Randall Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 By JOSH DUBOW AP Sports Writer POSTED: 07/31/2009 02:37:50 PM MDT UPDATED: 07/31/2009 07:53:46 PM MDT NAPA, Calif.—Exactly one year ago Friday, Javon Walker went in to see Al Davis and told the Oakland Raiders owner he wanted to retire just months after signing a $55 million contract. That was part of a first season in Oakland marred by injuries, an offseason robbery in Las Vegas and constant criticism from former coach Lane Kiffin. It's a brand new Walker at his second training camp, revived by a mysterious offseason operation and excited about getting back on the field instead of staying off it for good. Walker opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list because of his recovering right knee, but is eager to get back on the field to show people what he's still able to do. "They're just waiting and making sure that everything goes according to plan," he said Friday. "When they let me loose, it's on after that. This is the first time that I've felt this good based off of the problem I was having with my knee. And it got fixed." Walker won't reveal what exact procedure he underwent on his knee, saying only it was something new and that it is going to be "something amazing that's going to benefit and help a lot of athletes." The enigmatic receiver wouldn't even say where the procedure was done, saying he was "clueless" if it was done in the United States or another country. "When I let you know about the procedure it's going to be something where we'll be right back here weeks from now talking about it," Walker said. "I'm just going to wait, let my rehab go. When I'm out there practicing and playing, I'll give a little more insight into what it is." Walker said it will probably be about two weeks until the team lets him back on the field to practice. Coach Tom Cable just wants to make sure his receiver is completely healed before cutting him loose. "He seems to be on schedule and all that," Cable said. "We want to make sure. I think if you remember last year, he hurried it a little bit and it became an issue." Walker had a difficult first season with the Raiders after signing a $55 million, six-year free-agent deal in the offseason. He was criticized by Kiffin for being out of shape during offseason workouts, was seriously injured during a robbery in Las Vegas, and then contemplated retirement early in training camp. He then had just 15 catches for 196 yards and one touchdown in eight games before going down with a season-ending ankle injury. He renegotiated his contract to take a $27 million pay cut in the offseason before surprising the Raiders by undergoing the operation on his knee in April. Walker expects to be back to his old self when he gets on the field, saying his knee has never felt any better. Walker missed eight games in 2007 for Denver because of an injury to the knee and said it bothered him most of last season. He hopes to be back to the level he was at in 2004, when he had 89 catches for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns for Green Bay. He had 69 catches for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season with the Broncos in 2006, but has only 1,545 yards in his other five seasons combined because of injuries and other factors. "I'm also excited about still letting Oakland see what Javon has to offer because I'm young, I'm in my prime right now," he said. "My ability hasn't changed, my enthusiasm hasn't changed. I'm just excited to be back to the Javon that was that first year in Denver and the Javon that was in Green Bay and all of a sudden translate it to here." The Raiders need that from Walker, considering the inexperience they have at receiver. Of the 10 other receivers on the roster, four are rookies including first-round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey, two others have never caught a pass in the NFL, and only one, Samie Parker (110 catches), has more than 30 receptions in his career. Notes: Raiders owner Al Davis came out to practice for the first time this summer, watching the afternoon session. ... Cable said there was nothing new to report on the status of DE Derrick Burgess, who is staying away from camp in hopes of being traded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whomper Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 If you are in a league that gives bonus points for missing games with a chronic bad knee I would jump on him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 His failure makes me warm and fuzzy inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 (edited) FBoC2. You want evidence of exactly how great Favre was? He turned guys like Freeman, Schroeder, and Walker into playmakers who put up very good to great stats. Edited August 2, 2009 by Bronco Billy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted August 2, 2009 Author Share Posted August 2, 2009 FBoC2. You want evidence of exactly how great Favre was? He turned guys like Freeman, Schroeder, and Walker into playmakers who put up very good to great stats. In the game after his father died everyone stepped up for him. That begs the question why didn't they step up before? Walker had skills before he was hurt. Too bad we couldn't see what he and Sterling Sharpe could have accomplished if they stayed healthy. I think Sterling is one of the most talented receivers I ever saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDFFFreak Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 If you are in a league that gives bonus points for missing games with a chronic bad knee I would jump on him. Seriously. I'll let someone else waste a late round pick on the guy for the 5% chance that he'll do much of anything this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Muto Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 (edited) The