Javon Walker over Rod Smith? (1 Viewer)

[Musesboy]

Currently, only two of the staff rankings have Rod Smith higher than Javon Walker for redraft purposes. I wondered what the general opinion out there was?

Smith has been a very consistent performer for Denver and the clear number one for many years. Age is probably a concern for many of those that rank him below Walker, but he doesn't appear to be slowing down. He has eight top 25 finishes in the last nine years, including three appearances in the top five. The top five days are clearly behind him, but he can still play. 85/1105/6 at 13.0 YPR is not insignificant production.

Walker is coming off an ACL injury. He has changed teams. While some have made the transition and put up good numbers in their first year with a new team, the vast majority drop off considerably. Of those that do produce immediately, most are proven performers that are not in the twilight of their career. Walker has one excellent season to his name, but not much more, and is not what I would call an experienced veteran.

Has it been decided that Rod Smith is now the secondary target in Denver? As far as I know he will play the same position and has years of experience in the system. He is also healthy and has had time to develop some chemistry with Plummer.

I fully expect Walker to develop into the number one option over time, but aren't we jumping the gun a little bit to anoint him the number one in Denver?

 

[SuperJohn96]

Please see "Bruce, Isaac" & "Holt, Torry"

1a + 1b ... or ... 1b + 1a on any given sunday IMO...

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

anyone worried about walker still being inthe 2 year window of ACL recovery?

 

[Football Menace]

I could definately see Rod Smith finishing higher than Walker in fantasy points this year. With the addition of Walker, teams will have to start paying attention to the other side of the field a little more than they would if Lelie was over there. So Rod will be facing fewer double teams. Also remember when McCaffrey was there, both he and Rod were great WRs to have as your #1 or #2.

 

[Musesboy]

I hope that Walker is ranked well ahead of Smith on draft day. I think it's clear that Smith will be better value, and he has a good shot at being more productive too.

 

[Musesboy]

anyone worried about walker still being inthe 2 year window of ACL recovery?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This would worry me a lot. Add in the need to learn a new offense and play with a new QB and I would be even more worried.

 

[Blackjacks]

I like Rod Smith, always have and I think it will take more than Javon Walker coming in with a bum knee to lose his spot as the #1 wr on that team. I've heard this guy talk in the past and he has alot of pride and I think he'll see this as a challenge. R. Smith has been a great buy low guy for the last three years due to everyone thinking Lelie was going to take the #1 spot from him. While Walker is a much better athlete than Leslie I think it might take him another year or two. I'll go wityh Rod to get 85 receptions for about 1100 yards and 7 td's.

 

[Big Score]

A lot of the pros & cons regarding Walker vs Smith are discussed in this thread, Javon Walker a top 10 fantasy WR this year?, Is he top 10 in Denver?

 

[Musesboy]

A lot of the pros & cons regarding Walker vs Smith are discussed in this thread, Javon Walker a top 10 fantasy WR this year?, Is he top 10 in Denver?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks, BS

 

[Big Score]

A lot of the pros & cons regarding Walker vs Smith are discussed in this thread, Javon Walker a top 10 fantasy WR this year?, Is he top 10 in Denver?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks, BS
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You're welcome.

 

[SSOG]

I'm scared away by Walker's ACL injury... but on the other hand, the contract extension he signed with Denver will make him the 3rd highest paid WR in the league (behind only Harrison and Moss). You don't make a guy the 3rd-highest paid at his position if your plans are for him to be a #2.

I think Rod Smith still presents more value than Walker this year, because he can be had later and Walker is coming off the dreaded ACL... but after sticking with Rod for years, I think this is finally the year where another Denver WR puts up better numbers.

That's not to say that Rod Smith still won't be a top30 WR, though... as well as a fantastic value.

 

[CalBear]

I think that Rod Smith will start to look like 2002 Tim Brown this year. Brown was 36 in 2002, and the presence of Jerry Rice and emergence of Jerry Porter pushed Brown's productivity off the map. He still had 81 receptions, but he had the lowest TD totals and lowest yards per catch of his career up to that point, despite the team having the #1 passing offense in the league.

