I'm glad to see him back since we didn't have a viable alternative that we could really count on. While I know the McNair death hit him hard I'm still skeptical that it was the primary reason he initially retired. To announce his retirement on a web-site with connections to his agent rather than call Steve/Ozzie & John to discuss it further makes me suspicious that it was more of a negotiating ploy.
He has always seemed to be a classy, upfront guy and I think that much of what initially happened had to be driven by his agent. (because everyone knows most of them have no class or integrity)

Either way, I'm relieved to have hime back to provide a band-aid for another year until we can get a burner. (hopefully)

Phew!

Derrick is a sure-handed receiver; not a big play guy, but competent, reliable, and thoroughly professional.

I'm glad Mason is back and will not guess at his motives or reasons. All things mentioned probably played a part. Mason has always been the true pro on the field and off and is an excellent mid-range receiver. The guy is uncanny in how he gets open, even when they know he is the likely target in a situation.

That said, I would take issue with the last sentence in the article about "the Ravens' receiver crisis is over...". Far from it. Losing Mason would have been huge, but the Ravens still lack a legitimate (or proven) deep threat and Mason was never going to be that. Having him back is great, but we still need to find or develop the deep game.

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I agree that they still need help, but don't think it's a crisis anymore.

I have to agree that I belive that the retiremnet announcmnet was primarily due to the death of Steve McNair. I am sure that D-Mason was truly looking at himself and his family to determine if he wanted to contnue. Having had tme to grieve, I am glad that Derrick has decided to come back. Hopefully he can be the Derrick of old and come out with a renewed vigor. If ntohng else, he can b a teacher and mentor on how tonot only be a football player, but also a stand up human being.

To Derrick Mason (becuase we all know that he reads this) I applaud you for being a stand-up individual and looking at your own life and situation. Not that I am not beyond thrilled that you are coming back, but something needs to be said about you looking at your own situation. Thank you and I am glad that you are a Raven.

Hey Schmuck we said he was coming back. The largest fan turn out in Ravens history made him get over McNair FAST and come have fun with US!!!!

Welcome Back Derrick...Signed Ms. Buckeye-Raven

Mason went through some hard times that had him wondering about the meaning of life and what is important in ones life. Taking the time he needed to think things through and to talk with his family was the right way to go. I am sure he spoke to McNair as well. Knowing how McNair was a competitor I am sure he told Mason he would still like to see Mason on the field catching passes even though he can't be the one throwing Mason the ball. Thanks to McNair and welcome back to Mason.

I am glad that D-Mase is back but if he is the only reciever that the team is counting on they are not a super bowl team and we are in trouble. Derrick Mason could get hurt at anytime and if so they will be right back in a hole. Clayton,Williams,Washington,Smith and even Harper have to step up SIMPLE AS THAT.

D-Mase is a warrior ( in the same mold as you Pete w/your injury ).
Seriously , it's great to have him back , but someone else on this team has to step up . I'd like to see it as D. Williams .

Can he hit a Beckett slider?

Great to have you back Mase, I tell my Wife He & I look similar, but she doesn't see it.

Women.

Love ya, Mase!

Wow, what an optimist Bob F. is! What makes you think, after 13 drafts in Baltimore without once picking a legit NFL wide receiver, that Ozzie is going to do it next year? It's always next year....

Anyone stop to think that maybe Mason simply had to bear a good old-fashioned midlife crisis?

People make jokes about these sorts of things all the time but the reality is that you start examining everything you have ever accomplished or will ever accomplish and trust me when I say that they are not fun.

And if - as I suspect happened in this case - a midlife crisis is triggered by the violent, unexpected death of a best friend of pretty much the same age, it must be absolutely hideous.

Welcome back, D-Mase.

Thre receiver crisis is over? Who said. Mason may be the go to guy but he goes to him for about 5 - 10 yards. We still have no deep threat and that will be very telling this year, mark my words.

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Yes, it's a problem, but it's not a crisis anymore.

While I too am happy for the Ravens that Mason is back, our team just went from a laughing stock at WR to just plain old "weak" at WR with the return of Mason.

Mason is an aging possession receiver with limited playmaking ability at this point in his career. Sadly that was an upgrade. I agree with other posters that with his return, we are back to ground zero and still desperately need that true #1WR...ala Boldin, Marshall, etc to take this team to the next level. Without this player, we will struggle to get to and beyond the first round of the playoffs.

At least with Mason back, we can actually talk about making the dance.

Go get a legit #1WR now so Mason can become what he should be - a great complimentary piece.

or...great "complEmentary piece"

GM Ozzie Newsome should just swallow hard and pay the asking price in future draft choices for WR Anquan Boldin or WR Brandon Marshall since we know he cannot draft even competent ones in the first round. See WR busts like Travis Taylor and Mark Clayton for example!

.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Mark Clayton is no bust, unless you consider anyone who isn't as good as Larry Fitzgerald to be a failure.

I believe that Ozzie knows what he's doing and that Brandon Marshall will be a Raven this year. I believe that he will surprise everyone despite Harbaugh's lack of interest, and make this deal happen and keep the team's the #1 or #2 draft pick as well. I just hope he does it soon. Flacco needs time to get to know him as a receiver.

There is no way in h@ll the Ravens are going to go after Marshall. It was questionable before but now that Marshall is making pre-season a living h@ll for the Broncos, the deal is dead. Harbaugh doesn't want malcontents or troublemakers on the team. (i.e. Chris Mac last year, probably Willis this year) so I'm sure he won't want with Marshall's off field track record. He's like a prison system version of T.O.

I don't want to think about haw bad their passing would have been without him. But if they're going to really contend, they will need some other people to step up.They need more guys who can get open and catch the ball.

Dear Melvin, I have felt disresepcted every time durign the past nine years you have made one of those god-awful, stupid baserunning mistakes. Good riddance.

Thank god! It was getting ugly: Bennett's 12hr contract; the 5'7" guy.... Mason stops the bleeding. If the OL steps up, others will, too (WRs, TEs, RBs out of the backfield). We'll pass enough to run, and who knows, maybe run enough to pass