Let The Rumbling Begin; Walker's Future In Denver In Question

by John Bena on Dec 13, 2007 7:30 AM MST in Strictly My Opinion Comment 3 comments

What are the Broncos to do? While 2007 has been a season to forget for the most part so far, the Broncos have discovered a few things about their team. Among them, Brandon Marshall is ready to explode. In the absence of Javon Walker, Marshall has had an excellent season leading to questions on what the Broncos will do with their high-price wide-receiver. One option you can take off the list is a restructuring of Walker's contract. Walker has no interest in redoing his deal --

Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker, who has been inactive for eight of 13 games because of a knee injury, said Wednesday he is looking forward to returning to the team next year -- but he doesn't want to take a pay cut despite his struggles.

Walker, 29, is scheduled to make $7.6 million next season, with a $5.4 million option bonus coming due. If Walker's knee continues to be a concern, the Broncos could attempt to restructure his contract or could save $4.4 million in bonus money if they were to cut him before next season.

"My big deal didn't kick in until this year," Walker said. "I went into the season got injured, and couldn't play as many games and couldn't perform at the level I'm capable of, and then at the end of the year, you ask me to take a pay cut, right when it just kicked in?

"It's not like I was into the deal three, four years, and I'm getting ready to hit a base salary. I haven't been a full year into this deal (since) March.

"I'm looking at it as, I feel like I still have my best years to come."

Walker said he hopes to be a part of an explosive receiving corps, playing alongside Brandon Marshall and Brandon Stokley.

"You get an offense where you're spreading the ball between Stokley and Marshall and myself, it's potent," Walker said. "Nobody can stop us. Obviously, we know what we have to work towards when we get to '08, and that's just exciting. I'm just looking forward to just getting back to full speed, because I know what I can do when I'm 100 percent."

Walker would like reestablish his value at the end of this season, but says he still will not be 100 percent healthy until the offseason. He is questionable for tonight's game at Houston, but said he expects to play after practicing Tuesday and Wednesday.

"I might not be 100 percent, but I'm confident knowing that I can beat anybody," Walker said. "When the adrenaline is rushing and it's game day, I can still beat any corners out there."

Obviously I am not the only one thinking about this. Walker is too, and he knows what's coming. The next three weeks look to be huge when it comes to the future of Walker, not only as a member of the Broncos, but as a high-priced, well paid receiver in the League. Think about it. If Walker comes back, and plays well the last three weeks, the Broncos would be hard pressed to release or ask for a contract restructure. Should Walker not play, or be ineffective, the Broncos may decide to cut Walker, and it is hard to believe any other team would give him the big dollars the Broncos owe him.

It's clear Walker wants to play. He has practiced, for the most part, the past 2 weeks or so. Is Shanny holding Walker off the field on purpose, as part of some kind of financial posturing? Is Walker trying to rush back in order to re-establish his value? We'll see tonight, but there is no doubting one thing. A Broncos offense with a healthy Javon Walker is better than one without him.

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Walker's attitute is what sold me...

It's one thing to pay big money to an arrogant, over valued has been....it's quite another to pay big money to a player who wants to "spread the ball around" to two other guys besides himself.

Walker has class and it would serve the Broncos well to keep him around next season regardless of what happens the rest of this season.

I sure hope Shanny doesn't make the mistake of "financial posturing" just to try and save a few million bucks and lose a key CLASSY veteran like Javon Walker.

My fingers are crossed on this situation...we need a guy like Walker.

It's 1995 all over again: http://www.milehighreport.com/story/2007/10/1/202724/157

by Tim Lynch on Dec 13, 2007 8:36 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Agree with you Zap

A receiving corps with Walker, Marshall, and Stokely would be the ultimate receiving corp I could imagine. Three legit #1's playing on one team. Pair that with Cutler's development and it smells like a championship.

On the other hand we have to know that Walker will be healthy. He's no good to us on the sideline. I tend to believe that he will be fine next year. His GB injury isn't an issue (he played last year and demanded dbl teams), and folks are quick to forget him because Marshall has done so well. As great as Marshall is, you can't allow Walker to go out there unless you put two defenders on him.

We should see how he does next year. Even if he doesn't work out and we did have to cut him the penalty will be less. The risk to reward tells me that we lose little by keeping him around to see how he does, but gain a heck of a lot if he does well.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Dec 13, 2007 12:57 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Yea,

There we go...Follow my philosophy... LOL J/P

It would be the best interest to get rid of him though. He's 29 and to put in comparison, look at what other guys are doing at his age and what he has done. I think Walker has reached his peek and its time to move on.

"Hearts were broken in Chicago...Balls taken in Oakland. Yech!" -mdierk "Finally, nothing left to play for!!! Give em hell boys." -styg50 12/2/07

by broncodude793 on Dec 13, 2007 6:01 PM MST reply actions 0 recs