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NFL notes: Ravens WR Mason retires

Associated Press

Derrick Mason stepped into retirement Monday as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, the team that provided the sure-handed wide receiver the biggest thrills and most significant friendships over his 15-year NFL career.

Mason, 38, played eight seasons with Tennessee before signing as a free agent with Baltimore in 2005. He never missed a game over six seasons with the Ravens and is the team career leader with 471 catches and 5,777 yards receiving. He also ranks second with 29 touchdown catches.

After being released last year, Mason split time with the New York Jets and Houston in 2011.

Mason ranks 11th on the NFL career list with 943 catches. He amassed 12,061 yards receiving and scored 66 touchdowns. He is also the only player in NFL history with at least 5,000 yards in returns and 10,000 yards receiving.

“My run is over. It was a good one,” he said. “I’m happy.”

Ochocinco deal with Miami likely

Chad Ochocinco says he has signed with the Miami Dolphins four days after being released by the New England Patriots. The signing was reported on the wide receiver’s website, OCNNReport.com, hours after he had a tryout with the Dolphins.

The Dolphins declined to comment but Ochocinco is likely to join the team for this week’s OTAs.

Around the league

The Arizona Cardinals have signed first-round draft pick wide receiver Michael Floyd to a five-year contract. The team also signed its third-round selection, cornerback Jamell Fleming of Oklahoma, to a four-year deal. … The New York Giants have waived tight end Jake Ballard after he failed a physical exam. Ballard tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Giants’ Super Bowl victory over New England in February. Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard was re-signed by the Giants. … The NFL has suspended Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson for the first three games of the 2012 season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Law enforcement authorities tracked a shipment of 2 1/2 pounds of marijuana to his Kentucky home last year. … An arbitrator ruled that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has the authority to discipline former Saints defensive end Anthony Hargrove for the New Orleans bounties program. Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and DE Will Smith, and linebacker Scott Fujita, now with Cleveland, also appealed their suspensions and will appear before Goodell next Monday.