Derrick Mason Retires!?

[Tyler]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='13 July 2009 - 06:49 PM' timestamp='1247525382' post='206416']
Signing a big name is something that we probably CANNOT afford to do. It will cost us in the long run when it comes to future contracts and future draft picks. We may just have to hope that Kelly Washington, D-Will, Clayton, and Smith have what it takes.
[/quote]

I have absolutely ZERO faith that players like kelly washington are going to produce. i'm sorry. i just don't have the confidence in the receivers we have.

[bossman419]

[quote name='Tyler' date='13 July 2009 - 06:45 PM' timestamp='1247525141' post='206410']
Although this is a tough tough loss there are a lot of positives to come out of this.

1. Maybe this is finally a wake up call for the front office to find a young stud to replace mason.

2. This is a chance for Clayton/flacco to build that relationship and become the deadly combo we all want them to be.

[b]3. We can clear up some money now for other things.[/b]

Although i don't like this, I think overall ozz should finally start making some phone calls to other organizations to find a solid player to add quality talent to our receiving corps.

And I mean really who WOULDN'T love to see the young clayton live up to his potential of being a 1st round pick, and growing with joe for years! i know i would love that.
[/quote]
I don't think money tied up with Retired players goes away right away. Remember it took a year for the Steve McNair money to stop effecting the cap. There is prob a rule somewhere about it though. Who knows. He was only on schedule to make $3 mil next year.

[wayne]

Sign Harrison or Toomer, I don't have too much faith in the WR's we have now. Clayton is alright but after him, what? They may have potential but potential is a fancy word for " Something you haven't did yet " !

[SaVaGe]

[quote name='WinnipegRaven' date='13 July 2009 - 06:52 PM' timestamp='1247525535' post='206418']
Easy there Mr. Glass - unlike you we are not made of "glass" and will not be broken that easily. Since when did one WR dictate the outcome of ANY Ravens game? Uhhh that'd be NEVER. As I mentioned it is a dilemma and one we could have more easily managed had it arose a couple months ago. But for reasons we all know D-Mase has been under a tremendous amount of pressure and possibly just felt he couldn't let it all hang out this year as he has his entire career.
We will be fine and this may just be the straw that finally breaks Ozzie's back into seeking out a new WR.
[/quote]

This is complete bull**** and i'll name the most recent one where Mason carried the team against dallas with one arm.

[neepo13]

Derrick is going to be a big loss but where are people getting that Derrick was doubled? We only used 2 wideouts most of the time. OFCOURSE he was doubled and so was Clayton for that matter. If we hadnt run so much max protect, he wouldnt have drawn a double team.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='btully27' date='13 July 2009 - 06:49 PM' timestamp='1247525370' post='206415']
Im just layin out the facts so u can get a taste of reality n get out of Mason at age 25 still fantasy land n realize tht we havent lost anything except 4 his 3mil cap hit
[/quote]
It is one thing when people try to minimize Suggs, but we do not have anyone who id anywhere near what Mason was. The guy was a 108 years old and more beat up than Mike Vick's dogs and he still showed up for every game. Every defense knew he was out there and went for him, but he still delivered. He was good before he had Flacco, but what would Flacco have been without Mason?

This is a big loss; we may be able to overcome it, but don't try to say that we didn't lose anyone important because we did.

[WinnipegRaven]

[quote name='SaVaGe' date='13 July 2009 - 04:45 PM' timestamp='1247525101' post='206409']
If we don't replace Mason 2009 ravens won't go to the playoffs and they won't go over .500. Mason was the only reason the offense converted downs for the most part and that was double teamed. Why so much faith in clayton who couldn't put up numbers when Mason wasn't here and he didn't do anything spectacular when there was 1 less defender on him. Lets stop replacing old offensive players with old offensive players and pick up some young stud WR who already has a name.
[/quote]
Holly cow.... Are these people actually Ravens fans? Talk about "ye of little faith"

[Marc2k6]

I'm just going to say THANK YOU D. MASON for all you have done here in B-More. Now it is time for the next man up to step up. With out a doubt in my mind I know 1 or 2 or 3 of our WR's will. See ya at training camp, It Is Time to Go To Work!

