Bills Trade Darwin Walker
by Chris Brown, Lead Journalist
Last Updated: 7/29/2007 3:00 PM ET
Choosing to turn a stalemate situation into a positive, the Bills traded disgruntled defensive tackle Darwin Walker to the Chicago Bears in exchange for an undisclosed 2008 draft choice Sunday.
"Some things happened fast and we have moved Darwin Walker to the Bears in exchange for a draft choice that we agreed with the Bears that we would not disclose," said Bills GM Marv Levy Sunday afternoon.
Walker came to the Bills in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles along with a seventh-round draft choice in exchange for quarterback Kelly Holcomb and linebacker Takeo Spikes on March 25.
Since the time of the trade Walker had demanded a renegotiation of his contract that still had two years remaining, feeling that it no longer reflected his proper market value. Buffalo tried to reach an accord through several means, and the lines of communication remained open between the two sides throughout this past week.
However, with the prospect of Walker's rights reverting back to the Eagles on Aug. 5, and little progress being made with the Walker camp, Buffalo proactively struck a deal with defensive tackle-starved Chicago.
"Jim Overdorf worked on the negotiations very hard and very earnestly and there was a lot of back and forth and a good exchange, but when he didn't show up at the beginning of camp and when it looked like it would drag on and the opportunity presented itself for us to make this deal with the Bears," said Levy. "It seemed like the best thing to do so we did it."
After losing veteran Ian Scott in free agency and cutting ties with the troubled Tank Johnson, the Bears were in the market for another interior defender.
Bills wide receiver Peerless Price, who played with Walker in college was disappointed he couldn't reunite with his former teammate.
"It is tough from that aspect because we were together at Tennessee for three years so it is tough," said Price to Buffalobills.com. "We had a lot of success together and it is always good to play with good people and good football players. It is also tough for us as a team, because I know what kind of player he is."
Levy maintained that John McCargo's successful return thus far in training camp from foot surgery did not impact their decision to trade Walker or their stance in negotiations.
"It would be easy to say that," said Levy. "But honestly no McCargo's situation didn't. We would've continued to try to work something out. We felt it was a position that needs depth and a rotation of people through there (at defensive tackle). We're very encouraged however, by the level of progress John McCargo has made."
Looking back on the initial acquisition of Walker, Buffalo's general manager isn't dismayed that the player never reported to the team.
"I can't say disappointing," said Levy. "We could see where it was heading. We were focusing on other matters. Would we have preferred that we sign him? Yes, but once it dragged on for so long we felt it was time to move on."
