but we need to give ourselves the best possible chance to win. We are not in the playoffs yet. Derrick Mason on the field gives us the best chance to win, period.[/quote]

As ignorant as this sounds, we don't deserve the playoffs if we lose to the Jaguars at home. We've played this entire season without Landry, McAlister, Gregg, Quinn, and Williams. Dropping one more guy is not going to kill us.

[neepo13]

[quote name='MKdave' post='111519' date='Dec 22 2008, 03:44 PM']Yeah but it's hard for a reciever to step up when you're hearing 85 get called every play.[/quote]

Its also hard for you to step up when your double covered all day. And thats exactly what will happen to Heap and Clayton, if Mason doesnt play. Seriously, Yamon Figurs and Marcus Smith, they dont strike fear in anyone's heart and I seriously doubt Flacco has enough confidence in either of them to keep him away from forcing the ball to Heap, Wilcox, or Clayton.

[neepo13]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='111520' date='Dec 22 2008, 03:45 PM'][b]As ignorant as this sounds, we don't deserve the playoffs if we lose to the Jaguars at home.[/b] We've played this entire season without Landry, McAlister, Gregg, Quinn, and Williams. Dropping one more guy is not going to kill us.[/quote]

And thats not overlooking the opponant? I am not a fan of looking ahead just because of the other teams record. This team has worked way to hard to get this far and let arrogance take it away from them now. Derrick Mason is our best wr and its not even close. Him being on the field gives us the best chance to win a game that we must win.