Derrick Mason says media silence isn't permanent

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Hours after saying that he won't conduct interviews for the remainder of the season, veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason said his media silence isn't permanent.

"Obviously, there is a media obligation and I understand that part of the NFL world," Mason said during his weekly radio show. "I have very good friends with the media. It’s not permanent. There’s nothing permanent.”

After receiving the Good Guy award from Baltimore reporters three years ago, Mason said earlier today that he'll confine his remarks to his weekly radio show.

Mason said he wasn't joking about his stance and wouldn't change his mind.

During his radio show tonight, Mason also said that the reason he's not talking isn't because of any dispute with the media.

Mason said there's no particular reporter he has a problem with.

“There comes a time in every player’s life in his career when he has to sit back and he might have to sit back and evaluate things,” Mason said. “Do I have enough time in the day to give an answer to a question?

“Our schedules are so busy that I’m in and out of the locker room all the time. There’s not always enough time to do it. Technically, I’m still talking to the media. Now, I'm talking to a broader audience.”

Mason did interviews during the preseason without incident, but declined an interview request after the Ravens' 15-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals even though he caught a touchdown pass.

Mason ranks fourth on the team in catches and has been thrown to 12 times this season.

It's unclear if Mason's reason for not talking has to do with the arrival of wide receivers Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh on the roster and all of the attention being paid to them.

Perhaps he's just trying to drum up interest in his radio show.

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