Javon Walker to Denver? Hot AIR !?

[woodbuck27]

Packers Broncos trade probaby hot air

Written by PackerChatters Staff
Sunday, 02 April 2006

Denver CO - A trade for wide receiver Javon Walker would make sense for the Broncos, but it might not make the most sense for the Packers, the team that controls Walker's future.
Denver definitely is interested, as are Philadelphia and San Francisco, and Pittsburgh, New England and Buffalo might join the list of interested teams. But Green Bay is just as interested in keeping Walker, despite his proclamations that he won't play for the Packers again.

The word at the NFL owners meetings this week was that Green Bay officials are firm in their regard for Walker. They plan to hold off on trading him unless they are bowled over by an offer. It likely would take a first-round pick, and that's probably too steep a price. That's why nothing is likely to happen until the draft - if the Packers decide to trade him.

The Packers don't have much at receiver and they are counting on Walker. A Pro Bowl player when healthy, Walker is coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He also will be a free agent at the end of the 2006 season. His threats to sit out the season or retire are hollow. For a player who wants more money, he needs to play this year.

The Packers know it, so the idea of Walker playing in Denver probably won't come true.

Source: Bill Williamson - Denver Post

[Scott Campbell]

Re: Javon Walker to Denver? Hot AIR !?

The word at the NFL owners meetings this week was that Green Bay officials are firm in their regard for Walker. They plan to hold off on trading him unless they are bowled over by an offer. It likely would take a first-round pick, and that's probably too steep a price. That's why nothing is likely to happen until the draft - if the Packers decide to trade him.

I wouldn't read to much into how firm the Packers are with regard to Walker. There not about to hang a "Fire Sale" sign out on the lawn.

[Partial]

what they should do is make him play. Its in his benefit to play hard. They should then franchise him and get the compensation they want for him.

[Scott Campbell]

what they should do is make him play. Its in his benefit to play hard. They should then franchise him and get the compensation they want for him.

He could easily pull a McKenzie, and fake a strained Rosenhammy. The McKenzie debacle proved that the player has more leverage than the contract would lead you to believe. It's extremely difficult to make people do what they don't want to do.

[imscott72]

what they should do is make him play. Its in his benefit to play hard. They should then franchise him and get the compensation they want for him.

He could easily pull a McKenzie, and fake a strained Rosenhammy. The McKenzie debacle proved that the player has more leverage than the contract would lead you to believe. It's extremely difficult to make people do what they don't want to do.

What would that get him? Bottom line, if he doesn't produce this year, then it need for a big payday it on hold. I don't think that's acceptable to him.

[Scott Campbell]

What would that get him?

I think he'd get a pretty big offer, and think Javon thinks the same. Or he wouldn't be pulling this stunt. He can conduct workouts to prove he's healthy. And there will always be guys like Jerry Jones willing to take a character risk on a scumbag if they're talented enough.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think Scott is right here. We all think Javon has to come back to earn some money, but many of us (me included) thought the same thing about Mike McKenzie. McKenzie came back after holding out, faked an injury, and still managed to be of big interest to other teams.

I don't think we should give in, but don't expect anything but a very messy ending to all of this. I'd be surprised if Javon played more than 6 games for the Packers the rest of his career.

[Homer Jay]

I think TO proved GMs in the NFL have a short memory. No matter what Walker does this year, if GMs think he has recovered, someone will offer to show him the money. I'm not sure how I would handle it, but I hope something can be worked out. He has a special talent, and I'd like to see it used in Green Bay.

[Scott Campbell]

I'm not sure how I would handle it, but I hope something can be worked out. He has a special talent, and I'd like to see it used in Green Bay.

I'm not sure there is much you can do with him at this point. He says it's about the principle and not the money.

All I'd do is begin looking back at how you structure your rookie deals so you don't set yourself up for this kind of backlash. And I'd be looking at contracts and extensions with an eye towards spreading the money more evenly over the length of the contract. Players have a short memory when it comes to the generous signing bonuses they've received. Javon sounded convinced that he only made $500K last year.

[Homer Jay]

I agree with you Scott, but the NFL, NBA and MLB are full of teams with players who said they would never play for that team again. In the end money talks. I'm not suggesting throwing money at him to keep him happy, but I haven't given up yet.

[MJZiggy]

What would that get him?

I think he'd get a pretty big offer, and think Javon thinks the same. Or he wouldn't be pulling this stunt. He can conduct workouts to prove he's healthy. And there will always be guys like Jerry Jones willing to take a character risk on a scumbag if they're talented enough.

The difference between Walker and McKenzie is that McKenzie held out but what essentially healthy and the Vikes knew it. Javon is coming off of a pretty major injury and if you were a GM and the guy had a major knee injury, came back and immediately "pulled his hamstring" what are you going to think about the guy. You never got to see him perform, since the first injury and now he has another. How would they know if he ever really came back from the knee or not. It also puts him further away from that pro-bowl season. If he wants the payday, he has to be as good as he possibly can because TT won't give him the opportunity to go elsewhere to prove himself.

[Deputy Nutz]

If Walker is actually serious about not wanting to be a Packer then there is no reason keeping a player around that is going to cause constant termoil during the season and also in the off season. If Thompson can get equal value for him, why have a pissing contest? It doesn't make this team better.

[Partial]

Franchise him after the year. You'll either get a first or be able to trade him for a second.

[jack's smirking revenge]

I think Scott is right here. We all think Javon has to come back to earn some money, but many of us (me included) thought the same thing about Mike McKenzie. McKenzie came back after holding out, faked an injury, and still managed to be of big interest to other teams.

I don't think we should give in, but don't expect anything but a very messy ending to all of this. I'd be surprised if Javon played more than 6 games for the Packers the rest of his career.

I agree with both you and Scott on this situation. Javon's days as a Packer are done--even if he suits up. I do support the idea that the player has more understated leverage than a contract is supposed to allow. McKenzie and TO have proved that; if a player doesn't want to be in a situation anymore, there are options. I think it just depends on whether or not the Packers are willing to swallow their pride on the Javon situation.

This will have a messy ending, any way its spun...

tyler

[jack's smirking revenge]

If Walker is actually serious about not wanting to be a Packer then there is no reason keeping a player around that is going to cause constant termoil during the season and also in the off season. If Thompson can get equal value for him, why have a pissing contest? It doesn't make this team better.

Totally right fat rat. If a pissing match is to follow, I'd rather we get something in return to make this team better now...

tyler