[edreedfromtheu]

Mason is one of the best route runners in the game. That's right, I said IS, not was! He can beat the best corners. He would help any team that was willing to give him some job security with an extension. Job security more for the mental aspect of knowing you won't have to find a new home and move your family. Has nothing to do with the money. Can't believe that the Ravens, who very rarely find a decent receiver... would treat Mason like this. He played with ONE ARM last season and CARRIED our offense. Mason is clearly the best receiver the Ravens have ever had in their 14 years. By the way, Mason has nothing to do with Clayton not getting his chances to shine. Clayton can't stay on the field, he gets injured. Can't blame that on anyone but Clayton and bad luck.

It's sickening how you can come on this board and disrespect Mason and McNair. Please leave, and never come back.

[Alexir]

I don't think this hurts the team that much. If anything this retirement will give some enlightenment to Ozzie on whether he truly is sold on the recievers we got.

Like I said before we don't need to break the bank for a Marshall or Boldin, we just need a Brandon Stokely like guy. We won the superbowl with a crappy qb and no name recievers(minus Sharpe). People are saying we can't do it with an amazing OL, Joe Flacco, 2 Big name TE's and a 3 headed monster? C'mon get real....

[WinnipegRaven]

[quote name='SaVaGe' date='13 July 2009 - 04:54 PM' timestamp='1247525653' post='206422']
This is complete bull**** and i'll name the most recent one where Mason carried the team against dallas with one arm.
[/quote]
Whats complete BS is the fact that you think Ravens football has anything to do with WR's. Ravens FB has always been about an amazing defense, followed up by good clock management and power running. We lost an AMAZING player and person in D-Mase, but to pretty much say that the season is over before it started is absolutely retarded.
P.S - Im not calling you retarded, lets get that straight.

[neepo13]

[quote name='Ravens52' date='13 July 2009 - 06:49 PM' timestamp='1247525360' post='206414']
When Mason was out during that Texans game, we didn't really miss a beat and Clayton got a couple of catches in. Figurs even got in on the action. The Texans secondary were no slouches either.

Just something else to think about
[/quote]

He looked a lot like Mason during that game. If he had on Derricks jersey we would have never known it was Clayton out there instead of Mason. I dont think anybody doubts that Clayton can be a contributer. His problem is he isnt consistant enough. He disappears for weeks and weeks at a time. Mason never does that.

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='btully27' date='13 July 2009 - 06:49 PM' timestamp='1247525370' post='206415']
Im just layin out the facts so u can get a taste of reality n get out of Mason at age 25 still fantasy land n realize tht we havent lost anything except 4 his 3mil cap hit
[/quote]
And how has Mark Clayton proven that he is a better receiver than Mason? We all know Mason was near the end of the road, I thought he was going to retire after this coming season. I didn't think that he was going to retire out of the blue, after the draft 2 weeks before TC. If you think that were not losing anything then maybe you should take a look back at last season with Mason having to pop his arm back into the socket after every hit he took. Most 25 year old WR's are out for a week every time they break a sweat let alone their shoulder. Why don't you come on down out of YOUR fantasyland?

[darklight1216]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' date='13 July 2009 - 06:58 PM' timestamp='1247525893' post='206428']
Mason is one of the best route runners in the game. That's right, I said IS, not was! He can beat the best corners. He would help any team that was willing to give him some job security with an extension. Job security more for the mental aspect of knowing you won't have to find a new home and move your family. Has nothing to do with the money. [b]Can't believe that the Ravens, who very rarely find a decent receiver... would treat Mason like this.[/b] He played with ONE ARM last season and CARRIED our offense. Mason is clearly the best receiver the Ravens have ever had in their 14 years. By the way, Mason has nothing to do with Clayton not getting his chances to shine. Clayton can't stay on the field, he gets injured. Can't blame that on anyone but Clayton and bad luck.

It's sickening how you can come on this board and disrespect Mason and McNair. Please leave, and never come back.
[/quote]
I have all the respect in the world for Mason, obviously he wanted an extension, but how can you blame the FO for not signing a guy who had not performed in a single practice in 09? It doesn't minimize what he did last year, but his condition for the new season was suspect. I can't really blame them for not giving him an extension, and to be honest, I doubt it would have changed his mind.

[theFRANCHISE]

Why are people freaking out? Has last season not taught you anything? Has 2006 not taught you anything?

