Raiders' Walker turns it on at end of camp
By Jason Jones - jejones@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, August 14, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C3
NAPA – His coach might not like it, but maybe Javon Walker just doesn't practice well.
Raiders coach Lane Kiffin tried criticizing the wide receiver through the media, calling out Walker for being overweight and for not practicing enough.
It didn't bother Walker.
"Obviously, coach Lane, he's a new coach (for me) this year, and he really doesn't know me," Walker said. "Basically, all I know is what (I've) done against him in games. … Being critical? I've been through way too much of that. I know me, and I know my body, so the only thing I could say is if (the criticism) was something (Kiffin) would really harp on, put on the (video) tapes and watch what I've done."
Kiffin, though, doesn't really care what Walker did before signing with Oakland, and it's not exactly how he wants his presumed No. 1 receiver to think.
Kiffin's message might not have inspired Walker to do more during training camp. But Walker finished camp strong.
Walker is now visibly enjoying himself – just as training camp is ending – no longer appearing to be uninspired. The Raiders broke camp Wednesday.
Walker's turnaround was first noticeable when the Raiders practiced with the 49ers in Napa on Aug. 4. And since last Friday's exhibition opener against San Francisco, Walker has continued to look better.
Not bad considering this turnaround came days after he told the team he wanted to retire after struggling at the start of camp.
"It's just in my competitive nature to where once you start playing games, even out here, I start getting really, really amped," Walker said. "I've got to learn to really start toning myself down because it still is preseason. … You see your defense (every day), so it's good to go against someone different and let your frustration out on them because you're not going to let it out on your own team."
Walker's new outlook has not gone unnoticed by Kiffin.
"I've been very critical of Javon throughout this camp and throughout the offseason, and he's had a string right here of the best practices he's had," Kiffin said. "He looks to be in the right frame of mind lately, and so if we can continue to work on that and push that, it's going in a positive direction."
Walker said any issues he was dealing with last month are behind him. He's excited about playing at 206 pounds after being around 220 pounds most of his career.
"I'm doing something that I truly love and am excited about taking it into the season," Walker said. "It doesn't get any better than that."
Unless Kiffin brings back two-a-days to shake things up, Wednesday's practices were the last time Walker will have to worry about the coach lamenting Walker's non-participation in both sessions.
Walker said he relied on the medical staff to tell him when it would be OK to practice twice in a day.
And he isn't worried about how much he practices.
"Getting ready for the regular season is all about getting your body right, especially a body like mine and what it's going through," Walker said. "Two-a-days, yeah, you can get out here and work, but you've got to know when to tone it down. You just don't want to do so much out here to where you go into the game and everything is bothering you.
They gave him Randy Moss money!
NOBODY (with a job) has zero value.That said, I've been avoiding Walker all summer, and I'm pretty glad of it now. I think Curry is the value play in Oakland. He's a solid veteran who is really only just now coming into his own as a WR.
