Derrick Mason Open To Becoming WRs Coach
Baltimore is in need of a wide receivers coach, and a certain former Raven* *has become a popular fan pick to fill it.
Jim Hostler joined the Buffalo Bills after he was passed over as offensive coordinator role in favor of Gary Kubiak, leaving the coveted job open. The next wide receivers coach will work with up-and-coming talent like Torrey Smith, Marlon Brown and maybe even a high draft pick.
Head Coach John Harbaugh hasn't revealed any candidates for the opening, but fans like the idea of bringing in the franchise's all-time receiving leader, Derrick Mason.
In fact, one fan – Joshua Jones (@tay6487) – directly asked Mason on Twitter if he would be interested in coaching receivers. Mason actually answered, and is open to the possibility.
"would u ever accept a wide receiver coach job ?"Jones asked.
"I would think about it," Mason replied.
"Are you listening @Ravens?" another fan David Holmes (@MDcustoms_37) chimed in.
It's unknown whether Harbaugh has considered Mason for the post. Some believed he would bring in another Houston Texans assistant, but Harbaugh told WNST last week that won't be happening.
Harbaugh said he will look at "some younger guys" for both his remaining openings (WRs and RBs) instead of hiring more former Houston coaches.
The peeps at Russell Street Report love the idea of Mason coming back to Baltimore to work under Harbaugh.
"Mason is a professional who has played the position at a high level and with that comes a level of respect that the Jim Hostlers of the world can only dream of," wrote Tony Lombardi. "He was a craftsman with an outstanding work ethic who made the most of his relatively average physical tools.
"What Mason didn't have in size and speed he made up for with intelligence, toughness, preparedness, leadership and the heart of a lion. He was a trustworthy outlet for his quarterback, could read defenses and ran routes with razor precision. Plus he's also familiar with Kubiak's offense having played in Houston for half a season under the former Texans' head coach. Mason loves the game and has a very solid relationship with John Harbaugh. If both parties are willing, this seems like a natural fit."
Mellette Cleared To Run, Could Be Big Factor
Another young Ravens wide receiver with tons of potential that Mason – or whoever lands the job – could help develop is second-year target Aaron Mellette.
Mellette, a seventh-round pick* *from college football subdivision school Elon, had a strong preseason with nine catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns. But he landed on injured reserve with a knee injury that ended his season after Week 1.
Mellette recently tweeted that he has been cleared to run after reported surgery to repair cartilage damage in his knee.
And he was ecstatic.
"Getting cleared to run is the best news I heard in awhile," Mellette wrote Monday. "Walked out the doctors office like 'Huahhh.'"
With the wide receiving corps in flux, combined with Mellette getting healthy, The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec thinks Mellette is a player to keep an eye on.
"Mellette has sort of become a forgotten man in the Ravens' wide receiver picture,"* *Zrebiec wrote. "With Jacoby Jones potentially leaving in free agency, Tandon Doss no lock to get tendered a contract as a restricted free agent and Deonte Thompson having fallen down the depth chart, Mellette could really factor into the team’s plans. And it's imperative that he's healthy enough to fully take part in all the offseason workouts and team activities."
Suggs And A Swimsuit Model
Check out Terrell Suggs' acting skillz.
Well, I doubt there was too much acting going on in this skit.
The Ravens outside linebacker was at "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit: 50 Years of Beautiful," and participated with beauty Jessica Gomes in a skit to present the third-greatest swimsuit cover of all time (won by Tyra Banks).
Suggs was basically asked to give Gomes a full body eye exam, and deliver a few corny lines, which had the crowd rolling.
I'm sure nobody had to twist his arm to get him to participate.
2000 Ravens Landslide Win In 'Best Ever' Poll
Are you irritated with those claiming the 2013 Seattle Seahawks defense is better than the 2000 Ravens?
Don't worry; few people outside of Seattle are jumping on that bandwagon.
