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Javon Walker: I don't 'fit' in with Broncos

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 31, 2007 at 11:17 a.m.
Updated December 31, 2007 at 2:11 p.m.

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Minnesota Vikings defender Marcus McCauley breaks up a pass intended for Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker on the last play of the fourth quarter Sunday afternoon at Invesco Field at Mile High. Walker today said he's not sure he fits into the Broncos' future plans.

Photo by Joe Mahoney © The Rocky

Minnesota Vikings defender Marcus McCauley breaks up a pass intended for Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker on the last play of the fourth quarter Sunday afternoon at Invesco Field at Mile High. Walker today said he's not sure he fits into the Broncos' future plans.

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Javon Walker wants out.

Or maybe he doesn’t.

What was made clear in a final locker room interview that frequently lacked clarity at the Denver Broncos team facility is that the receiver doesn’t believe he’s a “fit” and would be receptive to moving on this off-season.

“What it boils down to at this point is I’ve got to go where the best fit is for me,” he said.

Asked if it’s fair to say he doesn’t want to be in Denver, Walker responded, “Whatever comes,” then added, “It’s not for me,” regarding his role with a Broncos team that has seen Brandon Marshall emerge as a star at his position.

“I can easily say that now. I wouldn’t say that until the end of the season. But it’s not for me.”

Walker, after a contract snit and a season-ending knee injury in 2005, previously forced the Green Bay Packers hands by going public with a promise to never play for the franchise again. He was dealt to Denver on draft day in April 2006 and emerged as the team’s offensive star, with 69 catches for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns.

At various points Walker appeared to be trying to go public with his dissatisfaction Monday, saying “you all will see me somewhere along down the road in another situation.” But when asked directly if he was going to ask to be dealt, he was murkier on the subject.

“Um, well, you know what, it depends on them. If they deal me, yeah,” he said. “If not, then it’s a good thing. Whatever helps them out.”

Walker’s contract will likely need to be addressed in some fashion, regardless. His salary-cap figure for next season is $7.05 million. But getting rid of him would accelerate prorated monies forward to the tune of $8 million, plus a significant penalty for not picking up part of the $5.4 million in bonuses he’ll be owed in the coming months.

Walker started the season as the team’s No. 1 receiver but struggled to perform after having a cyst removed. He recently estimated he was at 75 percent health but would return fully next season. He finished the year with 26 catches for 246 yards and two touchdowns but did virtually nothing down the stretch.

He did start in place of injured Brandon Stokley during Sunday’s season-ending win over Minnesota but had two catches for 16 yards.

Asked what kind of system would fit him in the future, Walker, ironically, pointed to his former team.

“Green Bay made me who I was for a team like this to want to bring me here,” he said. “Maybe it takes a team like that to go back.”

Comments

  • December 31, 2007

    11:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    bjones73 writes:

    In other words Javon....what ever team will over pay you since you cannot stay in one place without getting injured, so you take the Broncos money, sit out half the season, demand to get paid and if you don't, you go elsewhere and take someone else's cash only to repeat the cycle.

    Typical NFL....

    Get paid Not For Long, until it's time to "start new."

    The fact is you can be part of something special if you get healthy and realize you are part of a "team." A team that really would have a dominant receiver tandem if you shut up, play ball and accept the salary that you are worth.

    If you decide to leave - good bye and good riddance.

  • December 31, 2007

    11:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    alacombe68 writes:

    Maybe you can follow Ashley Lelie and team up to be the new dynamic duo. Bye, bye.

  • December 31, 2007

    11:51 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ladida writes:

    AMEN! I was really glad when he left the Packers & said "good riddance" then too.

  • December 31, 2007

    12:07 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MM writes:

    They solved it, the scum are in jail on other charges. Read something besides the Sports Dude. As far as Walker's behavior, all I can say is, "Do you remember Portis?" Shananhan doesn't put up with crap like this and I say good. Don't let the door hit you on the way out Jevon, either get on the team and STFU or adios.

