NOTEBOOK: Great Catch

After five consecutive seasons topping the 1,000-yard mark, Derrick Mason fell under that line in 2006, prompting many pundits to wonder if the veteran wideout was still a viable option.

But, as all three of the Ravens' opponents have learned, it is not wise to overlook the elder statesman of the receiving corps.

Baltimore may boast elusive phenom Mark Clayton, lanky deep-threat Demetrius Williams and superstar tight end Todd Heap, but Mason's recent performances have eclipsed them all. The savvy 11-year veteran is playing some of the best football of his career, leading the team in catches in each game this season. Mason's 23 catches for 209 yards are tops in both categories.

If he keeps up his current rate, Mason is on pace for a career-high 123 grabs and 1,115 receiving yards - back to familiar territory.

"My motto is, if you throw it to me, I'm going to catch it. Plain and simple," he said after a 26-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3. "I've been that way for 10 years, and I don't see it stopping. I've been blessed to have a tremendous career.

"The only thing I need to do is get my hands on it."

Mason's sure hands have made him a favorite target for Baltimore's signal-callers in critical situations. Five of his eight receptions against the Cardinals (for 79 yards) went for first downs, including a big conversion on a game-winning drive in the final minutes.

The longevity of the 33-year-old reminded head coach Brian Billick of Cris Carter, whom he coached during a six-year stint as offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings.

Carter, regarded as one of the best receivers in NFL history, enjoyed a healthy 16-year career while rattling off eight straight 1,000-yard campaigns. Both receivers were known as intense trainers even in-season, when most players value rest more than anything.

"[Mason] works as hard as any receiver as I've been around, and I've been around some guys that have worked pretty hard," Billick said. "Cris Carter, for all that Cris was, was a tremendous worker. But even Cris kind of laid down on Friday a little bit, to get his legs underneath him.

"I've got to get Derrick to maybe do that a little bit more, because he's playing as well as I've ever seen him play."

The fact that Mason is lining up with the talents the Ravens have at receiver has only helped matters, a fact that the 5-foot-10, 192-pounder acknowledges readily.

With Clayton and Williams taking the outside lanes in three-wideout sets, Mason typically mans the slot, where he can use his veteran know-how to exploit matchups with nickel corners or linebackers.

"I think what makes it so good for me is that I've got Clayton and Williams outside of me, and those guys do a tremendous job," he admitted. "When you have two guys like that outside of you, it makes it hard for the defense.

"Even if they want to try and stop you, they can't because they have to work on the other two guys as well."

When Mason joined the Ravens as a free agent in 2005, he immediately set the club record with 86 catches.

This year, however, Mason is aiming to break that figure again.

Anderson On 53, But 45 Different Story

Mike Anderson was a gameday inactive for the Ravens' opener in Cincinnati after missing practices due to a personal matter, but many have wondered why the running back remained on the list for the next two games.

Billick explained that the NFL's mandate that team can only play 45 of their 53-man active roster each week, and with Willis McGahee and Musa Smith running well thus far, Anderson is outside looking in. In addition, the Ravens have several injury concerns.

"Mike is healthy and ready to go," the coach said. "We're going to need Mike at some point."

Hello Again

This weekend against the Cleveland Browns, the Ravens will meet quarterback Derek Anderson, Baltimore's sixth-round draft pick in 2005. Since stepping up to the first team in Week 2, Anderson has been setting opponent ablaze, totaling 576 yards and six touchdowns in two starts.

Anderson was released at the final cut of the preseason, as the Ravens attempted to add him back to the practice squad.

"You make those decisions; it's tough," Billick remembered in a Monday press conference. "Derek did a decent job in preseason. He's doing a great job in Cleveland. I'm happy for Derek. We would love to have him here, but you can't keep them all."

Notable

The Ravens terminated the practice squad contract of Jake Nordin, a tight end out of Northern Illinois, opening up a spot on Baltimore's practice squad…Three defensive ends came to team headquarters for tryouts Tuesday. Missouri's Xzavie Jackson, BYU's Shaun Nua and Lee Vickers from Northern Alabama worked out for the team.