Mason searching for answers in all the right places

The former YSU standout is playing against long odds
trying to crack a talented
Redskins backfield.

THE WASHINGTON POST

WASHINGTON — As the Washington Redskins made their way off the practice field on Wednesday, one group remained down by the far goal post.

There, the rookies huddled together with the team’s helmets, jerseys and pads. They were responsible for carrying the equipment back to the players’ facility at Redskins Park.

They also were in planning mode, as it’s tradition for all Redskins rookies to perform skits for their coaches and veteran teammates during training camp.

Easy subject

For his moment in the embarrassing spotlight, undrafted free agent Marcus Mason from Youngstown State decided he would impersonate running backs coach Earnest Byner.

“I listen to every word that he says in the meetings,” said Mason, the only rookie running back on the team. “I call him up just to see how he’s doing, and I’ve got his accent down pat. I’ve been speaking to him almost every day since April, and now I think I know him pretty well, and I can do it.”

Mason’s constant contact with Byner since he showed up for local tryouts may give him an edge when imitating his position coach’s mellow tone and cool cadence.

But Mason’s inquisitive manner also is one of the reasons the 23-year-old sticks out.

“Even in [organized team activities] and the minicamps, he was always asking me questions. He’s real hungry for the knowledge, and it’s good to have somebody like that around,” Byner said, adding that Mason will call him regularly or stop by his office to talk football or just about anything else.

Very good trait

“That’s rare with any player to tell you the truth, but it’s an indicator of the kind of guy he is.”

Mason knows he’s playing against long odds as he tries to crack a roster that already has talent in the backfield.

“I have so many veteran running backs helping me out whenever something goes wrong, so in that aspect it’s been a breeze,” Mason said. “But it’s tough, too, because I don’t know exactly where I’d fit in.”

It might be hard to spot the 5-foot-9, 215-pound Mason as he dodges through massive offensive and defensive linemen, but when he emerges from behind tacklers, it becomes easy enough. Mason is most noticeable when he reaches the end zone, as he did in the Redskins’ first preseason game.

After Mason scored his first NFL touchdown against Tennessee, he calmly stood up and handed the ball to the official. He later received a game ball to commemorate the occasion.

Byner, who touted Mason’s power and knack for finding holes as his biggest assets, said the rookie’s lack of celebration showed how the NFL game may not be too big for the Potomac, Md., native.

Self-believer

“He feels it, he knows within himself that he can play,” Byner said. “It’s not a surprise for him that he’s successful. For Marcus it’s a reminder: ‘Hey I’m supposed to be doing this.’ ”

While attending Georgetown Prep, Mason became the all-time leading rusher in Maryland high school history, running for 5,700 yards. He also holds the record for career touchdowns and points (86 and 520 respectively).

Mason attended Illinois for two years, but he began to get homesick and sought more playing time.

When Mason started looking for football teams in need of running backs, his first choices were James Madison and William & Mary.

Those programs had no open spots in the backfield, but his coaches suggested Youngstown State.

“It happened fast,” Mason said. “I was in Illinois, and I called [Youngstown Coach Jon Heacock] up and said, ‘I’d like to come to Youngstown.’

“He told me: ‘Well, we start camp tomorrow. Can you be here?’ So I packed up my car at 12 a.m., drove out and showed up in the morning ready to practice.”

Mason finished his two-year career at Youngstown with 2,739 yards rushing and 31 touchdowns.

TD pin-up

Heacock said he put up a picture of Mason’s touchdown against the Titans up in his team’s locker room to make sure they know where hard work can get them.

“We embraced him,” Heacock said. “I think he really treated this game with respect. He worked as hard as he could work, always had a little smile on his face. He was the starting tailback, and he rushed for a zillion yards, but he was the hardest-working guy on the team.”

The work ethic that got Mason through college carried through to this summer’s training camp with the Redskins, and so far Byner said he has been pleased with Mason’s ability to learn and adjust his playing style.

“I’m really proud of him,” Byner said. “He’s really showing me a lot toward his ability to listen to concepts, understand what is given to him and then take it out on to the field. He can be a fine football player in this league.”