  • December 31, 2007

    12:10 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    Cry, whine, ride the gravy train, what has he ever did for any NFL team? He makes a better Mona Lisa than a football player. Look at those Packers today, can't say they missed him.

  • December 31, 2007

    12:29 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Seeworld writes:

    keep Walker!

  • December 31, 2007

    12:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    pj48b writes:

    Javon and the Packers... Great match, but obviously they were smart enough to get rid of him.

  • December 31, 2007

    1 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Kenfird writes:

    Good! Trade his @ss to Green Bay straight-up for Donald Driver. The Packers will win the Super Bowl. Brett Favre will retire and Javon will stick his pouty lip out while struggling to catch dying ducks from Aaron Rogers, all the while wishing he was catching torpedoes from Cutler. Orange and Blue, thru and thru!

  • December 31, 2007

    1:10 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Brain writes:

    I would like to see him stay here but if he is not a TEAM player then the Bronco's don't need him.

  • December 31, 2007

    1:17 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    S4F4M writes:

    Difference b/t Javon and Ashlie is that Lelie could not catch (except when the game did not matter any more).

    I'd hate for Javon to go. But a change of scenery might do him good. I think what happened a year ago is still with him. I'm sure it's tough to fit in when no one else understands what he has truly gone through and what he is currently going through.

    Godspeed, Javon. May those wounds heal.

  • December 31, 2007

    1:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    thewayiseeit writes:

    I can't believe that Javon Walker would say something like that. I had faith in him that he would come back and be a star player with the Broncos. It sucks that he got demoted to second receiver; But the reality is that if he is hurt and not playing up to full potential, he is going to have to let other people step up to the plate to cover for him while he is recovering. This is not a permenant thing since he already has proven he can be a star. But the reality is also that his injury is a liability. He has definitely lost respect from me as a fan. Go Rod Smith!

  • December 31, 2007

    1:52 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Keno33 writes:

    Maybe if he focused on the field and not all over town partying it up this wouldn't be a problem. For someone who cries over every little pain he sure demands a lot. Hey kid take a lesson on grace, class, and job performance, BE LIKE ROD!!!!
    You little baby.

  • December 31, 2007

    2:03 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    KC writes:

    Goodbye, good riddance. I'll take Stokely any day over him.

  • December 31, 2007

    2:03 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    dilligaf writes:

    This is the diff between the Broncos of today and our Broncos in the 90's. We had team guys that no one was saying I want to be #1. The Pats don't have that and neither does the Colts. And that is the reason they are winning championships. Bye Walker.

  • December 31, 2007

    2:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    Rod Smith is a stand up, no quit, take it to the finish, leader. He payed his due, earned respect through sacrifice to the team as well as the fans. He was an unselfish gladiator, and will truly be missed by anyone who ever saw him play. Rod you are a class act!

  • December 31, 2007

    2:18 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jsvaldez writes:

    I wouldn't be that sad to see him go. I thought he was more professional than to complain about being the No.2 receiver when he played hurt most of the year and when he did play he was invisible. I guess we should expect this out of him considering he threw Green Bay under the bus to get traded.

  • December 31, 2007

    3:10 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    dirkle writes:

    A self-serving press conference ambush.
    No class.
    Cut him, money or no money.

  • December 31, 2007

    3:22 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    EastVail writes:

    See yah!

  • December 31, 2007

    3:38 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    packers07 writes:

    Good luck bringing him back to GB. He was a crybaby when Favre called him out in '05 about his contract. I told a buddy who lives in Denver that he would sell out in a few years and look at him now. I think it's hilarious actually. Walker for Driver, c'mon kenfird, there's no way we do that trade, especially for the money left on his contract. He seems to be a little jealous of the success of Marshall. If you guys are smart, get rid of Walker, and sign Marshall to an extension...Walker's a cancer in Denver and wherever he is dealt too.

