When it became apparent Denver would release Javon Walker and he would become a free agent, Michael Smith of ESPN.com reported that "at least 10 teams," including all four NFC East franchises, were in contact with Walker's agent.
I have read the 49ers, Bills, Panthers, and Vikings also reached out to Walker's agent Kennard McGuire regarding Walker. And that does not include the Oakland Raiders, who ended up signing Walker.
By my count, that is almost half of the teams in the NFL that had showed interest in signing Walker. From reading and listening to many articles and reports regarding Walker by most of the media, Walker is a washed up player with a gimp knee.
Why would all these teams in the NFL jump to sign, and I am paraphrasing, "an injured flash in the pan wide receiver with no better then Jerry Porter talent?"
One reason pointed out by the Pittsburgh Gazette's Gerry Dolac reffered to when Pittsburgh assigned its best CB Ike Taylor to cover Walker during a game. Walker caught six passes for 134 yards including two 10-yard fades for touchdowns against Taylor.
And that does not include Javon Walker's 72-yard touchdown run on a reverse.
This same Steelers CB had covered Randy Moss, Chris Chambers, and Chad Johnson earlier in the season and did not allow a touchdown by any of the receivers.
A quote by Ike Taylor after the game, "Mama said there would be days like this."
When Bill Belichick was asked at a press conference on Sept. 20, 2006, how close the Pats were from receiving a visit from Javon Walker Belichick laughed, "How close? About four plan reservations. He was close to being on the plane to coming here but never made it."
Javon Walker is a big, strong receiver with speed. He is strong enough to get off the line and has the speed to stretch the field.
Javon Walker is a No. 1 receiver and a go-to guy who can run all the routes. Walker goes after the ball in the air and has freakish athletic talent.
Walker is a vertical playmaker who excels with double moves and deep routes off the play action. Javon Walker is an elite wide receiver and that is why so many teams tried to sign him.
The Oakland Raiders have not had a true No. 1 wide receiver for a while, and it was a need. With a QB like JaMarcus Russell, you have to surround him with players he can get the ball to.
Reports are that Walker is fully healthy and has been working out in Arizona getting ready for his first season in the silver and black.
And one thing is almost guaranteed, Walker will at least have two killer games a year when the Raiders play Denver. That I cannot wait to see.
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3 months ago
As long as Walker is fully healthy and as long as his psyche isn't off from his time in Denver, I think Oakland landed a nice little gem.
3 months ago
Walker just needs to stay healthy and all the ego problems will fit in Oakland. He wants to be the man and get paid...He got paid and JRuss now needs a man. Hopefully, Javon can be just that. He can be one of the main pieces that help bring us back to the top of this roller coaster ride.
3 months ago
This is a great move by the Raiders, if Javon can stay healthy. There has been a big hole at WR since Timmy and Jerry retired, and there has been no excitement in the passing game for years. Healthy Javon + Jamarcus = big plays = lots of fun at Raider games. Just keep that knee specialist on staff...
3 months ago
Well, I'm a little relieved. If we can keep these new (two) healthy along with curry & ZACK? OH MY!!!! WOW!!!
Let's hope it's in our future to have a healthy squad this year. If that's the case I see us doing many great things this 2008 season.
Beginning with the beating of our Div. rivals twice and with a resounding victory against the Patri-AINT's with D-Hall, Namdie and Huff... Absolutly shutting down Moss-y...
Ahhhh I can't wait!!
Go RAIDERS!!!
3 months ago
AFC West, a possibility, that begins with drafting McFadden.
from 3 months ago
Greg thanks for the read. Most years I think I have a good idea of which way the Raiders will go early in the draft. But this year I do not have a clue in what they might do. My guess is sign a DE if one falls to them at the 4th pick.
from 3 months ago
Greg thanks for the read. Most years I think I have a good idea of which way the Raiders will go early in the draft. But this year I do not have a clue in what they might do. My guess is sign a DE if one falls to them at the 4th pick.
from 3 months ago
Greg thanks for the read. Most years I think I have a good idea of which way the Raiders will go early in the draft. But this year I do not have a clue in what they might do. My guess is sign a DE if one falls to them at the 4th pick.
from 3 months ago
Greg thanks for the read. Most years I think I have a good idea of which way the Raiders will go early in the draft. But this year I do not have a clue in what they might do. My guess is sign a DE if one falls to them at the 4th pick.
3 months ago
No McFathead. Trade the pic. Get A 2nd and 3rd pic somehow. That was funny right....Mc-Fat-head ? :)
I thought so.
3 months ago
No McFathead. Trade the pic. Get A 2nd and 3rd pic somehow. That was funny right....Mc-Fat-head ? :)
I thought so.
3 months ago
Nah, we have plenty of potential at RB. I'd be happy if our entire draft was dedicated to shoring up the lines. Some more help at tackle and a solid end that can get to the QB will put this team together. We are not exactly a force at LB either.
Things are definitely on the upswing!
3 months ago
hell yea now all we need now is one of the longs or sedrick ellis
3 months ago
Javon Walker is anything but a star wide receiver. Let's wait for him to play a full season before you decide to crown his ass. I guarantee he doesn't get 80 yards in either game against Denver.
from 3 months ago
I am not crowning the dude just laying out some facts as to his abilities. Like the guy or not he has ability and that is why the 15 or so teams in the NFL made a run at him.
As for him not having good games against Denver, Porter use to light Denver up like a Christmas tree and Walker is a much better receiver. The Raiders dominated Denver in Oakland and out played and should have beat Denver in Denver for a sweep last year.
That was without much of a passing game to speak of. Only time will tell but the Raiders look to be nearing the end of their rebuilding process. They still have the draft and some trade bait for the draft. If Russell becomes what I think he can and with all the youth on the team the Raiders look to be set for some good years ahead of them.
