Wilson: Harbaugh expects Mason, Reed, McGahee to return

INDIANAPOLIS – The Baltimore Ravens are still attempting to re-sign wide receiver Derrick Mason.

Mason is an unrestricted free agent and recently expressed no interest in signing anything shorter than a two-year contract.

The Ravens are amenable to that idea.

“I think both sides are really interested in bringing back Derrick,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said today at the NFL scouting combine. “Derrick, obviously, has let it be known what he’s interested, but that’s a good place to start. We’re interested in Derrick for more than one year.

“No doubt, he can still play. He’s 36 years old, but he’s not physically. As long as he can play, we want him to be a Raven. We’re pretty confident that we’ll be able to get something done. I know Ozzie is working on that right now. “

Meanwhile, Harbaugh expressed confidence that Pro Bowl free safety Ed Reed will return next season after declaring that he was pondering retirement.

Reed has yet to give the team commitment, but the Ravens are confident that the star defensive back’s nerve impingement of his neck that hampered him last season won’t prevent him from playing.

“Ed Reed is playing, as far as I know,” Harbaugh said. “I think Ed is one of the greatest competitors in football. I’ve said I think Ed’s going to play because I think Ed’s going to do everything he can to play. If he’s physically able to play, he will play.

“Right now, my assumption is he’s going to be able to do that. If that changes or Ed changes his mind, that’s obviously his prerogative. He hasn’t told the team that he’s not going to play and medically we don’t have any reason to think that he won’t right now.”

Harbaugh reiterated that the team has no plans to trade backup running back Willis McGahee despite his $3.6 million salary and the development of starter Ray Rice into one of the top all-purpose runners in the NFL.

“I think McGahee will be on our team next year,” Harbaugh said. “I’m just impressed with the guy. He’s a leader on our football team and one of the most fun guys to be around every day. I’ve told Willis, ‘If you want to start in the game, go be the best running back that week. Willis McGahee could gain 1,500 yards next year. That could easily happen, and I’m not ruling it out.”

Despite backup quarterback Troy Smith’s frequent trade requests through his agent’s Twitter account and phone calls to Ravens chief negotiator Pat Moriarty, the team isn’t inclined to trade the former Heisman Trophy winner.

“I see him still with the team,” Harbaugh said. “I think Troy can play quarterback in this league as a starter. That’s why we like him as our backup.

“We understand Troy’s desire to be a starter. But Troy is our backup quarterback at this point and I don’t think we’re going to change that unless it benefits our football team.”

The Ravens were extremely impressed with wide receiver Donte' Stallworth’s conditioning and speed during his workout.

He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds on a slow surface.

“I think the thing that convinced us more than any other was the workout,” Harbaugh said. “He put together a great workout and we put him through a grueling workout. He has been working to get in great shape.

“He caught the ball well. He’s strong. He seems like he’s very healthy. We’re going to give him an opportunity to be a Raven and help our football team.”

The Ravens investigated Stallworth’s background and were comfortable enough to sign the former New Orleans Saints first-round pick to a one-year, $900,000 contract that also includes an addition $300,000 in incentive clauses. Stallworth was suspended last season after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter.

“I don’t think we had any concerns other than the concerns that would be obvious,” Harbaugh said. “It’s really how he’s going to deal with this thing. He’s a first-class individual, I think. We had him in Philadelphia. We’ve got some other coaches that have had experiences with him. He’s a good person. He made a huge mistake. I think it’s something that he deals with every single day. He’s very remorseful about that.

“He’s doing everything he can to not just move past it, but deal with it. He’s been involved with the family down there. He has a lot at stake. Donte’ Stallworth has a lot at stake right now in his career, in his life. So, we think we’ve got a highly motivated guy who’s a good person at heart. I would be surprised if he doesn’t give us everything he’s got to be the best football player he
can be.”

Also, the Ravens are making it a priority to re-sign free agent defensive lineman Dwan Edwards.

“I’ve said it before, we want Dwan back and I’ve got my fingers crossed,” Harbaugh said. “We’re talking to him right now. I think Dwan wants to be a Raven, too. So, we’ll see what happens.”

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