Derrick Mason Retires!?

[bossman419]

[quote name='neepo13' date='13 July 2009 - 06:03 PM' timestamp='1247522621' post='206348']
I hope Ozzie doesnt panic and make a poor decision, trying to replace Mason. The last thing we need is to give up the farm to get another quick fix wideout. Mason is 35, we knew we would have to replace him eventually. I hope Ozzie continues with his long term plan and see what the guys we have can do.
[/quote]
The plan was for Mason to play at least one more year so that we could either draft a WR or sign one next year. There is no plan now...

[Alexir]

Clayton and Marcus or Clayton and Demetrius?

I think we need to make a move on some sort of trade for a reciever for more efficient depth. Not saying go for a big name number 1 but someone like Kevin Walter

[JoeCool#5]

This is a major blow to the offense for Mason was Mr. Dependable.

Sad day.

[neepo13]

[quote name='bossman419' date='13 July 2009 - 06:08 PM' timestamp='1247522903' post='206355']
The plan was for Mason to play at least one more year so that we could either draft a WR or sign one next year. There is no plan now...
[/quote]

I disagree. I think the plan was to find a long term solution and thats still the plan today.

[theFRANCHISE]

Via Baltimore Ravens' 1WinningDrive Twitter page:

[quote]According to Ravens VP Kevin Byrne, for any player to retire, he has to send a letter to the NFL. Derrick Mason has not done this.[/quote]
So, there's still a chance that he might be saying this out of emotion and might change his mind. (Or, that could just be wishful thinking on my part, since I'd rather not take that plunge yet and see how the team does without D-Mase...)

[neepo13]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='13 July 2009 - 06:10 PM' timestamp='1247523041' post='206359']
Via Baltimore Ravens' 1WinningDrive Twitter page:


So, there's still a chance that he might be saying this out of emotion and might change his mind. (Or, that could just be wishful thinking on my part, since I'd rather not take that plunge yet and see how the team does without D-Mase...)
[/quote]

Or that the story is a hoax. Has anyone even ever heard of the orginal website? All the "legit" sites that are reporting it, got it from the orginal website.

[bossman419]

Mason last year had 80 receptions for 1,037 yards. Clayton had half the receptions (41)for 625 yards. I like Clayton but I hope he doesn't have to be the #1

[Ravensfan23]

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. I just heard the new from a friend of mines. It really didn't surprise me as much with all that is going on. My first thought was that Mason, realized how important life and family is after McNair's passing.

If he really is retiring, then it will be a big blow to the Ravens, as Mason was the offensive leader and it couldn't come at a worst time. 2+ weeks before Training Camp.

Many people will show up saying how Ozzie really drop the ball by not adding another WR now because of Mason, but we all know that no one really saw this coming 3 months ago.

I look for Ozzie to bring in a vet to replace Mason. Maybe someone like Amani Toomer. I still don't think we make a huge splash at the WR position this year. The Ravens will look for Clayton Williams, Smith and Washington to step up and add a vet like i said earlier.

Also having 2TEs like Smith and Heap will make up for some of the lost of Mason on 3rd downs. Mason was by far our best WR during his time with us. I think Clayton will step up this year, and because of this new he will have too.

I'll say that we should all just wait and see how things shape up before panicing about losing Mason. It will be tough to replace what he bought to us, but lets just see how things go before we panic.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='neepo13' date='13 July 2009 - 06:13 PM' timestamp='1247523190' post='206360']
Or that the story is a hoax. Has anyone even ever heard of the orginal website? All the "legit" sites that are reporting it, got it from the orginal website.
[/quote]JockLife.com is still in beta, but I don't know about their credentials. Anyone can get a press pass and have access to athletes and press conferences, with the right contacts. Even as I do college radio now, I could get a press pass.

But, even though the source is in doubt, I wouldn't underestimate what Kevin Byrne said. Whether or not Mason was actually quoted as making those statements, nothing is concrete until the league receives official documentation from the player himself.

[K-Dog]

Derrick, you are breaking my heart man !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy retirement.

