Congratulations, Javon Walker, because you're in a class all to yourself. Unfortunately, in this case, that's not exactly a good thing for you, or Raiders fans. Clark Judge over at CBS Sportsline has a column up today where he breaks down The Good, The Bad, and the Javon Walker's of this past off-season's free agent class. Here's what he has to say on the Raiders' $55 million man after five weeks:Al Davis won't pay his head coach, but he will pay stiffs like Walker to take up space on the roster. Mike Shanahan was right to cut this guy loose, especially with suckers like the Raiders sitting out there. They pay him a fortune, then watch him do precisely what Shanahan predicted -- zilch. Walker has four catches this season, which is a good series for Brandon Marshall, and he didn't exactly win over former coach Lane Kiffin. I knew there was a reason Lane had to go.Don't hold back, Clark, seriously, just let it rip and tell us what you're really feeling here. Of course, I don't think there's really anybody in football land -- outside of Al Davis and Walker, of course -- who would disagree with his analysis. Is there?
This signing was a disaster from day one, when the Raiders were seemingly bidding against themselves for Walkers services. After getting off to a less-than-impressive start in training camp, he's opened the season by catching four passes in three games. He's on pace for, roughly, 16 receptions this year.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-10-2008 @ 12:14AM
Someone in Football Land said...
Actually, I disagree based on having watched Walker play against the Cards in preseason and looking very healthy catching 5 passes. Local media agreed to and noticed absolutely nothing wrong with him in practices leading up to the opener, yet he was scratched due a "hamstring injury." In the past 2 weeks he has been healthy enough to gain some nice yards in the 1st half, but is barely on the field late in the game as the offense struggles to move. Strange how that coincides with trying to control the clock and rest the defense to win games...
Laugh if you want, but I think Kiffin's feud with Davis might've played a role in all this...but Kiffin wouldn't do things to hurt the team, would he?
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10-10-2008 @ 10:21AM
Nob said...
Javon Walker is a total phony. He is a complete farce. The fact that he got a multi-million dollar contract from the Raiders is a joke. He had two quiet years in Green Bay and a great third year with the help of Brett Favre. Then, with two years left on his contract, he decides to hold out. He decides to come back at the end of the preseason and blows out his knee in the first game of the regular season and demands to be traded. The Packers finally grant him his wish and trade him to Denver and he absolutely blasts Favre and the Packer management. Walker can't say enough wonderful things about Denver and how great is to be appreciated and wanted there. Then, within two years, he wants out of Denver. What an absolute ungrateful &%#$%##^%@! I won't even get into details about him hanging out at clubs where teammates are killed or where he flaunts his money around and gets the crap beat out of him. I suppose he's just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I realize different people come from different backgrounds. But, if you're that ignorant to keep hanging around trouble, it's gonna find you. In the mean time, the Raiders sign this malcontent to a mulit-year deal????????????? Are you kidding me? Nothing like overpaying for a guy who has had two knee surgeries and does nothing but bash the former teams that gave him a shot. If Walker turns things around and actually does something in the NFL again, more power to him. But, if he continues to collect a HUGE paycheck with little to no reward, then I have no remorse for the idiots that signed him. For God's sake, looks at his history.
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10-10-2008 @ 3:01AM
A.J. said...
I don't disagree with bringing in Javon Walker, but, frankly, the guy's a walking jinx. It seems like everything in the world happens to him. You'd be pissed off, too, if your luck was as bad as his. I'm not sure if you've ever blown out your knees, been robbed and beaten, or had a close friend die in your arms before. I haven't, but I don't guess that any of those are fun experiences.
Besides, it's very hard for Javon Walker to get receptions when Jamarcus is allowed to throw the football less than 20 times a game. In fact, last week was the first time he went over 20 attempts.
And bad teams always have to overpay for players. Javon probably knew going into Oakland that he was destroying his shot at a ring in order to leave his statistical mark on the league.
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