Ozzie Newsome: His top 10 accomplishments with Ravens

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BALTIMORE – 2009: Derrick Mason of the Baltimore Ravens poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by NFL Photos) /

7. Signing Derrick Mason

The Ravens signed Derrick Mason, who is arguably the best receiver in the Ravens history in 2005. Mason went on to have four 1,000 yard seasons in Baltimore. In 2007 he caught a career high 103 passes. That’s insanely good production considering Kyle Boller and Troy Smith were throwing him the football. When the Ravens signed Mason, there was no doubting that he was a NFL superstar. The Titans let him go after eight years and a lot of people wondered how much Mason had left in the tank. Mason retired in 2011 after his 15th season, so Newsome was clearly right to bring him on board.

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Mason didn’t have a good quarterback with him in Baltimore (other than one year with Steve McNair) until Joe Flacco came along. Newsome made a brilliant move in signing Mason. He got a good receiver for a good price which he got basically half way through his career. Newsome got the best years of Mason’s incredible career, to be of service for the Ravens.

Mason was one of the toughest receivers the NFL has ever seen. It’s a good thing that he came to Baltimore. He made some less than fun offenses watchable and he made the Ravens better when they had a shot to compete. He has some special memories with the Ravens, that’s for sure.

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