Derrick Mason Unhappy

[MagicianCamille]

[quote name='rlh445' post='163680' date='Mar 4 2009, 03:42 PM']But NFL teams don't pay for class, and they don't pay for character.[/quote]

The choice between a guy in Mason who has given us 3 1,000 yard seasons in the 4 years he's been here, has played when injured, has come back onto the field after suffering what looked like a dislocated shoulder, and continued to play throughout the season, and then a guy who distracted his entire team all year with talks about how he is NOT coming back to that team, as they advance through the playoffs and get to the super bowl, is OBVIOUS to me.

Also it's not true at all that NFL teams don't pay for class and character. Legal issues and work ethic always factor into decisions to sign players.

[ravensgirlx88]

[quote name='MagicianCamille' post='163947' date='Mar 4 2009, 06:25 PM']The choice between a guy in Mason who has given us 3 1,000 yard seasons in the 4 years he's been here, has played when injured, has come back onto the field after suffering what looked like a dislocated shoulder, and continued to play throughout the season, and then a guy who distracted his entire team all year with talks about how he is NOT coming back to that team, as they advance through the playoffs and get to the super bowl, is OBVIOUS to me.

Also it's not true at all that NFL teams don't pay for class and character. Legal issues and work ethic always factor into decisions to sign players.[/quote]

At least here it does. You can tell Heart is what's important to Harbs!

[Sherb]

havent u ppl watched the replacements jeesh

[Corvus]

[quote name='ravensfan160' post='163516' date='Mar 4 2009, 12:58 PM']James Walker from ESPN talked about it in his blog too. Mason is concerned if he gets hurt next season we could cut him leaving him to fend for himself.

Seeing as how many current and former players are really ticked off at us it concerning. Just look at the names Jason Brown, Chris McAlister, Samari Rolle, Suggs (for being franchised again), Ray Lewis (although thats all Rays fault), and now Mason is frustrated. Add to that the other two big free agents we lost in Scott and Leonard and this off season is a disaster. The only bright spot, if you can call it that, is the signing of Foxsworth. But in reality all that is is we overpaid for a career backup corner.

The key to this offseason was retaining our own and not only hasn't that happened but we've managed to make them all angry with us. Its not looking good at this point although its a long time before the season starts.[/quote]

Wow, extremely negative post...where to start....

Who cares about former players being ticked off at us. CMac can continue harboring a grudge against us for all I care, how does it affect the current team? And Jason Brown can lay down all the Kyle Boller smack talk he wants and pump up the Rams as an "above .500 team."

As far as current players go, I don't think Ray was "ticked off" at us, if anything the fanbase was ticked off at him for pumping himself up as a huge money free agent and throwing all that crap around about playing for Dallas. Ray is fine with us since he obviously accepted our offer. Mason has a legitimate concern here but right now is the free agency period, not contract extention period. When free agency is calmed down and all of the top guys are off the market, THEN Oz will turn to locking up Sizzle long term and looking into giving Mase an extension.

You're honestly telling me you didn't think Leonhard would be elsewhere this year? He was commanding starter's money and rightfully so, he has earned it. But we already had a starter in Dawan, who not to mention we could retain for much cheaper so that's that.

As far as Bart goes, I think everyone here wanted to keep him but weeks before free agency even started the general consensus around the league was we weren't going to have the cap space to retain him, Terrell, AND Ray and a lot of people pegged Bart as the odd man out. The Jets made an exorbitant offer to him and we were wise to not try and match it, we have plenty of guys who are more than ready to step into his spot.

And I am a little tired of all this Foxworth hate I am still seeing. As far as "overpaying him" keep in mind that the new contracts for guys like Asomugha and Kelvin Hayden, not to mention Asante Samuel last year really drove up the prices for top free agent cornerbacks. I would much rather have a young and healthy Foxworth and pay him $7 million a year as opposed to an injury prone and declining McAlister at $8 million, wouldn't you?

