I read the news today, oh boy…

By Os Davis  |   Wednesday, May 21, 2008  |  Comments( 28 )

Oakland Raiders
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
Can it be? Optimistic reports from early on in Oakland Raiders Land? Indeed, it is: Online is abuzz with positivity about the silver and black's early efforts in training camp; folks are even loving the weigh-ins (see: Russell, JaMarcus).

A roundup, then, of some shiny, happy news from Oakland way.

Javon Walker: Solid

Of all the potential headlines on 2008 Raiders’ individual offensive performers, the Nation would surely like to see some front-page ink devoted to the amazing comeback (or emergence, really) of Javon Walker.

After being drafted at No. 20 overall by the Green Bay Packers in 2002, Walker completed the textbook rookie trial period: Performed as a kick returner for a year, played mostly on passing downs in 2003 (and woke folks up with his nine TDs on just 41 receptions that year), and became a starter in his junior year. His third was Walker’s career year, with his sole Pro Bowl bid to date based on 89 receptions for 1,382 yards and 12 TDs.

Unfortunately, Walker has spent much of his career and personal life from 2004 to today in the wrong place at the wrong time. Miffed at the Packer front office in 2005 for refusing to renegotiate his contract, Walker drew the ire of Brett Favre before training camp for threatening to hold out. The tit-for-tat was all for naught anyway, as Walker went on injured reserve after Week 1 with an ACL injury.

Walker performed well in 2006 during the Denver Broncos’ run to the AFC championship, but his first news-making activity in the offseason was involvement in Darrent Williams’ death by drive-by shooting. Walker was clearly not the same player in 2007: In eight games’ worth of action punctuated by another knee injury, Walker’s yards per catch was just 11.0, far lower than any previous season. Simply put, he could not break a tackle last year. (Incidentally, Walker’s average in the two games before the injury was just 12.9, also lower than any season total posted.)

But have no fear, Raider backers: He who should be JaMarcus Russell’s top target in 2008 is feeling “great” and has “looked solid in practice,” while generally stoked about “Just coming back and playing on a team where they'll give you the opportunity to make plays. When you know you're a playmaker, you never doubt that.” Plus, the Raider Nation surely loved Walker’s take on his former employer, mainly “that the Broncos chose not to feature him, making his medical issues appear worse than they were.”

Best of luck to Javon from RF365 for 2008. It seems he could use a little.

Michael Bush: Eager

The Raiders’ probable third-string halfback refuses to take the “poor old Michael Bush” stance, at least when talking up the Contra Costa Times’ Steve Corkran. While sitting out the 2007 season, Bush got to watch Justin Fargas pile up an excellent season behind a pretty sorry O-line; subsequently, Fargas re-signed for multiple years and there was that whole first-round pick thing.

However, to get on the field and just play.”"]Bush “just want[s] to get on the field and just play.” He’s “down for anything, just being on the field and getting the atmosphere. I'm just ready.”

From the déjà vu department in Corkran’s blurb on Bush comes Lane Kiffin’s latest sop to the scrubs; it seems Kiffin claims that the starting halfback job is up for grabs and that the Raiders will “open the competition up.”

(Giggle.)

Todd Watkins: Developing

At least one voice in the online squall is cheering on “ultimate sleeper pick,” the former seventh-round draft choice out of BYU, Todd Watkins. And why not? If Kiffin wants to talk about jobs being up for grabs, he ought to give a little lip service to the wide receiver position, where the depth chart starts with Walker and Ronald Curry. After that it’s ... well, it could be anybody. Jerry Porter and Tim Dwight aren’t walking in the door, and the truth is, whoever’s listed toward the bottom of the depth chart at WR in 2008 is going to be a surprise to those not in the know.

So why not Watkins? Reportedly, “he is taking well to James Lofton’s coaching, and if his development continues, he could be the best deep threat in the Raider Nation.”

Tell you what: If Watkins wants to keep in Lofton’s good stead, he’ll pray ol’ James doesn’t read Watkins’ Wikipedia entry, which includes a line heavy on the schadenfreude: “During his senior season, Watkins had dropped several wide-open passes and fumbled the ball a few times during important games.” Ouch.

Have him look at your YouTube instead, Todd.

JaMarcus Russell: Slim

Never have so many pounds been dreaded by so few. Yet, the Fat JaMarcus tale has now morphed into myth, a product of Internet hype (“Interhype”?) that spawned a million panicky blog posts and sarcasm-filled threads.

Officially, JaMarcus weighed in at 269. Some camp time and this guy will be one mean-looking athlete.

The Raider Nation may be right in calling the Fat JaMarcus rumormongers in 31 NFL markets “Haters” for this one. But take heart: They’re probably just scared of having to play against Fit JaMarcus.

DeAngelo Hall: Overrated

Ah, you can’t win ‘em all (over).

Always looking on the bright side of life throughout the year at RealFootball365.com
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (28)

About Os Davis

Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report