Walker Article after last night's game - The Orange Mane

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

brncs_fan · 08-28-2006, 09:54 AM

You guys missed it because you can't see me right now but I am jumping around like a little kid outside of Chucky Cheese I am so excited about this season.

Smiling Assassin27 · 08-28-2006, 10:26 AM

Incidentally, those are catches that Ashley Lelie could never make in Denver.

KYChamp24 · 08-28-2006, 11:39 AM

This is why i just the NFL Network!!

Kaylore · 08-28-2006, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiling Assassin27

Incidentally, those are catches that Ashley Lelie could never make in Denver.

The very idea of Lelie hauling a defender three yards across the first down marker is laughable. Lelie liked to fall down when he caught balls.

Mile High Shack · 08-28-2006, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

The very idea of Lelie hauling a defender three yards across the first down marker is laughable. Lelie liked to fall down when he caught balls.

I've taken poops bigger than Lelie's stick legs

Chris · 08-28-2006, 01:35 PM

hey, do not insult peoples stick legs

Garcia Bronco · 08-28-2006, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

The very idea of Lelie hauling a defender three yards across the first down marker is laughable. Lelie liked to fall down when he caught balls.

Like it was Professional Wrestling

OrangeShadow · 08-28-2006, 01:52 PM

its going to be fun to watch this team gel in the future with cutler scheff walker and marsall and bell

ol number 7 · 08-28-2006, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brncs_fan

You guys missed it because you can't see me right now but I am jumping around like a little kid outside of Chucky Cheese I am so excited about this season.

Lelie is going to make his catches "for the love of the game " this year thanks to Shanny. Lelie gives up his spot and helps pay for Jevon. And they say on the Mane Ashley's not a team player.

no-pseudo-fan · 08-28-2006, 04:35 PM

I wish Jake could of got Javon the ball with some space to work with.

Dempsey Dog · 08-29-2006, 11:48 AM

Walking the talk

By Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports
August 28, 2006

DENVER – The first catch always is the toughest.

The pass doesn't necessarily have to be a tough one to catch. It could be about as visibly difficult as a screen pass, but it's still the play that sets the tone.

Perhaps that's why, after nearly a year away from the game, Javon Walker was so excited about a 16-yard catch in the first quarter Sunday against Houston. It was only the exhibition season, but the play was emblematic of what Walker hopes will be a big year.

More importantly, if the Denver Broncos are going to have the big year they hope for, Walker may have to be that good.

"That first catch always seems to get you in a groove," said Walker, who snagged a pass that was slightly behind him for his next catch. "You catch that first one, and then the next one is easier. You feel like everything is going to go smooth."

ADVERTISEMENT

No question that was the case Sunday. Walker finished the first quarter with three catches for 41 yards as the Broncos got their biggest offseason acquisition off to a fast start.

Walker was acquired from Green Bay for a second-round pick and given a six-year, $40 million contract in the process. The deal includes an $8 million option bonus in March 2007, which allows the Broncos to get out from under the contract if Walker is a bust.

That said, the Broncos would be happy to pay the bonus. They want Walker, who missed the final 15 games last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the opener, to give them a serious deep threat.

In the NFL of today, where the philosophy of many offensive coordinators is that you have to throw to score and run to win, the 27-year-old Walker will play a vital role. He must be the guy to get defenses to back off the Denver running game, which the Broncos need to progress from their home loss to Pittsburgh in the AFC championship game last season.

Then again …

"I don't agree with that statement," Shanahan said of the run-to-score, throw-to-win philosophy.

Shanahan can argue that point with distinction. During his 11 years in Denver, the Broncos have rushed for more yards (25,022) than any other team. They also have scored more points (4,440) over that time than any other team.

Shanahan has done that without devoting significant resources to the running back position. From Terrell Davis to Olandis Gary to Mike Anderson, the Broncos have turned low-round picks or unknown players into 1,000-yard rushers.

This season, the running back talent may have hit a wall. Tatum Bell is a breakaway threat, but the coaches have little confidence in his ability to be an every-down back. Last year, the team wasted a third-round pick on Maurice Clarett and then dabbled with the idea of trading for Ricky Williams before he was suspended for drug use.

Beyond Tatum Bell, rookie Mike Bell sprinted to an early lead for the starting job in training camp, but he has slowed significantly. Former Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne is in danger of being cut. Cedric Cobbs has been gaining of late, but it's still seems a stretch to project him as the full-time starter.

The fact is that the Broncos rushed for 68 yards on 23 carries Sunday against Houston. The Texans are relatively stout up front, but they're not exactly the Monsters of the Midway.

Furthermore, while Shanahan can question the premise of the throw-to-score, run-to-win axiom, he certainly has devoted his share of resources to the passing game. Over the past nine years, the Broncos have selected six receivers in the first three rounds, including Ashley Lelie and Marcus Nash in the first. They also used a second-rounder this year on tight end Tony Scheffler.

