I'm starting to lose respect for Mason

[Heap86]

"Dmase" is starting to sound like the whiny little bitch that we avoided a few years ago.


"Anyone that's been in the league for a long time would want to be more involved in the offense, but when you're not, you've just got to keep moving on," Mason told a room of reporters Wednesday. "Hopefully, one day, you will feel appreciated, whether that's with the current team you're at or someplace else."

This behavior is unacceptable, he is on a 12-3 team primed for a Superbowl run, he needs to STFU!!

He has lost a step with age, and seems to unable to realize it. Mark Clayton is coming into his own, breaking out and starting to become a #1 target for McNair. I'm sorry, but we don't need players like this on our team. Mason needs to take a page out of Mike Anderson's book, we haven't heard a peep out of him and his role has been nonexisistant. I used to hear how Mason was such a great team player and now he is starting to act like an ass.

As much as I hate to say it, If he doesn't start to understand his role on this team, I think he should move on after this year. I think its pretty safe to go with Clayton and DWil as our starting recievers, or maybe draft another one. Mason is starting to become what Kevin Johnson was here, I think Derrick needs to be reminded of what happened to him after he left this team.

This team has great chemistry and Mason is trying to be a distraction, this pisses me off in a big way!!!! :thumbdown:

[Ravenshon]

Being a team player and an individual player are two different things. A team player's responsibility is to understand their role as a team player. Whereas an individual player strives for individual achievements rather than team achievements. It pains me to say that Mason's role is hurting the team rather than helping the team. I'm pretty sure that Mason needs to look at the rear view mirror and stop complaining about individual achievements. Look at Jerry Rice, he could care less about individual achivements than SB rings. Football is a team sport.

[TTRaven]

I wouldn't go comparing Mason to Owens because of this. Terrell Owens destroys entire organizations, Derrick Mason is just voicing his frustration. A very big difference from what Owens has done and is doing. It probably wasn't the best time for him to come out with this though.

[PurpleRulz]

I think we are blowing this out of proportion. Mason just wants the ball and wants to contribute to our success.

Let's not turn this into an unneeded distraction.

[festivus]

The quote sounds out of character, or perhaps just out of context. Let's not rush to judgment, Mason's 'grading' of the offense early in the season was I thought very team-oriented.

I will hope this quote is an aberration - or a misquote, or just out of context - and won't give it more thought.

[deuce]

Blown out of proportion. Mason just wants to be more involved. Now that Clayton is producing so much maybe Mason wont get all of the primary coverage by DB's and be open more.

[highwater]

He may want to be more involved, but whining about it to the press is not the way to express it. The team is 12-3 and he's crying that he's not appreciated? Please -- totally unnecessary.

[ChampRavens]

The last thing this team needs is a player being selfish. We are friggin 12-3. We are doing something right. I dont think we would be 14-1 if Mason got more catches. The guy is a great WR, but is getting older, we have some real explosive guys out there now and he needs to understand that.

Someone needs to tell him to just shut up and catch whatever balls come his way. :grbac:

[festivus]

Mason has been a solid team player since he's been here. He has never before as far as I can recall complained selfishly. I respect him for being unafraid to answer questions, even tough ones, put to him by the media. In this case, I for one did *not* hear the specific question he was asked that triggered this response.

Don't throw him under the bus. He is one of the reasons we are better, and he deserves thanks and praise for his class and openness, as well as the calm presence he reportedly has off the field.

Give the guy a break. He's earned it.

[purplepoe]

People in this town freak out at any little comment.

This shit happens to all teams during every season. Yes, even teams that are winning. And especially from WRs.

There should be no comparison to TO.

Do you know what question he was asked when commenting? He didn't just come out unsolicited. He was asked something.

People get pissed when guys lie like they did in 2004 and 05. Now they get mad when a guy is frustrated.

This will have zero effect on Mason's play as he's always giving 100% from what I see.

And I have a funny feeling he's gonna be a major factor in the playoffs.

PP

[ravenwoman]

Derrick Mason is a very out front and frank individual. If you remember his comments last year and earlier in the season, he said the offense needed to get better. I think the guy is a true perfectionist, and perfection would be that every receiver gets an equal amount of catches, TD's etc.

