Ravens' Mason wants long-term contract

OWINGS MILLS, Md., March 4 (UPI) -- Veteran Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason is upset by the team's apparent unwillingness to negotiate on a longer contract.

Mason, 35, has is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons with a combined 183 receptions and 10 touchdowns.

He has been the primary receiver for three young quarterbacks -- Troy Smith, Kyle Boller and Joe Flacco.

"Over the last 12 years, particularly the last four, I have been one of, if not the, most consistent wide receivers in the NFL," Mason said on the jocklife.com Web site. "I just want to have a fair contract with a bit of security. If you were to watch me on film, there is no way anyone would be able to guess my age correctly."

Next season, the 12-year NFL veteran will play in what is called a "contract year."

He maintains a rigorous off-season training regimen, but his downside is that he has not averaged more than 13 yards a catch in his four seasons with Baltimore.