Football Derrick Mason retires - Page 2

RJ · 07-13-2009, 04:44 PM

Maybe McNair's death bummed him out so much he didn't want to play anymore.

Not a HOF'er, but a very respectable career.

From Rotoworld:

Derrick Mason surprisingly announced his retirement from pro football Monday.

The announcement comes on JockLife.com, a website owned by Mason's agents Peter Schaffer and Lamont Smith. It's legit. Mason was coming off shoulder surgery and requested a pay raise earlier this offseason, but says this decision is based more on emotions. "Emotionally I am just not that enthused." Assuming Mason doesn't change his mind, the Ravens are woefully thin at wideout with Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams atop the depth chart. Mason finishes his career with 790 catches, good for 23rd all time. Jul. 13 - 5:14 pm et
Source: JockLife.com

**Buehler445** · 07-13-2009, 06:00 PM

He was THE receiver for them last year in the last few games. He didn't even use one arm and he was still clutch.

**chefsos** · 07-13-2009, 06:03 PM

B'more needed help at WR even with Mason. They're gonna have to go get somebody now, for sure. Mason's a warrior, though. He played damn well last year with one arm almost literally tied behind his back.

chiefbowe82 · 07-13-2009, 07:07 PM

now all we have to do is stop the run week 1

FAX · 07-13-2009, 07:29 PM

Wow. This is news.

Mason was/is one hell of a receiver. Always somehow below the media radar, though. All he does is make catches ... and some damn tough ones, too. I'm sorry to hear that he decided to retire like this.

He's a smart guy, though, and I'm sure he was smart with his money.

FAX

chiefs1111 · 07-13-2009, 07:34 PM

good player and pretty good career

RJ · 07-13-2009, 09:11 PM

On the other hand.....

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/r...,4346245.story

Wide receiver Derrick Mason abruptly announced his retirement Monday, a decision that surprised and confused the Ravens.

Mason, 35, the Ravens' No. 1 receiver, was entering the final year of his five-year, $20 million contract and was seeking an extension. The Ravens publicly said they were agreeable to a new contract, but no deal was imminent.

Mason's retirement would leave a huge void at wide receiver and mark a drastic setback for a team that reached the AFC championship game. But it's still unclear whether Mason intends to follow through with his retirement.

"This is a decision that I've made," Mason told ESPN News. "If I do change my mind, it won't be because of the Ravens. It'll be because of some other things -- my family and talking with other people. I still got to talk with some coaches over there. As far as financially, I don't think they can do anything to sway me."

The Ravens were caught off guard by the news especially because Mason said he has not been "enthused to get up and work out." A team official said Mason worked out at team headquarters only hours before his announcement.

"For any player to retire, he has to send a letter to the NFL stating this," said Kevin Byrne, the Ravens' senior vice president of public relations. "Derrick Mason has not done that."

There has been speculation that Mason could be using retirement as leverage for a new contract. When he first sought an extension in March, Mason said he didn't know whether he would return to the Ravens without a new deal and would "explore other options" if he didn't have one. He would have earned $3 million this season.

Lamont Smith, Mason's agent, confirmed that the 12-year veteran has retired in an e-mail to The Baltimore Sun. Mason, who played eight seasons with Tennessee and four with the Ravens, did not return phone calls from The Sun.

Mason's decision came two days after the funeral of quarterback Steve McNair, a longtime friend and teammate who was shot and killed. Mason spoke at McNair's memorial service Thursday.

"I have been thinking about this since the season ended," Mason told jocklife.com, the Web site that first reported the announcement and shares the same address as Mason's agent. "Emotionally I am just not that enthused. I have not been that enthused to get up and work out. ... It was getting to that point. This decision has nothing to do with the contract situation; I have made enough money, more than enough money.

"Emotionally there are things that are more important. It's time right now. I don't know what's going to happen from here, but it's going to be really nice to see what life has in store for me. What I want people to remember about my NFL career is that I played hard ... played hard in practice and the game. I tried to make everyone better and would do anything to help."

Without Mason, there would be a huge hole in the Ravens' offense. Over the past two seasons, Mason has caught 183 passes -- more than twice as many as any other Ravens receiver over that span.

Joe Flacco's top wide receivers would be Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams, two young players who have yet to meet expectations. The Ravens' would-be third receiver, Marcus Smith, didn't catch a pass in his rookie season.

