I like this kid so much and I'm so happy for him. I thought he deserves a thread of his own. Well done, Marcus... happy to have you!
Mason Earns Spot As Fourth Running Back By Gary Fitzgerald Redskins.com September 1, 2007
Marcus Mason woke up at 3 a.m. on Saturday morning, too nervous to sleep. He waited out the night until it was time to head to Redskins Park for meetings.
All day he had butterflies in his stomach. He left Redskins Park still uncertain of his football future.
Late Saturday afternoon, he had not heard from coaches. That was a good thing.
Mason, a roster long-shot at the start of training camp, had earned a roster spot.
Mason, a 5-9, 218-pound running back, had a strong preseason. He may have solidified a roster spot last Thursday with a strong showing in Jacksonville. He rushed for 54 yards on 12 carries, a 4.5 yards-per-carry average, in the game.
For the preseason, Mason had compiled 95 yards on 25 carries, to go along with a touchdown run in the first preseason game against Tennessee.
Mason is a local product and one of the feel-good stories of Redskins preseason. He starred at Georgetown Prep in Bethesda, Md., where he became the all-time leading rusher (5,700 yards) in Maryland high school history.
He went on to the University of Illinois, but decided to transfer to Youngstown State two years later.
In two seasons at Youngstown State, Mason compiled 2,739 rushing yards on 478 carries and scored 31 touchdowns. As a senior, he rushed for a school-record 1,847 yards on 302 carries and had 23 touchdowns.
For Mason, playing for his hometown team promises to be a "great opportunity" and a "great experience."
"It means a lot," Mason said. "Growing up around here, it's just a great experience to play for your home team, let alone play in the NFL. It's all I thought about growing up. Ever since I was six years old, I always wanted to play in the league. It's a great opportunity."
Asked what he focused on to impress coaches in preseason, Mason replied: "Basically, I showed them I could run the ball and I could pick up blocks."
It's only a beginning, though. Mason will soon find out that he must continue to practice at a high level, week-in and week-out.
Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts are expected to share the bulk of carries for the offense. Rock Cartwright is the third backup; he's also a valuable special teams performer and kickoff returner.
Then there's Mason, who admitted he still needs to work on his special teams skills.
"I've put a big emphasis on running down on kickoffs and I've worked on returning kickoffs," he said. "My main thing is, I have to be able to tackle on special teams. That's tough for me right now, because I haven't tackled anyone since high school."
That shouldn't be too hard for Mason. He has already tackled the difficult challenge of making an NFL roster.
Feel good stuff... it doesn't hurt that the kid EARNED it.
"That's a clown question, bro" - - - - - - - - - - Bryce Harper, DC Statesman "But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man That he didn't, didn't already have" - - - - - - - - - - Dewey Bunnell, America
He earned a shot, but can he contribute on the active roster? He needs to play some special teams, with his athletic ability there has got to be a spot on punt coverage & or kick off coverage teams for him.... Since we are carrying 3 QBs his spot becomes a little more in the lime light.... Hope is works out....
"The harder I work the luckier I get"....
- Jack Kent Cook 1983
He may end up returning the ball with Rock back there. Who knows. What you can say is this kid has moves. And there may be a time later in the season where another team needs a #2 RB and we could trade him. There is some method to the madness.
This might explain why he made the roster. But only if you're not a Skins fan.
With no one to back up CP if he goes down Mason will be a go fill in.
Sep 1 Betts was released by the Colts.
Recommendation: He lost the backup job to Jim Sorgi, but could be signed to the practice squad.
Isn't Jim Sorgi a QB and isn't he ineligable for the practice squad?
Back on Topic.
Is this further proof that the FO was going to go with 4 back in 2006 regardless if CP had been hurt or not? Or does this mean that there is still a issue with Portis?
FTR: I'm with Countertrey on this one... the dude EARNED it.
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When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hold on....
1niksder wrote:This might explain why he made the roster. But only if you're not a Skins fan.
With no one to back up CP if he goes down Mason will be a go fill in.
Isn't Jim Sorgi a QB and isn't he ineligable for the practice squad?
Back on Topic. Is this further proof that the FO was going to go with 4 back in 2006 regardless if CP had been hurt or not? Or does this mean that there is still a issue with Portis?
FTR: I'm with Countertrey on this one... the dude EARNED it.
What kind of hoax is that on Yahoo... That's NOT even funny....
So I go to the Colt official site and get nothing on Betts..... Darn those subliminal messages......
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Mason has ability, and I'm happy he became one of the 53. While there's much more to being a RB than just running the ball, once he becomes effective at picking up blitzes, and all the nuaunces of the RB position, he'll prove to be a good prospect.
I'm not convinced he would remain on the PS for an entire season. The kid has talent, and I'd be afraid that with injuries to RB being what they are around the league all the time, someone would surely claim him and add him to their roster..........Good move to asure he dosen't get away before we can get more time to work with him.
gay4pacman wrote:i am not so sure this is a great move...
he doesnt play teams and wont see the field as a running back. I think he is a better candidate for the practice squad.
why not keep someone who can contribute on teams or can actually play in a reserve role.
not trying to rain on this kids parade but i dont see him on the roster for the whole year.
my two cents
We will never know until he actually is given a chance to carry to rock. The earned his spot I say I cant wait to see him carry the ball in game situations.
JSPB22 wrote:I can't believe he was still around for us to grab after the Colts cut him. Good pick-up FO! Scored again. You guys are on fire.
This just shows how off the Colts FO is: they had Betts lining up at QB! No wonder they cut him!
I agree, kudos to our FO here; moving Betts to RB was a surprise, yet brilliant, move.
I'd be fine with if if they had drafted the guy but this is another case of trying to build through free agency and I boo that decision. Booooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
I'm a friend of a friends cousin to Mason. The kid has a good sense of cutback ability and seems to accelerate quickly. He has a lot of work to do to prove himself on the field for instance, can he return KO's, play punt coverage. Ultimately to replace a guy like Rock/Thrash who hopefully won't be around forever b/c their mediocre ability would be better for the team to find a younger upgrade.
I'm still waiting for the next Brian Mitchell to give us midfield position so we can easily get to the Super Bowl like the Bears did.
But only if you're not a Skins fan.
