Javon Walker Trade stories

[motife]

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_3751786

Walker update

An NFL source said the Packers and Broncos recently discussed the availability of disgruntled Green Bay wide receiver Javon Walker. There is a chance Walker will be traded by this weekend's draft, and the Broncos are one of several teams that have expressed interest in Walker, who is recovering from a torn ACL.

The Packers are believed to be asking for multiple draft picks for Walker. Denver and other interested teams, including Philadelphia and San Francisco, are expected to talk with Green Bay as the draft approaches. There is a chance Denver will try to involve wide receiver Ashley Lelie in a deal. Lelie wants to be traded, and his agents and the team are shopping him.

Denver is expected to draft a receiver early, perhaps with its first pick at No. 15, where Ohio State's Santonio Holmes and Florida's Chad Jackson could be available.

[motife]

A report Monday by the NFL Network says at least five teams have called the Packers general manager to find out the price to acquire unhappy receiver Javon Walker. We know the Denver Broncos are Philadelphia Eagles are among the teams.

Thompson wouldn't talk about any possible trade offers at Monday's pre-draft news conference, and he hasn't closed the door on Walker suiting up for the Packers again.

"That would be presumptuous of me to say. I know he has said some things, but I don't know what will happen. Would this team welcome him back? I would. I mean, I think we all would. Javon is well-liked around here, and I think you guys who have been around this team would agree with me," Thompson said.

http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=4814103

[motife]

http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/14366334.htm

Trade draft pick for Javon Walker? Ha!BIRDS' HISTORY IN ANDY REID ERA SAYS THEY'LL FIND REASONS NOT TO DO IT
Terrell Owens.

Mark Simoneau.

Luther Broughton.

What could they possibly have in common?

Only this: They are the only three veteran players for whom the Eagles have been willing to trade a draft pick since Andy Reid became the team's head coach in 1999.

The reason this is worth talking about is because lots of people in town are asking lots of questions about Green Bay wide receiver Javon Walker, a significant talent coming off a significant knee injury, and a player with a contract problem who insists he will never play for the Packers again.

The Eagles' receiving corps, sans Owens, sans difference-maker, really does seem a little thin (and we're not just talking about Todd Pinkston, who has legs like arms). If they really do have an interest in Walker, as has been sporadically reported, it will take a trade to get him, and the trade almost certainly would require a draft choice - and not an insignificant draft choice, even when you factor in the knee thing.

And that's the point, about the Eagles and their philosophy. History says they aren't going to do it.

The Eagles have never traded away a really significant draft choice to get a player since Reid has been in charge. Owens was acquired for defensive end Brandon Whiting and a fifth-round pick, which later became a No. 5 and a No. 6 when Whiting couldn't play. The Simoneau deal saw the Eagles part with a fourth-rounder and a sixth-rounder. As for Broughton, it was a seventh-rounder in 1999.

Along the way, there are many instances when they have swapped draft picks for draft picks, moving and maneuvering to reposition themselves on draft day - but those are very different transactions, at least in the mind of the Eagles under this regime.

For this team, the draft is the mechanism by which they believe a successful franchise continually renews itself - and maximizing your options in the draft is organizational dogma. For the Eagles, draft choices are gold.

So, do you spend gold on Javon Walker?

The Eagles' answer will tell you plenty.

There are three ways the Eagles could end up doing this, three reasons why they might go against type. We'll take them one at a time - and then we'll knock them all down, too.

• First, they might do it if they think they're getting a steal. The Eagles, if nothing else, respect value in a deal. That much is obvious.

The problem is, there is almost no way for them to get a steal in this one. The Packers are in an interesting spot in their history - and we're not just talking about how the ridiculous and selfish Brett Favre is holding up the team by refusing to decide if he's coming back. The Packers are in a spot because of what they did in their recent past, which is let defensive back Mike McKenzie stamp his feet over a contract issue and talk his way into getting traded.

As an organization, the Packers cannot afford to allow another player to pull that kind of stunt. At this point, they have to pretty much be willing to let Walker rot rather than accede to his demands - unless somebody bowls them over with, oh, a first-round draft choice, which is an awful lot for a guy who had one great season and then blew out a knee, which means it wouldn't be a steal anymore for the Eagles.

• Second, the Eagles might do it because they're really scared about the talent level on the roster at wide receiver. That just makes sense - you see a need and you fill it.

The problem is, there is no way the Eagles are really scared about what they have at wideout. They might not be thrilled with a still-young Reggie Brown, along with Pinkston, newly acquired Jabar Gaffney and the rest of the fellas, but they're not scared. They've won a lot of games with less - although that was with more of a running game, and with a quarterback willing to run, too.

• Third, the Eagles might do it because there is something about this particular season that demands a trade of later for now. Whether it is a window-closing argument, or a determination to give quarterback Donovan McNabb every chance to succeed after such a frustrating 2005 season, you get the idea.

The problem with that argument is, there is no available evidence the Eagles think that way. There is no more demonstrated urgency about this upcoming season than about any recent season. You can't say the Eagles haven't made offseason moves, because they have. Their addressing of needs has been very methodical, and they have passed on expensive alternatives and stuck to their formula of insisting on value. Nothing has changed.