Clayton, one of Mason's closest friends on the Ravens, was in disbelief when told of Mason's retirement.

"We don't know for sure," Clayton said. "I hope not, and I don't think it's true. I haven't heard that."

Only 16 days before veterans report to training camp, the Ravens' options to replace Mason are limited.

In gaining $3 million in salary cap room from Mason's retirement, the Ravens could sign a free agent. The top receiver available is Marvin Harrison, who had 60 catches and five touchdowns last season for the Indianapolis Colts.

Another possibility is revisiting a trade for either Anquan Boldin or Brandon Marshall. The Ravens had talks with the Arizona Cardinals before the NFL draft about Boldin, but they considered the asking price (picks in the first and third rounds) too steep. The team also explored the possibility of trading for Denver Broncos wide receiver Marshall, but the Ravens' interest never became serious because of his legal troubles.

Mason said the Ravens don't necessarily need to add an additional receiver.

"I have left them in great hands," Mason told jocklife.com. "Mark Clayton is a younger version of me. Williams can be a true player; he can be in the elite class. Smith, [Justin] Harper, [Kelley] Washington, they all are a young group that can only be better with Joe in the backfield."

Since he left the Titans to join the Ravens, Mason has recorded the three highest single-season totals for catches (103 in 2007, 86 in 2005 and 80 in 2008).

Last season, Mason led the Ravens with 80 receptions (which tied for 16th in the NFL) for 1,037 yards and five touchdowns despite playing the entire second half of the year with a shoulder injury.

After having successful shoulder surgery earlier this year, Mason conflicted with team officials about when he would return this summer. Mason speculated that he could miss a significant portion of training camp, but Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he didn't think Mason would be sidelined for an extended period.

A fourth-round pick in 1997, Mason has 790 catches for 10,061 yards and 52 touchdowns in his career. He is one of only three players in NFL history to produce more than 10,000 receiving yards and 2,500 return yards (Tim Brown and Irving Fryar are the others).

"I have had a tremendous career, and I played for two great teams. I had fun," Mason told jocklife.com. "In my career, I have been able to do everything but win a Super Bowl. I've had the opportunity to play on great teams and with great players. After 12 years, I have seen it all and done it all.

"Right now, I am content with the decision I am making. All good things come to an end, and I am ready to see what else life has to offer."

Baltimore Sun reporter Edward Lee contributed to this article.

Copyright © 2009, The Baltimore Sun

LaChapelle · 07-13-2009, 09:43 PM

Koren's agent is on the phone.

Koren Robinson is waiting for team to call
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on July 13, 2009 10:21 PM
Add Koren Robinson to the long list of receivers ready for any job that opens in August.

ESPN's John Clayton reports that Robinson is staying in shape and waiting for a team to call.

The Seahawks called on Robinson after Week Two last season, and he filled in admirably, considering the circumstances. The ninth overall pick from the 2001 draft posted 400 yards in twelve games.

Seattle and Green Bay are the most likely landing spots if injuries strike, since he is most familiar with their offensive systems.

**Buehler445** · 07-13-2009, 09:47 PM

I was thinking, Mason's play while injury was one of the more gritty performances I've seen.

Titty Meat · 07-13-2009, 11:54 PM

Chiefs can beat Balimore especially now that Mason retired.

**The Bad Guy** · 07-14-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

Chiefs can beat Balimore especially now that Mason retired.

Highly unlikely.

Titty Meat · 07-14-2009, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Highly unlikely.

Baltimore is a one dimonisnal team if they can't run the ball they won't win unless we turn the ball over.

Chiefnj2 · 07-14-2009, 07:45 AM

Did the Coalition board shut down or something? The Planet has been inundated with delusional homers the last few weeks.

**cdcox** · 07-14-2009, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billay

Baltimore is a one dimonisnal team if they can't run the ball they won't win unless we turn the ball over.

I'm trying to figure out if the Chiefs have any dimensions on offense.

**Bwana** · 07-14-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdcox

I'm trying to figure out if the Chiefs have any dimensions on offense.

That's what I was thinking. We are limited at WR / TE and the OL is still a huge question mark at best. The way it stands right now, LJ won't have many holes to run through and our QB won't have much to throw to. We still need a lot of key players to make a run. We will get there, but we are not in the ball park yet.