I don't he begrudges anybody, I just think that he wants to be more involved. What player doesn't want to feel an important part of the winning?

I would cut him a super huge break and look forward to his performance in the games to come. I have a sneaky feeling he is going to be part of something really big.

[highwater]

Look, I'm not throwing Mason under the bus, but even if these comments were in response to a question (very likely), he didn't need to respond with something like, "Hopefully, one day you'll be appreciated, whether that's with the current team you're at or someplace else." The Ravens are looking to wrap up a bye and he's talking about being appreciated at the next team he plays for? Sorry, but that's ridiculous. I think he's plenty appreciated here, and I hope he has some great games in the playoffs, but these remarks were not necessary at all. Whether it was an answer to a question or not.

[PurpleRulz]

The man wants to contribute more to our success. What is wrong with that?

I will say that I don't want passes going his way if he is not getting open. I don't want us forcing balls Mason's way just to get him the ball, however with the way Clayton is playing, teams will start doubling Clayton. Of course, you can't double Clayton, Heap, Mason AND Williams.

Mason will get his chances very soon.

[52decleetzu]

The only thing that really bothers me is the "someplace else" comment.

He might get what he is implying in the offseason if he isnt careful.

[StingerNLG]

"Hopefully, one day you'll be appreciated, whether that's with the current team you're at or someplace else."

THAT's the part that doesn't sit well with me. I get he's frustrated (although being frustrated on a 12-3 team makes me wonder just a little what Mason is really after). As if the team doesn't appreciate him. As if they don't think his possession catches that make 1st downs aren't important.

McNair was his QB for 12 years (11 in Tenn, 1 here). If he feels like someone isn't appreciating him, he needs to talk to Steve.

[crazyraven]

I have no problem with anyone voicing about where they want to play next, to do that they have to play well in there current enviroment. If he acts like a dick on the field then we have a problem. Until then this doesnt really bother me. Marvin harrison does this from time to time...granted he doesnt say he wants out but he still voices his displeasure

[festivus]

All I'm saying is, on the one hand you have almost two full seasons of saying and doing all the right things, and on the other hand, you have this one stray quote that in isolation is kind of ugly.

I'll give him credit for two seasons of class, character and skill before I start complaining about one bad quote.

[corvuscorax]

I'll give him credit for two seasons of class, character and skill before I start complaining about one bad quote.

This is 100% on the mark. The man has shown nothing but class since he got here. Earlier this season he was not afraid to give the offense bad grades (mostly before Fassel got the boot), and folks generally admired his honesty for it.
Now he makes one small negative comment about his involvement in the offense and some of you are practically calling for his head?

People in this town freak out at any little comment.
I could not possibly agree more!

Clayton has said that DMase has helped him a lot, first to get through his rookie year, then to make the adjustments that would help him be more in synch with McNair. A selfish player doesn't do that, a team player does.

Some folks around here need to seriously cut Mr. Mason some slack.

[RAVENOUS52]

If Mason reacted to situations half as badly as some of the posters on Internet football boards, THEN I'd be worried...:grbac:

As it stands, his comments don't concern me one bit. Look at how open Jamal has been with the media in the past and yet on Sundays when he's grinding our opponents into dust in the 3rd and 4th quarters I don't seem to hear anyone complaining about him...:rolleyes:

[StingerNLG]

Now he makes one small negative comment about his involvement in the offense and some of you are practically calling for his head?

Well just a minute. This isn't the first "small negative comment" he's made either. He did some of this last year too.

And I've never heard Marvin Harrison complain. The guy has had double digit touchdowns and over 1000 yards and over 80 completions a year for the last 8 years. Not once have I seen a single quote from Harrison about not getting the ball or not being appreciated.

[crazyraven]

And I've never heard Marvin Harrison complain.I know I've seen little snippits of Marvin not being happy about not getting looks. I did a quick search and found this . There has been some pouting from him.


4. The Indianapolis defense certainly deserves the criticism leveled at the unit. But three second-half points against the Titans is inexcusable.

Is Marvin Harrison a problem in Indy?

A week after pouting through a one-catch, 8-yard performance in a victory over Philadelphia, Harrison was the focus of Indy’s offense against the Titans. He caught seven balls for a 172 yards and a TD.

