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Throwback Thursday: When the Ravens signed Derrick Mason

By Chris Schisler

Sep 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Baltimore Ravens helmet on the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Ravens defeated the Falcons 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Baltimore Ravens helmet on the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Ravens defeated the Falcons 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s Throwback Thursday, Ravens fans. This week we look at one of the biggest free agent signings the Ravens ever made:

The 2017 Baltimore Ravens are hoping to add Jeremy Maclin or Eric Decker to the offense. I thought it would be quite appropriate to take a look back at the Ravens best free agent signing of a wide receiver. Baltimore brought in Derrick Mason in 2005.

The 2005 Baltimore Ravens weren’t very good. The Ravens were mired with injuries and Kyle Boller had a rough year under center. Derrick Mason, was one positive addition to the team, that gave fans hope in a 6-10 season. Mason was signed by the Ravens that offseason, and it became clear, that he was going to be one of the Ravens best players.

Mason played the first eight years of his career with the Tennessee Titans (they were the Oilers for his first two seasons). The addition of Mason was a pretty big splash. He was one of the best players the Titans ever had. In his first season with the Ravens, which was his ninth year of pro football, Mason had 86 receptions. It became clear, pretty early on that the Titans should have never cut Mason.

This was a big move

This is what Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com wrote about the move at the time:

"“Mason, 31, certainly represents a major upgrade for the Ravens, and he likely will be teamed with a young wideout in the starting lineup. With the wide receiver pool getting drier by the day — some of the top pending free agents at the position recently re-signed with their incumbent teams — the Ravens moved quickly to pursue Mason, released by the Tennessee Titans last week in the club’s bloody salary cap purge.”"

The Ravens have had little luck at the wide receiver position. Here they attacked the position by getting one of the better wide receivers in the NFL. When you look at Ravens history now, it’s hard not to appreciate what Mason brought to the table. Now we’ve seen our fair share of failed wide receivers. We’ve seen T.J. Houshmanzadeh and Lee Evans disappoint in big moments. The Ravens haven’t drafted wide receivers well either. Mason was a huge part of Ravens history.

Mason would go on to have his only season with 100 catches in 2007. In another awful year, Mason caught 103 passes for 1,087 yards and five touchdowns. Mason got to shine against his former team in the 2008 playoffs. He caught a touchdown down the sideline against the Titans in a huge playoff win.

Maclin could be the next Mason:

The Ravens are hosting Maclin for a visit. Hopefully the Ravens can ink the deal with the former Kansas City Chiefs star. Maclin could be the next Mason for the Ravens. He is basically at the same point in his career as Mason was when he became a Raven.

Next: Should Ravens Want Maclin or Decker?

All we can do is wait. One thing is for sure, all of this talk about potentially bringing in Maclin, reminds me of when the Ravens signed number 85.

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