Derrick Mason demonstrated why he’s the quintessential teammate this weekend.

On Saturday, the receiver was in Florida comforting a grieving Samari Rolle as the cornerback buried his father, Harry, who died of a heart attack.

On Sunday, Mason was with the rest of the Ravens at training camp, catching passes as the team’s top receiver looks to prove he’s still among the game’s elite.

Mason, 34, was one of the few bright spots on a team that went 5-11 last season. His 103 catches were a team record and third-most in the league, as he amassed 1,087 yards and five touchdowns. And it was no fluke.

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In the past five years, Mason has 448 receptions.

The only players who have more are St. Louis’ Torry Holt (499) and Cincinnati’s Chad Johnson (462).

“What keeps things fresh for me is just coming out here everyday, being out here with the guys and learning the game of football,” Mason said. “There’s something you can learn each and every year in this game. If you stop learning, then you might as well quit.”

Don’t expect Mason to slow down after a career year last season. The 5-foot-10, 192-pounder knows he can’t rest on what he did last year, a lesson the Ravens learned when they entered

last season with high expectations generated by going 13-3 in 2006.

“This league changes so fast with free agency, Mason said. “Just because you were at the bottom of the league the previous year doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to be in the bottom of the league the following year. I believe we’re going to prove that. We’re not going to be the same team. I guarantee we’re going to win more games than [last year].”

Mason, who came just shy of winning a Super Bowl with the Titans in 2000 and signed with the Ravens as a free agent in 2005, has made the Pro Bowl four times.

But he just wants one Super Bowl ring to culminate a career in which he’s posted 710 receptions, 9,024 yards and 47 touchdowns.

So far, he’s done everything he can. He attended every offseason workout and entered training camp in great shape, which explains why he hasn’t missed a game in the past five years.

“He’s a guy who doesn’t look over 30,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He recovers just like that. He had a tremendous offseason and so far has had a terrific camp.”

rsnyder@baltimoreexaminer.com