Did Derrick Mason retire yesterday? Yes. Will Derrick Mason remain retired? I’d lean to no. Not because I know anything, that’s just an emotion I have.
But I know this much. The Ravens needed to address the WR position BEFORE Derrick Mason announced his retirement. They have nothing under contract beyond this season, and I didn’t think the group was a Super Bowl-caliber group BEFORE Mason’s retirement.
I’ve tossed Plaxico Burress’ name around a lot recently because I have talked to a NUMBER of people who have played and worked with Plaxico in the past; and they’ve all basically told me the same thing….
“He’s not the smartest guy in the world, but he’s not an a**hole.”
The basic vibe I get from those in the NFL world is that Burress is a guy who people like having on their team. He’s not a cancer, he’s not divisive, and he’s not going to tear your locker room apart.
But Burress is clearly a question mark based around the fact that his ability to actually see the field is up in the air. Should Plaxico be suspended for the first 8 games of the NFL season (that’s just a number, no fact to it whatsoever), would the Ravens benefit from hoping the guy can just slide in and put up numbers in the 2nd half of the season?
I think there’s an argument that the Ravens truly believe Joe Flacco has improved to the point where he can make the players around him better. That’s not insane. Miles Austin wasn’t a guy you’d pencil in as a reliable WR, but the Cowboys trusted Tony Romo could make him better. That move certainly appears to be working. Can we just assume that Flacco will make Demetrius Williams or Marcus Smith better?
I’m not going to go out on that limb just yet.
Let’s see what everyone else has to say…..
Best of Monday’s WNST Blogs:
Drew Forrester wonders how much Ravens fans ‘trust’ Newsome
Nestor Aparicio says retirement may be ‘negotiating ploy’
Glenn Clark wouldn’t be surprised if Raven announces retirement via Facebook in future
Drew Forrester ‘not buying’ Mason’s retirement
Luke Jones says Marty Booker, DJ Hackett, Jerry Porter could also be options for Ravens
Jerry Reinhardt thinks Mason ‘hurt and grieving’
Tom Clayton says O’s ‘where he expected them’ to be at All-Star break
Glenn Clark says Phelps will be on TV plenty this week
Glenn Clark excited for Baysox ‘pillow fight’
Rex Snider says ‘Thank You’ for supporting Curing Cancer One Call at a Time
Ed Frankovic says Boyd Gordon returning to Caps
RAVENS:
JOCKLife.com says Mason retiring because he’s no longer ‘enthused’ to play football
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Mason reportedly set to retire, but hasn’t filed paperwork
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says 52 ‘only’ Raven to take podium at McNair’s funeral
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says deadline to extend Suggs tomorrow
The Official Site’s Geoff Peckham says Flacco not over the top about expectations for season
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Mason won’t change his mind based on anything to do with Ravens
The Sun says Mason 9th amongst active players in receiving yards, receptions
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says ‘no signs’ exist that Ravens, Suggs will reach agreement before deadline
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Mason seemed ‘less sure’ about decision in ESPN News interview
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Newsome on vacation this week while Suggs contemplates signing deal
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says teammate Le’Ron McClain wondered if Mason just ‘emotional’
The AP says Mason’s agent C. Lamont Smith reports WR won’t field media requests for next 2 weeks
Tennessean’s Jim Wyatt says many analysts think coming up ‘yard short’ in Super Bowl could keep McNair out of Hall of Fame
NFL.com’s Pat Kirwan says Marvin Harrison, Amani Toomer, Matt Jones could be options for Ravens
USA Today’s Sean Leahy says Mason’s agent previously listed as ‘creator’ of JOCKLife.com
NBC Sports’ Mike Florio (it looks weird to me) says Fabian Washington took to Twitter to voice unhappiness about Mason’s retirement
ESPN.com’s James Walker says starting Clayton, Williams ‘won’t cut it’
ESPN.com’s James Walker says WR depth was ‘weakness’ for Ravens before Mason retirement
ESPN.com’s James Walker says Suggs can choose to sit out part of Training Camp again
ORIOLES:
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin and Jonathan Mayo say Jones ‘thrilled’ to represent Baltimore at All-Star Game
The Sun’s Dan Connolly says Jones will be first Bird since ’72 to wear ‘Baltimore’ on chest at ASG
Carroll County Times’ Josh Land says Jones not getting ‘worked up’ about St. Louis trip
ORIOLES MINOR LEAGUES:
Bowie Baysox Official Site says Pinckney homered for Baysox in win over Altoona
Frederick Keys Official Site says Billy Rowell’s RBI single not enough in loss to Indians
Delmarva Shorebirds Official Site says Joseph Mahoney homered for Shorebirds in 19-0 win over Lexington
Bluefield Orioles Official Site says Justin Moore loser as Orioles fell to Princeton
The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. says David Hernandez allowed just 1 run over 4 innings but got no decision as Baysox topped Curve
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says David Hernandez won’t stay in Bowie
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Matusz may receive every honor from organization
Frederick News-Post’s Greg Swatek says Ryan Adams’ blunder in 10th helped Kinston past Frederick
Frederick News-Post’s Stan Goldberg says Sarfate to make rehab appearance with Keys tonight
TERRAPINS FOOTBALL:
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says return game should be set with Torrey Smith, etc.
ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich says Terps, Duke getting no love from preseason publications
Terrapin Times’ Mark Clem says QB prospect Connor Eck camped with Terps (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Mark Clem says Terps interested in Northwestern WR prospect Daniel Adams (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Mark Clem says incoming kicker Ferrara participated in New York All-Star Game (must subscribe)
Turtle Sports Report’s John Talty says Terps interested in 2010 safety prospect Phillip George
TERRAPINS BASKETBALL:
The Sun’s Matt Bracken says target Cezar Guerrero getting comparisons to Vasquez
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says Jin Soo Kim changed name to Jin Soo Choi
TERRAPINS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:
The Diamondback’s Aaron Kraut says Toliver finally had ‘breakthrough’ game for Chicago Sky in young WNBA career
HOPKINS FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says OT Stoffel recognized by preseason publication
NAVY FOOTBALL:
The Sun says Sept. 19 game at Pitt to kick off at 6pm, Oct. 10 game at Rice to kick off at 2:30pm
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says TV details not announced yet for game at Heinz Field
SALISBURY FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Gulls set to join Empire 8 Conference in 2011
BLAST:
The Official Site says Bascome to host players in Bermuda
The Official Site says players to participate in ESPNZone event
HORSE RACING:
Daily Racing Form’s Jay Privman says Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra worked out at Saratoga Monday
Daily Racing Form’s Marcus Hersh says Acoma won’t run in Delaware Handicap if Rachel Alexandra does
Daily Racing Form’s Marty McGee says Derby winner Mine That Bird breezed Monday at Churchill Downs
Thoroughbred Times’ Jeff Lowe says Mine That Bird getting ready for West Virginia Derby next
SWIMMING:
Washington Post’s John Feinstein says Phelps, Woods, Federer, Armstrong all-time greats all competing this July
TENNIS:
Tribune Newspapers’ Chuck Culpepper says Wimbledon was ‘learning experience’ for Ellicott City’s Capra
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-Adam Jones is participating in the All-Star Game tonight. I hope I’ll be able to stick around long enough to see him get into the game.
Talk to you tomorrow.
-G
Comments on Facebook