    Go Packers!!

  • December 31, 2007

    3:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Broncos4Life writes:

    I originally thought that Javon Walker would be a good fit here in Denver since we were in need of quality receivers. Now I see that he's just another guy who can't honor the contract that he voluntarily signed. He's not a team player, he's just a greedy, me first guy. If you really want to go somewhere else, rework your contract so we can dump you on someone else that you'll screw over in a year or two. Hey Javon, you've had two good years since you've come into the league and this was'nt one of them.

  • December 31, 2007

    3:43 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bronknut writes:

    Whatever Javon! Use the Broncos to get out of Green Bay at the first sign of adversity. Accept the Broncos' and the community's support during the trying times of 1 year ago.

    NFL BEWARE: This is a foot-stomping, formerly capable #1 receiver who will sell you on his potential and then under-deliver. Next in his pattern (the best one he runs by the way), he'll look for a way out at the first sign of adversity and/or competition at his position.

    Good luck spreading your cancer to another NFL team.

  • December 31, 2007

    3:44 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Broncos4Life writes:

    If only Rod Smith could find the fountain of youth! Now there's a guy with talent, work ethic, honor, and loyalty. We'll miss you Rod!

  • December 31, 2007

    5:29 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    aqqqq2 writes:

    Hey, maybe Javon is like Eddie Kennison - just can't play where condors fly. If he's not happy -- let him go.

    P.S. I hope the Broncos can find a coaching position for Rod. He's been doing it all year while his hip was healing and I think our recievers are better off because of it.

  • December 31, 2007

    5:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    packers07 writes:

    Thanks Javon...because we traded your sorry a@#, we got Greg Jennings and his 12 TD's while your sittin' on your butt watching the Pack headed to Arizona. Have a fun offseason, and again...thanks for the pick. Ted Thompson is a genious!!

    Go Pack!!

  • December 31, 2007

    6:11 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ozzy_osbourne_1979 writes:

    LOSER get rid of the punk, can't accept second fiddle!!! he was hurt could not play someone else took his job!!!

  • December 31, 2007

    6:39 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    guido writes:

    I am sorry Javon Walker hurt his knee. I am sure he worked very hard to get back to the league and hoped for a better result. But it isn't the Javon Walkers, it is the Denver Broncos. He needs to suck it up and either have a talk with Rod Smith about being a real man or move on. Either way, he will have millions of dollars which is more than any working person who would have sustained a similar injury. As far as a tough year after Darrent's homicide, use some of your money and get to a therapist. I am sure your pain is no greater than the kids he left behind.

  • December 31, 2007

    7:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    gwats writes:

    It amazes me how everyone picks over the carcass of the Broncos 2007 season and cries because there is no drumstick left.
    I've said it before and I'll say it again....when the fish starts to stink, it starts at the head! Javon is merely reading the braille on wall to the blinded Bronco faithful who can't see past their season ticket stubs.
    This whole organization is starting to smell like a 2 day old Carp left in the Sun in August.
    Bowlen's getting paid with his new taxpayer-funded Stadium and the locals be damned! He doesn't care what the Bronco Nation thinks or feels. He'd make a very good Republican Senator or perhaps, a President?
    Get ready for more of the same, Bronco nuts. Here is the new boss, same as the old boss.

  • January 1, 2008

    8:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    T1anda writes:

    Philly could use a few good wide recievers! Mc Nabb NEEDS a couple! Philly might call on Walker to be second string ( attitude, health issues) and they are tight as hell with contracts. He needs an organization like Philly then they can screw each other out of money!

    Denver needs to quit "cheaping" out and get some real talent on the team. Shanahan has been coaching non-stop for twenty some years now maybe it's time for a rest!! But then, who do we get for a coach?? Shottenhiemer? Denny Green? Bill Cowher? Brian Billick? who???????? And don't give me college coaches!! They are usually total busts in the NFL!!!