Ravens Wide Reciever Derrick Mason Announces Retirement

NFL News - July 14, 2009 - Written by Ryan Smith

Ravens prow-bowl wide receiver Derrick Mason told jocklife.com on Monday that "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." Mason must do more than just tell a website he wants to retire, to actually retire from the NFL. In fact reports say the Ravens franchise knows nothing of Mason's decision to retire from NFL. NFL rules state that a player must send a letter to the NFL's office confirming the retirement as we learned through Brett Favres come back the last two years.

Mason is only 35 and played every game except for one in 4 seasons with the Ravens franchise and, in those four seasons he received over 1,000 yards three times. Mason was a huge reason why the Ravens made the post season in 2008, playing most of the second half of the season hurt. Joe Flacco will suffer the most with this departure as Mason was easily his primary target last year. Mason also caught 12 passes for over 180 yards in three postseason games in 2008, taking the Ravens all the way to the AFC championship game against the Steelers of Pittsburgh.

Mason has become a veteran fixture in the Ravens looker room for some time now and the leader on the offensive side of the ball. Since Mason has not signed his official retirement release from the NFL he is still eligible to catch passes for the Ravens in 2009. Some players wait two or three years after not playing professional football to fill out their retirement release in case a team does want to sign them again. The Retirement release makes Mason eligible for retirement benefits offered by the NFL front office.

The Baltimore Ravens are hoping mason decides to stay with the team as their wide receiver core is not very good. Mark Clayton will have to step up as the Ravens lead receiver if mason does not return. Clayton caught 73 catches for 961 yards but, only got into the end zone 3 times in 16 games. After Clayton the receiving core comes down to Demetrius Williams with 50 catches in 2008 and tight ends L.J. Smith and Todd Heap both with less than 50 catches.