And how do you know Foxworth is a career backup corner? With that money he WILL be starting this year. He also played on two horrible defenses in his career in the NFL. The Broncos defense has been dreadful the past couple of years and the Falcons was bad until being average last year. Here he has a certified solid defensive scheme with most of the players already in place to be a fearsome unit. I guarantee you this year will be his best in the league. If you need further proof, just look at what our system did for Leonhard last year. A guy who was passed up in every single way throughout his career and was put into a proven system and now he became a hiughly sought commodity on the market. Enough said, Foxworth will be worth the money.

[Canes21]

just let him go after this year. we dont need to overpay for a man who will be 36 next year.

[rlh445]

[quote name='MagicianCamille' post='163947' date='Mar 4 2009, 05:25 PM']The choice between a guy in Mason who has given us 3 1,000 yard seasons in the 4 years he's been here, has played when injured, has come back onto the field after suffering what looked like a dislocated shoulder, and continued to play throughout the season, and then a guy who distracted his entire team all year with talks about how he is NOT coming back to that team, as they advance through the playoffs and get to the super bowl, is OBVIOUS to me.

Also it's not true at all that NFL teams don't pay for class and character. Legal issues and work ethic always factor into decisions to sign players.[/quote]

And yet, Boldin is still a great receiver in his own right. He is certainly not T.O. when it comes to distractions, and his outburst at the NFC game was admittedly childish. But there are players who have done much worse then that and yet still put up big numbers..which is all that matters to most NFL teams.

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='codizzle' post='163547' date='Mar 4 2009, 01:22 PM']picks.. 1st n 3rd... maybe less[/quote]
Who would trade a 1st or a 3rd draft pick for 35 year old WR?

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='RavensIQ' post='163530' date='Mar 4 2009, 01:15 PM']I say restructure his contract he's earned it. But when push comes to shove if we need the extra cap space for Anquan Boldin I say cut Mason and let Clayton take over for the old man.

Anquan wants to be released. Ozzie PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ offer a trade![/quote]

Hmmmm! This sounds really good! Yeah!

Only one thing, Boldin is going to want a big contract, where are we getting the money from?

[ravensgirlx88]

I just want to make this clear, I will NEVER and I mean NEVER talk bad about Derrick Mason. I want him to retire here and I have every feeling he will.

[RoflDogs]

This ain't madden folks, you cannot release players like they don't have feelings and needs

[PIG 20]

Boldin, Shmoldin!

Forget about it.

Our wideout is coming from the draft and thats it. We will still be a run first, pass second team next year regardless of our wide receiver group.

We don't have a head coach that has an ego the size of the universe. If we are winning with the run, then thats how we will play.

[PIG 20]

[quote name='ravensgirlx88' post='164188' date='Mar 4 2009, 08:10 PM']I just want to make this clear, I will NEVER and I mean NEVER talk bad about Derrick Mason. I want him to retire here and I have every feeling he will.[/quote]

You know, I think most players are due for some critisism here and there but I have to agree with this. I can't trash the guy at all. He's been a standup and genuine player from the start. He's not greedy, he just wants some security. I support him.

[Moderator 3]

Our WR might already be on the roster. I heard good things about our practice squad guys last year.

[Mishel]

[quote name='Canes21' post='164103' date='Mar 4 2009, 06:36 PM']just let him go after this year. we dont need to overpay for a man who will be 36 next year.[/quote]

He sure as heck doesn't play like a 36 year old. and he is the number one reciever we have at this point. Flacco obviously trusts him the most out of the offense and they do have a helluva on field relationship. I don't see a reason to mess with that, at this point.

[Mishel]

[quote name='PIG 20' post='164197' date='Mar 4 2009, 08:17 PM']You know, I think most players are due for some critisism here and there but I have to agree with this. I can't trash the guy at all. He's been a standup and genuine player from the start. He's not greedy, he just wants some security. I support him.[/quote]

I think all Ravens fans should support him. How can you not? He played throughout injury all season and never gave up.

[Marc2k6]

Mason is a beast, end of story!