Good for Marvin. However, Indy’s offense works best when Peyton Manning is spreading the ball and not worried about spoon-feeding Marvin enough balls so that Marvin is happy enough to avoid letting a DB strip away a perfectly thrown Manning bullet.

My local rap boy Tech N9ne made a song about Marvin Harrison. The song, “Mitch Bade,” came out in the mid-1990s. It’s still relevant.

http://sports.aol.com/whitlock/nfl/_a/tomlinson-tops-brown-on-level-playing/20061207111409990001

[purplepoe]

And I've never heard Marvin Harrison complain. .

There was most definitely rumblings out of Indy about Marvin being unhappy with his role this season.

Here's a blurb from the 11/26 edition of the IndyStar.

The writer is answering a question about Marvin not being happy with Manning and his role.

"First, James. Yes, you noticed as I did that Marvin was an unhappy camper during this game. I mention it in my wrapup blog. Harrison is always surly when he doesn't get enough catches. And because the great one is so moody, it's hard to get a read on what is enough. The Colts played well on offense. Addai ran wild. Reggie Wayne couldn't be stopped when they needed him. So Marvin only got two balls thrown to him. It won't happen often, this much I'm sure, but you were astute in this observation, no question. Neither Marvin nor Peyton will ever address that situation. Marvin probably won't say anything and Peyton is too smart to rip Marvin. But watch next week. Harrison will have a monster game at Tennessee next week and all will be forgotten. That's the way it's gone down in the past when Marvin has sulked about being "under-appreciated."

So I guess Marvin has sulked about his role more than once in Indy. Now, his personality is different than Mason's in that he won't comment on it.

I can understand people not liking to hear Mason vent a bit but that's what you get.


People seemed to like Mason when he would speak his mind about things last season. Now he's speaking his and it's rubbing the wrong way.

Again, NFL players, especially WRs have egos that sometimes rub us the wrong way. Would it have been better not said? Sure.

However, the overreaction to Mason's comments is what gets me the most. People acting like they can't believe a guy would say this and that it's so out of the ordinary. AND that it's a big deal. Please people. It's not.

PP

[Mackey88]

Mason is a terrific pro, I'm glad we have had him but he wears his heart on his sleeve. He is not the ideal team player because he speaks or acts his mind too often in the public forum. I was put off last year when Mason threw a temper tantrum on the playing field because Billick wouldn't challenge a no catch call. Other players might be just as upset by something but they keep it over on the sidelines, or in the locker room and don't act out publicly, or whine to the press. Apparently, numerous players went to Billick about Fassell but Mason was most vocal about the offenses problems to the press and the public. Sure you want players that are fiery and competitive, but you don't want a player that whines to the press several times a year. I don't think it is just this incedent that many people are reacting to. Although this incident in particular is more me-oriented then past incidents.

I would be very suprised if Mason is here next year. Mason is an aging vet on the downside of his career. Clayton is being groomed to be the number one and D. Williams will be the future number two. Mason is a competitor and he sees the writing on the wall. Clayton and Williams have a huge upside. They are the future and they are being given chances as the primary that were formally given to Mason. Everytime Mason opens his mouth he probably makes it more likely he will be elsewhere sooner rather than later.

That being said, he could be very big in the remaining games and I'm sure he will continue to give 100% regardless of any of his comments.

[StingerNLG]

PP, what they guy wrote was pure speculation. It was just that, a "rumbling". And it was emphasized when he said:

"Neither Marvin nor Peyton will ever address that situation. Marvin probably won't say anything and Peyton is too smart to rip Marvin."

The guy is already on 90 catches for 1292 yards and 11 touchdowns. I doubt very highly he's going to tell someone in the media that he was unhappy or felt unappreciated.

[purplepoe]

PP, what they guy wrote was pure speculation. It was just that, a "rumbling". And it was emphasized when he said:



[/QUOTE]That's the way it's gone down in the past when Marvin has sulked about being "under-appreciated."[/QUOTE]

Cmon Stinger.

It was reported earlier this season that Marvin was pissed. He had 1 TD through 5 games and that's when this stuff started to surface.

The above quote certainly shows, to me at least, that Harrison has been unhappy in the past as well..