big news here is the Crypt keeper was still able to make it to the practice field to watch. I didn't know that he was able to stand the sun light without exploding into flames. Maybe it was a night practice ? Edited August 2, 2009 by Henry Muto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Cheezhead Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Walker had skills before he was hurt. Too bad we couldn't see what he and Sterling Sharpe could have accomplished if they stayed healthy. I think Sterling is one of the most talented receivers I ever saw. I concur. I'd love to laugh at the silliness of this report, but Walker is a more naturally gifted receiver than all but maybe four or five guys in the NFL. I would not be shocked to see him put together another top-15 type of fantasy season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawks21 Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 If Russell wasn't his QB I would agree that he has a chance. If Russell starts, this team will simply run the ball way too much for any of their WR's to be startable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Stanky Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 If Russell wasn't his QB I would agree that he has a chance. If Russell starts, this team will simply run the ball way too much for any of their WR's to be startable. ding, ding, ding, ding Finally something Seahawks and I agree on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted August 2, 2009 Author Share Posted August 2, 2009 If Russell wasn't his QB I would agree that he has a chance. If Russell starts, this team will simply run the ball way too much for any of their WR's to be startable. Walker isn't healthy enough to stay on the field or get separation though. This story is silly unless he has some new surgery that allows him to run. Can you use a walker when you're on the field. Russell has sucked but Walker should retire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 he couldn't even get separation off the field before they beat the sh*t outta him & took his $$$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Walker is a more naturally gifted receiver than all but maybe four or five guys in the NFL. I would not be shocked to see him put together another top-15 type of fantasy season. That Javon Walker is long gone. The Walker you're talking about had two knees. This one does not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 (edited) This on todays practice from Jerry McDonald. Granted it wasn't contact. "Wide receiver Javon Walker, who two days before talked talked with unbridled optimism about his health and claimed to be in the prime of his career, looked to be at least something approaching that as he put on a show with a member of the Raiders athletic training staff. Walker ran at what looked to be full speed with an effortless glide. He ran short and intermediate patterns, at one point reaching back on a short crossing route and snatching a pass with his left hand without slowing down." He said he looked good. Edited August 3, 2009 by Randall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotgun Messiahs Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 I was under the impression, after watching his buddy in Denver get murdered, messed him up pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 The enigmatic receiver...saying he was "clueless". I think he knows what he's talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfish247 Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 ...but Walker is a more naturally gifted receiver than all but maybe four or five guys in the NFL... Walker has exactly one season of +1300 rec yds and played only 33 games in the past 4 years. So he's up there with AJ, Moss, Fitz, Wayne, Boldin, White, Smith? This is, to put it politely, a considerable stretch of the term 'naturally gifted'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 Walker has exactly one season of +1300 rec yds and played only 33 games in the past 4 years. So he's up there with AJ, Moss, Fitz, Wayne, Boldin, White, Smith? This is, to put it politely, a considerable stretch of the term 'naturally gifted'. I don't think so. You can be gifted but unable to use those gifts because of injuries. He probably should have retired last year. Wasn't he going to but the Raiders talked him out of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfish247 Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 (edited) I don't think so. You can be gifted but unable to use those gifts because of injuries. Propensity for injury isn't a 'natural gift'? I don't necessarily disagree with the gist of the post... Walker is flying below people's radar, he's completely off of it. Walker is good enough to be a WR1 on a team strapped for startable WRs therefore he's a good candidate, IF he stays healthy, to be an ok FF WR2 or 3. Also, if his QB and offense can get its act together. That's a lot of IFs to overcome, even for the most 'naturally gifted' of WRs. I can think of one of those 'naturally gifted' WRs who pretty recently struggled mightily with the Silver & Black and never had Walker's injury issues. Sleeper. Yeah, ok. Can't get much worse. But it's a leap to start naming him with the 4th or 5th most 'naturally gifted' WRs in the league. Edited August 3, 2009 by kingfish247 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westvirginia Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Propensity for injury isn't a 'natural gift'? I don't necessarily disagree with the gist of the post... Walker is flying below people's radar, he's completely off of it. Walker is good enough to be a WR1 on a team strapped for startable WRs therefore he's a good candidate, IF he stays healthy, to be an ok FF WR2 or 3. Also, if his QB and offense can get its act together. That's