Mike, I hope you are right about Mason. Not because we need him, of course our team is better with him than without him, but because it seems he made the decision while he was concerned about the death of his good friend, Steve McNair. I think he comes back, plays another season or two, then retires on his own terms.

Mike, I think Mason will be back too. I'm ok with him missing time b/c it allow the Ravens other WRs to get more work.

I'm also glad that Drew Bennett retired rather than taking up a roster spot instead of being playing.

Anyone know why the Ravens haven't at least worked out Matt Jones. My guess is that the Jaguars former GM, who worked under Ozzie, has told Ozzie that Jones isn't worth it.

Mike, I think he'll come back too. Might cost the team a little extra coin, but that's football.

"Mason will know, and I believe he'll come back for another year or two."

Yeah, but only if we pay him.

Well Mike...I have no idea if he'll be back or not. But one thing I'd be very cautious about is arguing with your gut.

Also...I don't think the concern is the distraction factor of Mason's absence. It's more the concern that even WITH Mason, the WR corps is lacking, despite any attempt to spin it to the contrary. WITHOUT Mason, the WR corps is just plain pathetic. And so have been the recent attempts to address the deficiency. It's easy to say that the Ealy signing represents little more than TC fodder. What's more difficult to address is how the Ravens intend to improve their WRs, and close the gap between the team and their AFC North rivals, the Steelers. And all this nonsense about not getting all worked up about the situation is comical. This problem has been dogging the Ravens for over 10 years. And it continues to be a problem. This thing didn't just pop up overnight with the announcment of Mason's retirement.

I don't think he's coming back. We didn't have much of a receiving corps with him. Without him, we are in a real hurt locker. When the Ravens end up ranked #30 in total passing this year, they'll have no one to blame but themselves. We didn't draft a WR...we didn't make any serious attempts to bring in a big name...and we didn't even keep the big name we had. This kind of reminds me of 2001 when we lost Jamal Lewis and Priest Holmes in the off season and went the whole year without a legitimate rushing offense.

The Ravens "will be happy with whatever decision Mason makes." Yea, sure. They couldn't be more estatic that they conducted a draft and went through an entire free agency period without the slightest notion that their No. 1 wide receiver would quit football 2 weeks before the start of training camp. In fact yesterday I saw Ozzie, Harbaugh and Cameron doing cartwheels all over Westminster because they're so happy for Mason. Give me a break!

What about ashlie lelie?? Free agent, he was productive for Denver & Oakland.

I don't understand why people think that the Ravens won't be able to go anywhere this year with the current wide receivers we have on the roster. People must have forgot that the receivers for the 2000 superbowl team were Quadry Ismail, Brandon Stokely, Travis Taylor, and Patrick Johnson just to name a few. The Ravens were able to get it done with those receivers and that was with Dilfer throwing them the ball. Sure it would be great to add a solid proven receiver but I don't believe there's a reason to panic.

I do believe he will be back. I love his heart. The way he played with that shoulder last year speaks volumes. You still have to wonder how much he has left in the tank at his age even if he does come back.

I heard once that people should never make major life decisions in the wake of the death of a loved one. If DM and Steve McNair were truly close friends then maybe the retirement falls into that category. I respect Mr. Mason's grief and his forthrightness about doubts he feels regarding his playing career. I say, let him take all the time he wants/needs and if he chooses to return then the Ravens should make room for him if they can. Meanwhile they should proceed as if he is not returning, and maintain whatever contact with him that he is willing to accept.

I wish him all the best either way.

Somebody help me out. Why hasn't Marvin Harrison's name come up in all of this? Too expensive? Too old? I would think he would still be a decent slot guy.

Remember six months ago we didn't know if Ray Lewis was coming back. I think he will be back by the third pre-season game. With more money, because the Ravens would realize how much they need his hands on the field. It's about ego and money.

Nobody wants Vick. The Ravens should put the full court press on the guy to become there #1 receiver and make a name for himself.. I hope mason comes back just because I believe he's the heart of our offense last year.

Nobody wants Vick. The Ravens should put the full court press on the guy to become there #1 receiver and make a name for himself.. I hope mason comes back just because I believe he's the heart of our offense last year.