My guess is that Smith will start out the season about where he left off last year, but as Walker's strength improves and Smith slows down with dings through the year, you'll see Smith's numbers descend into emergency back-up status. I really like Rod Smith, I just don't think he has enough left to hold off two talented young competitors for the #1 WR role.

 

[SSOG]

I think that Rod Smith will start to look like 2002 Tim Brown this year.  Brown was 36 in 2002, and the presence of Jerry Rice and emergence of Jerry Porter pushed Brown's productivity off the map.  He still had 81 receptions, but he had the lowest TD totals and lowest yards per catch of his career up to that point, despite the team having the #1 passing offense in the league. 

My guess is that Smith will start out the season about where he left off last year, but as Walker's strength improves and Smith slows down with dings through the year, you'll see Smith's numbers descend into emergency back-up status.  I really like Rod Smith, I just don't think he has enough left to hold off two talented young competitors for the #1 WR role.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's not looking like he'll have to hold out two talented young competitiors... just one. Lelie is talking about holding out for the first 10 weeks... although what he expects to accomplish by that is beyond me. I mean, it's going to reduce the amount of money you make this season, it's going to reduce the amount of money you make on your next contract, and it's not like it will get you off the team any quicker. Sounds like cutting off your nose to spite your face, to me.

 

[Hendo]

with the trade for him and the $ they just dished out to keep him i find it very unlikely he wont get his fair share of balls this year

 

[WhoDat]

anyone worried about walker still being inthe 2 year window of ACL recovery?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just some food for thought...There was a WR a few years back that had a quick rise to the top and fell equally fast. He won many people fantasy league trophies that particular season, as he could have been had relatively late in drafts, and produced #1 WR numbers. He was injured after that sesaon; signed a monster deal; injured again and has never made it back. (I know he tore an ACL but that was after another series of smaller knee injuries) Sort of sounds like Walker just a little bit, yes?

Anyone remember D. Boston?

I would never wish that fate on any player but before Walker is bronzed and placed in Denver's HOF I would tend to agree with Bloom. There is a decent amount of wait and see with Walker, given the injury.

 

[noneother]

okay, lets say walker falters this seaon... who steps up? terrell? lelie ( i think he has to leave) Marshall? or Watts??

 

[SSOG]

anyone worried about walker still being inthe 2 year window of ACL recovery?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just some food for thought...There was a WR a few years back that had a quick rise to the top and fell equally fast. He won many people fantasy league trophies that particular season, as he could have been had relatively late in drafts, and produced #1 WR numbers. He was injured after that sesaon; signed a monster deal; injured again and has never made it back. (I know he tore an ACL but that was after another series of smaller knee injuries) Sort of sounds like Walker just a little bit, yes?

Anyone remember D. Boston?

I would never wish that fate on any player but before Walker is bronzed and placed in Denver's HOF I would tend to agree with Bloom. There is a decent amount of wait and see with Walker, given the injury.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There's a big difference between Javon Walker and David Boston, though. In the first place, David Boston was a headcase with a lot more off-the-field issues. In the second place, David Boston ruined his body. He refused to listen to his strength and conditioning coaches, he over-strengthened his body until his muscles were too tight and not able to recover as well. Basically, Boston conditioned himself right out of the league.I'm not concerned with any David Boston comparisons. Apples and oranges, since Walker is by all accounts only too willing to work hard and follow what the strength and conditioning coaches and training staff tell him to do.

This isn't to say that I'm not concerned about him returning from injury (or even the fact that he's really only had one good season).

okay, lets say walker falters this seaon... who steps up?  terrell?  lelie ( i think he has to leave) Marshall? or Watts??

