For the years that Derrick Mason has played football in a Baltimore Ravens’ uniform, he has been their most consistent, recognized wide receiver. Whether it’s his natural raw talent as a player, or his experience from 12 plus seasons in the league, Mason continuously reminds us that Baltimore has all they need at wide out. While the offense has struggled in years past, Mason has avoided the glorified persona that some wide receivers allow to go to their head, and instead has provided the constant bright spot despite the lack of amount of talent surrounding him. With over 800 receptions and 10,000 yards in his career, there is no reason why Mason should be passed over when considering some of the most effective offensive players in the NFL.

There are a few reasons why Mason has never had the dominance over national media headlines like players such as Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco, and Brandon Marshall have had. For one, his professional priorities are in order. Mason’s first intention is not to open his mouth, trying to find the most attention-drawing one liner of the week, in order to focus all eyes on him. The players with the big mouths are too good for Mason to compete in the word game. That’s not to say that Derrick doesn’t like some good ol’ fashion trash talk once and a while. His response to Keyshawn Johnson’s “bum” comment was witty, yet professional enough to avoid any labels that are usually associated with Jeremy Shockey.

Secondly, Derrick Mason is not thought of as a breakout receiver. Instead, his value to the Ravens is his ability to make a crucial catch with some of the best hands in the game. Because of Mason’s longevity in the league, maybe fans and analysts assume that Mason’s speed is not that of a breakaway receiver like Reggie Wayne or Andre Johnson.

Mason is one of, if not the best, route runner in the NFL. I dare you to find another wide receiver that can read a playbook and produce the information on the field as specifically as Mason can. Part of the reason he always seems to be open on every play is because of the defense’s inability to differentiate one route from the other. His best weapon is the disguising techniques he uses to hide any information the opposing defense can pick up.

One of the side effects of having this kind of talent is the lack of respect a player will get for his ability to get behind the defenders. We’ve seen wide receivers perfect the role of a breakaway receiver; The Indianapolis Colts have made that type of offense successful enough to win them a Superbowl. While that type of offense is exciting to watch, the Ravens have never had the opportunity to display such a dimension of fast paced football. Many feel it’s because they have never had a wide receiver to allow the team to do so.

This season, Mason has proved that theory wrong. Already, we’ve seen Derrick get behind the opposing defense and gain yards after the catch. His most recent display was against Cleveland on Sunday, when he broke away from the secondary, turned back to catch the ball, and then side stepped the oncoming defender in lieu to an open field and easy score.

However, so far, Mason has yet to be able to shake his reputation of being a possession receiver. While he gets the “dirty work” accomplished, it’s not always appreciated publicly. Recently, Mason has made it apparent that he wants to be recognized for all of his hard work. The Baltimore Sun quoted him as he expressed his frustration over the label he has gained.

“I’m tired of arguing with people and trying to convince people that I’m more than just what you want to try and label me as. You’re the ones that try to put me in a box. If I was to listen to everyone out there, I’d be stuck in a box,” Mason claimed.

Maybe it’s time that we start to appreciate Derrick for the well-rounded receiving ability that he has. This season, he has proven to fans and teammates that he is ready to help Joe Flacco shoulder the workload of the offense in ways that Baltimore fans have not yet seen. Mason’s production has not dropped off, and he is looking as healthy as he ever has throughout his career.

Despite what people may think about Mason’s outcry, he has the backing of his coach, John Harbaugh.

“He can get open against anybody in just about any way,” Harbaugh said. “And it’s not just the underneath stuff. You can put him in the slot. You can put him outside and he can get deep, make a play … shake off a tackle and score on a play like that.”

There is no more proof needed then that. Harbaugh, who has backed up his claims in the past, is the only person that needs to believe that Mason is capable of playing several roles in this offense, including providing a deep threat.

However, time will tell whether Mason is the breakout receiver he claims to be. We’ve already seen signs of a rejuvenated speed, and with an accurate quarterback at the helm, his chances look good. Whether the rest of the nation recognizes his contributions to the sudden success of the Ravens’ offense is yet to be seen, and with the mouths of T.O. and Ochocinco still running, Derrick Mason’s goal of proving to be a breakout receiver will most likely be overlooked.

But who cares? The Ravens have always been a team that sneaks up on people, so why should they change things now? Part of the fun of being a fan of the Baltimore Ravens is knowing that people won’t even consider them as a contending team until it’s too late. Even now, when the Ravens are making waves in ESPN’s NFL power rankings, there is a sense that the nation doesn’t take this team very seriously.

New England will be a good challenge for Mason to continue to improve his new reputation as more than just a guy who can catch any pass thrown near him. We’ll be watching to see if Mason, who has had no problem backing up his words before, can find himself on the other side of the defense gaining yardage and making plays.

*On a side note, today was the 40th birthday of former Ravens’ linebacker and special team player, O.J. Brigance. A month ago, I wrote an article on Brigance’s struggle with ALS disease. When diagnosed with the disease, O.J.’s doctors told him he would most likely not live to see the age of 40. That day has arrived, and Brigance is still with us, bringing inspiration to Ravens’ fans as well as people who, in some shape or form, are impacted by the incurable disease. From a Ravens’ fan, I congratulate O.J. for his perseverance and his ability to take such a difficult challenge head on, with a smile constantly on his face.

O.J. Brigance’s Fight Against ALS