Javon Walker talked out of retiring by Oakland Raiders boss Al Davis?

Thoughts from the Dark Side

August 2, 2008

Javon Walker talked out of retiring by Oakland Raiders boss Al Davis?

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As you may have already heard, Chris Mortensen is reporting that he has a source who is confirming that Javon Walker tried to retire on Thursday.� According to the source, Walker was unhappy with his performance thus far on the practice field.� During training camp, it's been reported here that he's been struggling and that Lane Kiffin was hoping that he'd be further along.

Apparently, Walker concurs with the head coaches assessment and decided it might be in the team's best interest to hang up the cleats.� Walker is also reported as doing the right thing by offering to return his $11 million signing bonus.� The Maverick, Al Davis supposedly talked him out of it...for now.

OUR TAKE

Right now, we really don't know what to make of this.� We know that Mortensen is talented, but does he have a bug in Davis' office or something?� How is it that all of Al's 'private' conversations make it onto Mortensen's desk?� Remember the Lane Kiffin quit or resign story?� Mortensen is probably the best at this type of news, but he's not always right either.� We're going to wait and see if there are any comments from the Raiders or Walker before we run with it.

If it's true, Walker has raised the respect level here at TFDS.� Look, it would not be good for the Raiders if he were to up and retire right now, but under the circumstances nobody could say that he had planned any of it deceitfully.� For all of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his life, he did the stand up thing by trying to retire now and give up the money.� If his heart and head aren't into being the best, then maybe he ought to retire.

We don't want him to retire.� We only hope that the Raiders have the infrastructure available to him to help him through the troubles he's having, if all of this is true.� If this is about just getting his head on straight, then the Raiders need to make the investment in doing just that, helping the man out to get his troubles behind him.

We'll keep you informed as the story unfolds...

Tags: NFL, Oakland Raiders, Raiders

Discussion

21 Comments on "Javon Walker talked out of retiring by Oakland Raiders boss Al Davis?"

Posted by The Fifth Horseman, August 2, 2008 12:03 AM

Lets just review here shall we? Here you have a cash strapped team that still needs to sign their best CB to a long term deal and has two of their best LB's rookie contracts expiring soon. They are a team that has major holes at T and WR. Yet Al doesn't let Walker retire, thereby getting that enormous 55 million dollar contract off the Raiders books? Way to go Al, keep doing what you are doing, it is because of YOU that the Raiders remain in the toilet. May you live another 100 years. LMAO.

Posted by Bill, August 2, 2008 12:22 AM

Thanks for keeping us laughing 5th. By the way where are the holes at WR? Plus if we had holes there why would Al want to lose one. I agree with you about letting Walker go. But as soon as you said "holes at WR" your argument lacked all credibility. As far as holes at T I totally agree. I did hear that Harris and green did some good things in camp last night. I'll wait til preseason until I get to worried about our pass protection.

Here's a thought on why we are practicing with the 9ers. The best team in our division is the Chargers. The chargers play a 3-4 and have a beast or two at LB and decent CBs. The 9ers play a 3-4 and have a beast or two at LB and have decent CBs. I think our coaches just want the offense to get a feel for playin against this defense.

Posted by The Fifth Horseman, August 2, 2008 12:32 AM

I would call Javon "My Head is not in the Game" Walker and Ronald "Can't Stay Healthy and Declining by the year" Curry HUGE holes at WR. You can't count on either one of those guys and the only guy looking decent for you, Drew Carter, is on a one year contract. You honestly think he is going to stay with the Raiders after this one season, especially after he sees how the organization is run? lmao god bless your naive little head if you think that is going to happen. The 2008 implosion of the Raiders has already started and they haven't even played their first preseason game. How sweet it is! lmao

Posted by packer fan, August 2, 2008 12:49 AM

My sympathy goes out to MR. Walker.

He has had some tuff times the last 3-4years.

He is a great WR and should help your team greatly.

I enjoyed watching him while he played for GB and am still like to check in on how he is doing from time to time. I wish him all the best.

Posted by MrMojo4321, August 2, 2008 1:15 PM

Buy the ticket, take the ride.

One Nation...

Posted by UK Raider, August 2, 2008 3:39 PM

Bizarre story. Dont think I can agree with you on the TFDS position Rob. Whats wrong with this guy? Does he need constant media attention? Didn't look like he had too many personal problems to me spraying the Moet.

If its true he offered the Raiders a get out of jail card free then they should take it quick before he changes his mind. Give the money to Aso or Burgess. Lets see his resume of late: health concerns, average camp, publicity seeker, personal issues, overpaid, and now he's a quitter. A good training camp is being over shadowed by Walkers ego. Doesn't sound like a team player to me.

Posted by Patrick Patterson, August 2, 2008 5:18 PM

Good find, Rob...

Something tells me this could get ugly...

Posted by raidermomo64, August 2, 2008 5:23 PM

What an idiot..... His friend dies in his arms, he gets beat and robbed. He isn't playing well, felt bad and thought of giving back 11 mil. and actually i'm talking to UK. Moss didn't play and didn't give the money back. Maybe this guy is really hurting and is tired of life, but at least he thought of doing the right thing and give back 11 mil. Most of us would play out the year and let them fire us, and collect our money anyway. Packer fan, chime in anytime, you sound like an alright guy..... We're not all idiots here. 5th, nevermind, i don't feel like wasting my time.

