As part of the Ravens salary cap relief, the organization is expected cut their most production wide receiver, Derrick Mason.
The veteran will be cut from Baltimore along with running back Willis McGahee, tight end Todd Heap and nose tackle Kelly Gregg. The Ravens entered the day $1 million over the salary cap set by the new collective bargaining agreement.
Mason was reportedly informed by general manager Ozzie Newsome on Monday about the news. He spoke with WBAL last evening to react according to the Baltimore Sun’s Kevin Van Valkenburg.
“This is just another chip on my shoulder,” Mason said. “This is something else that fuels me and makes me try to be as productive on the field as I can, whether that be in Baltimore — and I hope it is — or somewhere else. [My return] is solely up to them. I love Baltimore. The city embraced me. The organization is great from top to bottom. My first thing would be: ‘Why not Baltimore?’ They’re primed to win a Super Bowl and I don’t want to go nowhere else but a place that is primed to contend for a Super Bowl.”
Mason could return to Baltimore if he was willing to take a pay cut. Last night, rumors around the interwebs were flying around reporting the Mason and the Ravens were working on a one year deal.
Football is back and Ozzie Newsome is already working it. According to Jamison Hensley, the Ravens are expected cut TE Todd Heap, WR Derrick Mason, DT Kelly Gregg, and RB Willis McGahee.
Honestly, the release of Gregg and McGahee should be no surprise. Those two guys survived an extra season thanks to an uncapped year in 2010. Heap and Mason, on the other hand, may seem a bit more surprising. Overall, the cuts saved $19 million in cap space. There is some speculation that Mason and Heap will be back with restructured deals.
So, what does Ozzie do with $19 million to play with? Do we want Mason and Heap back?
Baltimore is spoiled in the sense they always seem to have a great D-Line. So while many considered this an off year for the group, they still managed to help lead the team to be the #3 rated defense. They also were effective in stopping the run, except for a stretch in the middle of the season. They seemed to lack the big plays that everyone was used to seeing. It’s the big plays that make this defense see so imposing. READ MORE >>>
There are clearly parts of the Ravens roster that just aren’t getting the job done.
Do you give up on them? Do you let them grow since the season is likely a wash anyway? Do you put the pressure on them?
It all depends on the player.
Frank Walker- Bye bye. Walker shouldn’t have made the team to begin with. Anyone that followed training camp knew right away what Walker was about. Lots of talk, little coverage. He’s quite possibly the worst part of the Ravens terrible secondary and was so bad that he was benched against the Bengals. He’s taking up a roster spot, which is one of the reasons Baltimore cut Matt Stover. Good riddance Frank.
Domonique Foxworth – Threaten. Two weeks ago I told you that Foxworth was a $28 million bust and I stand by it. He is the Ravens biggest flop since Willis McGahee. Too big of a contract for too little performance. Foxworth is the best of the bad secondary, but for the contract was given he’s not shutting down number one wide receivers.
Fabian Washington – Threaten/bench. Washington covers receivers by grabbing them. I’m convinced his method is to get penalized as many times as possible and it shows.
Trevor Pryce – Cut after season. Pryce has had a great run with the Ravens and an outstanding career, but he’s no longer getting the job done. He gets pressure one time per drive, he’s getting beat in single coverage and gives good quarterbacks too much time.
Kelly Gregg – Cut after season. It would have been a good story is Buddy Lee came back after the knee surgery and stepped up. That hasn’t been the case. He fits into the same category as Pryce, only worse. Gregg is hardly ever putting pressure on QBs and he can no longer stuff the run. He’s part of an aging defense.
Ed Reed – One more big loss and I’d shut him down. Ed might say he’s playing healthy, but come on. He’s undoubtedly playing hurt and if Baltimore wants to hold on to him for future years they need him to get healthy. Whether that requires surgery or just time to recover, Baltimore needs to do what they’ve got to do.
The Baltimore Ravens. A team that on defense can’t stop the run or pressure a QB, has a kicker that can’t make a clutch field goals, and an offense that is stuck making up for all of their holes.
Here are my thoughts from the Ravens 17-7 loss to the Bengals.
Secondary woes yet again – Different week, same weakness. Domonique Foxworth might be the best cornerback on the team, but he gives too much room to good wide receivers and can’t tackle. Fabian Washington missed an interception in the first quarter and he was called for pass interference on a crucial 4th and 2. Dawan Landry was called for pass interference on a play that overturned a fumble in the first quarter. Ed Reed missed a couple tackles as well.
No pressure up front - I knew it would be a long day without Haloti Ngata, but Trevor Pryce, Kelly Gregg, and Terrell Suggs were virtually non-existent in this week’s loss. Carson Palmer was far too comfortable in the pocket. He was practically camping out during his first touchdown pass to Andre Caldwell. Let’s not forget that Cedric Benson rushed for 117 yards, his second 100+ yard game against the Ravens this season.