Again, I could do without what Mason said. But Im not gonna start throwing him under the bus because of it either.

This town is too thin skinned about EVERYTHING. We've had these conversations before. Just listen to talk radio. After the Bengals loss, you would've thought this team wasn't making the playoffs. It goes on and on and to me, this is just another example. He didn't call out anyone. His voiced some frustration.

I will certainly be critical of him if he doesn't play 100%. But he's too much of a professional for that.

And like I said before, I think he's gonna have a big impact in the playoffs.

PP

[StingerNLG]

PP, again it was REPORTED. There is no quote from Harrison, like we have with Mason. And reported while Marvin was in the middle of another record setting year? And you're telling me to come on?

I'll tell you this, if Marvin Harrison has been unhappy with the last 8 years, than he is worse than TO and Randy Moss put together.

As for Mason, throwing him under the bus is a little harsh. But at the same time, it's a little frustrating to hear him make those kind of comments publically in a 12-3 season when we're one game from clinching a first-round bye, because it makes him look selfish.

[purplepoe]

Sigh.

OK dude.

You wanna get on Mason, go ahead.

I was just pointing out that even guys that have good reputations (like Harrison and Mason) aren't all hunky dorey all the time.

Again, this guy's quote:

"That's the way it's gone down in the past when Marvin has sulked about being "under-appreciated."

The guy specifically said how Marvin has sulked about being under-appreciated in the past. Is he lying? I guess he could be but that's a pretty bold statement if he's completely making it up.

"Since I already stand accused of dwelling on the negative, and at this late hour nobody else is going to scoop us on this, I advised my colleagues and particularly columnist Bob Kravitz that Colts receiver Marvin Harrison was an unhappy camper during this game. Harrison walked off the field, a la LeBron James earlier this NBA season, to the locker room as the Colts were kicking a last-second field goal to finish the first half. Harrison was obviously upset with not getting more balls thrown his way. The future Hall of Fame receiver caught one pass for eight yards the whole game. Dispirited for much of the night, he sulked at the left end of the Colts’ bench. His body language spoke volumes. I mention this now because it’s what some will be talking about later today when the spotlight returns to the Colts’ complex. Some will suggest we, as reporters, are making too much of it. But is it too much to ask from a great receiver that he share in the victory and not pout because he didn't have a great night? Our history with Harrison has always been touchy at best. He’s dissed us after catching three touchdowns in a game. That’s just him. He doesn’t want to talk about what he does. He wants his play to speak for himself. But his actions weren’t exactly professional this night. It took away from going 10-1.


My point is that this shit happens alot but for some reason people in this town can't accept it. Imagine if Mason walked off the field like that. People would FREAK out.

Again, Im not agreeing with what Mason said or condoning it.

We're just going in circles now. The only play this quote is getting is on here between us. It's just not a big deal IMO.

PP

[StingerNLG]

I'm not "getting on" Mason. He made a comment that didn't sit right with me. That's not "getting on" him. I'm not out here saying cut the guy or bench him or whatnot.

And as for that guy, he is speculating. If you think he's the only reporter out there that makes bold statements that aren't exactly "accurate", you never read Mike Preston. Marvin Harrison has NEVER TO THE PRESS voiced displeasure with the Colts. There is no quote anyone can link to of Marvin Harrison saying any such thing, which BTW was my original point. And there is no reason for him to, he's once again statistically one of the better receivers in Football. So if he's somehow complaining, then he's worse than T.O.

I don't listen to other people telling me what someone is saying. I listen to the person that actually said it.

[crazyraven]

if you believe ray voiced displeasue it isn't so hard to see Marvin doing the same. for example the phrase no comment never was scuntized so intenesely before right here in baltimore. quietly they both got there messages accross without saying a word...which is what I initially brought up about marvin. the guy is a pro, but if he isn't getting the ball, he gets the word out one way or the other.

[PurpleRulz]

I know I've seen little snippits of Marvin not being happy about not getting looks. I did a quick search and found this . There has been some pouting from him.



http://sports.aol.com/whitlock/nfl/_a/tomlinson-tops-brown-on-level-playing/20061207111409990001



The article does not say "a week after alleged rumblings from Marvin Harrison," it says a week after rumblings. It speaks as fact that Marvin was complaining, but it must not have been a big deal. Same in this situation. Yiu cannot begrudge a player that wants to be more involved.

