OWINGS MILLS — Months after hinting he might not necessarily be in the Baltimore Ravens’ plans for next season, veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason has gone public with his request for a contract extension.
The 35-year-old is entering the final year of a five-year, $20 million contract that included a $7 million signing bonus. Due a $3 million base salary for the 2009 season, Mason is looking for more money and one or two years added to his current deal.
It’s believed the Ravens do want Mason back, but aren’t planning to modify the two-time Pro Bowl selection’s contract status at this point.
"I don’t know if I’m going to be back," Mason said in an interview with the NFL Network. "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.”
Mason led the Ravens last season with 80 catches for 1,037 yards and five touchdowns, playing through the pain of a damaged left shoulder labrum and scapula that required surgery three weeks ago in a procedure performed in San Francisco.
"It wasn’t a bad injury at all," Mason said. "Not as bad as it could have been."
Mason indicated that he could ask to be released if no deal can be struck. Mason said that his agent has spoken with team officials about his wishes, but it’s believed the Ravens are focused on other roster priorities at the moment.
"So if we can get that deal done, then that will be great. But if not, then we have to explore other options after that," Mason said. "I don’t know where this thing is going to end, but I think I’ve earned the right by what I’ve done on the field — and off the field — for the last four years with the Ravens."
Mason is the consummate possession receiver and has led the team in receptions during three of his four seasons in Baltimore. He developed a strong rapport last season with quarterback Joe Flacco during his rookie season. However, the Ravens still need a proven receiver to stretch the field.
There has been speculation about the Ravens potentially being interested in St. Louis Rams wide receiver Torry Holt, who’s due a $1.25 million roster bonus March 17 and might be cut, and former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison, but there has been no action taken by the team to make a move on either player. If Holt becomes a free agent, the Ravens are expected to consider him as a potential addition depending on his price.
Besides wide receiver, the Ravens could use some help at offensive tackle, nickel cornerback, kicker, inside linebacker and tight end.
One free agent the Ravens are known to have displayed interest in is Pittsburgh Steelers free agent offensive tackle Marvel Smith, but talks never progressed beyond the preliminary stage. Plus, the team had interest in the following free agents who signed elsewhere: Jon Stinchcomb (New Orleans Saints), kicker Mike Nugent (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and wide receiver Nate Washington (Tennessee Titans).
"We’re not done yet, I can tell you that," general manager Ozzie Newsome said after signing six-time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk to a three-year, $12 million contract. "The phones are still hot."
Newsome emphasized that the Ravens want to fill needs prior to the draft so he can concentrate on drafting the top player available on his board with the 26th overall pick of the first round rather than look to plug holes.
"We’re doing some things right now to make the draft just be a major plus for us, and we have no needs," Newsome said.
Since free agency began, the Ravens have signed Birk, All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis and former University of Maryland cornerback Domonique Foxworth with linebacker Bart Scott and strong safety Jim Leonhard signing with the New York Jets and center Jason Brown going to the St. Louis Rams.
"I feel great about our football team," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "But we don’t need to have our team in place until September. So, we’re going to take every opportunity between now and September to make our team better. We’re rubbing our hands together and seeing what we can do next to try to get better. "
NOTES: Weighing in on Lewis’ three-year, $22 million contract, Mason said he wasn’t surprised that Lewis was re-signed: "Nah, I didn’t think he was going to leave. Honestly, I really didn’t. If you looked at how the scenario was playing out, you knew. When a guy plays that long for a certain team, and he’s been good for that long, it’s hard to part ways. He grew up in that city, pretty much. They couldn’t let him get away." …The agent for Denver Broncos free agent cornerback Karl Paymah, who visited the Ravens last week, said that Paymah visited the Cleveland Browns on Monday after meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. He’s also scheduled to visit the Minnesota Vikings this week. "Karl had a great visit with the Ravens and was very impressed," said agent Michael Hoffman, who represents Paymah. "Karl is taking a look around at what’s out there and then we’ll talk things over and see what’s in his best interests."
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
