"I have left them in great hands," Mason told jocklife.com. "Mark Clayton is a younger version of me. Williams can be a true player; he can be in the elite class. Smith, [Justin] Harper, [Kelley] Washington, they all are a young group that can only be better with Joe in the backfield."
Since he left the Titans to join the Ravens, Mason has recorded the franchise's three highest single-season totals for catches (103 in 2007, 86 in 2005 and 80 in 2008).
Last season, Mason led the Ravens with 80 receptions (which tied for 16th in the NFL) for 1,037 yards and five touchdowns despite playing the entire second half of the year with a shoulder injury.
After having successful shoulder surgery earlier this year, Mason speculated that he could miss a significant portion of training camp, but Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he didn't think Mason would be sidelined for an extended period.
A fourth-round pick in 1997, Mason has 790 catches for 10,061 yards and 52 touchdowns in his career. He is one of only three NFL players to produce more than 10,000 receiving yards and 2,500 return yards (Tim Brown and Irving Fryar are the others).
"I have had a tremendous career, and I played for two great teams. I had fun," Mason told jocklife.com. "In my career, I have been able to do everything but win a Super Bowl. I've had the opportunity to play on great teams and with great players. After 12 years, I have seen it all and done it all.
"Right now, I am content with the decision I am making. All good things come to an end, and I am ready to see what else life has to offer."
Baltimore Sun reporter Edward Lee contributed to this article.
Mason in the rankings
Derrick Mason was ranked ninth among active NFL receivers in receptions and receiving yards:
Receptions
Player Age No. Years
Marvin Harrison 36 1,102 '96-'08
Isaac Bruce 36 1,003 '94-'08
Terrell Owens 35 951 '96-'08
Tony Gonzalez 32 916 '97-'08
Torry Holt 32 869 '99-'08
Randy Moss 31 843 '98-'08
Muhsin Muhammad 35 807 '96-'08
Hines Ward 32 800 '98-'08
Derrick Mason 35 790 '97-'08
Receiving yards
Player Age Yards Years
Isaac Bruce 36 14,944 '94-'08
Marvin Harrison 36 14,580 '96-'08
Terrell Owens 35 14,122 '96-'08
Randy Moss 31 13,201 '98-'08
Torry Holt 32 12,660 '99-'08
Tony Gonzalez 32 10,940 '97-'08
Muhsin Muhammad 35 10,857 '96-'08
Joey Galloway 37 10,710 '95-'08
Derrick Mason 35 10,061 '97-'08
Source: Pro-Football-Reference.com