As Aaron Wilson said on his show yesterday morning, "the players are okay with what Mason said, so us fans should be okay." We fans are making this more of a distraction than the situation calls. It is not as if Mason spit on someone or fell asleep during a team meeting.

[purplepoe]

I'm not "getting on" Mason. He made a comment that didn't sit right with me. That's not "getting on" him. I'm not out here saying cut the guy or bench him or whatnot.

And as for that guy, he is speculating. If you think he's the only reporter out there that makes bold statements that aren't exactly "accurate", you never read Mike Preston. Marvin Harrison has NEVER TO THE PRESS voiced displeasure with the Colts. There is no quote anyone can link to of Marvin Harrison saying any such thing, which BTW was my original point. And there is no reason for him to, he's once again statistically one of the better receivers in Football. So if he's somehow complaining, then he's worse than T.O.

I don't listen to other people telling me what someone is saying. I listen to the person that actually said it.

He's not speculating that Marvin Harrison walked off the field before the team had kicked a FG.

Maybe you've got a bad taste about all reporters because of Preston. I dunno.

This conversation has spun into something way deeper than what it really is. You weren't one of the people who freaked out. I understand the fact that his comments didn't sit well.

Im just trying to point out that this isn't a big deal or something that's quite honestly even out of the ordinary.

PP

[crazyraven]

The article does not say "a week after alleged rumblings from Marvin Harrison," it says a week after rumblings. It speaks as fact that Marvin was complaining, but it must not have been a big deal. Same in this situation. Yiu cannot begrudge a player that wants to be more involved.



PurpleRulz. Please Go back and read what I quoted and what I wrote. I agreed with the poster who said there were no quotes-- just rumblings.

Anyway here is an article about Harrison Leaving early before a halftime kick. At first Dungy said he wasnt aware of it and the a day after Tony OK'd Marvin for leaving early for having a muscle "treated". Which story do you buy?

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/COLUMNISTS01/611290473/1034


Again, Marvin is great. Classy guy and the whole nine Yards but dont throw the ball to him he can get upset. ----Look Mason was just blowing off steam and trying to get attention. What else is new with receivers. :D

[skaybaltimore]

Stinger, I'm with you on this one, as far as it being just the WRONG TIME to be voicing ANY dissension, and ESPECIALLY making mention of "someplace else". By the same token, I don't think you're even remotely talking about throwing him under the bus, and neither am I. It's just a fan's appropriate response to: "NOT NOW, Man. This is NOT the time to be mouthin off to the media in ANY way that is not TEAM ORIENTED. This is the launching pad to the playoffs, and the thing that won us the Super Bowl in 2000 was TEAM PLAY and TEAM UNITY, more than any player or coach, as far as I'm concerned. And this is the time to start pumpin up the TEAM aspect, NOT the individual aspect.

GO RAVENS!!!

[purplepoe]

Stinger, I'm with you on this one, as far as it being just the WRONG TIME to be voicing ANY dissension, and ESPECIALLY making mention of "someplace else". By the same token, I don't think you're even remotely talking about throwing him under the bus, and neither am I. It's just a fan's appropriate response to: "NOT NOW, Man. This is NOT the time to be mouthin off to the media in ANY way that is not TEAM ORIENTED. This is the launching pad to the playoffs, and the thing that won us the Super Bowl in 2000 was TEAM PLAY and TEAM UNITY, more than any player or coach, as far as I'm concerned. And this is the time to start pumpin up the TEAM aspect, NOT the individual aspect.

GO RAVENS!!!

This team is on the same page.

It's us the fans who are talking about it, not them.

I bet they couldn't give 2 shits about it.

PP

[skaybaltimore]

Funny, Poe...I don't recall anyone here being named Derrick Mason. It was NOT the fans that initiated this -- it was MASON HIMSELF. So WTF are you even talking about? If it wasn't on his mind, then why did he open his mouth in the first place? You're entitled to your opinion, but your opinion doesn't have the power to change REALITY. And reality is, the whole thing was started by Mason, and it was THE WRONG TIME FOR HIM TO SHOOT OFF HIS MOUTH. I don't care HOW competitive he is. Or WHAT justification he had, or thinks he had. And regardless of any of that, for you to try and twist this around to something the FANS started is absurd. You're just way off on this one, man.