[Eso]

[quote name='neepo13' date='13 July 2009 - 06:13 PM' timestamp='1247523190' post='206360']
Or that the story is a hoax. Has anyone even ever heard of the orginal website? All the "legit" sites that are reporting it, got it from the orginal website.
[/quote]

I doubt it, ESPN reportedly talked to another Raven Receiver who said that Mason's wife wanted him to wait 2 weeks before making his decision. That receiver also sounded hopeful that he might return, but I doubt it because almost everyone is too stubborn to do something like that.

[Slim]

Thanks for playing with so much heart D-Mase, i'll never forget those sidelines catches !!!

In Ozzie we trust !

[52Kia Kaha92]

i hope this isnt true, if it is we are screwed.
We HAVE to make a play for someone now, Marvin Harrison, Amani Toomer, Marshall or Boldin

We will not make the playoffs with Clayton the 1 and Williams the 2, it wont happen

[Moiles]

Im devestated to here this news, i mean this can really urt are team.....but wont it also free up money for another sign, like 7 mil or sumtin?

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='13 July 2009 - 06:10 PM' timestamp='1247523041' post='206359']
Via Baltimore Ravens' 1WinningDrive Twitter page:


So, there's still a chance that he might be saying this out of emotion and might change his mind. (Or, that could just be wishful thinking on my part, since I'd rather not take that plunge yet and see how the team does without D-Mase...)
[/quote]

I thought the same thing when you posted this, that maybe the site was a hoax. Remember how Barry Sanders retired? I hope it doesn't end up like that.

Paperwork technicalities aside, it seems like it's not good.

[52Kia Kaha92]

Also if it is true. Thanks Derrick for what you have done for us over the past few years.
You are a great player and an amazing person aswell.

THis will crush Flacco aswell because those two where like best friends

[BmoreRav]

I don't have a problem with Mason retiring if that's what he wants. I just think it's bad timing. I wish he had come to this decision at the end of last season or at least before the draft, not 2 weeks before training camp!

But I respect his decision and all he did for our team and I wish him well in the future!!

Enjoy your retirement 85.

[Ray R]

Packer fan here. I was shocked he retired too. Any chance Eron Riley sticks with the team now?

[neepo13]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' date='13 July 2009 - 06:16 PM' timestamp='1247523361' post='206362']
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. I just heard the new from a friend of mines. It really didn't surprise me as much with all that is going on. My first thought was that Mason, realized how important life and family is after McNair's passing.

If he really is retiring, then it will be a big blow to the Ravens, as Mason was the offensive leader and it couldn't come at a worst time. 2+ weeks before Training Camp.

Many people will show up saying how Ozzie really drop the ball by not adding another WR now because of Mason, but we all know that no one really saw this coming 3 months ago.

I look for Ozzie to bring in a vet to replace Mason. Maybe someone like Amani Toomer. I still don't think we make a huge splash at the WR position this year. The Ravens will look for Clayton Williams, Smith and Washington to step up and add a vet like i said earlier.

Also having 2TEs like Smith and Heap will make up for some of the lost of Mason on 3rd downs. Mason was by far our best WR during his time with us. I think Clayton will step up this year, and because of this new he will have too.

I'll say that we should all just wait and see how things shape up before panicing about losing Mason. It will be tough to replace what he bought to us, but lets just see how things go before we panic.
[/quote]

This post reminded me of something Ozzie said in one of his press confrences about our WR core. He said he thought our WR core was similar to our OL last year. People were riding us for not drafting an OL high and then the OL stepped it up last year. Mason "retiring" is kinda deja vu to Ogden leaving, even though we expected it from Ogden for months.

[plesiosaur]

There's nothing on the NFL site yet, but the story's all over the place.

[bossman419]

[quote name='Alexir' date='13 July 2009 - 06:08 PM' timestamp='1247522910' post='206356']
Clayton and Marcus or Clayton and Demetrius?

I think we need to make a move on some sort of trade for a reciever for more efficient depth. Not saying go for a big name number 1 but someone like Kevin Walter
[/quote]
I'm with you on this one... It doesnt need to be Boldin or Marshall, just a role player.

