Time running out for Raiders’ Walker

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Tuesday, June 30, 2009  |  Comments( 5 )

Oakland Raiders
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Wide receiver Javon Walker’s tenure in Oakland has been turbulent thus far, but his importance during the upcoming season is crucial. The Raiders deploy an inexperienced group of wideouts and Walker must become the catalyst the team expected him to be. If Oakland’s passing game is able to get back on track this year, Walker’s leadership and production must take a major step forward.

As the Raiders cut dead weight from the roster this offseason, many believed Walker would be one of those casualties. However, Walker remains in Oakland and is hoping to experience a career resurgence entering his eighth season in the NFL. If Walker fails to live up to his lofty contract for a second straight season, the fate of the Raiders’ receiving corps will hang in the balance of a youthful group of players.

Since racking up 89 catches for nearly 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns with the Green Bay Packers in 2004, Walker’s production has been inauspicious both on and off the field. He suffered a season-ending injury early in the 2005 campaign and has surpassed 1,000 yards receiving on just one other occasion. In the past two seasons combined, Walker has participated in only 16 games while compiling a mere 41 grabs for 483 yards.

Even more disturbing has been Walker’s inability to stay out of trouble off the field. Walker’s demise began in Denver, where he was present when then-teammate and ex-Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed. Walker’s issues followed him to the Bay Area, too, as he was involved in an altercation at a Las Vegas hotel last summer. Walker’s awareness has been severely lacking in all facets, something he must quickly reverse.

With quarterback JaMarcus Russell and the Raiders’ young wideouts depending on Walker, this is certainly as make-or-break year for the troubled receiver. Walker managed only 15 receptions for 196 yards during a disappointing initial campaign in Oakland. The Raiders invested a six-year, $55 million contract prior to last season and need to see sufficient results in order to justify a lucrative contract of that nature.

Walker’s output in 2009 is difficult to predict, but his importance is not. Walker has substantially more experience than any other Raider receiver and has displayed game-breaking abilities during his career. If Walker’s unable to recapture those skills demonstrated in the past, he may soon be headed out of Oakland. Furthermore, if Walker can’t straighten out his off-field behavior his football career will be in major jeopardy.
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About Brad Wilbricht

Brad Wilbricht covers numerous sporting events including the NFL, NFL Draft and college football. His analysis is simulcast through several media outlets across the country. Additionally, Brad is a regular guest on a variety of talk radio shows and can be frequently heard on the airwaves. To...
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