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Jeff Legwold, a writer for the Rocky Mountain News (who, for my money, is the single best source of honest and accurate Broncos information), says that Denver is very high on Terrell, and that they wouldn't have carried him on their roster (as a game day inactive) all of last season if they didn't plan on making him a part of the offense. That's where my money is at, since Watts, Adams, and Devoe have all demonstrated that they're not really anything more than emergency fill-ins.I agree, too, that Lelie is as good as gone. The only remaining question is whether he plays 16 games this year, or holds out and only plays 6.

 

[Pat Patriot]

anyone worried about walker still being inthe 2 year window of ACL recovery?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just some food for thought...There was a WR a few years back that had a quick rise to the top and fell equally fast. He won many people fantasy league trophies that particular season, as he could have been had relatively late in drafts, and produced #1 WR numbers. He was injured after that sesaon; signed a monster deal; injured again and has never made it back. (I know he tore an ACL but that was after another series of smaller knee injuries) Sort of sounds like Walker just a little bit, yes?

Anyone remember D. Boston?

I would never wish that fate on any player but before Walker is bronzed and placed in Denver's HOF I would tend to agree with Bloom. There is a decent amount of wait and see with Walker, given the injury.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There's a big difference between Javon Walker and David Boston, though. In the first place, David Boston was a headcase with a lot more off-the-field issues. In the second place, David Boston ruined his body. He refused to listen to his strength and conditioning coaches, he over-strengthened his body until his muscles were too tight and not able to recover as well. Basically, Boston conditioned himself right out of the league.I'm not concerned with any David Boston comparisons. Apples and oranges, since Walker is by all accounts only too willing to work hard and follow what the strength and conditioning coaches and training staff tell him to do.

This isn't to say that I'm not concerned about him returning from injury (or even the fact that he's really only had one good season).

okay, lets say walker falters this seaon... who steps up?  terrell?  lelie ( i think he has to leave) Marshall? or Watts??

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Jeff Legwold, a writer for the Rocky Mountain News (who, for my money, is the single best source of honest and accurate Broncos information), says that Denver is very high on Terrell, and that they wouldn't have carried him on their roster (as a game day inactive) all of last season if they didn't plan on making him a part of the offense. That's where my money is at, since Watts, Adams, and Devoe have all demonstrated that they're not really anything more than emergency fill-ins.I agree, too, that Lelie is as good as gone. The only remaining question is whether he plays 16 games this year, or holds out and only plays 6.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I cant see David Terrell having much impact. He was on a Patriots team that was fairly thin at WR and he couldnt crack the game day lineup. After being reunited with his college QB in Tom Brady, hopes were high for him. He came up empty.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I cant see David Terrell having much impact.  He was on a Patriots team that was fairly thin at WR and he couldnt crack the game day lineup.  After being reunited with his college QB in Tom Brady, hopes were high for him.  He came up empty.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's what worries me as well. He failed in Chicago -- OK, that's understandable. Take a mulligan. But the Patriots typically know how to get the most out of their players, yet they couldn't get anything out of Terrell.

 

[SSOG]

I cant see David Terrell having much impact.  He was on a Patriots team that was fairly thin at WR and he couldnt crack the game day lineup.  After being reunited with his college QB in Tom Brady, hopes were high for him.  He came up empty.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's what worries me as well. He failed in Chicago -- OK, that's understandable. Take a mulligan. But the Patriots typically know how to get the most out of their players, yet they couldn't get anything out of Terrell.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, obviously Shanahan saw enough in Terrell to keep him inactive on the 53 man roster for 16 games last season (he wasn't on the roster in week 1 so his salary for the season wouldn't be guaranteed). While I'm convinced that if there were any pressing injury needs (Denver stayed relatively healthy), Terrell would have been one of the first players cut... the fact that he stayed on the roster for that entire time speaks volumes about the staff's opinion of him. He has no practice squad eligibility left- the only reason to keep him around on your roster is because you expect him to produce, and not just in a special-teams role, or else you would have him active and playing special teams.Denver had all season worth of practices to form an opinion on Terrell, and obviously the opinion formed was a positive one, since he's still on the roster (but not so positive of one to prevent the Broncos from grabbing Walker). While I understand that Bellichick has this reputation for making good free agency choices (Duane Starks notwithstanding), I would also submit that Mike Shanahan has proven he's no slouch when it comes to talent evaluation, either. I don't expect a whole lot from Terrell, and wouldn't expect him to ever have more than 50 catches again in his career. In fact, I wouldn't even be surprised if he failed to make the roster this year (I expect him to, but I won't be surprised if he doesn't). That said, it's clear to me that Denver thinks he can be an adequate #3 and is grooming him for the job.

