The cornerstone of the Ravens passing attack for the last half decade is back in the fold. Derrick Mason signed a two-year contract last night, which likely means that the receiver will end his storied career as a Raven. The total worth of the contract is eight million dollars, with three and a half million coming in the first year. That figure is very close to the maximum dollar amount that the Ravens could sign an unrestricted free agent for under the “final eight” rule.
Mason returns despite speculation that the trade for Anquan Boldin diluted the Ravens’ interest and need for the 36 year old veteran. Some members of the media suggested that Boldin and Mason’s style of play was too similar making Mason’s addition redundant. I personally don’t think their styles are all that alike. Sure they are both relatively slow and therefore not the classic deep-threat, but that doesn’t necessarily make them the same. I see Mason as a rock-solid route runner and the perfect possession receiver, while Boldin is more of a Clydesdale. Boldin is a violent runner who just needs the ball and a tiny bit of space to build momentum. Mason will run the sideline routes and Boldin will slash towards the middle of the field. I think the two will work well together. Boldin has been accused of being a diva in the past, but you know he doesn’t mind sharing the ball with other big name receivers.
The Ravens, a team traditionally focused on defense, have now made three offseason moves to acquire/retain three wide receivers. Boldin, Mason, Stallworth, and Clayton sure sounds better than Mason, Clayton, Kelley, and Williams doesn’t it?
So what does this mean for the upcoming draft? I personally feel it gives Ozzie and the Ravens the freedom to do a number of things with the 25th pick. They could trade down an increase their picks in this deep draft; they could address their defensive needs; or they could just pick best-player-available. I don’t think there’s a wrong answer. Personally I’d like to see them add a pure pass rusher, but I won’t be mad if Jermaine Gresham is available and the Ravens scoop him up. What if Taylor Mays is still on the board? Safety is not a crucial need for the Ravens, but it would be hard to pass up that kind of talent. The thing I don’t want to see happen is the Ravens stretch to fill a need…that’s how teams pass up perennial pro bowlers for draft busts. Before the recent offseason moves the Ravens might have been pressured to stretch for an Arrelious Benn. It’s uncharacteristic for Ozzie and company to reach for any player, but without the recent acquisitions the emphasis to address the wide receiver position would have been overwhelming. Now the Ravens have no reservations influencing what they do with their first selection in the 2010 draft.
What would you do if you were the Ravens GM?
~ Pat Cary
Filed under: Football, NFL, Ravens Tagged: | Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason, donte stallworth, Jermaine Gresham, NFL Draft, Taylor Mays
Playmaking safety, defensive tackle, hybrid/edge pass rusher.
What if they took Terrence Cody and lined him up next to Ngata?
I’d say grab Grisham if he’s there, if not trade down…Ozzie is so phenominal with picks that I’d rather have another 2 picks in place of that 1 #25 pick if possible.
Either way, Flacco has some real weapons now.
Draft needs: Defensive end, cornerback, TE, WR (even with the acquisitions we need to get some young understudies)
The Ravens are notorious for drafting undersized linemen and linebackers with speed and converting them to someone who can play that defensive end/OLB hybrid. To be honest if we can’t get Brandon Graham out of Michigan then I don’t want them to draft an OLB. Under Mattison they play a lot of four-three fronts, so I want to go with a legit defensive end who can realistically produce sacks while playing in a three-point-stance…Mattison likes to generate pressure with the front four. Jason Pierre-Paul would be ideal, but he will be long gone by the time the Ravens pick.
No need for Cody…he’s not a first-round talent and the Ravens are still pretty deep at run-stuffing interior linemen even without Bannon.
You see Tebow scored low on this Wonderlic Test…if he doesn’t have brains, speed, a good arm or a good release, what does he have? I guess he’s good at wearing douchie t-shirts…
If the Jaguars actually draft him to try and sell tickets they should be immediately shipped to LA. I would draft Tebow no higher than round 4.
I’d consider him round 2 or 3 but, only if he’s cool w/playing H-Back…watch him prove us wrong and be a good QB now…as much as people give him sh*t I have to give him credit in the fact that him and Archie Griffen are probably the 2 best college players of all-time.
Best available. What if there really is no market for TO like a lot of the analyst are saying right now you think there is the slighest chance in hell the ravens sign him to a 1 yr say 3 mil deal, I think thats beyond far fetched but he can stretch the field, although I know thats what the ravens brought Stallworth in for.
I think TO will eventually find a landing spot, but probably not till after the draft. Age, attitude, and lack of productiveness (in ’09) has diminished any leverage TO had with teams around the league.
I would be pretty shocked and upset if the Ravens signed him…there’s just no need for him now. I’d be surprised if the Ravens made any other major free agent moves this offseason.
How about Delhomme to the Browns for $7M in the first season? I thought Mike Holmgren was smarter than that.