Most of the chatter among Baltimore Ravens fans this training camp has centered on the addition of quarterback Steve McNair to the roster. However, the Ravens know that those charged with catching the ball will be just as important to the team?s success as the person throwing the ball. In most years, the wide receiver corps had been considered a weakness for Baltimore.
Derrick Mason, a free-agent signing from the Tennessee Titans, and Mark Clayton, a 2005 first-round pick from the University of Oklahoma, changed that perception last year. The pair combined for 130 catches for 1,544 yards and four touchdowns last year. That accomplishment, along with the addition of 2006 fourth-round pick Demetrius Williams, gives the team hope that it will be a more balanced offensively this season.
“It?s coming together real well,” Mason said of the wide receivers. “Now what has to happen is the guys after Mark and myself have to really establish themselves.”
Clayton said he entered this training camp in a much better mental state than that of his rookie year. After a slow start to the year, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound receiver came into his own in the final month of the season, including coming up with seven catches for 105 yards and a touchdown Dec. 11 in a 12-10 loss at Denver.
McNair, who teamed with Mason in Tennessee, likes what he has seen from the wide receivers so far. The key, he said, is to use training camp to establish chemistry on the field with receivers other than Mason.
“Derrick?s a great guy,” McNair said. “He?s been the guy I?ve been working with for a long time. At this point, it?s just about me getting in and learning the other guys. I think that?s going to help the ballclub a lot once I get to know [tight end Todd] Heap and once I get to know Mark Clayton, and get the feel of those guys and who they can cover. That?s what we want to get into the offense.”
WIDE RECEIVER NOTES
» Mason finished the 2005 season seventh in the NFL with 86 receptions and 16th overall with 1,073 receiving yards.
» Williams, a college teammate of first-round pick Haloti Ngata at Oregon, had 59 catches, 1,059 yards and 10 scores his senior year.
» Other options at receiver for the Ravens are Devard Darling and Clarence Moore, each in their third NFL season.