He was on New England's roster for 2 weeks or something, and Denver's roster since September. If Denver says they think they can get something out of him, I'm willing to wait and let them try before passing judgement. And if he busts out... again, he's #3 at best- and in Denver, a team notorious for rarely going past its first 2 WRs. That's not even newsworthy.

Besides, Terrell has proven he can be FANTASTIC in a limited role. In 2002, he had the best catch% in the entire NFL by a HUGE margin. He caught 9 of the 10 passes thrown his way that season for 3 TDs!

 

[Bri]

Walker is not the brightest bulb and Shanny has a complex offense. Rod knows it backward and forward and is mr. dependable. I think Walker needs some time to get his feet wet and could become "the man" later in the season but it'll still be Rod's team in september.

Touchdowns though, Walker probably seems like a dream come true for Jake. I don't believe Lelie has ever caught a red zone TD pass.

I like the Bruce/Holt comparison above but just lower the totals some

 

[jurb26]

Walker is not the brightest bulb and Shanny has a complex offense. Rod knows it backward and forward and is mr. dependable. I think Walker needs some time to get his feet wet and could become "the man" later in the season but it'll still be Rod's team in september.

Touchdowns though, Walker probably seems like a dream come true for Jake. I don't believe Lelie has ever caught a red zone TD pass.

I like the Bruce/Holt comparison above but just lower the totals some

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you Bri, I was just about to post this same thing. Doesn't Walker have some sort of learning disability? Isn't that the reason that it took him a while to emerge in GB? So we have a guy coming off of ACL surgury, moving to a new O with a highly complex system, the guy had problems digesting the gameplane in GB and has a learning disability and he just signed a huge contract. Seems like a lot of red flags and I think Walker has very little chance of ending up on any of my teams. Far too many people are still bullish on him.

 

[4th&26]

Plummer has too much love for Smith for Walker to break out. Plus the system Denver 'runs' (pun intended), Walker's stats will be reduced from his 2004 stats.

 

[P Boy]

First off, the 2 year window for an ACL is a myth. Advances in sports medicine have had RBs up & functional in less than a year, much less WRs. 15 years ago an ACL injury was a career ender, 5 years ago it was a two year injury, now it's a 10 month to 1 year injury.

In any case, I would expect to see Walker start slow as DEN excersizes considerable caution until everyone is complely assured that Walker is 100% and that Walker trusts his knee again. Smith should take off as #1, but around midseason I expect to see a shifting of emphasis to #2, as he moves into a slot commesurate with his slowly eroding skills. No offense meant to Smith, but he just doesn't get the separation that he used to, but he's still got a ton of heart which goes a long way at WR. Walker will take some time to pick up the offense, but by around midseason he ought to be sliding comfortably into the #1 spot.

Some other thoughts about what has been posted here:

I wouldn't expect the same numbers in DEN as we would have expected for Walker in GB. Favre has shown time & again that he can make WRs look a lot better than they actually are. That said, Walker seems to be a top WR in the league & should do very well.

In regard to David Terrell, Shanahan is absolutely singing praises of this guy. He apparently has bought into the Bronco off season conditioning program lock, stock, & barrel and is working with Rod Smith daily. Very few people have discredited Terrell's physical ability - his problem has been his ego & his head. If Smith's work ethic rubs off on Terrell - which in Terrell's third stop it just may, and by Shanahan's comments that is exactly what is happening, Terrell could end up being a decent WR - maybe even a big surprise. There's room at the #3 WR spot with Lelie creating an early exit for himself out of DEN, and Shanahan really has never had a legit #3 WR in DEN, so if he gets one I would expect to see the O morph to take advantage of it.

