Javon Walker Signs with the Raiders

[RaiderInNY]

Walker Staying in the West
JaMarcus to Javon is a nice combo for OAK
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
By Victor Cotto Raiderfans.net Staff Columnist


Javon Walker - WR - Oakland Raiders

As first reported in the PREMIUM SECTION of Raiderfans.net, Javon Walker appears to be the newest member of the Oakland Raiders.

The 29-year old wide receiver is expected to join a team in dire need of targets for their strong-armed young quarterback. After the departure of Jerry Porter, the Raiders were very thin at wide receiver, leaving them with Ronald Curry as their lone returning pass catcher with any NFL experience.

Walker immediately bolsters a passing attack that ranked 31st in the NFL. In 2007, Walker compiled 17-receptions for 220-yards in Denver’s first two contests before injuries sidelined him for the majority of the season, while leaving him ineffective as the campaign wound down.

After the season, comments Walker made regarding his future foreshadowed an impending exit.

"It's not that they don't want me here, but I just don't think it's the best fit for me," Walker said in late December.

The Broncos avoided a $5.4 million option bonus that was due to Walker on March 4 when they released him last weekend.

A former first round draft selection of the Green Bay Packers, Walker has compiled 252 career receptions in 72 league games for 3,815 yards.

Denver acquired Walker for a 2nd round draft selection and immediately compensated him with a five-year deal worth more than $40 million. In 2006, he had a bounce back season amassing 1,084 yards receiving while hauling in 8 touchdowns.

Terms of the deal with the Raiders have not been disclosed, but ESPN is reporting that the contract is worth $55 millon over six-years, including $16 million in guarantees.

OUTLOOK:

JaMarcus Russell needed help – so the Raiders went out and got it.

After the departure of Porter, it was imperative for the Raiders to attain an experienced playmaker that can exploit the talents of their young signal caller.

Walker is a solid route runner who has the ability to stretch the field. Pairing up with Ronald Curry will help Oakland work the entire football field, as both posses’ qualities that compliment each other. Curry can work the middle of the field, find the soft spots in the zone and move the chains with intermediate range completions. Walker can get vertical and is a playmaker when the football is in hands. With Zach Miller in the mix, the Raiders are beginning to create a diverse offense for their ‘franchise passer.’

Chad Johnson would have been a pricey alternative that Oakland could not afford. They don’t have enough draft selections to strike such a deal and other targets that may have been alternatives via trade (i.e Roy Williams, Larry Fitzgerald) were just pipe dreams. In the free-agent market, Bernard Berrian was the best out of a weak crop. Oakland would have loved to fly him in for a visit, but the Vikings locked him up and presented an offer Berrian couldn’t refuse.

Oakland may have landed a player that will be motivated, refreshed and ready to get back to his productive ways. Yes injuries are a concern, but considering the lack of true 'go to' targets in the free-agent market, Walker may be a calculated risk that has more of an upside than any of the other complimentary receivers that are still available. After enduring the death of a teammate and trying to recoup from injuries, Walker will get a new start.

Not only will he add an element that has been missing in Oakland’s aerial attack, but he will add some more spice to an already heated rivalry in the AFC West.

IN OTHER NEWS…

According to a report by the NFL Network, Oakland also added former 49er Kwame Harris with a three-year, $16 million deal.

Harris has struggled most of his career since being selected in the first round of the 2003 draft by the San Francisco 49ers. After the release of Barry Sims, it’s expected that Harris will compete for the opening at left tackle along with 2nd year pro Mario Henderson and others.

Tom Cable will be in his 2nd year as offensive line coach. And after immediate success implementing his zone blocking scheme which helped the Raiders cut down on their league leading sack totals of 2006 while helping to facilitate one of the better rush games in the league, the Raiders hope that Cable’s schemes will fit the former Stanford standout.

[Raiderrooter]

I don't know why but this is the 1st deal the Raiders have made this off season that I actually like. That includes thr resignong of Fargas and Kelly and the addition of Wilson. Hopefully his knee is O.K. and he can be a difference maker.

[R8ERMAC]

thanks riny.

[disposeablehero]

Originally Posted by Raiderrooter

I don't know why but this is the 1st deal the Raiders have made this off season that I actually like. That includes thr resignong of Fargas and Kelly and the addition of Wilson. Hopefully his knee is O.K. and he can be a difference maker.

How the hell can not like the wilson deal? That was a big need and wilson is a gamer, we have sucked at safety for ages.

[Scud6]

Harris may not pan out...but i still like the move..it gives up legitimate completion at the tackle position.

[YBIC St3v3n]

I like all of the signings. We need players pure and simple.

[cat444]

i like this sign , but 3 surgeries to a guy who need is knee heahlty to perform i am a little bit afraid. we must take a wr in round 2, if walker is not injure we have our number 1 WR, curry a very good number 2 and a second round pick as manningham or devin thomas must be great as a third WR.

[RaiderLegend32]

If the terms of the contract is true, I don't agree with it. Yeah sure, go out and sign him, I'm fine with that but for that kind of money? Come on. We have one of the best corners in the league that we need to lock up and we've spent over 100 grand on two guys with blown knees. I love Tommy Kelly, always have but that kind of money coming of an acl tear, pretty risky. Hopefully Walker will turn out as well. If big Al doesn't sign Nnamdi to a big time deal, thats gonna lock him up........then what all the big shot sports writers is ture. Oakland won't be the same until Davis steps down

[stlknows]

I just hope the harris signing doesn't make us feel content at OT. I would prefer Clady with the first but if not then we had better use the second on a potential LT.

[Christafur]

I guess I can say I am happy...but is he better than Porter???? I guess we will see. As for Harris, I love it....We are coming together little by little. So whats up with Big Kif???????

[stork44]

Great job RINY..as always..right on target!!!!

[MANDINGO]

the raiders always sign guys like dwayne ruud or donovin darius and let them go in the preseason if they feel they have something better in hands,so far i like what we're doing dont surprise if we see jevon kearse or roosevelt colvin paying a visit in oaktown.

[williammg]

that is a lot of cash for a guy with 3 knee surgeries and always is complaining about something

["BANK$RAIDER"]

Javon Walker is just what JaMarcus Russell needs, I still hope we can draft a solid receiver in the second round and maybe still acquire Drew Carter....As for Kwame Harris, he will most likely start I think, he is pretty inconsistent but anyone helps at this point....Go RAIDERS!!!

[Raidersabc123]

Nice to hear