Randall Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Hurtin' for certain Packers begin scramble to fill Walker's spot By TOM SILVERSTEIN tsilverstein@journalsentinel.com Posted: Sept. 12, 2005 Green Bay - As uncertain as the long-term ramifications of Javon Walker's torn right knee ligament might be, the Green Bay Packers were able to deal only in the short term a day after their star wide receiver was lost for the season. The Packers will work out wide receiver Jerome Pathon, who was cut by Seattle in the preseason. On Monday, the Packers made arrangements to audition free agent wide receiver Jerome Pathon, and if all goes well in a workout today they will sign him to a contract. The 6-foot, 195-pound Pathon is the top available free agent receiver, and given his age (29) and experience (seven seasons) would have a shot at being able to help the Packers right away. The native of Capetown, South Africa, has receiving and return ability and last year was a surprisingly effective deep threat for the New Orleans Saints, averaging 17.1 yards in 34 receptions. The Saints released Pathon and his $3.25 million salary in March for salary cap reasons and Seattle paid him a $300,000 signing bonus a month later. Pathon caught seven passes for 72 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown, in exhibition games but he reportedly wasn't thrilled about having to be on special teams coverage units and missed a meeting during training camp. At one time he was considered a candidate for the No. 2 job, but the Seahawks released him Sept. 3, keeping free agents Peter Warrick, Joe Jurevicius and two younger prospects instead. The Packers also made inquiries into the availability of former Seahawks receiver Koren Robinson, who was signed and cut by the Minnesota Vikings last week. But after being contacted by several teams Monday, Robinson elected to re-sign with the Vikings for one year. The Packers made other inquiries as well. Other receivers who are available include Scottie Vines, Kelvin Kight, P.K. Sam and Nate Poole. Andrae Thurman, who was cut by the Packers Sept. 3, was elevated from Tennessee's practice squad to their 53-man roster at the end of last week. Packers general manager Ted Thompson would not say what his plans were for replacing Walker on the 53-man roster and even suggested that a receiver might not be signed. But all indications were that Pathon, who has 259 catches for 3,332 yards and 15 touchdowns in seven seasons with Indianapolis and New Orleans, was going to be added provided his workout went well. "We're going to see," Thompson said. "I don't know how serious we are." The addition of another receiver became necessary after Walker suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which will require surgery and from eight to 11 months of rehabilitation. The injury comes roughly six weeks after Walker ended a holdout aimed at convincing the Packers to sign him to a lucrative contract extension and present him with long-term financial security. The Packers didn't give in to his demands and Walker will spend the season on injured reserve earning his scheduled base salary of $515,000. Chances of an extension being worked out toward the end of this season, as was originally planned, appear out the window until Walker shows he can return to his Pro Bowl form. "I think we'll worry about Javon as a player right now," Thompson said when asked about Walker's future. "We want to get him as well as soon we can. That's what we're going to concentrate on." According to coach Mike Sherman, doctors are waiting until the swelling in Walker's knee subsides before they perform surgery. If there's further damage to the knee, the doctors will know for sure when they perform the surgery, but for now the hope is he'll be back on the football field for the season opener next season. An ACL injury doesn't seem as common with wide receivers as it does for running backs, and the number of big-name receivers who have suffered them isn't very long. The most famous of all is future Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, who suffered the injury in San Francisco's 1997 season opener at the age of 35. Rice made a miraculous comeback and returned to play in the same season, three months after the injury, but he injured the knee again and was lost for the year. He returned the next season and played effectively for six more seasons before retiring last week. Other receivers who have come back from ACL tears either in college or the pros and played effectively include Amani Toomer, Joey Galloway, Reggie Wayne, Bobby Engram and Anquan Boldin. Tennessee's Tyrone Calico has returned this season. There are, however, receivers who have never been the same, among them Rob Moore, Marcus Robinson, Sylvester Morris, Derrick Alexander, David Boston and Kevin Dyson. "He'll bounce back," tight end Bubba Franks said. "It will make him stronger as a person. Mentally, he'll be focused. He'll come back a lot stronger than what he was. He's going to concentrate on that knee so much he'll have to strengthen those muscles in both legs. I see him coming back faster and stronger." No one in the Packers organization could predict how the injury would affect Walker's future. If Walker loses some of his speed, he still could be effective because at 6-3 and 215 pounds, he's a big target with big hands. But if he loses a lot of speed, he'll lose the threat of going deep and find more defensive backs playing in his face. Over the past two seasons, Walker has been committed to a rigorous off-season training regimen so he's at least prepared for what the next eight months of rehabilitation will require. "It depends on the individual, his willingness to work," Sherman said. "This guy does have a single-minded focus on things of this nature. When he puts his mind to something he usually gets it. So, I can see him coming back from this, very much. I've never experienced a receiver in this position before." Walker, who was hurt at the end of a 55-yard reception that was called back after he was penalized for pass interference, won't be easily replaced. Last year, he led the team in receptions (89), receiving yards (1,382) and touchdown catches (12) and was elected to his first Pro Bowl. The Packers rotate their receiver trio of Walker, Donald Driver and Robert Ferguson quite a bit, so there will be no lack of experience in the starting lineup. Driver will move into the starting flanker position and Ferguson will assume the starting split role. Antonio Chatman and rookie Terrence Murphy, who is expected to get his first action after being inactive Sunday, will battle for the No. 3 spot this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pork chop express Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 makes sense to me. it is a gamble, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSupe4You Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 (edited) Pretty desperate when you are scraping the bottom of the WR barrel for Seahawks rejects. Edited September 13, 2005 by NoSupe4You Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted September 13, 2005 Author Share Posted September 13, 2005 Pretty desperate when you are scraping the bottom of the WR barrel for Seahawks rejects. 987680[/snapback] At this time noone esle is available. Terrence Murphy is on the team. Go with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooknladder Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 cheese and Rice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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