Even with Mason in the fold, the Ravens were worried about their depth at that position.
With Mason gone, they'd be more than worried. They'd be panic-stricken - even if you're not allowed to admit that in the NFL.
No, if you're a head coach in the NFL and you lose a top player, you're supposed to stand in front of the media, flash a confident smile and say: "Well, sure, old No. 82 won't be with us. But we're real happy with the other guys we have and expect great things from them."
It's all bull. And everyone in the league knows it.
Without Mason, the Ravens are looking at Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams as their probable starting receivers.
Neither has lived up to expectations. Clayton has been slowed with a foot injury this summer. Williams, the big, fast fourth-round draft choice in 2006, is recovering from ankle surgery to repair an injury that forced him to miss 19 games the past two seasons.
After them, the two best are probably Kelley Washington, the veteran signed as a free agent in the offseason, and Marcus Smith, the second-year guy out of New Mexico.
Washington played mostly on special teams the past few years. Smith didn't catch a pass as a rookie last season.
Does this sound terribly reassuring to you?
Now imagine how it sounds to the Ravens' coaching staff when it breaks it down at the Castle these days.
Still, the fact is we're not sure what's behind Mason's decision to retire, or whether the Ravens can talk him out of it.
Is it about money? Is it about lack of motivation? Is it about the slaying of his good friend, Steve McNair?
Who knows?
But the Ravens need him so desperately - and he's such a good guy and great teammate - that they'll pull out all the stops to get him to change his mind.
Don't forget, Ozzie Newsome has dealt with situations like this before. The Ravens' general manager and executive vice president sat down with Michael McCrary and Jonathan Ogden when those players were considering retirement.
Both ended up staying on for another year.
Maybe Newsome can work the same magic with Mason. Maybe Harbaugh can, too.
White smoke pouring from the Castle chimney - that would be something to see.
