Ravens bring back Mason

The Ravens re-signed Derrick Mason, who has lead the Ravens in receiving the last 4 of 5 seasons.

The Ravens signed Derrick Mason this week, bringing back the 36-year-old veteran WR who caught 73 passes for 1,028 yards in 2009. Mason was Joe Flacco's favorite target during the last 2 years, so it's a good thing that Flacco will have a familiar face to throw to with newcomers Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth joining the receiving corps.

Mason had garnered interest from the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. The Patriots were after Mason when he originally signed with the Ravens in 2005.

With Boldin, Mason, Stallworth and Clayton likely to round out the WR position, the Ravens are poised to have their best season in the passing game since 1996, the year Vinny Testaverde passed for over 4,000 yards and 33 touchdowns.

Going off of Flacco's stats in the first 6 games of the 2009 season -- before he was injured in Minnesota -- Flacco was on pace to pass for over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. When healthy, and with the additions of Boldin, Stallworth and the return of Mason, I'd actually be surprised of Flacco doesn't eclipse those numbers in 201o.

Following the re-signing of Mason, the Ravens are still able to sign one more big-money free agent under the rules in place for the uncapped 2010 season. But I think the Ravens are more inclined to use the draft to fill positions of need following the departure of DL Justin Bannan for Denver and the potential losses of coveted OL Jared Gaither and DL Dwan Edwards.

So with the signing of Boldin and Mason, the offseason has been very positive thus far for the Ravens. Hopefully it will keep getting better.