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Was it dirty, that Derrick Mason retires on the ravens this close to the season?

Their are theories that he maybe trying to get a bump in pay, or people close to him say that he is one of the people who flip flop a lot as in one week he doesn't want to play then the next he can't wait to play, and we can't eliminate the idea that he might actually be injured he did say that "After 12 years, I have seen it all and done it all," Mason told jocklife.com. "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." and "I have made enough money, more than enough money,"

If he just decided to retire now of all times I think he did them dirty. Their number one receiver decides to call it quits, Mason did say this in a blog on NFL.com “I don’t know if I’m going to be back,” Mason said. ‘I have one more year left on my deal, and I want to play more than one year. For a player, one year is no security. No security whatsoever. I think I’ve earned the right to go to management and let them know that I want to play more than just one year.” later he says “So if we can get that deal done, then that will be great,” Mason said. “But if not, then we have to explore other options after that. (talking about an extension in his contract) leading me to believe this is mostly about a pay bump. Mason later goes on to talk about an injury in his left shoulder (had surgery 3 weeks ago) “It wasn’t a bad injury at all,” Mason said. “Not as bad as it could have been.”

So it could be in the air, injured, wants more money, ready to just move on.

Mason did his team worse, he didn't tell them before the draft so they could at least try to replace him, no he waited until his team thought this season is going to be a repeat of last year, then nope one of your best players leaves (offense). Favre retired before then, and him wanting to come back is a bonus to the team like hurray we gain a hall of fame QB to add to are weapons.

Addition to Mason- ESPN is reporting that he told them or someone else that it isn't a hold out for more money he is just done with football (still not sure if i believe him or not).

Yeah maybe your right, but I know if I was the coach, GM, or owner I would be putting him on my hit list.

lol Al Davis thinks it's still the 1980's and Jerry Jones is the next Al Davis. Redskins have bursts of getting with the time every now and then but always make sure to screw what ever smart thing they did shortly after.

If Harbaugh were smart, get him to be the WR coach. I mean the guy retired, if he becomes the coach, then he got his security, the fans are happy and the new guys will get much better from having a guy who did that his entire career teaching them everything that he knows.

That's not really the point Mason was their number one guy, the way he was acting made it seem like he didn't give a dam about the Ravens needs.

No because as much as I would love to see Mason come back out he isn't retiring to get more money or get sent to somewhere else. Favre was a jack a**, Mason is just getting older and played most of the season with a messed up shoulder and I am sure he is thinking that he would love to play but at what price to his body. He was yes looking for a bigger contract, but that doesn't mean its about the money and to be honest there wasn't that many good recievers in the draft so it wouldn't have changed the way the Raven's picked. They pick the best player they can get not nessiarily what NFL net excetra think they want. Then the added bonus that he realized it could all end so quickly with his recent loss of his good friend. I really really really would love to see him out there because even having him on the team I think has helped the other recievers make big bounds in their ability in the few years he has been here and we really needed him last year with all the injuries we endured. But either way I think they will be good weither he stays or goes. He I think talked to the coach this week so we will see if he actually turns in papers or not.

The thing is with Raven's fans is we understand that the players are people I think a little more then maybe other areas. Like when Ray was looking at his options, I and I know other Raven's fans were like, well he can't go somewhere else and have Ray's team, and he has built himself a home here, he gives a lot to Baltimore public schools and has a lot of connections in that regard, but if that is what he needs to do to get his last paycheck then that is what he needs to do. We will miss him but if his need is for green not purple then we will survie now that Kelly Greg is back and we have plenty of players itching to step up. The same is true with Mason. We know that he just doesn't want to let the team, us the fans, and himself down and is haveing a bit of a self searching session and just wants to make sure he wants to be out there with the Ravens.