Considerable drastic incidents
This is probably where I might lose you, but I am just calling it how I see it. Coaching blunders aside, Mason was the recipient of two experiences that can be very difficult to simply “bounce back” from–and might’ve been rushed to soon back into action.
First, the knockout hit courtesy of Earl Thomas in week 5 against Baltimore. Mason was handling his own and progressing after 2 starts.
He got thrown to the wolves against a tough 49ers defense and almost got them got out there with a win. He turned around a showed progression against the Bengals–taking what the defense was giving him and eventually stretching the ball downfield.
Then against the Ravens, he continued to progress against another tough team. Then it happened. He gets outside of the pocket, completes the pass, and as he let it go Earl Thomas puts his helmet to Rudolph’s chin–good night Rudy.
I don’t recall how many players I’ve seen get knocked out cold and come back as quickly as Mason did. Nonetheless, he was not the same since that hit. It was the little things.
His pocket mobility wasn’t overly impressive, to begin with, but he at least was stepping up and moving around. After the hit? Not so much. He was even more hesitant with the ball and taking shots downfield as well.
In Cleveland, the brawl and aftermath didn’t knock him out–but the effects of the aftermath were on display in Cincinnati. His focus was off and he was visibly shaken. It’s one thing to question one’s talent, but to be (falsely) accused of something that questions one’s integrity? That can be nerve-wracking regardless of who you are.
Mind you both of these things happened in his first season starting. These aren’t things you just “shake off.” They can linger, but now that the offseason is here, it’s up to Mason to handle it.
I’m not going to say this is the excuse for his moments of poor play, but it is a strong factor to consider.