FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 11/5/2009 11:18am et

Edward Lee, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Ravens WR Derrick Mason said he believes he can't be covered by one player which is why the Cincinnati Bengals shut out Mason in their first meeting by rolling their coverage toward him. "You can't cover me single coverage. You can't. It hasn't been done in 13 years, and it won't be done. But it is what it is. You try to take advantage of coverages and how they play you. But Cincinnati did a good job, a very good job, the first game at totally taking me out of the game. In the back of my mind, I just need to go into this game, work a little bit harder, find a way to -- if they choose to do that again -- find a way to get open. If not, then other people will be open," Mason said.

The Huddle Take: At least Mason is not lacking for self-confidence. Now let's see if he can get off the schneid against the Bengals.

Posted: 11/5/2009 11:13am et

Aaron Wilson, of the Carroll County Times, reports Baltimore Ravens WR Derrick Mason has not committed to playing beyond this season.

The Huddle Take: You may remember that Mason retired briefly prior to this season before changing his mind and returning to the Ravens. Maybe he's just looking for a way to join Brett Favre in Minnesota...

Posted: 10/9/2009 4:20pm et

The Baltimore Sun reports Baltimore Ravens WR Derrick Mason (neck) was limited during practice Friday, Oct. 9. He is listed as probable for Week 5 and is expected to start.

The Huddle Take: Mason could be in line for some strong numbers against the Bengals. Give him some starting consideration as your No. 2 or 3 WR this week.

Posted: 10/2/2009 5:23pm et

The Baltimore Sun reports Baltimore Ravens WR Derrick Mason (illness) was limited during practice Friday, Oct. 2. He is listed as questionable for Week 4 but is expected to play.

The Huddle Take: Last week's 118-yard, one-TD performance could be viewed as an aberration, since the previous two weeks he had only 78 yards combined and was shut out of the end zone. The 118-yard total from last week was also skewed, since 72 of those yards came on one play. So unless you're hurting for a No. 3 receiver, don't plug Mason into your lineup just yet. If he goes off this week, then maybe you can count on him.

Posted: 9/7/2009 9:57pm et

The Baltimore Sun reports Baltimore Ravens WR Derrick Mason has hinted that this season may be his final season in the league. 'I think I'm hungrier than I've ever been considering this is possibly my last year,' Mason said.

The Huddle Take: No real shocker here, Mason is done after this year. However, one of the most consistent, under appreciated fantasy receivers out there is getting set up to have possibly the best year of his career. With this 'extra drive' added to the indications that the team is going to open up the passing game since Flacco has shown the ability to get it done, Mason's upside is fantastic.

Posted: 8/12/2009 6:56am et

Updating previous reports, The Baltimore Sun reports Baltimore Ravens WR Derrick Mason (finger) dislocated the middle finger on his right hand Tuesday, Aug. 11. He had a wrap on his finger, while he was in street clothes, later in the day and did not return to practice. His status for the team's preseason game Thursday, Aug. 13, against the New England Patriots is in question.

The Huddle Take: Over all this shouldn't affect his regular season play, as it will likely be healed up fairly well before the season starts, but it could cause him to look less like the reliable Mason we've all come to know for at least a couple of weeks in the preseason.

Posted: 8/1/2009 2:47pm et

The Baltimore Sun reports retired WR Derrick Mason will end his retirement and return to the Baltimore Ravens. Mason met with head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Ozzie Newsome Saturday, Aug. 1.

The Huddle Take: Many expected this to happen, but not until closer to the season. All of a sudden the heightened expectations for Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams don't look so heightened. The fact is, though, that at some point Clayton has to stake his claim to the number one spot on this receiving corps and Mason will have to take the second fiddle spot...somewhat similar to what is apparently happening in Pittsburgh with Ward and Holmes.

Posted: 7/29/2009 4:17pm et

Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports the Ravens have officially placed retired WR Derrick Mason on the reserve-did not report list.

The Huddle Take: Since Mason hasn't filed his paperwork there's still a possibility he could return during training camp. Maybe he and Brett Favre can work out together.

Posted: 7/28/2009 1:09pm et

WNST.net reports retired WR Derrick Mason and his family are moving to Nashville this weekend, according to a source. Mason has had moving companies at his home this week providing him with estimates on the move to Tennessee. According to one source, Mason said he is 'still in limbo' over his decision to play - or not - in 2009. Mason, however, continues to work out with a popular Baltimore athletic trainer several days a week.

The Huddle Take: With Drew Bennett's unexpected retirement throwing them for a loop, expect the Ravens to be very aggressive the next few days in an attempt to lure Mason back to Baltimore.

Posted: 7/22/2009 10:01pm et

The Associated Press reports Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said he is optimistic that WR Derrick Mason will return to the team this season after having a conversation with him. 'He's ready physically. He's in good shape and he's healthy. He just wants to decide if he's mentally ready,' Harbaugh said. 'It's really open right now. I'm optimistic and hopeful that he'll be there, but if he's not there, we'll be support and respect his decision either way.'

The Huddle Take: Mason has just turned 35 and hauled in 5 touchdown passes and 1037 yards receiving in 2008 so he is certainly still capable of contributing to the Ravens offense. Fantasy owners should look at Mason as a No. 3 wideout at best if he elects to come out of retirement and return to playing status. Fellow wideouts Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams are also likely to become factors in this offense during 2009.