Titty Meat · 07-14-2009, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Did the Coalition board shut down or something? The Planet has been inundated with delusional homers the last few weeks.

Ah yes spoken like someone who has no clue about football. On defense how do you try to beat a team? You make the other teams offense one dimensional. Now tell me how will Baltimore score points if they don't run the ball? This is the NFL any team can beat any team in the league.

07-13-2009, 04:44 PM
RJ Supporter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $9955202	Derrick Mason retires Maybe McNair's death bummed him out so much he didn't want to play anymore. Not a HOF'er, but a very respectable career. From Rotoworld: Derrick Mason surprisingly announced his retirement from pro football Monday. The announcement comes on JockLife.com, a website owned by Mason's agents Peter Schaffer and Lamont Smith. It's legit. Mason was coming off shoulder surgery and requested a pay raise earlier this offseason, but says this decision is based more on emotions. "Emotionally I am just not that enthused." Assuming Mason doesn't change his mind, the Ravens are woefully thin at wideout with Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams atop the depth chart. Mason finishes his career with 790 catches, good for 23rd all time. Jul. 13 - 5:14 pm et Source: JockLife.com
Posts: 14,931

07-13-2009, 06:00 PM	#16
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $1754734	He was THE receiver for them last year in the last few games. He didn't even use one arm and he was still clutch.
Posts: 57,030

07-13-2009, 06:03 PM	#17
chefsos Fifty eight sixty two... Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Felton, DE Casino cash: $8467676	B'more needed help at WR even with Mason. They're gonna have to go get somebody now, for sure. Mason's a warrior, though. He played damn well last year with one arm almost literally tied behind his back.
Posts: 9,450

07-13-2009, 07:07 PM	#18
chiefbowe82 Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	now all we have to do is stop the run week 1
Posts: 4,040

07-13-2009, 07:29 PM	#19
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Wow. This is news. Mason was/is one hell of a receiver. Always somehow below the media radar, though. All he does is make catches ... and some damn tough ones, too. I'm sorry to hear that he decided to retire like this. He's a smart guy, though, and I'm sure he was smart with his money. FAX
Posts: 44,492

07-13-2009, 07:34 PM	#20
chiefs1111 In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $983166	good player and pretty good career
Posts: 21,075