This is where Walker, who was acquired from Green Bay for a second-round pick, becomes more important. If the Broncos are going to keep defenses honest, they're going to have to do more than their usual hijinks on the offensive line, where their tactics have been the bane of opposing defensive linemen.

Walker is going to have to be the deep threat that Lelie couldn't be, at least not to Shanahan's satisfaction.

Lelie posted a somewhat impressive 18.3 yards per catch last season on 42 receptions. However, he got off to an awful start. In the opener in Miami, he misplayed two potential big catches that significantly could have altered the momentum of the game.

Moreover, the Denver coaches didn't think Lelie was particularly tough. If a deep pass was slightly underthrown, Lelie rarely used his body to ward off the defender; he simply reached back and hoped to catch the ball on the move.

That prompted the Broncos to consider acquiring wide receiver Terrell Owens in the offseason, although Shanahan said the team only would have signed Owens "if the contract gave us complete protection from anything that might go wrong."

After Owens, the Broncos turned their attention to Walker, who blossomed into one of the top receivers in the league in 2004. He finished with 89 receptions for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Walker asked for a new contract before 2005, but the Packers refused. Finally, Walker got his wish through the trade to Denver. On Sunday, he started to get into his old groove.

And perhaps keep the Broncos in theirs.

Jason Cole is a national NFL writer for Yahoo! Sports.

Ron Mexico · 08-29-2006, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechanicalBull

Plummer: I rushed the throw a little bit.

That's an major understatement. Also omitted is the ass chewing Shanahan provided afterwards. Worst pass. Red Zone. Preseason. Ever.

OrangeShadow · 08-29-2006, 12:15 PM

They also have scored more points (4,440) over that time than any other team.

damn right

Odysseus · 08-29-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

The very idea of Lelie hauling a defender three yards across the first down marker is laughable. Lelie liked to fall down when he caught balls.

This is why Lelie will never be a leader on any team and why despite his talents will always be the second reciever. In the end he will have to devolve to self absorbed journeyman or money first player if his stock ever rises.

epicSocialism4tw · 08-29-2006, 12:38 PM

Boys and girls, the Denver Broncos have a legit star WR.

No more worries about a WR with a limited game. This guy has it all.

Rohirrim · 08-29-2006, 12:47 PM

What has really stood out to me about Javon is how smooth he is. He just seems to glide through his cuts. His acceleration looks effortless. I think we're going to be very impressed with Javon as the season progresses. And I think Rod is going to benefit big time as well. If I was Mock, I'd nickname him, "Smooth."

08-28-2006, 09:27 AM	#1
MechanicalBull Interesting Times Ahead Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,825	Walker Article after last night's game 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