GO RAVENS!!!

[purplepoe]

Funny, Poe...I don't recall anyone here being named Derrick Mason. It was NOT the fans that initiated this -- it was MASON HIMSELF. So WTF are you even talking about? If it wasn't on his mind, then why did he open his mouth in the first place? You're entitled to your opinion, but your opinion doesn't have the power to change REALITY. And reality is, the whole thing was started by Mason, and it was THE WRONG TIME FOR HIM TO SHOOT OFF HIS MOUTH. I don't care HOW competitive he is. Or WHAT justification he had, or thinks he had. And regardless of any of that, for you to try and twist this around to something the FANS started is absurd. You're just way off on this one, man.

GO RAVENS!!!

Who said it was the fans who initiated it? Certainly not me.

Im talking about some fans' reaction to it.

Go re-read your fuckin post and then read mine all of mine on this thread. Did I say it wasn't on Mason's mind? No. I said I could do without his comments as well. I just don't think it's a big deal.

So take it easy with putting words in my mouth.

You wanna talk about reality? How about the fact that this has gotten ZERO play anywhere else besides a few message boards. It was a little add-on to Aaron Wilson's story. If it were anything of substance, it would've been a headline or at least at the top of his or any other article. But it wasn't. That's the reality. And THAT is what I am talking about.


your opinion doesn't have the power to change REALITY.

No shit, really?

PP

[skaybaltimore]

This team is on the same page.

It's us the fans who are talking about it, not them.

I bet they couldn't give 2 shits about it.

PPIF the team were on the SAME PAGE, then what page was MASON on when he opened up his mouth and began talking about playing SOMEPLACE ELSE, right at the time the team is heading into the playoffs? Did the FANS initiate that statement? No, MASON did. And that is NOT a picture of a team that's on the same page. THAT'S the reality I'M talking about. I have no idea what reality YOU'RE talking about, or trying to invent.

And you can save the profanity for someone who cares. You're the one who can't seem to differentiate between reality and the revisionist world the way you'd like it to be. Just because it got covered over, does NOT mean it's not a big deal. It might be, or it might not be. But you have no more evidence to ASSUME it's not a big deal, than anyone else could make an argument that it IS. Your assumption that it isn't does NOT make it "reality" -- only your opinion. And the fact that fans are talking about what Mason initiated does not make it only a big deal being blown out of proportion by the fans.

GO RAVENS!!!

[purplepoe]

IF the team were on the SAME PAGE, then what page was MASON on when he opened up his mouth and began talking about playing SOMEPLACE ELSE, right at the time the team is heading into the playoffs? Did the FANS initiate that statement? No, MASON did. THAT'S the reality I'M talking about. I have no idea what reality YOU'RE talking about, or trying to invent.

And you can save the profanity for someone who cares. You're the one who can't seem to differentiate between reality and the revisionist world the way you'd like it to be.

GO RAVENS!!!


So WTF are you even talking about?

I don't abbreviate like you.

I haven't once condoned what Mason said.

Come back to me when Mason isn't giving his all on the field. Have you ever seen that? The wants the ball more and isn't feeling all that appreciated. No more, no less. He said something that rubbed some fans the wrong way. Again, please show me where I said the fans initiated ANYTHING.

Believe me, I can deal in reality. The reality is this was barely a blip on the radar. That has been my stance the whole time. There has been ZERO talk about it from anyone in the press or on the team since he said it. That shows to me that it's not a big deal. If you think it is, that's fine.

Im going down to the tailgate now to enjoy watching Mason and the Ravens clinch a 1st round bye.

PP

[Art-Florida]

Okay, that's it. They've gone over the line. Beginning immediately, the 'wide receiver' position is abolished.

From now on, teams must line up with two tight ends, two halfbacks, a fullback, and a quarterback. 1940s football the way it was meant to be played.

After a suitable time period has passed, this abolishment may be rescinded, provided the prima-donna, whining, showboating, glory-hound wideouts think carefully about what they've done, say they're sorry, and promise never to do it again.

