MechanicalBull
08-28-2006, 09:27 AM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2563602
Walker back to catching passes after knee injuryAssociated Press
DENVER -- The time away from football actually went by fast for Denver Broncos receiver Javon Walker.
Walker
Taking a year off from all the hits rejuvenated him, even if he had to endure rehabbing a torn ligament in his right knee.
Still, Walker was eager to make that initial reception for Denver. So eager, in fact, that he got a little excited when it finally happened.
When Walker hauled in a 16-yard catch during the Broncos' 17-14 win over Houston on Sunday, he sat on the turf for a moment -- to make sure his knee felt all right -- and then bounded up, spun the ball and flashed a giant smile.
"I was just letting everyone know I was out there," Walker said.
Walker was hard to miss. He had three catches for 41 yards, all on tough grabs over the middle.
More importantly, the contact he absorbed catching passes in traffic reaffirmed that his right knee is just fine. Walker tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in Green Bay's season opener last September.
Almost a year later, he's as good as new.
"I'm excited to be around and making plays," said Walker, who was acquired by Denver in a draft-day trade.
Denver held him out of the first preseason game against Detroit as a precaution and Walker didn't have any receptions against Tennessee last week.
But he made up for lost preseason time Sunday.
"The fact [we got] him going and got him a couple a grabs in there, I like that because I love our guys to get going as a unit," fellow receiver Rod Smith said.
On Walker's first catch over the middle, he was smashed by Dunta Robinson and Glenn Earl, but he held on.
"Once I get a catch, I feel like everything coming my way is going to get caught," Walker said.
That was pretty much true. He had an 11-yard reception over the middle in the first quarter in which he took Robinson for a 7-yard ride on his back. He also had a 14-yard catch.
The only thing missing was a touchdown. Quarterback Jake Plummer certainly tried to get the ball to him near the end zone.
With the ball at the 5-yard-line, Walker ran a goal-line route, but Plummer underthrew him.
"It's a good call, but it's a matter of me and Javon getting on the same page," Plummer said. "It's a play as a quarterback & it can be a little scary. The [defensive back] can sit and can take it the other way real easily and I rushed the throw a little bit. Javon went inside a little too much.
"It's something we can work out and further down the road make that connect and score that touchdown."
While Plummer already has a rapport with Walker, Sunday's performance cemented the bond that's developing. He knows he can trust Walker, who can team with Smith to give the Broncos a 1-2 punch the passing game has lacked in recent years.
"He made a couple acrobatic catches and finally getting him the ball felt nice," Plummer said. "I know Rod's going to be there and now you know Javon's going to be doing some stuff."
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press
Walker back to catching passes after knee injuryAssociated Press
DENVER -- The time away from football actually went by fast for Denver Broncos receiver Javon Walker.
Walker
Taking a year off from all the hits rejuvenated him, even if he had to endure rehabbing a torn ligament in his right knee.
Still, Walker was eager to make that initial reception for Denver. So eager, in fact, that he got a little excited when it finally happened.
When Walker hauled in a 16-yard catch during the Broncos' 17-14 win over Houston on Sunday, he sat on the turf for a moment -- to make sure his knee felt all right -- and then bounded up, spun the ball and flashed a giant smile.
"I was just letting everyone know I was out there," Walker said.
Walker was hard to miss. He had three catches for 41 yards, all on tough grabs over the middle.
More importantly, the contact he absorbed catching passes in traffic reaffirmed that his right knee is just fine. Walker tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in Green Bay's season opener last September.
Almost a year later, he's as good as new.
"I'm excited to be around and making plays," said Walker, who was acquired by Denver in a draft-day trade.
Denver held him out of the first preseason game against Detroit as a precaution and Walker didn't have any receptions against Tennessee last week.
But he made up for lost preseason time Sunday.
"The fact [we got] him going and got him a couple a grabs in there, I like that because I love our guys to get going as a unit," fellow receiver Rod Smith said.
On Walker's first catch over the middle, he was smashed by Dunta Robinson and Glenn Earl, but he held on.
"Once I get a catch, I feel like everything coming my way is going to get caught," Walker said.
That was pretty much true. He had an 11-yard reception over the middle in the first quarter in which he took Robinson for a 7-yard ride on his back. He also had a 14-yard catch.
The only thing missing was a touchdown. Quarterback Jake Plummer certainly tried to get the ball to him near the end zone.
With the ball at the 5-yard-line, Walker ran a goal-line route, but Plummer underthrew him.
"It's a good call, but it's a matter of me and Javon getting on the same page," Plummer said. "It's a play as a quarterback & it can be a little scary. The [defensive back] can sit and can take it the other way real easily and I rushed the throw a little bit. Javon went inside a little too much.
"It's something we can work out and further down the road make that connect and score that touchdown."
While Plummer already has a rapport with Walker, Sunday's performance cemented the bond that's developing. He knows he can trust Walker, who can team with Smith to give the Broncos a 1-2 punch the passing game has lacked in recent years.
"He made a couple acrobatic catches and finally getting him the ball felt nice," Plummer said. "I know Rod's going to be there and now you know Javon's going to be doing some stuff."
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press