Javon Walker Is Fully Committed to the Raiders, Retirement Talk Was Just That

Good news, Lane Kiffin: you got nothing to worry about. Javon Walker, Raiders' offseason signee and Vegas beatdown victim, contemplated retirement last week before owner Al Davis convinced him to stick it out. But after some thought, Walker is "fully committed" to Oakland, which means that Kiffin can worry about the truly important stuff. Like figuring out a way to keep JaMarcus Russell upright behind the offensive line.

"I want people to know why I thought about it, but I also want it to go away, too," Walker said. "But people need to know I am fully committed to this team. I will not leave. I am very excited about the season."

"I had had a lot of things going on internally," Walker said. "That's why I offered to write that check. I did not want the team to suffer. ... However, I have cleared my head and the people here have been great to me. I will be fine."

I don't blame Walker for thinking about walking away; sometimes fans assume professional athletes lead stress-free, booty-filled existences. The latter might be true, but the former certainly isn't. At times, I'm sure the pressure can be suffocating, particularly for 20-somethings not used to gobs of cash and the notoriety that goes with it.

Hopefully, Walker is committed to the Raiders because they're going to need him. It probably won't be enough to return this team to its pre-Art Shell form, but seven or eight wins would be nice. If nothing else, it'll offer the fans some hope.