If the league feels they have shown the proper remorse, they may be allowed to play with the other kids again, and will receive a special one-time treat of double chocolate sundaes. A second offense will result in a sentence of being screwed in the rectum by porcupines...with NO FOREPLAY.

[skaybaltimore]

I agree with everything, except that last part, Art.

(heheheheh)

GO RAVENS!!!

[skaybaltimore]

I don't abbreviate like you.

I haven't once condoned what Mason said.

Come back to me when Mason isn't giving his all on the field. Have you ever seen that? Yes, in fact I thought he looked "out of sync" against Pittsburgh. Not enough to throw him under the bus, by any means, but "off" enough to notice it.


Again, please show me where I said the fans initiated ANYTHING.What you've been saying is that this is not a big deal, and that the fans are initiating this "issue" that you believe to be a non-issue. What I'm saying is that you have no basis for saying that. If anything, YOU'RE the one blowing this basically moderated position up to the point of polarizing it. I made a simple statement agreeing with Sting that the statement made by Mason in the interview was inappropraite, IMO. Period! Then you had to jump in and say that it's no big deal -- it's just something being exaggerated by some fans. But that's only your opinion, not "reality". And all of your protestations to the contrary that it's "only a blip on the radar" do NOT make it reality, no matter how hard you thump your chest, and no matter how many profanities you use.

GO RAVENS!!!

[festivus]

To put it in perspective, there are other quotes from Mason in today's Sun:
"The only scoreboard we need to watch is our own," receiver Derrick Mason said. "Right now, we must seal the deal. We have to go out and beat Buffalo. If we don't, all that we've done in the past 16 weeks wouldn't mean anything. We got to think of this game as being pivotal ... "
http://tinyurl.com/y899re

He is always talking 'team'.

Like all pro athletes in team sports, Derrick Mason professionally seems to want two things. 1. team succes. 2. personal accomplishment.

The only question is, what order does he put them in?

After all his team-oriented statements to the media, enough to choke a horse if you're going to be fair to him, then we might be able to agree his priority is team success.

I think everybody who's been posting agrees he was in that *one* quote expressing his desire for personal success. I don't begrudge him that desire, but I believe based on a fair review of all he's said and done that that is a secondary priority for him, behind *team* success.

Believe what you want, I will continue to think the best. In the end it's a matter of opinion based on an unbiased observation of his behavior.

[skaybaltimore]

The T.V. announcer mentioned at least three times that Mason had complained about not getting enough touches -- AFTER McNair threw at least 5 straight passes to Mason. Again, this isn't a FAN initiating the statement -- it came from the T.V. announcer. And whether or not it had anything to do with all those passes going to Mason tonight, and almost NONE going to Clayton -- who knows. But it sure looked different to me out there, compared to the trend over the past 5 games or son.

GO RAVENS!!!

[festivus]

Skay, I heard the announcer too. I understood him to be referring to the same quote that triggered this thread. So I don't see how that adds to the discussion, except that you correctly point out Mason got a few balls last night, which hopefully will mollify him.

Sometimes quarterbacks will throw to receivers who for one reason or another need the ball, even though other receivers may also be open. I think I recall Brett Favre doing it and I'm sure others do it as well. It may even have been McNair's way of telling his old teammate to shut up.

Anyway I've made my point and this thread has lingered beyond what it deserves, in my humble opinion.

[skaybaltimore]

Skay, I heard the announcer too. I understood him to be referring to the same quote that triggered this thread. So I don't see how that adds to the discussion,It adds to the discussion in the sense that it is not just the fans who are running with this thing, as has been suggested. If it were truly no big deal, then the announcer would not even have mentioned it. Yet not only DID he mention it, he mentioned it several times. What that says to me is that somehow, this shit with Mason was bigger than the previous poster was trying to make it out to be, and it was not something being perpetuated needlessly by fans. And that sort of shit is just NOT what you want happening entering the post season, IMO. And I disagree that this discussion has "lingered" longer than necessary. The comments made by the announcers JUST HAPPEND LAST NIGHT. But if you feel that way, N/P -- you can just participate in other threads you feel are more worth your time.

GO RAVENS!!!