Shanahan already has taken 1 WR that 2 other teams gave up on - McCaffrey - and turned him into a solid #1B WR. And Terrell's story is eerily similar to McCaffrey. Biding his time with his initial team while not seeming to gain much as a couple of years passed, going to a very good, deep team that seemed to get a lot out of all of its players in SF but couldn't get much out of McCaffrey, and then taken off the scrap heap one year afterwards by Shanahan. Who knows, but having read what I have, Terrell has become a completely different player. If you have deep rosters in a dynasty league, he might be worth burning a spot on.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

First off, the 2 year window for an ACL is a myth.  Advances in sports medicine have had RBs up & functional in less than a year, much less WRs.  15 years ago an ACL injury was a career ender, 5 years ago it was a two year injury, now it's a 10 month to 1 year injury.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Pony Boy, are you sure about this? I know that players can get back on the field faster now, but Im sure Ive read stuff that says the nerves take two years. Im far from any sort of medical expert (Dr. Jene?), but here's a excerpt from a sports injury journal:

Athletes with ACL-deficient knees often undergo ACL reconstructions in hopes of returning their damaged knees to relatively normal function. How does the reconstruction process affect proprioception, and are braces of any value post-surgery?

One piece of research found that individuals who underwent ACL reconstruction with either a patellar-tendon autograft (in which a segment of their own patellar tendon was utilised to replace the ACL) or else an allograft (in which connective tissue from a cadaver was used to span the knee-joint space) had impaired thresholds to detection of motion during the two years after surgery ('Proprioception Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction,' Journal of Sports Rehabilitation, Vol. 1, pp. 188-196, 1992). In these subjects, wearing a neoprene sleeve over the knee produced a significant improvement in the threshold to detection of motion. If more than two years have passed following reconstruction, however, it is unlikely that use of a sleeve or knee bandage will improve proprioception; in fact, the reconstructed knee should be very close to having normal proprioception after that amount of time has gone by ('Proprioception after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with and without Bracing,' Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc, Vol. 7, pp. 303-309, 1999).

link

Two years following ACL reconstruction there is no deficit in the threshold to detection of passive knee motion and the use of a brace has no effect on this outcome.

linkIm curious to see what youve read/heard that indicates the two year window is a myth.

 

[Bri]

Bloom, the topic ya wanna google is "proprioception". Adam Caplan told me about it years ago and I was very thankful he did. Very very useful topic to read about.

In regards to Ponyboy's post, I think a player can play earlier but might not be 100%. (Rice and Faulk have come back so quick it's mind boggling and IMO wise to ignore those two as being special and not the norm) Walker was injured a long time ago and they can do the surgery once the swelling subsides a little bit so he's a long way away from surgery now.

 

[P Boy]

Im curious to see what youve read/heard that indicates the two year window is a myth.

You're quoting material from 1992 & 1999. Here is some more recent material from 2003 & 2005/2006, and the second article show exactly how far the surgery has come - now it's outpatient arthroscopic surgery that allows for rehab to start in about 4 weeks & return to full athletic competition in 9 to 10 months.LINK

The ACL takes the longest to heal. Doctors say it can take anywhere from 10 to 18 months based on the recovery periods of those who have suffered both ACL and MCL tears. "You're taking tendon from one part of the body and inserting it in another," Uribe said after the surgery. "That ligament has to develop a blood supply. It has to incorporate itself into the body. And that takes quite a while."

Indianapolis running back Edgerrin James took only 10 months to return from an ACL tear suffered in 2001. He was good last season -- gaining 989 yards -- but was not quite back to his old form. Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis missed a little more than a year with his ACL reconstruction.