07-13-2009, 09:11 PM	#21
RJ Supporter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $9955202	On the other hand..... http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/r...,4346245.story Wide receiver Derrick Mason abruptly announced his retirement Monday, a decision that surprised and confused the Ravens. Mason, 35, the Ravens' No. 1 receiver, was entering the final year of his five-year, $20 million contract and was seeking an extension. The Ravens publicly said they were agreeable to a new contract, but no deal was imminent. Mason's retirement would leave a huge void at wide receiver and mark a drastic setback for a team that reached the AFC championship game. But it's still unclear whether Mason intends to follow through with his retirement. "This is a decision that I've made," Mason told ESPN News. "If I do change my mind, it won't be because of the Ravens. It'll be because of some other things -- my family and talking with other people. I still got to talk with some coaches over there. As far as financially, I don't think they can do anything to sway me." The Ravens were caught off guard by the news especially because Mason said he has not been "enthused to get up and work out." A team official said Mason worked out at team headquarters only hours before his announcement. "For any player to retire, he has to send a letter to the NFL stating this," said Kevin Byrne, the Ravens' senior vice president of public relations. "Derrick Mason has not done that." There has been speculation that Mason could be using retirement as leverage for a new contract. When he first sought an extension in March, Mason said he didn't know whether he would return to the Ravens without a new deal and would "explore other options" if he didn't have one. He would have earned $3 million this season. Lamont Smith, Mason's agent, confirmed that the 12-year veteran has retired in an e-mail to The Baltimore Sun. Mason, who played eight seasons with Tennessee and four with the Ravens, did not return phone calls from The Sun. Mason's decision came two days after the funeral of quarterback Steve McNair, a longtime friend and teammate who was shot and killed. Mason spoke at McNair's memorial service Thursday. "I have been thinking about this since the season ended," Mason told jocklife.com, the Web site that first reported the announcement and shares the same address as Mason's agent. "Emotionally I am just not that enthused. I have not been that enthused to get up and work out. ... It was getting to that point. This decision has nothing to do with the contract situation; I have made enough money, more than enough money. "Emotionally there are things that are more important. It's time right now. I don't know what's going to happen from here, but it's going to be really nice to see what life has in store for me. What I want people to remember about my NFL career is that I played hard ... played hard in practice and the game. I tried to make everyone better and would do anything to help." Without Mason, there would be a huge hole in the Ravens' offense. Over the past two seasons, Mason has caught 183 passes -- more than twice as many as any other Ravens receiver over that span. Joe Flacco's top wide receivers would be Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams, two young players who have yet to meet expectations. The Ravens' would-be third receiver, Marcus Smith, didn't catch a pass in his rookie season. Clayton, one of Mason's closest friends on the Ravens, was in disbelief when told of Mason's retirement. "We don't know for sure," Clayton said. "I hope not, and I don't think it's true. I haven't heard that." Only 16 days before veterans report to training camp, the Ravens' options to replace Mason are limited. In gaining $3 million in salary cap room from Mason's retirement, the Ravens could sign a free agent. The top receiver available is Marvin Harrison, who had 60 catches and five touchdowns last season for the Indianapolis Colts. Another possibility is revisiting a trade for either Anquan Boldin or Brandon Marshall. The Ravens had talks with the Arizona Cardinals before the NFL draft about Boldin, but they considered the asking price (picks in the first and third rounds) too steep. The team also explored the possibility of trading for Denver Broncos wide receiver Marshall, but the Ravens' interest never became serious because of his legal troubles. Mason said the Ravens don't necessarily need to add an additional receiver. "I have left them in great hands," Mason told jocklife.com. "Mark Clayton is a younger version of me. Williams can be a true player; he can be in the elite class. Smith, [Justin] Harper, [Kelley] Washington, they all are a young group that can only be better with Joe in the backfield." Since he left the Titans to join the Ravens, Mason has recorded the three highest single-season totals for catches (103 in 2007, 86 in 2005 and 80 in 2008). Last season, Mason led the Ravens with 80 receptions (which tied for 16th in the NFL) for 1,037 yards and five touchdowns despite playing the entire second half of the year with a shoulder injury. After having successful shoulder surgery earlier this year, Mason conflicted with team officials about when he would return this summer. Mason speculated that he could miss a significant portion of training camp, but Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he didn't think Mason would be sidelined for an extended period. A fourth-round pick in 1997, Mason has 790 catches for 10,061 yards and 52 touchdowns in his career. He is one of only three players in NFL history to produce more than 10,000 receiving yards and 2,500 return yards (Tim Brown and Irving Fryar are the others). "I have had a tremendous career, and I played for two great teams. I had fun," Mason told jocklife.com. "In my career, I have been able to do everything but win a Super Bowl. I've had the opportunity to play on great teams and with great players. After 12 years, I have seen it all and done it all. "Right now, I am content with the decision I am making. All good things come to an end, and I am ready to see what else life has to offer." Baltimore Sun reporter Edward Lee contributed to this article. Copyright © 2009, The Baltimore Sun
Posts: 14,931

07-13-2009, 09:43 PM	#22
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	Koren's agent is on the phone. Koren Robinson is waiting for team to call Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on July 13, 2009 10:21 PM Add Koren Robinson to the long list of receivers ready for any job that opens in August. ESPN's John Clayton reports that Robinson is staying in shape and waiting for a team to call. The Seahawks called on Robinson after Week Two last season, and he filled in admirably, considering the circumstances. The ninth overall pick from the 2001 draft posted 400 yards in twelve games. Seattle and Green Bay are the most likely landing spots if injuries strike, since he is most familiar with their offensive systems.
Posts: 8,588

07-13-2009, 09:47 PM	#23
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $1754734	I was thinking, Mason's play while injury was one of the more gritty performances I've seen.
Posts: 57,030

07-13-2009, 11:54 PM	#24
Titty Meat Inmem 2.0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: My house Casino cash: $1717558	Chiefs can beat Balimore especially now that Mason retired.
Posts: 75,657

07-14-2009, 07:45 AM	#27
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $7813688	Did the Coalition board shut down or something? The Planet has been inundated with delusional homers the last few weeks. __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,396