a lot of IFs to overcome, even for the most 'naturally gifted' of WRs. I can think of one of those 'naturally gifted' WRs who pretty recently struggled mightily with the Silver & Black and never had Walker's injury issues. Sleeper. Yeah, ok. Can't get much worse. But it's a leap to start naming him with the 4th or 5th most 'naturally gifted' WRs in the league. I get what you're saying, and I'm certainly not going to say Walker is that physically gifted. But the two aren't mutually exclusive. Terrell Davis? Dan Morgan? And Bob Sanders and Mike Brown are two more in that category. Incredible players when they're on the field, but they can't stay on the field because of injury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 Propensity for injury isn't a 'natural gift'? I don't necessarily disagree with the gist of the post... Walker is flying below people's radar, he's completely off of it. Walker is good enough to be a WR1 on a team strapped for startable WRs therefore he's a good candidate, IF he stays healthy, to be an ok FF WR2 or 3. Also, if his QB and offense can get its act together. That's a lot of IFs to overcome, even for the most 'naturally gifted' of WRs. I can think of one of those 'naturally gifted' WRs who pretty recently struggled mightily with the Silver & Black and never had Walker's injury issues. Sleeper. Yeah, ok. Can't get much worse. But it's a leap to start naming him with the 4th or 5th most 'naturally gifted' WRs in the league. Well maybe it is. I stand corrected. I posted this because I thought it was absurd. Even if he is healthy he's on the Raiders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Cheezhead Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Propensity for injury isn't a 'natural gift'? Sleeper. Yeah, ok. Can't get much worse. But it's a leap to start naming him with the 4th or 5th most 'naturally gifted' WRs in the league. I wouldn't say it's a "gift," no. Was that a serious question? I think you know well enough that when I'm talking about "natural talent," I wasn't including relative health. In fact, in such discussions, the two things are always discussed separately, specifically in cases like this -- plenty of players have unbelievable talent but can't use it to the fullest extent for one reason or another (injuries being most common). I didn't say the dude was among the top-five most productive receivers in the league. Receiving talent comprises size, strength, speed, hands, quickness, anticipation, balance and leaping ability. Walker had ALL of that. There aren't many active players who were better than him as the "total package." My top-five list would look something like this: 1. Calvin Johnson 2. Randy Moss 3. Andre Johnson 4. Javon Walker 5. Braylon Edwards You can argue with that if you want, but it's ignorant and pointless to include "injury propensity" in someone's list of "talents." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wolf Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I wouldn't say it's a "gift," no. Was that a serious question? I think you know well enough that when I'm talking about "natural talent," I wasn't including relative health. In fact, in such discussions, the two things are always discussed separately, specifically in cases like this -- plenty of players have unbelievable talent but can't use it to the fullest extent for one reason or another (injuries being most common). I didn't say the dude was among the top-five most productive receivers in the league. Receiving talent comprises size, strength, speed, hands, quickness, anticipation, balance and leaping ability. Walker had ALL of that. There aren't many active players who were better than him as the "total package." My top-five list would look something like this: 1. Calvin Johnson 2. Randy Moss 3. Andre Johnson 4. Javon Walker 5. Braylon Edwards You can argue with that if you want, but it's ignorant and pointless to include "injury propensity" in someone's list of "talents." WOW. No Fitz???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfish247 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 ...You can argue with that if you want, but it's ignorant and pointless to include "injury propensity" in someone's list of "talents." Wow. All I'm saying is that you can have all the "natural talent" in the world but if you can't stay on the field then what's the point? If the guy can't stay on the field, I think it's pointless and ignorant to proclaim him as talented, naturally or unnaturally, as all but 5 or so NFL WRs. Further, saying he has more "natural talent" than all but 5 or so NFL WRs even though he's only had one 1300+yd season in 7 years is again, to put it politely, a stretch. I get what you're saying, and I'm certainly not going to say Walker is that physically gifted. But the two aren't mutually exclusive. Terrell Davis? Dan Morgan? And Bob Sanders and Mike Brown are two more in that category. Incredible players when they're on the field, but they can't stay on the field because of injury. Davis was a 3 time All-Pro with 4 seasons of 1100+yds, 3 of those 1500+, and of course he's one of five RBs in NFL history to run for 2000. Morgan? Really? One Pro Bowl and never made it through a full season. This is an "incredible player"? I also get what you're saying but a lot of guys in the NFL are physically gifted or naturally talented. A lot of players, especially WRs, have had one or two 1000+yd seasons in their career. It would be insane and I'd be laughed off this Forum if I said Yancey Thigpen or Marcus Robinson were amongst the elite WRs by any measure at any point in their careers. My last $.02... it's just an odd perception some people have for a certain player when, in reality, that player is just a guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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