LINK

Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction is now an outpatient procedure that involves harvesting a portion of the patellar tendon or a hamstring tendon and transplanting it into the knee to create a new ACL. Recently, tendons harvested from tissue donors have been used as ACL substitutes, thus avoiding the injury caused from harvesting the patient’s own tendon. The new ligament restores stability and function to the knee.

After surgery, patients use crutches for about two weeks then embark on a graduated rehabilitation program. Patients are usually back to most activities in about six to 12 weeks but must avid high-level pivoting sports for about six to nine months.

 

[Musesboy]

This is somewhat off topic as my original question was asking about 2006 expectations, but I do have a concern about future years...

Walker demonstrated that he was prepared to sit out rather than ever play for the Packers again.

If things don't fall his way, how will he react? If Rod Smith is still the main target in two years or if Walker misses his contract incentives, would he threaten to pull something else with his new team?

TO doing it is one thing, but Walker only has one big year behind him and is already making noises about how he expects to be paid.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Pony, I granted that players are getting back on the field faster. What I swear Ive read in the past few years is that the reactivity of the nerves in the knee does completely not return for two years and there's no way to speed that up, its a natural process of the body...

 

[P Boy]

Pony, I granted that players are getting back on the field faster. What I swear Ive read in the past few years is that the reactivity of the nerves in the knee does completely not return for two years and there's no way to speed that up, its a natural process of the body...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm sure you are right if nerve damage is involved, but it also stands to reason that the sooner a person is rehabbing, the sooner the nerves heal. And the time to the operation & rehab have been reduced dramatically.

 

[Big Score]

Walker demonstrated that he was prepared to sit out rather than ever play for the Packers again.

If things don't fall his way, how will he react? If Rod Smith is still the main target in two years or if Walker misses his contract incentives, would he threaten to pull something else with his new team?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That was about the & percieved slights by both the Packers organization & Favre.I don't think Walker will buck the Broncos if he's legitimately outplayed by Rod Smith. Regardless, I don't see Rod Smith outplaying Walker in 2007.

The ACL may have some effect this year. Not because Walker is physically hindered, but more that he is mentally hindered...not being 100% confident in his knee initially.

 

[chedha]

Pony, I granted that players are getting back on the field faster. What I swear Ive read in the past few years is that the reactivity of the nerves in the knee does completely not return for two years and there's no way to speed that up, its a natural process of the body...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's actually true, and I'm only speaking from experience. I had an ACL tear 12yrs ago, and the nerves grow back VERY slowly. I still have some numbness on the side of my knee. But the reactivity of the nerves, really doesn't have anything to do with being able to use your knee at it's full capacity. Structurally, in terms of the ligaments healing, the knee can make a recovery within that 10-12 month period, it's just that you'll experience some numbness in the knee due to the nerves taking much longer to grow back.

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

My college soccer teamate and friend tore his acl and he took 1 year off for recovery purposes. He went into the physio daily as part of his rehabilitation. He returend to action after missing not quite a full 12 months of action.

He took only a couple of weeks to return to his form and he actually ended up scoring just as well in his speed and agility tests post injury. The surgery and rehabilitation process they have now are amazing.

If Walker falters this year it won't be because of the actual knee itself, it will be due to not picking up the offense or perhaps lack of confidence in the knee, not the acutal knee structure itself.

IMO I think Walker is heading for 1000 yards and close to double digit td's this season.

 

[SSOG]

Walker is not the brightest bulb and Shanny has a complex offense. Rod knows it backward and forward and is mr. dependable. I think Walker needs some time to get his feet wet and could become "the man" later in the season but it'll still be Rod's team in september.

Touchdowns though, Walker probably seems like a dream come true for Jake. I don't believe Lelie has ever caught a red zone TD pass.

I like the Bruce/Holt comparison above but just lower the totals some

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, Lelie did have a red zone touchdown. Maybe a second one, too, but only one that I know of for sure.