[ATL_Ravens]

This guy has been great for us, you cant anything more from a player. he still has 2 more 1000 yard yrs left and should retire a raven.. I know there has to be a way to break him off and also make it cap friendly for us.. I dont think they have a problem paying him, because he does deserve it..Its the point can we afford it without hurting the team and addressing all our other needs and players. But if it can be done..we need to do it, he deserves it

[Ngata Chance]

[quote name='rlh445' post='163680' date='Mar 4 2009, 12:42 PM']Jeez, it's just business. Stop inserting the heart into it. Everyone knows how great Derrick has been..and everyone also knows his limitations, one of them being age, and the other being his injury. Why is it such a big deal that people would note these two obvious things and not comment on them..considering the fact that the FO is probably thinking the same thing? Character is a great thing for a player to have. But NFL teams don't pay for class, and they don't pay for character.[/quote]

If it was just business, and no heart, he wouldn't have dragged himself out onto the field, gimp shoulder and all, and played through the agony.

Would you have accepted it if he had said that he didn't want to play because he may hurt his shoulder worse? Or would you have asked where his heart was?

[Ed_Reed20]

There is nobody who can question Mason's heart. I myself used to question his toughness but he shut me and a lot of other people during the latter half of the season. He's one of the best route-runners in the league, he finds soft spots in zones very well and he has great hands. Who knows what he could do if he wasn't matched up against opposing team's #1 corner. However, paying him a multi-year deal could be risky with his age and injuries. It's a tough situation.

[Mishel]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' post='164231' date='Mar 4 2009, 08:50 PM']There is nobody who can question Mason's heart. I myself used to question his toughness but he shut me and a lot of other people during the latter half of the season.[/quote]

Can't argue that!

[rlh445]

[quote name='Ngata Chance' post='164225' date='Mar 4 2009, 08:43 PM']If it was just business, and no heart, he wouldn't have dragged himself out onto the field, gimp shoulder and all, and played through the agony.

Would you have accepted it if he had said that he didn't want to play because he may hurt his shoulder worse? Or would you have asked where his heart was?[/quote]

Um..what you quoted had nothing to do with questioning his heart, but why that heart usually doesn't play into getting resigned. Look at our new center..he was the most beloved player of the franchise. He did charity work, he was one of the few guys in Minnesota who actually lived there in the offseason, he was a big face for the orginization - all heart. But, heart or no, the Vikings didn't want to keep him and here he is....thus proving my original point: heart is wonderful, but that doesn't mean it is going to pay the bills.

[Ngata Chance]

[quote name='rlh445' post='164237' date='Mar 4 2009, 06:55 PM']Um..what you quoted had nothing to do with questioning his heart, but why that heart usually doesn't play into getting resigned. Look at our new center..he was the most beloved player of the franchise. He did charity work, he was one of the few guys in Minnesota who actually lived there in the offseason, he was a big face for the orginization - all heart. But, heart or no, the Vikings didn't want to keep him and here he is....thus proving my original point: heart is wonderful, but that doesn't mean it is going to pay the bills.[/quote]


But what you had said was stop dragging heart into it, that it was just business. NFL teams don't pay for class or character.

What I am trying to get across is that without heart (on the field, not doing charity work) you have a guy who sits out, leaving the Ravens with much less chance to win. Why would you not reward that. Would you, in an FO position, rather have a guy like Mason, or a guy who won't play with a seperated shoulder. (Obvious answer, I know)
Heart can make a difference in a business transaction. Certainly it doesn't mean doubling a guys salary, but it should count for something.

[WACKO4FLACC0]

[quote name='GoRavensNTerps' post='163507' date='Mar 4 2009, 12:47 PM'][url="http://www.jocklife.net/news/nfl/baltimore-ravens-wide-receiver-derrick-mason-deserves-some-security-14397"]http://www.jocklife.net/news/nfl/baltimore...-security-14397[/url]

It will be interesting to see how Ozzie handles this one. He deserves the money but he's also 35...[/quote]
HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL NO dont give him that long of an extension, he has played great dont get me wrong but he is old and could lose his touch in a year.