Every time there's a major obstacle, the team has risen to the challenge. Every time the team rested on its laurels, it fell into a slump (see: 2007, after the 13-3 season in '06; 2005, after a near-playoff season in 2004 and a division title in 2003.)

This type of adversity will eventually prove to be a good thing. Now, don't get me wrong, losing a Derrick Mason is always a bad thing -- but it's not the type of thing that will be a season-killer.

Remember how everyone was convinced that 2008 would be a non-playoff year, or one that would start slow and eventually show promise towards a 0.500 season? Remember how everyone thought Joe Flacco would fail under center and be Kyle Boller 2.0 because he started from Day One? Remember how everyone thought there was no way the offensive line would protect Flacco, or the WR corps couldn't play well enough to advance in the playoffs?

My point is, calm down. D-Mase was great, but losing him doesn't relegate the team to a losing season. Games aren't won on paper. Remember...?

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Andrew Glass' date='13 July 2009 - 06:42 PM' timestamp='1247524962' post='206405']
Did not see this coming at all, This is a season killer. The ravens CANNOT afford to sit back again on whats on the roster or you can stick a stake in this season. I'm sure they will though.
[/quote]

got damn people. I mean we lost a HOF LT before the season, we lost a CO MVP QB, then lost both our top 2 QBs last year. We did what we did with a rookie QB, a FB carrying the workload, one of the youngest OLs in the NFL. Despite all of that this team still fought hard and worked their asses off to make the AFC Championship.

Now i'm not saying that losing Derrick Mason won't be a bad break for us, i'm not saying that replacing Derrick won't be easy, but damn give the other 52 Men, coaches and Organization some credit.

Derrick is great and did a whole lot for us, and i hope he chances his mind, because he makes our team much better. But to say this is a season killer, i mean wow. You lose faith in 52 other men because one guy retires?

The Ravens are a billion dollar orginization and one of the best in the NFL. I'm sure this came as a surprise to them or maybe it didn't, but if u think for one minute that these guy will just bury their faces in a pillow and cry about it you're crazy.

A season Killer? really? WOW i'm glad we don't have to rely on the fans to go out and fight every Sunday, because the way most of your are giving up, we really would be in big trouble.

[darklight1216]

Well said, Franchise.

[WinnipegRaven]

[quote name='Alexir' date='13 July 2009 - 04:58 PM' timestamp='1247525922' post='206429']
We won the superbowl with a crappy qb and no name recievers(minus Sharpe). People are saying we can't do it with an amazing OL, Joe Flacco, 2 Big name TE's and a 3 headed monster? C'mon get real....
[/quote]

Exactly my feelings.... Did it before, wanna see us do it again?

just heard the Ravens official statement so far regarding Derrick Mason...

"Any NFL player who is retiring is required to send a letter to the NFL. (or NFLPA - cant remember which one it said)Derrick Mason has not done this"

[neepo13]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='13 July 2009 - 07:01 PM' timestamp='1247526097' post='206434']
I have all the respect in the world for Mason, obviously he wanted an extension, but how can you blame the FO for not signing a guy who had not performed in a single practice in 09? It doesn't minimize what he did last year, but his condition for the new season was suspect. I can't really blame them for not giving him an extension, and to be honest, I doubt it would have changed his mind.
[/quote]
There is also the possibility that the F.O. knew Mason might retire. In his statement he said he'd been considering it since the season ended. I am sure its something that came up during the exit meetings. They could have just been waiting until they got a concrete, yes I am coming back from Mason.

[SaVaGe]

[quote name='WinnipegRaven' date='13 July 2009 - 06:55 PM' timestamp='1247525734' post='206425']
Holly cow.... Are these people actually Ravens fans? Talk about "ye of little faith"
[/quote]


Talk about faith? Ozzie has continued to neglect the WR position for so many years and yes he has built one of the best defenses and a solid running offense but the defense isn't as dominant as it once was and cannot win the game every time. Guess what if Flacco doesn't have the tools to get the job done this year it is going to completely f up his mentality. Do you want Boller #2? We can't deny Flacco is good but I can gaurantee he would of done horrendous without Mason being able to save him most of the time. Also don't question my loyalty seeing as I am someone who is actually dreading a raven leaving while you sit their heckling, how are you a raven fan buddy.

[SaVaGe]

[quote name='WinnipegRaven' date='13 July 2009 - 07:04 PM' timestamp='1247526270' post='206438']
Exactly my feelings.... Did it before, wanna see us do it again?

just heard the Ravens official statement so far regarding Derrick Mason...