3 months ago
I'm skeptical with the Javon signing... but, his contract is backloaded, he doesn't perform, he doesnt get paid. Alot is riding on our new QB... so, it sure doesn't hurt to have experienced players around him. <> uh... it could happen
3 months ago
I'm skeptical with the Javon signing... but, his contract is backloaded, he doesn't perform, he doesnt get paid. Alot is riding on our new QB... so, it sure doesn't hurt to have experienced players around him. <> uh... it could happen
3 months ago
Javon can be as talented as they come, but that alone means nada. First, he is a prima dona who plays for anything but the love of the game. Also, if I remember correctly, the Raiders had a pretty good little wide receiver two years ago that didn't work out - that Randy Moss character.
Fickle is the word to describe Javon Walker - he will need coaches that give him direction and rub vasoline on his ass as they tell him he's special.
3 months ago
"The Oakland Raiders have not had a true No. 1 wide receiver for a while". ya a while, you mean one year. Do you remember Randy Moss? And don't say he wasn't trying. He never got the ball thrown to him, especially since Moss is better utilized as a deep route receiver, because his quarterback never had time to throw the ball. Any quarterback in Oakland's system the last three years would have been constantly sacked and pressured. Therefore any receiver would have the same problems Moss had. Walker will not have a good season as long as that line plays the same.
from 3 months ago
The Raiders line was greatly improved last year with regards to the run game and better in pass protection. That was there first year with the new line coach and blocking scheme. It will be the rookie tight ends second year. He broke Tim Browns record for receptions by a rookie last year and lead all rookie tight ends with receptions.
By replacing Jerry "The Ghost" Porter with Carter is a huge upgrade as well. The kid has 4.3 speed is huge. Add is Walker and Curry and the receiving core is a much better group. Add in one of the best running games in the NFL which was not there with Moss and the passing game should be greatly improved. I hope we draft a DE but if they should take McFadden you now add a home run hitter to the backfield as well.
It is not the same team, coaching staff, scheme or OB as when Moss was there. Plus with the huge upgrade on the D side of the ball the offense should be on the field a lot more. Only time will tell but they will be interesting to watch next year and should be a better team.
As for Moss he is a great receiver if you have the other receivers around him. Moss can be taken out of a game with the right game plan as the Pats found out throughout the playoffs and Super Bowl last year. Walker is not only a deep threat but can kill you over the middle and is huge on third downs. Last but not least as good as Moss is he has the personality and character of a wimp to in my opinion.
Walker along with Deangelo Hall both bring the swagger and attitude I like to see in the Raiders.
3 months ago
you must be joking about moss he got paid alot of money and half assed ran his patterns . He is a joke and was just a cancer . I was thrilled to see him go and if he was so good how come he didn't help the pats win a super bowl. Jerry and Tim had one thing in common when they were playing they both were team leaders that helped the rest of the team out. Moss should have been but he is just like most of the other players with big egos they play for the money but not for the love of the game. We need a tougher line to protect the quaterback so he can throw to the recievers and we sure the hell don't need another Moss.
3 months ago
I do not know if your comment was made to me or somebody else? I did not mention Moss in my article and agree with you regarding Moss, to me he is a punk.
3 months ago
no Sonny it was not going towards you it was going towards that guy that said we had a number one receiver in Moss and got rid of him. That was one of the best things to do for us and by the way it is looking it looks like there are a few more good moves happening Porter and Jordan leaving. Jordan may have the number 34 but he could never held up to the standards of that number Bo Jackson ruled.
3 months ago
no Sonny it was not going towards you it was going towards that guy that said we had a number one receiver in Moss and got rid of him. That was one of the best things to do for us and by the way it is looking it looks like there are a few more good moves happening Porter and Jordan leaving. Jordan may have the number 34 but he could never held up to the standards of that number Bo Jackson ruled.
3 months ago
Ya Javon walker is a way better Reciever than moss. HaHa. Moss had 22 touchdowns last season, case closed. I wish you could put Javon walker with the raiders line from a couple years ago and see how well he would do. I"ll admit the line is getting better now but it still has a lot of improvement left. And about moss playing for money. He could have gotten a lot more money to play in other places besides patriots. In fact he took a paycut last year to play for the Patriots. Moss already has a lot of money, right now he is looking for that ring. A ring that there is no way he could have gotten with the raiders.
3 months ago
all I can say is he may have 22 touchdowns but he still has no ring. In fact he could have turned the Superbowl around but because he is a chump. I will say it to you again Mr RAndy Moss fan he should have been a leader instead of pouting around last year when he played for Oakland. We will see this season how well Moss does against Asomugha and the rest of the defense.
3 months ago
moss is a loser haha him and the patriots lost period.the raiders have been losing sure but at least with didn't cheat to win thats the facts.now as for are up and coming team thats about to change now that al davis spent the money he should have been spending along time ago
3 months ago
Thats right raiders for life F**k the haters.This season will be different you can bet on it are team is going to be ready as well as are #1 Quarterback thats right big bad Russell all day.Raiders D-backs are just straight sick this year and that safety we pick up from the giants awe man it's on.
3 months ago
I can't wait to see your 300 lb QB running around to avoid getting sacked, the O-line is unproven. The Raiders aren't going anywhere, and won't be until Al Davis' senile ass is out of the front office.
3 months ago
Walker will need micro-fracture knee surgery in a couple of years and that will end his career. I'd also like to point out that he'd be facing Champ Bailey (the best CB in all of football). I know Porter lit up Bailey a few years ago in that snow storm, but Denver had an abysmal D-line that year.
2 months ago
i know he's way better than porter and if he's healthy enough he will torched defenses, we just got to hoe that he feels and believes he has something to prove.
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