[Bullrush]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='13 July 2009 - 11:16 PM' timestamp='1247523416' post='206363']
JockLife.com is still in beta, but I don't know about their credentials. Anyone can get a press pass and have access to athletes and press conferences, with the right contacts. Even as I do college radio now, I could get a press pass.

But, even though the source is in doubt, I wouldn't underestimate what Kevin Byrne said. Whether or not Mason was actually quoted as making those statements, nothing is concrete until the league receives official documentation from the player himself.
[/quote]

Derrick's agent owns the website.

I love the guy and everything but he better not pull a Favre and un-retire, we don't need this stuff right now.

[nextgen_RavensFan]

That sucks big time, yes lets worry about signing Suggs and still not worry about a receiver even though now we are forced to. I know, Heap will be the player he used to be right ? Now that the front office is forced to see what we all knew months ago maybe they will do something. God knows Flacco has zero for receivers now that are serious threats. Some folks will say Clayton, lets keep waiting for that ok. Others will say this is demetrius's year to get healthy. Lets wait for that as well. Come on guys lets get a decent receiver.

Let get of the big pay day for Suggs and just go get what we need and have needed for a few years. Why put Flacco through the Boller experiments and get his ****** hit every play because there is noone open or nothing is developing.

[K-Dog]

[quote name='plesiosaur' date='13 July 2009 - 06:21 PM' timestamp='1247523719' post='206375']
There's nothing on the NFL site yet, but the story's all over the place.
[/quote]


its on Ravens.com
I guess that is as solid as it comes...

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='bossman419' date='13 July 2009 - 06:14 PM' timestamp='1247523262' post='206361']
Mason last year had 80 receptions for 1,037 yards. Clayton had half the receptions (41)for 625 yards. I like Clayton but I hope he doesn't have to be the #1
[/quote]

I wouldn't be so quick to think Clayton can't make those numbers of Mason. Derrick was giving 117 chances to catch 80 balls, Clayton was only giving 74 chances to catch 41 balls.

Now i don't wanna turn this into another Mark Clayton thread, just stating the point that if Clayton had the same opportunities Mason had, he would probably produce the same numbers.

But Mason will be missed for more then just his onfield production. He was our lead offensively. The good thing for us is that Birk is a pretty good leader as well, and Flacco seems to be maturing in his Leadership.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' date='13 July 2009 - 06:16 PM' timestamp='1247523361' post='206362']
Many people will show up saying how Ozzie really drop the ball by not adding another WR now because of Mason, but we all know that no one really saw this coming 3 months ago.
[/quote]

Disagreeing with a course of action does not constitute panic.

You didn't need to see this particular event coming 3 months ago to know that we needed to add help to the receiver corps - if for no other reason than to relieve the pressure on Mason. I will say this again: Mason needed help. He got worked over last season. He got doubled. He came up lame and still kept going. He left it ALL out on the field.

How did they repay him for his sacrifice? No extension. No WR help. I don't expect Ozzie to predict the future, insofar as he is expected to know when people retire. But how do you not see that you're asking a man to do so much in return for so little?

[neepo13]

[quote name='K-Dog' date='13 July 2009 - 06:25 PM' timestamp='1247523905' post='206379']
its on Ravens.com
I guess that is as solid as it comes...
[/quote]

Thats not officially from the organization. They are basing it on the orginal report, not confirmation within the organization.

[darklight1216]

Aww man, if this is true how am I going to trash talk all my Redskins friends?

When I first read that post, I have to admit that my mouth dropped and I was like "No. Let it be a rumor."
I can't say I'm surprised though... his injury, not getting the extension, and now McNair. I'm just sorry that he never won a ring.

[thewarden86]

Dare I say, the 2009 Baltimore Ravens could be in trouble?

[nextgen_RavensFan]

Do you think if he had not been insulted by no extension he still would have retired ? Probably not i think. Way to be cheap at the entirely wrong time OZ !! THis is so frustrating. I see no good side to a offense with no mason. Here we finally have a very good QB and thats it. He will be the stringest QB to be a hand off the ball specialist.