The Ravens have re-signed 36-year old WR Derrick Mason to a new two year deal worth $8 million bucks.  Mason played in all 16 games for the Ravens last season and he caught 73 passes for 1,028 yards (14.1 avg) with 7 TD grabs.  He has played in 80 games in five years with the Ravens in which he has caught 410 passes for 4,975 yards (12.1 avg) with 22 TD grabs.  This was a excellent move for the Ravens who now have Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason and Donte’ Stallworth at the top of the WR corps for 2010.

The Ravens have acquired 29-year old WR Anquan Boldin and a 5th round pick in this year’s draft from the Cardinals for a 3rd and 4th round pick in next month’s draft.  Boldin played in 15 games for the Cardinals last season and he caught 84 passes for 1,024 yards (12.2 avg) with 4 TD grabs.  He also carried the ball 3 times for 12 yards (4.0 ypc) last season.  Boldin has now played in 95 games in his NFL career and he has caught 586 passes for 7,520 yards (12.8 avg) with 44 TD grabs.  Boldin has also carried the ball 36 times for 209 yards (5.8 ypc) with 1 TD run.  This was a outstanding move for the Ravens as they have gotten themselves a true #1 type receiver.  They know that because they quickly signed him to a shiny new 4-year, $28 million dollar deal.

The Ravens have released 27-year old TE Quinn Sypniewski.  He has missed the last two seasons due to injury and the Ravens just didn’t want to pay him for nothing once again in 2010.  Sypniewski has played in 31 games in his NFL career and he has caught 36 passes for 261 yards (7.3 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Even if another team decides to give Sypniewski a chance the Ravens won’t miss him.

The Ravens have signed 29-year old WR Donte’ Stallworth to a 1-year, $900,000 dollar contract.  Stallworth didn’t play at all last season as he was suspended by the NFL for running over a man  and killing him while driving drunk in Miami last summer.  Stallworth last played in the NFL in 2008 with the Browns.  He played in 11 games for the Browns in 2008 in which he caught 17 passes for 170 yards (10.0 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Stallworth has now played in 95 games in his NFL career and he has caught 296 passes for 4,383 yards (14.8 avg) with 32 TD grabs.  This just goes to show that even criminals get second chances quickly in the NFL.  Still, it was a good gamble for the Ravens who could use some help at WR.

The Baltimore Ravens (9-7) were in a must-win situation on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders (5-11), and they pulled it out to inch their way into the AFC Wild Card spot.  It wasn’t exactly a pretty win, but the Ravens did what they needed to do to get themselves into the playoffs and that is all that matters.  Willis McGahee is the biggest reason why the Ravens got that Wild Card spot, as he put the Ravens on his back and ran them to victory.  McGahee finished with 167 yards and 3 touchdowns on only 16 carries.  Joe Flacco was not at his best, but he did not turn the ball over and finished with 102 yards on 11/19 passes.

The Ravens defense played very solid, giving up only one touchdown.  They also forced two turnovers, which proved to be the difference maker as the Ravens had zero turnovers.  They got a little bit of luck too, when Charlie Frye left with an injury and JaMarcus Russel was forced to take over.  Russel was the one who accounted for both turnovers, throwing 1 interception and losing a fumble.  Frye was pretty effective against the Ravens before leaving, going 18/25 for 180 yards and a touchdown.  None of that matters now though, because the Ravens got the win and are in the playoffs.