Returning to Baltimore no big deal to Rex

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Derrick Mason believes he saw a tear or two shed Wednesday by Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard, who are three days away from making their first regular-season return to Charm City.

"I think Bart started crying earlier today, honestly. I really think he did," said Mason, the Jets wide receiver who played with Scott and Leonhard during his six years with the Ravens. "When we were talking about it, Bart got real emotional and I'm like, 'Are you serious? You've been out of there, what, two, three years now? Man, c'mon.' I don't understand the guy.

"I think I saw Jimmy as well tearing up a little bit talking about the old days. I'm like, 'Get over it, guys. Move on.' "

Mason was joking, but there's no denying it's going to be an emotional affair Sunday night at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. With so many former Ravens in Jets uniforms, it's only natural for them to be hyped up.

However, Rex Ryan, who spent 10 seasons on the Ravens' staff before being named Jets coach in 2009, claimed it's not something that's been at the forefront of his mind.

"Really, it hasn't even really hit me yet, as much," Ryan said Wednesday. "The last time, when we opened up the preseason, I think I was feeling it then. Now, maybe after the defeat [Sunday], our focus has been on our football team getting better. Clearly, I had 10 years there. That's hard to dismiss."

So are his feelings about being passed over for the Ravens' head-coaching job in 2008. Last month, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said he went with John Harbaugh because he thought Ryan's defensive-minded approach in Baltimore would make it difficult to bring the team together.

"Was I bitter about not getting the head-coaching job? Yes, absolutely," Ryan said. "But when it was determined that John Harbaugh was going to be the head coach, I wanted to be the best coach that he's ever had under him, and be the best coach I can be, and not worry about the job that I didn't have."

Still, it did provide a little motivation.

"Whoever gave me that shot, they were going to get everything I had," Ryan said. "I had more of a determination to be myself, and not present somebody else -- that I was going to be just your typical coach. I think I actually did that a little in interviews. With Woody [Johnson], I never did. It was just, 'This is who I am, I hope like heck he gives me the job,' and he did. It's been a blessing to come here."

Mason, who has 10 receptions for 71 yards this season, feels the same way. The Ravens released the 15-year veteran July 28 in a salary-cap move. He drew interest from the Ravens and Titans before signing with the Jets.

"I was torn between going back to Baltimore and coming here to the Jets because I had been there for so long and that was family to me," Mason said. "But they made a business decision and I had to make a business decision."

A move he's pleased with, just like his career in Baltimore.

"I think I was at peace with it because I knew deep down in my heart, I gave them all that I had," Mason said. "The way I played, no one can question whether I gave 100 percent or not. So they had a decision to make and they made it, and luckily Rex wanted me and I was more than happy to come here."