JockLife.com has reported that Derrick Mason will be retiring from football. Although BR.com has said that, "Still, the 35-year-old receiver has not yet filed his official retirement papers with the league office.
“For any player to retire, he has to send a letter to the NFL stating this,” said Ravens senior vice president of public and community relations Kevin Byrne. “Derrick Mason has not done that.”
Mason did say, “I have been thinking about this since the season ended,” Mason continued. “Emotionally I am just not that enthused. I have not been that enthused to get up and work out…it was getting to that point. This decision has nothing to do with the contract situation; I have made enough money, more than enough money. Emotionally there are things that are more important.
It’s time right now. I don’t know what’s going to happen from here, but it’s going to be really nice to see what life has in store for me. What I want people to remember about my NFL career is that I played hard…played hard in practice and the game. I tried to make everyone better and would do anything to help.” which eludes he will not be returning for another season.
In other team shattering news, Suggs has yet to resign with us!! This will be more devastating to our D, than if Ray left.
"NFL teams have until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15 to lock players sporting the franchise tag into new deals. If not, Baltimore will lose the right to negotiate with the three-time Pro Bowler until the end of the 2009 campaign."
-BR.com
They went on to say that Ozzie & Suggs are working hard on finalizing his deal, but they still have yet to do so. Ozzie clearly expressed his want to keep Suggs in Bmore, but with his contract we're probably going to have to dish out more money (to which we might not have after the other players get paid).
Now if Mason leaves this may put another knot in the finalizing of Suggs. If they want to pick a new guy up (1st stringer) it's going to cost them. The only other options we have are going to have to step up big if they want to fill Mason's 1st string shoes. Things are starting to get hairy & the season is getting close.