[neepo13]

[quote name='rlh445' post='164237' date='Mar 4 2009, 08:55 PM']Um..what you quoted had nothing to do with questioning his heart, but why that heart usually doesn't play into getting resigned. Look at our new center..he was the most beloved player of the franchise. He did charity work, he was one of the few guys in Minnesota who actually lived there in the offseason, he was a big face for the orginization - all heart. [b]But, heart or no, the Vikings didn't want to keep him and here he is[/b]....thus proving my original point: heart is wonderful, but that doesn't mean it is going to pay the bills.[/quote]

Uh, that is far from the truth. According to all reports Minnasota was doing everything under there power to keep him. He simply liked the idea of playing here better. Why do you think he didnt sign with us yesterday after his intial visit? He wanted to give some thought about going back to Minn.

[rlh445]

[quote name='Ngata Chance' post='164251' date='Mar 4 2009, 09:22 PM']But what you had said was stop dragging heart into it, that it was just business. NFL teams don't pay for class or character.

What I am trying to get across is that without heart (on the field, not doing charity work) you have a guy who sits out, leaving the Ravens with much less chance to win. Why would you not reward that. Would you, in an FO position, rather have a guy like Mason, or a guy who won't play with a seperated shoulder. (Obvious answer, I know)
Heart can make a difference in a business transaction. Certainly it doesn't mean doubling a guys salary, but it should count for something.[/quote]

In all honesty, I would rather have had Mason sit out. I know, I know, we probably wouldn't have faired as well. But he took a great risk (and the Ravens for letting him) playing like that..and we could have been talking about needing more then one receiver in the off season. I LOOOOVE Mason, his class and character speak volumes, as well as his skill at the receiver position. And that counts for something, you are right. But is that the deciding factor in a team's decisions on whether or not to keep an older, albeit talented, player? If you go by Minnesota, the answer is no.

[rlh445]

[quote name='neepo13' post='164256' date='Mar 4 2009, 09:39 PM']Uh, that is far from the truth. According to all reports Minnasota was doing everything under there power to keep him. He simply liked the idea of playing here better. Why do you think he didnt sign with us yesterday after his intial visit? He wanted to give some thought about going back to Minn.[/quote]

Really? His contract with us certainly didn't break the bank, and the Vikes had the money..but they also have Sullivan, their young center.

[Ravens549]

Holy crap! I see the bus has made it in here already. Didn't take long for guys to jump off Ray's back and now start pushing Mason under that bus.
When did it even get time to refuel?!

When will we get back to all the Flacco is over-rated and Troy Smith should start and I hate the purple jerseys they should wear black threads? I'm sure McGahee is on full attack alert, too.

Judging by some of the people in these forums that feel all our star players are suddenly too old...why not watch college football? No salaries to muddy the water. And if someone suddenly gets a bit out of line...ahh..there is another red shirt right around the corner.

Geesh...I think this forum was actually more player friendly two seasons ago when we were losng every game!

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Ravens549' post='164285' date='Mar 4 2009, 10:28 PM']Geesh...I think this forum was actually more player friendly two seasons ago when we were losng every game! [/quote]
What can I say? Winning spoils some people.

[neepo13]

[quote name='rlh445' post='164264' date='Mar 4 2009, 09:47 PM']Really? His contract with us certainly didn't break the bank, and the Vikes had the money..but they also have Sullivan, their young center.[/quote]

They DID want him back. He's the one that wanted out.
[url="http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/40755727.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiU9PmP:QiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr"]http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/...L7PQLanchO7DiUr[/url]

[quote]Vikings coach Brad Childress said in a statement.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='ravensfan160' post='163516' date='Mar 4 2009, 12:58 PM']James Walker from ESPN talked about it in his blog too. Mason is concerned if he gets hurt next season we could cut him leaving him to fend for himself.

Seeing as how many current and former players are really ticked off at us it concerning. Just look at the names Jason Brown, Chris McAlister, Samari Rolle, Suggs (for being franchised again), Ray Lewis (although thats all Rays fault), and now Mason is frustrated. Add to that the other two big free agents we lost in Scott and Leonard and this off season is a disaster. The only bright spot, if you can call it that, is the signing of Foxsworth. But in reality all that is is we overpaid for a career backup corner.

The key to this offseason was retaining our own and not only hasn't that happened but we've managed to make them all angry with us. Its not looking good at this point although its a long time before the season starts.[/quote]



Disaster? Dramatic much?

Someone else has or will set you straight, so I'll spare myself the trouble...