Mason Back - Ravens Receivers Now Deep?

[Bmore]

Unrestricted free agent wide receiver Derrick Mason and the Ravens reached a two-year agreement in principle Wednesday night, giving Baltimore what should be a formidable receiving corps heading into 2010.

It was previously unknown whether Mason, 36, would be re-signed considering the Ravens traded for wideout Anquan Boldin last Friday. The Ravens also signed wideout Donte Stallworth in mid-February.

But less than a week later acquiring Boldin, the Ravens made a statement that they still value their veteran Mason.

"We know exactly what we're getting with Derrick, and that's production,” General Manager and Executive Vice President Ozzie Newsome said.

“Every Ravens fan knows what Derrick brings to this team. It's reliability, toughness, leadership, the fight to win and the want of the ball in the clutch times. He has a two-year history with Joe [Flacco] that says, 'We know how to produce together.' They are on the same page."

Mason led the Ravens in receiving yards (1,028) and touchdowns (7) in 2009. He finished second on the team behind Ray Rice in receptions with 73. Mason has notched at least 1,000 yards receiving in eight of his past nine seasons.

"This is outstanding – just great news for the Ravens," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "Our coaches are happy. Derrick's teammates are happy, and you know Joe is smiling. Way to go to Ozzie and Pat [Moriarty, vice president of football administration] for getting this done. We would have lost something special if Derrick had gone to another team. We have gotten better in the last couple of days."

There were rumors that there could be interest in Mason from the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. Mason had also hinted at retirement at the end of the Ravens’ playoff run, he said a two-year deal would convince him to play.

“I’m getting myself ready to play football and help the Ravens win,” Mason said. “But, the first thing I am going to do is take my family on vacation. I’ll see everybody back in Baltimore soon.”

1. A. Boldin
2. D. Mason
3. D. Stallworth
4. M. Clayton

What ya'll think?

[hoodyallen]

1. A. Boldin

Not a number one anymore.

2. D. Mason

Solid

3. D. Stallworth

His career was looking like it was over before the suspension

4. M. Clayton

It's a solid receiving corps...nothing special.

[Bmore]

Not a number one anymore.



Solid



His career was looking like it was over before the suspension








It's a solid receiving corps...nothing special.

I agree with everything except the Boldin talk. Last 2 seasons he played less then a full season and have Fitz/Breaston with him and he still managed 1k minimum. Which isn't anything special, but it's the century mark.

Now he comes into Baltimore with a 36 year old Mason, who is solid for his age and has excellent hands. Stallworth, who when healthy and plays is a decent 10+ yards a rec receiver. Then Clayton has his.

So I'm thinking Boldin will have around 1200 yards by season end.

If we can draft Grisham and Rice continues to improve, it looks like our receiving game is leaps and bounds better then ever before.

[hoodyallen]

I agree with everything except the Boldin talk. Last 2 seasons he played less then a full season and have Fitz/Breaston with him and he still managed 1k minimum. Which isn't anything special, but it's the century mark.

Now he comes into Baltimore with a 36 year old Mason, who is solid for his age and has excellent hands. Stallworth, who when healthy and plays is a decent 10+ yards a rec receiver. Then Clayton has his.

So I'm thinking Boldin will have around 1200 yards by season end.

If we can draft Grisham and Rice continues to improve, it looks like our receiving game is leaps and bounds better then ever before.

Defenders double teamed Fitzgerald opening up a ton of room for him. Plus he benefited greatly from the Cardinals system. They essential ran a spread offense. Boldin would catch 5 yard dumps in the flats constantly and get 4-5 more yards. In a regular system, where he's getting doubled, and theres a heavy emphasis on Running, I dont see him succeeding.

[BazookaJoe5]

Teams cant shift all their coverage toward Boldin with Mason around, and if they do then Mason is going to eat the single coverage up. Not trying to compare Mason to Fitzgerald but it's not like Boldin is going to be the entire focus of the defenses we play - he can't be, not with the running game we have and Mason on the other side. Last year we had Mason and absolutely nothing else, the receiving group we have now is much, much better and looks pretty dangerous.

It's all up to Joe to get better now.

[Bmore]

Defenders double teamed Fitzgerald opening up a ton of room for him. Plus he benefited greatly from the Cardinals system. They essential ran a spread offense. Boldin would catch 5 yard dumps in the flats constantly and get 4-5 more yards. In a regular system, where he's getting doubled, and theres a heavy emphasis on Running, I dont see him succeeding.

Wait till Nuk see's this!

[BazookaJoe5]

Lets not forget Heap now either, he caught 50 some passes last year and had 6 TDs so he's not exactly terrible. But adding someone like Gresham as well would just be scary.

I am pumped though. I wish the season started tomorrow.

[Juggernaut]

Your 1-2 punch will be good for max 2 years

tbh, thats all you really need with that running game. Now or never, Ravens looking good this season. in 3, idk.

[St. Francisco]

Well...it's certainly better than what Baltimore had previously. It's not an amazing gathering of talent, but it's solid.

[bcransom]

Not a number one anymore.

rofl
Care to explain?

Boldin is still a #1, good for 1100+ yards every year. Mason is a very good #2, and after that it's solid with some talent that could end up being better than it's looking right now. The long and the short of it is the Ravens went from looking like a bottom 5 receiving corps to a very solid one, to go with a great running game.

[Tengo Juego]

Ray Rice can be added to the deep weaponry. Heap also enjoys these additions. Just needs to stay healthy.

[Point Blank]

Ryan > Flacco :D

[young2rice]

Yeah don't leave out Todd Heap in the factor.

Not to mention Boldin and Co. will have a much better benefit of Ray Rice and the Ravens backfield over Tim "Run 2 yards and go down on first contact" Hightower

[hoodyallen]

I'd like to clarify that I still think Boldin is an upgrade for Baltimore and a very good no.2 WR talent. I know defenses cant leave Mason alone, but he won't command double teams. Does the running game help Boldin some aspects? Yes, it opens up the pass game and the PA game, but it will also hurt his touches. Arizona basically threw 70 percent of the time in 08, and they still threw a ton in 09. You cant overlook the system. The Cardinals had the best QB possible for their game plan. Warner has one of the quickest releases in the NFL and has fantastic short throw accuracy. So many of Boldins catches came from 5-6 yard catches that he stretched into bigger gains. Flacco will not be able to set Boldin up in the way Warner did, and he won't have as many touches. Again, he will play well. I say he could finish the season with around 75 catches for 1050-1100 yards. Baltimore will have a solid receiving corps. Maybe even above average, but they should still be a run first team.

[dave]

Hoody has an excellent point.

Joe Flacco is not Kurt Warner.

I like the Ravens' re-signing Mason, but to assume they're an offensive juggernaut now is insane.

Flacco is a good NFL QB and nothing more.