Mason Chooses Jets Over Titans and Ravens

The Jets completed the dramatic refashioning of their receiving corps Saturday, signing Derrick Mason to be their third receiver with Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress.

Mason chose the Jets over the Tennessee Titans, where he played for the first eight seasons of his career (he still lives in Nashville), and the Baltimore Ravens, where he played the last six seasons. He is familiar with Jets Coach Rex Ryan, linebacker Bart Scott, safety Jim Leonhard and defensive lineman Trevor Pryce, from their shared days with the Ravens.

“Going from one young gun to another,” Mason wrote on his Twitter feed, referring to jumping from playing with quarterback Joe Flacco in Baltimore to Mark Sanchez with the Jets.

At 37, Mason is no longer the primary receiving threat he used to be, when he had eight 1,000-yard seasons. As recently as 2007, he caught 103 passes. But he remains consistently productive. Last season, he caught 61 passes, his lowest total since 2000. But he scored seven touchdowns, and he averaged 13.1 yards per reception.

With the departures of Jerricho Cotchery, who asked to be released, and Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith to free agency, signing Mason became imperative for the Jets. The talent in the available wide receiver pool drops off considerably with him off the market. Because of the uncertainty surrounding Burress’s return to football after more than two years out of the game and in prison, the Jets were in need an experienced receiver who could pair with Holmes if necessary. If all three are on the field together, Mason will probably play in the slot, where he still excels at running routes in traffic.

Mason’s choice came as a bit of a surprise after Ryan indicated on Friday that Mason would likely have to take less money to join the Jets and it became clear the Ravens wanted Mason to return, after cutting him in a salary-cap move last week. Mason attended the Jets’ practice on Thursday, but left without making a decision – usually a sign that the player will land elsewhere. The terms of Mason’s Jets contract were not disclosed, although it is believed to be a one-year deal.

“I would like to thank my family for supporting this difficult decision I made today!” Mason wrote on Twitter. “For 14 yrs they have been by my side and they chose to do it yet again even though this time it was hard for them!! Also I would like to thank all of Baltimore for supporting me for the last 6 Years!! U guys and gals have been my football family and I will forever appreciate that support and love!”