Mason eager for another shot at Bengals' defense

OWINGS MILLS -- Baltimore Ravens veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason is determined to prevent the Cincinnati Bengals from duplicating another shutout against him.

With the Bengals employing bracket coverage against Mason during a 17-14 win over Baltimore on Oct. 11 at M&T Bank Stadium, Mason was held without a single catch.

That has only happened one other time during Mason's five-year tenure in Baltimore.

Against the Denver Broncos, Mason defeated single coverage to catch four passes for 40 yards. That included a 20-yard touchdown catch.

"You can't cover me single coverage," Mason said. "You can't. It hasn't been done in 13 years, and it won't be done. But it is what it is. You try to take advantage of coverages and how they play you.

"Cincinnati did a good job, a very good job, the first game at totally taking me out of the game. In the back of my mind, I just need to go into this game, work a little bit harder, find a way to, if they choose to do that again, find a way to get open. If not, then other people will be open."

Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron joked that he didn't recall that Mason didn't catch a pass during the first meeting with Cincinnati.

"Oh, I had forgotten that," he said. "It seems like two World Series ago."

GIFTS FROM OCHOCINCO: Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco confirmed during a radio interview that he sent gift baskets that included roll-on deodorant to the Ravens' secondary as well as linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs.

There were strong rumors circulating around the Ravens about Ochocinco's special deodorant delivery earlier Thursday.

The implication about the deodorant is fairly obvious.

"I not only sent them gift baskets, but I sent them something they could use so they don't sweat," Ochocinco told 105.7 FM.

Five years ago, Ochocinco sent bottles of Pepto Bismol to the Cleveland Browns' defensive backs prior to kickoff.

However, that stunt backfired as the Bengals lost the game and he was limited to three catches.

INJURY UPDATE: Although defensive coordinator Greg Mattison expressed confidence that Haloti Ngata will be available for Sunday, the big defensive tackle didn't practice for the second day in a row.

That decreases the possibility that Ngata will be able to play after spraining his ankle against the Denver Broncos.

"That's the trainers' decision all the way, but I like Haloti," Mattison said. "I think Haloti will do what he has to do to play. I feel very good about Haloti."

If Ngata is sidelined, then the Ravens would start capable Justin Bannan in his place.

Meanwhile, cornerback Frank Walker and linebacker Prescott Burgess returned to full participation in practice after sitting out Wednesday with illnesses.

"I just felt a little under the weather," Walker said. "I don't know the scientific name for it. I just call it a little stomach ache."

The Ravens upgraded safeties Haruki Nakamura (strained abdominal muscle) and Tom Zbikowski (illness) to limited participation.

Fullback Le'Ron McClain (shoulder) and tight end Todd Heap (ankle) were limited again.

Outside linebacker Jarret Johnson (left shoulder) participated fully.

Meanwhile, Bengals fullback Jeremi Johnson (sprained left knee), strong safety Roy Williams (forearm) and safety Tom Nelson (shoulder) were limited.

Running back Bernard Scott (knee) and offensive tackle Andre Smith (foot) participated fully.

SCRATCHED: Walker said he isn't bothered by being deactivated against the Broncos even though he was healthy.

He acknowledged that it was a surprise to learn he was being scratched shortly before kickoff.

"Everybody wants to play, but I feel like our coaches are always going to put this team in the best situation to win," Walker said. "Obviously, I wasn't a part of that. No big deal."

QUICK HITS: After imitating Brandon Marshall and Randy Moss this season, practice squad wide receiver Justin Harper is now pretending to be Ochocinco as he has worn a No. 85 jersey in practice this week. 

Mason isn't a fan of trash-talking and he doesn't buy into the theory that it affects a player's game. "The best trash talker I've ever seen was Marvin Harrison," Mason said. "He said nothing, but he beat you every play. You don't have to talk. If you beat a man every play, that's your trash-talking right there. Some guys do it. But I've found that it just tires you out after a while. Physically, it tires you out. Some guys, it gets to them, but if you've been in this league long enough, it doesn't bother you whether they're trash-talking or not. You're going out there and just playing. You're not worried about trash-talking."

The Ravens have used a committee approach to replace Pro Bowl special-teams ace Brendon Ayanbadejo, who's out for the season with a torn quadriceps tendon that required surgery. Among the players who have filled the void: Nakamura, Zbikowski and Jameel McClain.

Cameron made no guarantees that McGahee's playing time will increase. "He's going to get at least two series every first half," Cameron said. "Then, you kind of go from there. When you're only getting 50 or 60 snaps, there's just not a ton of series. Ninety in that first game was a little misleading. He'll really play well because he practices lights out."