Ravens Begin to Move Forward

July 24, 2009 · Paul Raymond · Jump to comments

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The Baltimore Ravens partially addressed their need at wide receiver today by signing Drew Bennett. The Ravens held a tryout today between four wide receivers and Bennett came out the winner, after passing his physical. He was given a one-year contract worth $745,000. The team pretty much had no choice with Training Camp just a few days away and Derrick Mason still undecided on whether to retire or not.

By no means do I think this signing means the team is walking away from Mason. All I think it means is that the team is lining up some options, should he happen to retire. Why do I say that?

Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh did meet with Mason today, unfortunately with no new news thou. “I don’t have an opinion on whether he’ll be back because I have no idea,” Harbaugh said. “Nothing’s changed, and Derrick was very clear about that through our conversation.”

With the way things stand right now, Bennett is the second best receiver on the Ravens roster. He trails only Mark Clayton. Bennett had a once promising career has been derailed by injuries over the past two seasons. So this opportunity is good for Drew as he he can use the opportunity to show that he can stay healthy and perform at a high level.

“I’m probably healthier now than I was two years ago,” Bennett said following the tryout. “And two years ago I was the hot commodity. People were asking to fly me around. Now, it’s like I’m begging to get in the door … It definitely makes me a little bit hungrier to prove myself. When it’s low expectations, I seem to do well. I think it’s a good spot for me. Hopefully, I can get in the door and impress some people and play.”

I’ll be interested to see if he can, he had a breakout season in 2004-05 catching 80 balls and gaining over 1200 yards. But his numbers began to drop the next season, before the injuries started to take place. So you have to ask yourself is he really a 1000 yard receiver when healthy? I’d say no.

Regardless, this is a low risk, high reward signing for the Ravens.

Should Mason decide to retire they have a veteran presence at the position.

If Mason does retire, well the Ravens still add a veteran presence and some much needed depth.

Ravens’ general manager Ozzie Newsome thinks very highly of Drew but I’m sure he’d prefer to also have Derrick suiting up with him in 2009.

“At this time of year, it’s good to be able to pick up a player who has been very productive in the league, and that includes against our defense,” Newsome said.

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