Good news on the Derrick Mason situation. Sort of.
Mason talked to BaltimoreRavens.com Thursday and said he wants a two year contract if he’s going to come back and play for the Baltimore Ravens.
From his standpoint I see what he’s saying. Mason, who asked for a contract extension before abruptly retiring and coming back in 2009, wants security and continuity for his family. He is also trying to get the maximum value out of what his possibly his last contract.
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Ravens oblige Mason’s request. Even though he’s been around for quite some time, he was productive this past season. Mason’s numbers may have dropped because the Ravens offense was predictable at times, but he had a solid season nonetheless. I don’t know how much Mason is worth at this point in his career, but I would give him a fair contract.
I think the number of years is a fair request. I am just not sure how much money Mason thinks he can get.
I think the Ravens and Mason are ont he same page with the length of the contract, but like byrdman said the issue is dollars. I think Mason will be back, but I am going tired of his act. Seems like in the same interview he said he could see himself back with the Ravens for 2 years, but the possibility of him leaving was also high. I guess I will never understand why so many players feel they need to do this type of posturing to the media in order to have their contract demands met. See ms like that stuff could be handled internally. It leaves a sour taste in the mouths of fans who see it as an "I could take or leave Baltimore" approach from an athlete.
The Ravens need to get this deal done. Whether he's their number one or two they should bring Mason back.
What if the Ravens traded for Boldin, or signed Malcolm Floyd and brought back Washington of Clayton. Would you be willing to part ways with Mason if those things happened?
LOL….. that will never happen. This is Ozzie we are talking about.
Even with any of these players, Mason would be great to have around, both on and off the field.
Not saying he would not be great to have him back, but if other options are out there it may not be worth investing as much moneas Mason wants into the position.
Steve Mason would be great to have around too but we are in the business of winning not just to have great people around.
Time to let the aging veteran go. bring in some young speed. Like a Boldin.
Just read , Ravens traded for Boldin, 3rd and 4th picks, now w are talking big.
I don't think it is that unlikely that the Rvens could end up with either Boldin or Floyd. Ad I think one of Washington or Clayton will be back.
I like Washington over Clayton, but I think itd be tough to get one of those big names here in Baltimore.
Washington and Clayton both suck but Clayton is the better of the two.
Money and draft picks talk, for the right deal we can get anybody.
Nails,
The Great Oz is not want to trade draft picks…remember the ill fated Kyle Boller trade?!?!
Sometimes you have to trade draft picks. Boller was a product of Billick. He wanted Boller. The front office gave in on Boller. Phil Savage wanted the guy the Raiders drafted, Asomungha. Now that would have been great. Ozzie is an average GM at best.
Nails,
Don't go there with Billick-Boller…
Ozzie failed to land the Great Byron Leftwich when a busy signal nixed the deal. Boller was Plan B.
9inchnails,
Welcome!!!
Piggybacking on Brother Bruz' comments, the Ravens have to decide what their plan is today. Some days they are playing for the here and now – signing 37 year old Ray Ray to a multiyear deal, signing the "Clayton Clone" to a one year deal, other days they are playing for the future – 1AA QB with no veteran back-up, inexperienced coach, so I guess Bisciotti and Oz will have to decide which direction they are going in today – do we sign a 36 year old WR and go with our "Win Now" plan or go younger with Boldin or the draft and go with our "build for Tomorrow" plan. I guess it depends on the mood of Rico Suave, the Great Oz, and the Spin Doctor.
You can have a win now plan with Boldin, he makes us better.
Agreed. But I think the price will be too high for Ozzie and the Ravens.
The sad reality is that Zach is probably right which means the Ravens will be for the most part the same team as last season. This team might make the playoffs but will quickly find themselves watching from their TV sets. The NFL is a passing game, talent has to be strong at the WR and positions or the ceiling is only so high.
Pole,
In that Stallworth apparently only has substance abuse issues every other year -2007, 2009, he should be OK in 2010. If so, he should have another 620 some yard year as he's averaged in his 7 year career.
If the Ravens pick up J. Lewis, they can make them roomates so Dante won't have to leave the room to get his high. Have a dealer and a user in the same room!
It is sad. What is most irritating is that I think the Ravens are ok with that. At least Harbaugh said he wanted to retain this team for 2010.
You guys are unreal with your overreaction.
The Ravens signed a guy to basically a vet minimum deal with zero risk.
Stallworth was a minor addition that might pan out. If he doesn't who the hell cares? They NEED to get some WRs under contract.
Do you guys root for Ray?
Did you not root for Jamal after his off the field "transgressions"?
Did you go nuts when Suggs sacked Brady and striped the ball?
Good lord.
Mark
You sound like the voice of reason for this forum.
STG/Pole what did you guys say about Suggs beating up his girlfriend and threatening to douse her with bleach?
9" Nails,
How would you like Stallworth or Suggs dating your daughter?!? I get it, its OK to play for my team but you better stay away from my daughter. I'd like to have it both ways, be a good player and be a good citizen.
