Butler’s retirement was a surprise to his teammates

After the Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Brad Butler announced his retirement, some teammates couldn’t believe it was true. The 26-year-old man was expected to return as the Bills’ starting right tackle for 2010 season but he chose to take off NFL jersey to concentrate on his education and political aspirations.

“It came as a great shock to me,” offensive guard Eric Wood told the Bills’ official Web site. “Brad called me Thursday and we had a good conversation and when it was getting toward the end of the conversation I asked him how his leg was doing. He said that’s what he was calling about and that he was retiring from the Bills. As we went on he said he has more aspirations outside of football.”

Offensive tackle Demetrius Bell also expressed his surprise but said that he knew Brad and understood he had other interests besides football and he could not “devote the time necessary to be successful in football at the same time.”

Ravens WR Mason remain possible for another season

At age 36, the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason is still a possible threaten weapon for a team. With another 1,000-plus-yard season and having 73 catches and 7 touchdowns, Mason found it hard to make decision on retirement.

As an impending free agent who has been in the league 13 years, Mason is still in terrific shape and remains a steady guy that can help a team with a young quarterback. If he is willing to leave the Ravens for the right situation with another team, several teams would be interested in signing him so as to get help for their passing game.

But I guess the Ravens won’t let him go. Considering the mix of quarterbacks with whom he has worked in the five years of wearing Ravens jerseys, the team should try their best to keep the receiver in Baltimore.