Report: Derrick Mason Trade Due To Shaky Grasp Of Jets' Playbook
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Derrick Mason couldn't shape up, so the Jets shipped him out.
The team has completed a trade that sends Mason to the Houston Texans for an undisclosed draft pick.
Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said Wednesday that "things didn't work out on the field with Derrick," and that they took advantage of the opportunity when the Texans called to inquire about Mason. The teams agreed to the deal late Tuesday night.
The Jets were reportedly upset with Mason's inability to grasp their playbook. The 37-year-old traveled home to Nashville each Monday and Tuesday, the New York Post reported, which "contributed to his difficulty" learning offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's system.
The New York Daily News also cited the receiver's shaky knowledge as a reason for his departure. The paper reported Mason's "criticisms of the offense" was another factor that led to the trade.
Tannenbaum insisted the move had nothing to do with critical comments Mason made recently.
The deal ends a quick stint in New York for the 37-year-old Mason, who spent the last six seasons with Baltimore, coach Rex Ryan's former team. He signed a two-year deal with the Jets in early August, choosing them over a return with the Ravens or the Tennessee Titans. He had been released by Baltimore before training camp and was expected to fill the spot of the departed Jerricho Cotchery.
Ryan was excited by Mason joining the team. But the veteran got off to a slow start with just 13 catches for 115 yards, and had just one reception — the only pass thrown his way — on Sunday.
"Let's face it. I thought Derrick would catch 80-90 balls," Ryan said on Monday. "That hasn't happened."
Ryan explained that Mason saw less time against the Patriots because he wanted to give Jeremy Kerley, a fifth-round pick, more opportunities.
"I just thought we can do some things with Kerley," he said. "I think we're excited (with) the way he's out there on the practice field and we'll see going forward."
Mason made some critical comments the previous week, saying the team had "cracks" that needed to be fixed. Ryan insisted that had nothing to do with the decision to have Mason sit in favor of Kerley.
"You guys know I have an open policy with the media," Ryan said. "I don't put a muzzle on anybody."
Mason, along with Plaxico Burress and Santonio Holmes, were also mentioned in a Daily News report that said the wide receivers had met with Ryan individually during the last few weeks to complain about Schottenheimer.
All three denied the report, as did Ryan — and the team took the rare step of issuing a statement to also say it was untrue.
(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
