NOTEBOOK: Mason Tops 100

It was a routine play that most receivers in the NFL would make, but this 11-yard grab made history. Derrick Mason's catch at 6:28 in the third quarter pushed the wideout over 100 receptions on the season for the first time in his 11-year NFL career.

Mason's six catches for 72 yards gave him 103 on the year, an accomplishment made sweeter by the Ravens' 27-21 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"Only a few get the opportunity to catch that many balls in this league," he said in the post-game locker room. "If you look at the history of this game, not many have been able to catch 100 balls in one season; not even the greats. To be mentioned in the same breath as a lot of these other great receivers is an honor."

Even though he reached the milestone with three different quarterbacks under center, Mason led the Ravens in receptions in 13 out of 16 contests. And, those receptions have been crucial. Five of his six catches against the Steelers went for first downs.

Mason was quick to offer praise to fellow wideouts Mark Clayton and Devard Darling, as well as Sunday's signal-caller, Troy Smith.

"Like I've always said throughout the course of the season, what those guys are able to do allows me to do what I do," Mason continued.

Mason's 2007 total of 103 grabs rank as the most in team history, while his 1,087 yards are good for fourth in franchise annals.

Run Stoppage

The Ravens' run defense, which went into the game ranked second in the NFL, held the Steelers potent ground attack in check with just 46 yards.

Despite losing explosive running back Willie Parker to a broken leg in Week 15, backup Najeh Davenport is no slouch. Davenport stepped into the starting lineup on Dec. 20 and posted 123 yards rushing on only 24 carries, along with rushing and receiving touchdowns.

Baltimore put the clamps on Davenport Sunday, as the 6-foot-1, 247-pounder only gained 27 yards on 12 carries.

The Ravens' success against the run was largely predicated on the inspired play of defensive tackles Haloti Ngata, Justin Bannan and Kelly Gregg. The trio combined for nine tackles (according to unofficial statistics kept in the press box), but most importantly, the tackles ate up blocks so linebackers like Nick Greisen could make plays.

Greisen, who filled in for injured starter Ray Lewis (hand), posted a team-leading 11 stops.

"It's what we've been," said Ngata. "Stop the run first, then react to the pass. That's what we do around here, and it's been pretty good."

Pittman to the Rescue

Since coming to the Ravens as a third-round draft pick in 2006, David Pittman had to wait until Sunday to log his first start, and the young cornerback responded in a big way.

Pittman snared two interceptions, including the game-clinching pick with 1:04 left in the game.

"It felt pretty good," he explained. "I want to give thanks to the defensive line for pressuring the quarterback during the entire game and just doing what the coaches tell you to do."

Pittman, 23, was originally brought in to be the Ravens' nickelback of the future, but was beaten out of the position by Corey Ivy. When starters Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle were injured this year, Ivy moved to first-string cornerback, and Baltimore used Willie Gaston or Derrick Martin to line up opposite Ivy.

In the season finale, Pittman because the sixth player to start at cornerback for the Ravens.

"I just tried to get into the mindset of being in a different role than I‘m used to," Pittman said.

The Gramercy, La. native was able to ignore the critics that griped when the Ravens selected Pittman so high in the draft, especially because he was a little-known prospect out of Division I-AA Northwestern State.

"I don't pretty much pay attention to the critics," he stated. "I basically just go out there and do my job."

Ogden Still on the Fence

When the Ravens announced their three Pro Bowlers during the pre-game introductions, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed were greeted by loud cheers from the Baltimore faithful. But, fans saved their loudest screams for tackle Jonathan Ogden, who acknowledged that Sunday's contest might have been the last of his career.

As the future Hall of Famer trotted out of the tunnel, one couldn't help but notice an emotional smile creeping across his goateed face.

"You don't know, but this might be the last time you're looking around on the field so you just kind of enjoy it, look around a little more," he said. "I might have been smiling a little bit more. I don't know if anyone saw it, but I was just trying to enjoy it, I was trying to play the game. We were trying to win, but I was trying to enjoy it at the same time."

After facing a series of injuries in his 12th year, Ogden has battled with the retirement decision for the past few weeks. He has stated that he will give a final verdict later in the offseason.

Before Ogden, who was recently voted to his 11th consecutive Pro Bowl, walked out of the locker room and into the rainy Baltimore evening, he had a special message to his supporters.

"I would just say thank you for being out there, watching me," said the first-ever draft pick in Ravens history. "It's been a pleasure playing for this city, this team, these fans. I've watched this team grow from a team that moved from Cleveland to playing in Memorial Stadium to probably the best 12th man in the game. This city and me, we've grown together with this team, so I'm just grateful to have been a part of it."

Notable

The Ravens have won five consecutive games at home against the Steelers. Additionally, the win broke a record-worst nine-game losing streak and a four-game skid at M&T Bank Stadium…With his 107 points on the year, kicker Matt Stover hit the century mark for the fifth straight season and 11th time in his stalwart 18-year career. Stover has 1,822 career points, good for fourth on the NFL's all-time scoring list. "As long as God continues to give me the talent and the desire to play, that's key," Stover said. "You've got to have maybe the talent, but do you have the desire? I continue to love this game. It's a privilege to play. Ozzie [Newsome] and Brian [Billick] continue to give me the opportunity, and that's a wonderful thing."