They do not look like a team that is ready to trade a significant draft pick for Javon Walker. If they do, it will be the biggest surprise of 2006 so far.


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[motife]

The Broncos might also do a draft-day trade for a veteran wide receiver such as Green Bay's Javon Walker, who is coming off a serious knee injury as he enters the final year of his contract vowing never again to play for the Packers.

Green Bay refused to redo his deal last year and Walker tore up a knee in the season opener.

The Broncos have their own unhappy wideout in Ashley Lelie, who wasn't pleased with the Broncos' interest in Owens and has declined to attend the club's offseason conditioning program, forgoing a $100,000 contract incentive to work out instead in Tempe, Ariz.

The Broncos could package a pick or two along with Lelie, who is entering the final year of the five-year deal he signed as the 19th overall pick in the 2002 draft.

A year after catching 54 passes for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns, Lelie's numbers dipped last season to 42 receptions for 770 yards and one touchdown, but his deep threat ability keeps defenses honest.

[motife]

If the Packers trade WR Javon Walker to the Broncos at the No. 15 spot, then either Holmes or Chad Jackson should fall to a team like Tampa Bay down at No. 23. If the Eagles win the bidding war for Walker, then Denver might have their pick of the receivers.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/9394914

[motife]

Several reputable sources have reported that the Green Bay Packers are listening to offers for disgruntled wide receiver Javon Walker. The San Francisco 49ers should take advantage of this golden opportunity to add a franchise wide receiver to the mix.

Walker fits the bill as a bona fide No. 1 receiver, something the 49ers have been lacking in recent years. The addition of wide receiver Antonio Bryant via free agency helped bolster the beleaguered wide receiving corps, but Bryant is more of a No. 2 receiver. Walker would give the 49ers a solid starting combo and would provide second-year quarterback Alex Smith with two targets he should have confidence in.

In addition to adding Walker, the San Francisco 49ers could draft superstar tight end Vernon Davis. The Maryland product left scouts in awe when he ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at February's scouting combine. He also benched an impressive 465 pounds, has great hands and a stunning 42" vertical leap. Davis is 6'3" and would provide a big target and go-to guy for Smith. Tight ends are usually a quarterback's best friend, and Davis would quickly be Smith's.

By adding Walker and Davis, San Francisco would have a significantly-improved offense. They recently traded their second and third round picks (#37 and #68 overall) to the Denver Broncos for the #22 overall pick.

It's feasible that the team would be able to get Walker for their fourth-round pick and maybe a conditional pick in a later round next year. If they are able to swindle away Walker from the Packers for the aforementioned picks, the 49ers would then be able to use the #22 overall pick on a running back such as Minnesota's Laurence Maroney or Memphis' DeAngelo Williams. Either would be fine options to help fill an obvious need.

Although nobody would trade any high picks for Walker, when he's at his best, he's certainly worth the #22 pick. The four-year pro posted back to back stellar season in 2003 and 2004. In 2003, he caught 41 passes for 716 yards and nine touchdowns. He followed up his sophomore campaign with an 89 reception season for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns. In the opening game of last season, Walker succumbed to a torn ACL, which effectively ended his season.

Since missing time due to his injury, Walker has repeatedly announced his disgust with the Green Bay Packers' organization and quarterback Brett Favre. Had he not been upset with the organization, there is no way a player of his caliber would be available, let alone at such a reduced price. It is always good economics to buy low and sell high. Here is the 49ers' chance to make a splash and buy low. Head coach Mike Nolan would be prudent to make it happen.

-Send your comments to Eric Krupka at ekrupka@realfootball365.com
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/javon-walker-49ers260406.php

[Harlan Huckleby]

It's feasible that the team would be able to get Walker for their fourth-round pick and maybe a conditional pick in a later round next year. If they are able to swindle away Walker from the Packers for the aforementioned picks, the 49ers would then be able to use the #22 overall

wow, what a grim deal.

I might be willing to join Tarlam's "let him sit" bandwagon rather than support a deal like that.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I might be willing to join Tarlam's "let him sit" bandwagon rather than support a deal like that.

Indeed. I've said this before, but unless they can get a 2nd round pick for him (maybe early 3rd round pick), I say play hardball.

[b bulldog]

i DON'T THINK ANYONE WOULD TRADE HIM FOR more than a second rounder.

[MJZiggy]

Wait. Anything can happen on draft day (which, by the way will be happening in 2.5 days)!

[RashanGary]

People probably would have said the same thing about Steve Smith a year ago and now it would have been the best trade in the last 5 years had anyone gave up a late 1st for him. You just never know.

[Tarlam!]

I might be willing to join Tarlam's "let him sit" bandwagon rather than support a deal like that.

Indeed. I've said this before, but unless they can get a 2nd round pick for him (maybe early 3rd round pick), I say play hardball.


Don't even talk to these teams, TT. In the first article, The MM fiasco was quite rightly raised. Had Sherm the Great had the (foot)balls to have it out with MM, J-Walk would have had the moxy taken outta him early. Instead, the MM scandal literally fueled this fire.

If TT does not take a hard stand, we'll see Barnett, Carroll or Collins lining up next insisting they are playing undervalued. This is not a time to waste a trade on a silly draft pick. This is a great time to intill into your rookies they have no hope but play or rot.