Mason shares memories at Souper Bowl event

JOHNSON CITY — Derrick Mason had a 15-year NFL career, but it's a single season which stands above the rest. The former Tennessee Titans wide receiver, who was the featured speaker at Friday's annual Salvation Army Souper Bowl for the Hungry luncheon at Holiday Inn, reflected on his 2000 season. That year, he set the NFL's all-time record with 2,690 all-purpose yards. That combined total of receiving and return yards stood as the league's high mark over a decade before being broken by Chargers' Darren Sproles in 2011. Mason, also the league leader in punt returns that 2000 season, named first-team All-Pro. A quarter-century later, he still gives credit to his teammates for his success. "It was just that group of guys, especially on special teams, because only Lorenzo Neal was an every-down starter," Mason said. "It was just a collection of 11 guys that we wanted to be the best return team in football whether it be kickoff or punt return. It started with first game of the season, and every game after that just seemed like we picked up momentum." He started 10 games as wide receiver that season and had 63 catches for 895 yards and five touchdowns. But, he truly excelled on special teams with 1,132 kick return yards, an average of 27 yards per return, and 662 punt return yards. Mason ranks second in franchise history, including their days as the Houston Oilers, when it comes to career kick return yards behind Bobby Jancik and career punt return yards behind Billy "White Shoes" Johnson. While Mason appreciates the NFL's focus on player safety, he misses the excitement of the kickoff returns in years past. "I loved it because it gave guys an opportunity to get themselves acclimated with the league," he said. "When a rookie comes in, or even a veteran who's been a journeyman, a lot of times as those guys on special teams are allowed to flourish and remain on a team a little bit longer, giving them time to develop." His role as a returner diminished the following years as his duties as a full-time receiver increased. Playing eight seasons for the Titans, six for the Ravens and a final season split between the New York Jets and Houston Texans, Mason ended with 953 career receptions for 12,061 yards, and 5,086 career return yards. His best year as a receiver was 2003 with the Titans when he had 95 catches for 1,303 yards and eight touchdowns to earn his second Pro Bowl appearance. This time of year, Mason is often reminded of four years earlier when teammate Kevin Dyson was stopped one yard shot of the goal line in a Super Bowl loss to the Rams. "Honestly, I don't think we're really over it. I say that sort of tongue-in-cheek, but I think there are some guys like Kevin, I'm sure he still has that moment," Mason said. "If that touchdown is scored, everybody's life changes. Everybody that was on that team, especially those like Eddie (George), Bruce (Matthews), Blaine Bishop, Brad Hopkins, even Kevin and myself, we say, 'It was a great run, and an honor playing in the Super Bowl.' But I believe if we score, we go down as one of the greatest teams in football." While missing out on the Ravens' two Super Bowl teams, Mason was a teammate to their defensive units which some historians call the best of all-time. Although the Ravens were loaded with talent like linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed, Mason believes the 1999 Titans were a touch better. "Both of those defenses were great, meaning the Titans defense I played with in 1999 and 2000, and a few years beyond, that Baltimore defense," he said. "They had the same approach, but they had different attitudes and personalities. When we play Baltimore in the playoffs, you're talking about the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked defenses. You have to credit the Baltimore defense which won the Super Bowl with their play and Jamal Lewis running the football, but my bias kicks in a little." While he has fond memories of both, Mason is obviously partial to Tennessee. He lives in Nashville post-retirement and serves as an analyst for the Titans. Before his pro career, Mason played at Michigan State under head coach Nick Saban, who would go on to win seven national championships at LSU and Alabama. Mason, an All-Big Ten selection in 1996, caught 106 passes for 1,652 yards in two seasons playing for Saban. Playing for George Perles his first two seasons, Mason still holds the record as the Spartans' all-time return leader with 3,195 yards. Still, there's something about Saban that Mason knew was special. "Nick was disciplined. He was all about team, doing what's best for the team," Mason said. "Did I ever see him winning seven championships? No, but he was around great coaches like Belichick with the old Browns teams, and he had that process. He spent the most time in Alabama, but if he had spent eight years at Michigan State, I believe they would have won a national championship. He continued, "If he had spent, eight years at LSU, they would end up winning more championships. If he had stayed in the NFL, I'm pretty sure he would have won a Super Bowl because he does a good job at adapting but also keeping his core principles and caring about the players. Players find out quickly when it comes to coaches if you're genuine or not."