PatsWin2002
05-05-2006, 11:26 AM
http://profootballweekly.com/PFW/Commentary/Spins/2006/spins050506.htm
May 5, 2006
Packers came out OK in Walker deal
PFW asks associate editor Jeff Reynolds for his take on the NFL’s hottest topics.
GM was certain Walker wouldn’t play for Packers
Considering the Packers knew WR Javon Walker had severed all ties to the team and the city of Green Bay, general manager Ted Thompson did quite well in manipulating a high second-round pick (37th overall) out of the Broncos. Green Bay held the 36th overall selection but traded the choice and then, moments later, dealt the 37th pick it had just received from the Broncos for Walker. In all, the Packers completed two trades and received five picks by dealing the disgruntled receiver. The Packers used those picks to select OT Daryn Colledge, CB Will Blackmon, QB Ingle Martin, DT Johnny Jolly and S Tyrone Culver.
PFW: If teams knew of Walker's wont to leave town, why did Denver buy high on the receiver?
Reynolds: He was too talented to pass up, especially for a team ready to win right now. The Packers received a selection far higher than rival Minnesota did from the Dolphins in exchange for Daunte Culpepper (51st overall). Both players are recovering from season-ending injuries and might not be at full strength by the start of the season. Walker should be much closer, and the Broncos consider him their No. 1 receiver — or co-No. 1 with Rod Smith — instantly. He’s extremely talented and worked very hard on and off the field with the Packers. He was rubbed the wrong way by the team for not separating itself from Brett Favre’s public criticism of him last offseason, when Walker and his representation tried to force the Packers’ hand in contract negotiations. While the Packers can argue they received something for nothing in dealing a player who had close to zero willingness to contribute to their franchise this season, don’t discount that the Broncos landed a very fine player and one of the top 10 or 12 receivers in football when he’s healthy. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the third quarter of the season opener last season, so Walker will be nearly one full year removed from the injury, and he did check out medically with multiple teams.
May 5, 2006
Packers came out OK in Walker deal
PFW asks associate editor Jeff Reynolds for his take on the NFL’s hottest topics.
GM was certain Walker wouldn’t play for Packers
Considering the Packers knew WR Javon Walker had severed all ties to the team and the city of Green Bay, general manager Ted Thompson did quite well in manipulating a high second-round pick (37th overall) out of the Broncos. Green Bay held the 36th overall selection but traded the choice and then, moments later, dealt the 37th pick it had just received from the Broncos for Walker. In all, the Packers completed two trades and received five picks by dealing the disgruntled receiver. The Packers used those picks to select OT Daryn Colledge, CB Will Blackmon, QB Ingle Martin, DT Johnny Jolly and S Tyrone Culver.
PFW: If teams knew of Walker's wont to leave town, why did Denver buy high on the receiver?
Reynolds: He was too talented to pass up, especially for a team ready to win right now. The Packers received a selection far higher than rival Minnesota did from the Dolphins in exchange for Daunte Culpepper (51st overall). Both players are recovering from season-ending injuries and might not be at full strength by the start of the season. Walker should be much closer, and the Broncos consider him their No. 1 receiver — or co-No. 1 with Rod Smith — instantly. He’s extremely talented and worked very hard on and off the field with the Packers. He was rubbed the wrong way by the team for not separating itself from Brett Favre’s public criticism of him last offseason, when Walker and his representation tried to force the Packers’ hand in contract negotiations. While the Packers can argue they received something for nothing in dealing a player who had close to zero willingness to contribute to their franchise this season, don’t discount that the Broncos landed a very fine player and one of the top 10 or 12 receivers in football when he’s healthy. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the third quarter of the season opener last season, so Walker will be nearly one full year removed from the injury, and he did check out medically with multiple teams.