Walker hits the ground running on day one

[broncos4ever]

I was reading about the Broncos and I thought I would share this article... Not only are we looking hard at Javon, so are others....


Walker hits the ground running on day one


DENVER (AP) -- Nothing was going to wipe away Javon Walker's smile, not even Champ Bailey knocking a pass out of his hands.

Walker, traded from Green Bay to Denver on draft day, ran routes against a full defense Friday for the first time since tearing up his right knee in the Packers' opener at Detroit last season.

"It went better that what I was expecting," Walker said after the Broncos' first training camp workout. "The doctor said that the next rehab is going out there and playing, and that is what I was doing. I wasn't thinking about the knee, I wasn't thinking about cutting, I was just trying to get back to my old self and run the plays right.

"You saw me today doing everything. Now it is just about getting back to my old self and making plays."

Walker skipped the full-contact afternoon workout -- he'll be limited to one practice a day throughout training camp and will slowly work his way into full-pads drills.

Walker made a good first impression on coach Mike Shanahan, who traded a second-round pick for the former Pro Bowl receiver who has had two knee surgeries in the last 10 months.

"He had a really good day. I was really pleased. He went through the whole practice, competed in all the drills and made a number of big catches, so it's a good first day for him," Shanahan said. "It was the first time he went against anybody, so it was good to see him, obviously, go full speed against some of our defensive backs and have an excellent practice."

About the only blemish in Walker's workout was the ball that Bailey punched away.

"That was a good first-day challenge," Walker said. "And the thing about it was that I had that ball, but him being the veteran that he is stuck his hand in and knocked it away. Today is the first day, and it is just like 1-on-1s when we were going at each other, so there will be many battles to come and that is the best thing about it. When I am going against him in practice it will make the game so much easier."

Walker and the Broncos are counting on him returning to something like his 2004 self, when he caught 89 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns.

If he does, Walker will cash in. He signed a five-year extension this spring that kicks in after next season and is worth more than $40 million, including March roster bonuses totaling $15 million in 2007 and '08.

If his recovery from his torn right anterior cruciate ligament doesn't go well, the Broncos will only be on the hook for $2.15 million -- his $1.15 million salary this season plus a $1 million roster bonus.

Neither side, however, is looking at this as a short-term union or Shanahan wouldn't have parted with a second-rounder on April 29 after meeting with Walker and determining he was worth the risk.

"I was just hoping that he could get healthy, and so far he looks pretty good," Shanahan said. "He's worked his rear end off for the last few months and has made tremendous strides. Hopefully, he can stay healthy and do what he's done in the past."

Walker said his knee is 90 percent healthy, "so that extra 10 percent is something serious and when I get it, it is going to be fun out here."

"They say it is a mental hurdle to get over," Walker said. "But as far as being out there with no contact and going against the defense I wasn't really thinking about and obviously when we put on pads it will be the same process."

Walker's mental state is a turnaround from a year ago, when he reluctantly reported to the Packers' training camp minus a new deal after threatening for months to hold out for more money. He had a solid camp but caught just four passes in the opener before getting hurt.

He's glad he got out of Green Bay and is thrilled to have the Rocky Mountains as his new backdrop.

"It is a great city, a great environment, and a great team," Walker said, "and to see where this team can possibly go is really exciting, to see that as long as I work and do the things that I can do, I can help this team out and the sky is the limit.

"You play your best football when you are happy, and when you are happy you are out there laughing and joking with the guys. I am happy right now. It is just like going in 2004 ... I was happy. And we can all see what I can do when I am happy."

Great news about Javon. Knee looks healthy and he did a great job today. Looking forward to the future with him.

[WABronco]

This is so awesome that he'll be ready to go for week 1...soooooooooo awesome.

[D.J.55]

great post