Defense killed Offense - Or something like that. In the first quarter the Ravens offense was on the field just 4 minutes 11 seconds. In the first half that total was just 8:26 compared the Bengals 21:34. It evened out a little more by the end of the game, but all day the Ravens offense was trying to make up for the D being on the field too long. They used 2 timeouts in the first quarter, and Joe Flacco forced two interceptions (could have been at least 2 more) while trying to make big plays. Flacco has thrown seven picks this season, two have been caught by the Bengals’ Johnathan Josesph. Baltimore’s offense converted one of their ten third downs.
Hauschka chokes again - Now listen. I’m in no way saying that the kicker blew the game. What I’m saying is that he’s had two pressure kicks and he’s missed both of them. You can’t miss a 38 yard field goal when you’re team is trying to drive back from a deficit. It’s alarming to me that Steve Hauschka missed a 44 yarder inside against the Vikings and now a 38 yarder in 50 degree weather against the Bengals.
Webb continues to impress – Lardarius Webb broke a return for 33 yards, but his role on defense was particularly important. He threw a big hit on Cedric Benson in the 2nd quarter, broke up a pass to Laveranues Coles, and played receivers close when Washington went down. While Chris Carr looked shaky, Webb looked solid in the secondary.
Ray Rice is a playmaker - He didn’t have enough time to show it today, but Ray Rice is the real deal. He scored the Ravens only touchdown and never gave up all day.
This isn’t a playoff team. In fact, I don’t see how they can win many more games at all if they play like this. The Ravens need to show up big next week, thankfully they play the Browns.
Let’s be honest, 3-3 is starring the Ravens in the face. I’m not saying it’s immanent, or that they can’t do anything about it. But, quite honestly this team needs to make some serious adjustments to have a successful season.
My opinion of this team has changed, but I’m still trying to figure it out.. For instance, I’m upset with the fact that the Ravens tossed tons of money at Domonique Foxworth in the off season for terrible performance after five games. But I don’t think the refs have conspired against the Ravens to make them 3-2.
Image Courtesy of the Associated Press
Times have changed and the Ravens need to catch up with them. Their defense won’t lead them to victory anymore. Cedric Benson rushed for 120 yards against the aging Baltimore D. The secondary is bad, their guys up front aren’t getting enough pressure and teams know how to take advantage. If Benson can rush for 120, what do you think Adrian Peterson will do to this D? Last year I would say “nothing”, this year he might put 200 on us if we don’t adjust.
Brett Favre needs to be tossed on the ground a few times by Terrell Suggs and I want Kelly Gregg to prove that he actually is out on the field.
Joe Flacco needs more time and has to make good throws across the middle. Cam Cameron has to make sure that the offenses number one play maker, Derrick Mason, touches the ball a few times.
This is a tough schedule. Baltimore could very well be sitting at .500 going into the bye week and their November isn’t exactly a cake walk. They face the undefeated Broncos in Baltimore, then the Bengals on the road, the Browns on Monday Night, the Colts, and finally the Steelers.
It’s still early, but you can’t help feeling that things have taken a turn for the worse with Baltimore’s two straight losses.
Michael Oher Signs – The Ravens signed their first round draft pick, tackle Michael Oher. He will be ready for the Ravens first full practice on Friday.
Kelly Gregg Looking Strong – Buddy Lee is back and he looks to be healthy. Reportedly, he’s sporting just an ace bandage on his knee and is ready to fill the gap he left in 2008.
VIDEO – Harbaugh discusses PUP list, Gregg, and more.
VIDEO – Paul Kruger talks about the differences between college and professional football as well as early camp discussion.
In his address to the media, Head Coach John Harbaugh discusses players on the physically unable to perform list, Kelly Gregg, and more from Thursday’s practice.
The Ravens had an off year in 2007, especially defensively. In 2008, however, the team rebounded to post a dominant year in which they, yet again, didn’t allow a 100-yard rusher, while forcing turnover after turnover after turnover.
The Ravens’ defense should go into 2009 even better. On the defensive line, Trevor Pryce is going into a contract year, Kelly Gregg is coming back 100 percent healthy, and Haloti Ngata is playing his natural position—defensive end. The Ravens actually have some capable backups, in Dwan Edwards, Brandon McKinney, and now, Paul Kruger.
Image Courtesy of the Baltimore Sun
The Ravens linebacking core has always been dominant. 2009 should be no exception. Ray Lewis goes into the season playing under a new contract, Terrell Suggs goes in trying to earn the long term extension he wants, Jarrett Johnson is developing into a very good linebacker, and Tavares Gooden should benefit immensely under the tutelage of the trio.
Unfortunately, the Ravens weren’t able to retain Bart Scott, but as Terrell Suggs said: “you can’t always have your big brother fight for you.”
This Baltimore team finally has young, stingy cornerback play. Last year, the Ravens had Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister lined up to start before the season. But now, it’s 25 year olds Fabian Washington, Domonique Foxworth, and possibly Chris Carr if injury occurs.
As part of the Ravens salary cap relief, the organization is expected cut their most production wide receiver, Derrick Mason.
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