Shanahan already has taken 1 WR that 2 other teams gave up on - McCaffrey - and turned him into a solid #1B WR.  And Terrell's story is eerily similar to McCaffrey.  Biding his time with his initial team while not seeming to gain much as a couple of years passed, going to a very good, deep team that seemed to get a lot out of all of its players in SF but couldn't get much out of McCaffrey, and then taken off the scrap heap one year afterwards by Shanahan.  Who knows, but having read what I have, Terrell has become a completely different player.  If you have deep rosters in a dynasty league, he might be worth burning a spot on.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Minor nit: McCaffrey wasn't the 1B... he was the 1A. Smith put up better numbers, but admits himself that McCaffrey was the guy the offense was designed around.

"To be honest, statistically, I led this football team in yards, catches and touchdowns probably every time except once or twice the past nine years, and when I was playing with Ed McCaffrey, I was always considered the No. 2 receiver, even though my numbers were better than his.

"But you know what? You never heard me say anything about it because that's not important to me. What's important to me is winning football games."

link

This is somewhat off topic as my original question was asking about 2006 expectations, but I do have a concern about future years...

Walker demonstrated that he was prepared to sit out rather than ever play for the Packers again.

If things don't fall his way, how will he react? If Rod Smith is still the main target in two years or if Walker misses his contract incentives, would he threaten to pull something else with his new team?

TO doing it is one thing, but Walker only has one big year behind him and is already making noises about how he expects to be paid.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Things have fallen his way already. Walker was upset that Green Bay wouldn't even talk about a new contract. Denver did more than talk about a new contract- they ponied up and gave him one. Included in the deal was a $1 million doller "good faith" bonus this season (which Denver didn't have to do), and enough money to make Walker the #3 highest paid WR in the NFL (behind only Harrison and Moss). Trust me, he won't be complaining about Denver anymore than Clinton Portis is complaining about Washington.

 

[Bri]

Walker is not the brightest bulb and Shanny has a complex offense. Rod knows it backward and forward and is mr. dependable. I think Walker needs some time to get his feet wet and could become "the man" later in the season but it'll still be Rod's team in september.

Touchdowns though, Walker probably seems like a dream come true for Jake. I don't believe Lelie has ever caught a red zone TD pass.

I like the Bruce/Holt comparison above but just lower the totals some

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, Lelie did have a red zone touchdown. Maybe a second one, too, but only one that I know of for sure.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

not according to ESPNregardless, it's a puny stat that IMO is inexcusable for a starting WR

 

[Floyd The Barber]

Walker is not the brightest bulb and Shanny has a complex offense. Rod knows it backward and forward and is mr. dependable.

Complex offense? Please... Denver and Green Bay have been running the SAME West Coast offense for years. Shanahan and Holmgren were on the same Bill Walsh 49ers coaching staff and acknowledge that they run his offense. And Green Bay retained Holmgren's offense through their coaching changes to keep Brett happy. So there is no "learning curve" for Javon Walker in Denver. His success or failure will depend solely on health and chemistry between he and Jake Plummer. And there's plenty of room for both Walker and Smith. Plummer hasn't had a true go-to guy since Shannon Sharpe retired. If JW can prove himself in the red zone, he could easily be Top 10.

 

[Bri]

Walker is not the brightest bulb and Shanny has a complex offense. Rod knows it backward and forward and is mr. dependable.

Complex offense? Please... Denver and Green Bay have been running the SAME West Coast offense for years.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I highly doubt they each run the exact same O when you break down the plays with blocks and routes etc. Each WCO sure but exactly the same.....

 

[SSOG]

And there's plenty of room for both Walker and Smith. Plummer hasn't had a true go-to guy since Shannon Sharpe retired. If JW can prove himself in the red zone, he could easily be Top 10.

Mr. Dependable would probably disagree with that assessment. That said, I think a healthy Javon Walker will definitely eat some TDs from not only Rod Smith... but the forgotten red-zone threat in Denver, Kyle Johnson (he of the 5 TDs in 17 receptions last season).