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Derrick Mason may not have been part of a Super Bowl winning team, but he was one of the most important players in Ravens history. Mason is arguably the best wide receiver in team history, with Anquan Boldin being his only real competition.

Mason provided consistent production at a position that Ozzie Newsome and company have always had problems with. In four out of his six seasons with Baltimore, Mason had 1,000 yards receiving.

He never had fewer than 61 receptions in a season with the Ravens. Mason had 103 receptions in 2007 with a mix of Steve McNair, Kyle Boller and Troy Smith. In several seasons, Mason carried the passing game for the Ravens with sub-par quarterback play to help him.

The Ravens were Mason’s second team and it is where he had some of the best years of his careers. He was drafted by the then-Tennessee Oilers in 1997. Mason was a big part of the Tennessee Titans teams that were arch rivals with the Ravens in the early 2000s.

It speaks to the longevity of Mason’s career. The case could be made that Mason is a talent that belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He had 943 receptions 12,061 yards and 66 touchdowns.

Mason will always be a fan favorite in Baltimore because of his toughness, dependability and his consistency. In Mason’s second season, he rekindled his connection with former Titans quarterback McNair. It helped the Ravens find their best regular season record ever (13-3).

Mason scored a playoff touchdown against his former team in 2008 when the Ravens won a divisional game in Tennessee. Mason was Joe Flacco’s first go-to target and Mason’s leadership was instrumental in Flacco’s early days.