Posted by Big John, August 2, 2008 5:40 PM

This really hurts. When I saw this headline it hurt me deep inside because it gives all the haters out there more material to roast us and say we're the worst run organization in sports. I just hope Walker can come out of this well and show all the nay-sayers up

#10

Posted by KUSHMAN, August 2, 2008 5:51 PM

haha who cares about the haters... they don't let me get down because i know the raiders will start to look like a football team this year.. so anything any douschebag says its going to bring me down.i mean, if the man feels he can't play he wont play... simple as that. don't listen to fags like horsesass over here.... one man decides he can't live up to the potential and all the sudden the team falls apart?! LMAO that's hilarious .. stupid people like horseman know NOTHING about football and it's hilarious. as for walker.. at the very least.. if al thinks he can be something in the not so distant future.. keep him on the practice squad and condition his ASS OFF... while catching balls all day from camp arms.. then if he he gets his will to play back and is in really good shape with that knee 110%... throw him in with russell in 2009... not a HUGE issue if he sits out this year.. either way... like others have said.. our heart goes out to you javon..

#11

Posted by KUSHMAN, August 2, 2008 5:52 PM

any doushebag says ISNT going to bring my spirits down.. grrr f'ing type-os..

#12

Posted by KUSHMAN, August 2, 2008 6:05 PM

hey 5th you still can't tell us your team can you? HAHA you're the biggest pussy hater on here.. at least dicks like mikewhiner support his constant shit talking and supports the niners.. you make no sense at all ... you just clown on al davis all day long because you don't know real facts about football. we know he shouldn't be running this team anymore dumbass.. it's like making fun of president bush.. the whole world knows he shouldn't be running anything.

so grow some balls and let us know what your team is so we can have a REAL debate.. otherwise come to a raider game and try talking shit.. see what happens to you.

#13

Posted by Al's Wingman, August 2, 2008 6:10 PM

anything that is critical of Al or the Raiders is automatically labeled as "hating" because the Raider Nation has no other response. The thought process begins and ends with fending off all the tough to swallow truths.

Mortenson was not the leak with the Kiffin memo and you would be seriously deluded if you think it didn't happen. This latest Walker retirement incident is proof Al blundered by signing the guy. That's al there is to it. Al is in his world and was the only guy who thought Walker was worth it to begin with. It just so happens Walker has a conscience and is owning up to his inability to live up to his contract.

Next up, Kwame Harris or maybe he'll just get waived and they'll have to play a TE at LT.

#14

Posted by Bill, August 2, 2008 7:37 PM

Hey Kush,

I've got to buy you a beer at a Raider Game. You and me always seem to be on the same page when we are posting to these stories. I am a season ticket holder. But this year I'll only be going to the Jets game. I'm bringing my football team too (Sparks Railroaders) The Raiders are going to aknowledge us on the jumbo screen! So if your going to the jets game I'll buy.

#15

Posted by Raiderchris56, August 2, 2008 8:20 PM

It is really unfortunate for both parties. I hate to see a guy collapse like this mentally but, it happens. It would have been better to let him go. I think Al is making a huge mistake, if this is even true, to keep Walker on the roster. He,Davis, could have recouped his losses, save the base salary money I suppose. Breaks my heart, the Raiders really needed someone to explode as a WR'ing target this year. As for the latent 9er fan HorsesAss, we have steady if not strong recievers on this team. Curry, Watkins and Carter. The cuts haven't been made yet and somewhere a good if not great WR will be had. Keep up the good work, Rob and Patrick. I've really come to enjoy this site and the very good work you two are putting out here..... Thanks!

#16

Posted by KUSHMAN, August 2, 2008 9:00 PM

haha hell yea bill that sounds great man! you'll give me a ticket is what you're saying?! man thats a generous offer.. i'll definetely take u up on that. if you are indeed giving me a ticket to sit with you and your football team.. i'll be buying you the beers my friend!

#17

Posted by KUSHMAN, August 2, 2008 9:04 PM

BTW i think we should throw antwon boldin walker's money and trade a few draft picks to the cardinals ...i realize that the cards don't seem to want to part ways with the guy... but boldin already said he's not going to sign with them next season... so why not work something out RIGHT NOW!! if we had boldin on this crew.. wow that's a scary mix of receivers and backs.. along with a stout TE ... very good offense indeed.

#18

Posted by Bill, August 2, 2008 9:50 PM

Sorry Kush the tickets are already got. Iment if you were already going to the game I would buy you a beer.

#19

Posted by Bill, August 2, 2008 10:33 PM

Hey what about Chris Henry? I know he will be supended for the first four weeks. I think at worst after four weeks we should be 2 and 2. Then we would start a pretty good offense. John Clayton is already saying he is going to be a Raider.

#20

Posted by KUSHMAN, August 3, 2008 8:46 AM

oh okay misunderstood.. haha yea we should arrange that still tho. chris henry would be a good grab man.. but think about it.. the man can't stay away from any kind of trouble and you're going to bring him to OAKLAND?! haha i've lived in the town man.. and even i (a white boy) found it hard to stay out of trouble haha! boldin has no record and seems to be a hard working guy... worth a bunch of picks (obviously not a first round since this is al we're talkin about) ... i guess if we took chris henry on and gave him a chance AND BOLDIN... that would be a f'in force.

#21

Posted by UK Raider, August 3, 2008 11:17 AM

Spot on chris56. Get the help this guy needs but make a business decision and take his offer. Sympathy aint going to turn round a 4-12 team. I'll be the happiest idiot around mo64 if he can get it together and produce this season. But I dont see it. If it is mental health issues the chances of a return to joining the elite are small. I hope you're wrong Pat but I share the same concerns. Things like these dont clear up overnight.