Pole
We all would like that.
Sadly, that is never gonna happen.
The "dating your daughter" stuff is a complete strawmen arguments. What does that have to do with anything? I'm not a friend or associate of Terrell Suggs or Donte Stallworth. I have zero control over if they are on the Ravens or not. Now, if I knew a person who had questionable character and invited them into my house or brought them around my child, then your point is valid. I have had co workers over the years that I wouldn't let near anyone I cared about. But I certainly didn't quite my job because of it. Everyone has their own set of morals and code of ethics that they live their own lives by. I choose to worry about what I can control with regards to that. I cannot control what my favorite football team does but I cheer for the entity itself, not the actual person wearing the uniform.
If Stallworth scores a game winning TD vs the Steelers next November, I'm gonna go crazy and enjoy it the same way I would if Ray Rice did because at the end of the day, I'm happy waking up on Monday morning after a Ravens win and completely bitter for days after a loss.
The Ravens, along with every other NFL team, employ people that I would want nothing to do with outside of watching them play football.
I just can't understand the furor over the Stallworth signing as if it's some signal that the Ravens are doing something different or ridiculous. Especially when their roster, along with every other teams roster, is littered with guys of highly questionable character.
I'll say it again. The whole talk about distraction etc… is pretty much limited to blogs like these and sports radio. We are the die hards who follow this stuff daily and with extreme interest. A vast number of fans won't even know who Stallworth is until he suits up week 1. And an even higher amount won't know about his past.
It's a signing that's a blip on the radar. He'll answer a few questions when mini camps start up and during the 1st day of training camp. After that? He'll just be another Raven suiting up on Sundays.
I'm done talking about it. I have no respect for Harbaugh and pretty much go against any decision he's involved in. I do not believe he knows what he's doing and it'll eventually show. I am a Ravens fan, but I gotta tell you, I believe these last two "mirage" years are fooling the fans and the owner into believing that Harbaugh is the guy to lead this team going forward. In some ways I'd like to see them hit the crapper just so they could see through this clown and move on to establishing themselves as an elite franchise with an elite coach. He's a phony, a "Yes Man" to Rico Suave, and a Spin Doctor and that's where most of my frustration lies.
STG
I agree to a point about Harbaugh. I don't think I've rendered my final verdict as you have but I certainly see alot of things I don't like.
I have to ask you though, where is your anger towards Ozzie? He's the guy who has the final say. Just as you and I defend Billick when he is blamed for the Boller pick, why don't those who really detest the Stallworth signing call out the man has the final say? That of course being Ozzie.
I don't trust Bisciotti and Harbaugh. Reports say that Ozzie didn't even know Billick had been fired until Billick came in and told him after the fact.
The whole nepotism thing with Harbaugh is another issue I've brought up before. I know it's easier on coaches to bring in guys they are comfortable with, but the next step after "group think" is Totalitarianism. LJ Smith, a former Eagle – dud, Stallworth – former Eagle who Harbs was "familiar with", Mattison – Harb's dad's golfing buddy, Pees – Harb's position coach in college, Brother Jim on the sideline "working the officials", Daddy on the sidelines, sixth grade Biology Teacher Mr. Peterman on the sideline, C'mon, it's like a freaking sideshow (I made up the Biology Teacher, but you nver know, he may have been there, everyone else has been).
Now the truth comes out! You are looking for anything to pin on Hardballs because you don't like him. You are not affording him the same things as Billick. Boller wasn't Billick's fault but everything that has happened the last two seasons has been Hardballs fault. I see your true colors!!
I've never denied the fact that I do not like Harbaugh.
"Totalitarianism" what are you talking about. This time STG, you have gone off the deep end. We should be consistent in our evaluation of coaches and players. If we only judge players by on the field play, we should judge a coach by his record. Get off the sideline antics of the coaches entourage and talk about record. 20-12 regular season record, 3-2 post season record, not a bad start.
Pole,
Sometimes you gotta obey your gut. Mark pointed out in our discussion about Stallworth that you can always judge by the numbers.
Of course my use of totalitarianism was just a ploy to make some of you guys run to get a dictionary!
STG
I could not disagree with you more. When you find good people, you keep them. Let's say you met me and I worked for you and did a good job. Would you try to get me on board again. Let's say the same thing for one of the other guys on this forum, Pole. He may be a good guy or he may be from Iowa, I don't know him from Johnny Q. But if he was a great worker, I would try to bring him on board with me. My point is, I would rather hire a guy that I know, is comfortable, and a hard worker like a guy named Joe. Or I could work with a guy like Big Dan….your choice. You have to make the right one for you.
Nails,
Yes, I would definitely work with you and Pole again as all of us come at things from different perspectives and add our own thoughts and input. Between us we share ideas and perspectives. What I worry about is a staff of "yes men" that Harbaugh may be assembling. That's why I applaud the move of hiring Jim Zorn, because from everything I've read or heard, there is no prior Harbaugh tie. All dictators surround themselves with guys who cow tail to them.