08-29-2006, 11:48 AM	#12
Dempsey Dog Seasoned Veteran Duke...we miss ya! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 267 Adopt-a-Bronco: Eddie Royal	Another Walker Article- Walking the Talk by Jason Cole (Yahoo Sports) Walking the talk By Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports August 28, 2006 DENVER – The first catch always is the toughest. The pass doesn't necessarily have to be a tough one to catch. It could be about as visibly difficult as a screen pass, but it's still the play that sets the tone. Perhaps that's why, after nearly a year away from the game, Javon Walker was so excited about a 16-yard catch in the first quarter Sunday against Houston. It was only the exhibition season, but the play was emblematic of what Walker hopes will be a big year. More importantly, if the Denver Broncos are going to have the big year they hope for, Walker may have to be that good. "That first catch always seems to get you in a groove," said Walker, who snagged a pass that was slightly behind him for his next catch. "You catch that first one, and then the next one is easier. You feel like everything is going to go smooth." ADVERTISEMENT No question that was the case Sunday. Walker finished the first quarter with three catches for 41 yards as the Broncos got their biggest offseason acquisition off to a fast start. Walker was acquired from Green Bay for a second-round pick and given a six-year, $40 million contract in the process. The deal includes an $8 million option bonus in March 2007, which allows the Broncos to get out from under the contract if Walker is a bust. That said, the Broncos would be happy to pay the bonus. They want Walker, who missed the final 15 games last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the opener, to give them a serious deep threat. In the NFL of today, where the philosophy of many offensive coordinators is that you have to throw to score and run to win, the 27-year-old Walker will play a vital role. He must be the guy to get defenses to back off the Denver running game, which the Broncos need to progress from their home loss to Pittsburgh in the AFC championship game last season. Then again … "I don't agree with that statement," Shanahan said of the run-to-score, throw-to-win philosophy. Shanahan can argue that point with distinction. During his 11 years in Denver, the Broncos have rushed for more yards (25,022) than any other team. They also have scored more points (4,440) over that time than any other team. Shanahan has done that without devoting significant resources to the running back position. From Terrell Davis to Olandis Gary to Mike Anderson, the Broncos have turned low-round picks or unknown players into 1,000-yard rushers. This season, the running back talent may have hit a wall. Tatum Bell is a breakaway threat, but the coaches have little confidence in his ability to be an every-down back. Last year, the team wasted a third-round pick on Maurice Clarett and then dabbled with the idea of trading for Ricky Williams before he was suspended for drug use. Beyond Tatum Bell, rookie Mike Bell sprinted to an early lead for the starting job in training camp, but he has slowed significantly. Former Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne is in danger of being cut. Cedric Cobbs has been gaining of late, but it's still seems a stretch to project him as the full-time starter. The fact is that the Broncos rushed for 68 yards on 23 carries Sunday against Houston. The Texans are relatively stout up front, but they're not exactly the Monsters of the Midway. Furthermore, while Shanahan can question the premise of the throw-to-score, run-to-win axiom, he certainly has devoted his share of resources to the passing game. Over the past nine years, the Broncos have selected six receivers in the first three rounds, including Ashley Lelie and Marcus Nash in the first. They also used a second-rounder this year on tight end Tony Scheffler. This is where Walker, who was acquired from Green Bay for a second-round pick, becomes more important. If the Broncos are going to keep defenses honest, they're going to have to do more than their usual hijinks on the offensive line, where their tactics have been the bane of opposing defensive linemen. Walker is going to have to be the deep threat that Lelie couldn't be, at least not to Shanahan's satisfaction. Lelie posted a somewhat impressive 18.3 yards per catch last season on 42 receptions. However, he got off to an awful start. In the opener in Miami, he misplayed two potential big catches that significantly could have altered the momentum of the game. Moreover, the Denver coaches didn't think Lelie was particularly tough. If a deep pass was slightly underthrown, Lelie rarely used his body to ward off the defender; he simply reached back and hoped to catch the ball on the move. That prompted the Broncos to consider acquiring wide receiver Terrell Owens in the offseason, although Shanahan said the team only would have signed Owens "if the contract gave us complete protection from anything that might go wrong." After Owens, the Broncos turned their attention to Walker, who blossomed into one of the top receivers in the league in 2004. He finished with 89 receptions for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns. Walker asked for a new contract before 2005, but the Packers refused. Finally, Walker got his wish through the trade to Denver. On Sunday, he started to get into his old groove. And perhaps keep the Broncos in theirs. Jason Cole is a national NFL writer for Yahoo! Sports.

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08-28-2006, 09:54 AM	#2
brncs_fan How about some Tapenade! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: The Coaches Cradle...Eastern Illinois University Posts: 5,490 Adopt-a-Bronco: Manti Teo	You guys missed it because you can't see me right now but I am jumping around like a little kid outside of Chucky Cheese I am so excited about this season.

08-28-2006, 10:26 AM	#3
Smiling Assassin27 STOP! KIPER TIME! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: In a van down by the river Posts: 10,983 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	Incidentally, those are catches that Ashley Lelie could never make in Denver.

08-28-2006, 11:39 AM	#4
KYChamp24 Solid Starter #1 Fan in Kentucky. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Louisville,KY Posts: 184 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Woodyard	This is why i just the NFL Network!!

08-28-2006, 01:35 PM	#7
Chris Millenium Scrooge McDuck Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 7,501 Adopt-a-Bronco: OrlandoFranklin	hey, do not insult peoples stick legs

08-28-2006, 01:52 PM	#9
OrangeShadow armed and dangerous Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 6,771	its going to be fun to watch this team gel in the future with cutler scheff walker and marsall and bell

08-28-2006, 04:35 PM	#11
no-pseudo-fan True Orange & Blue Follow me... Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: EPT Posts: 2,136 Adopt-a-Bronco: Hidalgo	I wish Jake could of got Javon the ball with some space to work with.

08-29-2006, 12:15 PM	#14
OrangeShadow armed and dangerous Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 6,771	They also have scored more points (4,440) over that time than any other team. damn right

08-29-2006, 12:38 PM	#16
epicSocialism4tw Tebowing the long haul all the way to the title Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: TX, USA Posts: 37,072 Adopt-a-Bronco: Champ Bailey	Boys and girls, the Denver Broncos have a legit star WR. No more worries about a WR with a limited game. This guy has it all.

08-29-2006, 12:47 PM	#17
Rohirrim Partisan Human Cannonball Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Twixt Hell & Highwater Posts: 48,849	What has really stood out to me about Javon is how smooth he is. He just seems to glide through his cuts. His acceleration looks effortless. I think we're going to be very impressed with Javon as the season progresses. And I think Rod is going to benefit big time as well. If I was Mock, I'd nickname him, "Smooth."