In an ESPN SportsNation Poll asking which defense is the best of all-time, the 2000 Ravens won in a landslide with 75 percent of the nearly 1,500 votes. The results:
2000 Ravens: 75 percent
1976 Steelers: 13 percent
2013 Seahawks: 6 percent
1985 Bears: 5 percent
None: 1 percent
Of course, this was a poll in which AFC North fans probably made up most of the voters. SportsNation asked a wider audience (nearly 9,000 voters) to rank the top 12 defenses.
The top 4 were the 1985 Bears, 2000 Ravens, 2013 Seahawks and 1976 Steelers.
When comparing the Ravens and Seahawks, ESPN blogger Jamison Hensley doesn't even think it's a contest.
"Here's a history lesson: the 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense was superior than this year's Seattle Seahawks in nearly every way," he wrote. "In records. In attitude. And, yes, in the Super Bowl itself."
The 2000 Ravens had more shutouts, the fewest points ever, the fewest rushing yards, gave up just one touchdown in four postseason games and the Super Bowl performance was better.
"The best argument for the Seahawks is their Super Bowl performance," Hensley wrote. "Seattle secured its place in NFL history by quieting Peyton Manning and the Broncos' high-flying offense. But, let's be honest, Manning has never been Manning in any of his three Super Bowl appearances. So, was this the Seahawks defense or simply Manning failing to step up in a big game again?"
Looking Forward To Juszczyk In Kubiak Offense
Count Zrebiec as one person who is excited to see Kyle Juszczyk in Kubiak's offense.
Zrebiec can see a big jump in the second-year fullback's production.
"I'm not the first person to mention this by any stretch but it's easy to envision Juszczyk being used in a similar way [to] how the Texans used James Casey," he wrote. "Casey, who has since moved on to the Philadelphia Eagles, was used at times in a hybrid H-back role lining up in different places and taking advantage of his skill set. He caught 34 balls and three touchdowns for the Texans in 2012. It would be quite a jump for Juszczyk to go from zero catches to 34 but it’s not unreasonable to expect the former fourth-round pick to be part of the game plan in 2014."
Quick Hits
- "Of all the things said or written in the wake of Gary Kubiak's hiring as the Ravens' offensive coordinator, the one that I found most ridiculous is that Kubiak was brought in as a potential heir apparent to head coach John Harbaugh," wrote Zrebiec. "Sure, Kubiak will likely get a chance to be a head coach again but to think that opportunity will eventually come as the replacement to Harbaugh completely defies logic. For one, Harbaugh's job is not in jeopardy in any way, shape or form. Two, if Kubiak gets Flacco and the Ravens' offense to play well, the team most likely will be winning, meaning Harbaugh isn't going anywhere. And three, Kubiak won't be on Harbaugh's staff for long if he engineers a Ravens' offensive turnaround. He'll be a top candidate for any of the head coaching jobs that will open up after the 2014 season." [The Baltimore Sun]
- General Manager Ozzie Newsome looooves himself a cap casualty, and receiver Sidney Rice’s days are numbered in Seattle, according to Ian Rapoport. It's looking like the Seahawks will cut loose the high-priced wide receiver in order to retain other key free agents. Rice is currently scheduled to make $9.7 million in Seattle next season. He could be an expensive option on the open market, however. [NFL.com]
- I appreciate Hensley owning up to his horrible predictions. He reviews his track record here. [ESPN]
- MelKiperESPN: A few nuggets: I count 12 wide receivers that could have a 1st Round grade on them if you combined team boards. It's early, but deep class. If you count tight ends (Ebron, Amaro, Niklas come to mind), wouldn't be at all surprised by 10 pass-catches drafted in Round 1. [Twitter]
- @GerrySandusky: Apparently close games don't matter—at least not to viewers. This year's Super Bowl was the most watched TV program ever. [Twitter]
- Oh Art … @Artj97: I think I'm gonna be sick! I just ate some 3 week old Chinese food that was left in the fridgerator by @Sunnyjean02 I didn't know. #Tastytho [Twitter]
- Don't be surprised if the Denver Broncos are among favorites in the AFC again next season. [The Baltimore Sun]
- Former Ravens left tackle Bryant McKinnie would like another season in Miami. [ProFootballTalk.com]