"Any NFL player who is retiring is required to send a letter to the NFL. (or NFLPA - cant remember which one it said)Derrick Mason has not done this"
[/quote]

I'd love to see this defense do it but it isn't as amazing as the 00' ravens.

[Alexir]

You guys need to chill out big time. No one is really saying Mason was a bad reciever. We will see if Clayton is better/as good as Mason after this season is over.

[SaVaGe]

[quote name='Alexir' date='13 July 2009 - 07:07 PM' timestamp='1247526477' post='206446']
You guys need to chill out big time. No one is really saying Mason was a bad reciever. We will see if Clayton is better/as good as Mason after this season is over.
[/quote]

He could of showed us numerous times I guess he was just waiting for a couple years right?

[plesiosaur]

[quote]SaVaGe, on 13 July 2009 - 04:54 PM, said:

This is complete bull**** and i'll name the most recent one where Mason carried the team against dallas with one arm.[/quote]

Are you forgetting the [i]two longest runs ever in the history of the stadium[/i]?

[neepo13]

[quote name='BmoreRav' date='13 July 2009 - 07:04 PM' timestamp='1247526292' post='206439']
Are they the facts you speak of? It's fine to have an opinion but it's not fine to be so disrespectful! Especially of the dead.
[/quote]
Dont quote the trolls. Your post is just going to get deleted when the mods get rid of him.

[Tyler]

[quote name='SaVaGe' date='13 July 2009 - 07:06 PM' timestamp='1247526391' post='206442']
Talk about faith? Ozzie has continued to neglect the WR position for so many years and yes he has built one of the best defenses and a solid running offense but the defense isn't as dominant as it once was and cannot win the game every time. Guess what if Flacco doesn't have the tools to get the job done this year it is going to completely f up his mentality. Do you want Boller #2? We can't deny Flacco is good but I can gaurantee he would of done horrendous without Mason being able to save him most of the time. Also don't question my loyalty seeing as I am someone who is actually dreading a raven leaving while you sit their heckling, how are you a raven fan buddy.
[/quote]

WELL PUT! i'm sick and tired of this crap with we have got to have faith in receivers. Faith?!?!?!?! I love clayton, but he is a number 2 or even number 3 with most clubs. Kelly washington would not make the active roster on most teams let alone be a number 3. Demetrius williams is great... too bad he is injured for half of the year. I posted this in a forum that i started a bit ago. It would be scary to see Number 1. Clayton number 2. D-will half of the season 2. marcus smith the other half. 3. kelly washington. EXCEPT i thought this would happen next year. Well put my good sir, you are on the button. some ravens fans need to realize it's time to upgrade.

[neepo13]

[quote name='SaVaGe' date='13 July 2009 - 07:07 PM' timestamp='1247526444' post='206445']
I'd love to see this defense do it but it isn't as amazing as the 00' ravens.
[/quote]

Dude, you dont know that. They havent even played a game yet. For all we know they could be better.

[mhead66]

[quote name='btully27' date='13 July 2009 - 06:49 PM' timestamp='1247525370' post='206415']
Im just layin out the facts so u can get a taste of reality n get out of Mason at age 25 still fantasy land n realize tht [b]we havent lost anything except 4 his 3mil cap hit[/b]
[/quote]
Mason may be 8 years older than Clayton, but he had 80 catches for 1037 yards last year, and Clayton had 41 for 695 yards.

In Clayton's four years: 200 catches, 2636 yards
Mason the last 4 years: 337 catches, 3947 yards.

Clayton has potential, but he's no Mason, not yet. How can you say the Ravens haven't lost anything, by Derrick retiring???

[Andrew Glass]

[quote name='WinnipegRaven' date='13 July 2009 - 07:04 PM' timestamp='1247526270' post='206438']
Exactly my feelings.... Did it before, wanna see us do it again?

just heard the Ravens official statement so far regarding Derrick Mason...

"Any NFL player who is retiring is required to send a letter to the NFL. (or NFLPA - cant remember which one it said)Derrick Mason has not done this"
[/quote]


He just went on ESPNNEWS and said he's retiring.

[darklight1216]

It's ironic how Nfl.com has Derrick and Ray wired as one of the feature videos.