Rough start in Oakland for Javon Walker
By Victor Cotto, S&B Report Staff Columnist
The start of Javon Walker’s career with the Oakland Raiders has been turbulent and should be of great concern to an organization in dire of need of a big time playmaker at wide receiver.
After signing a six-year $55 million deal in the off-season – an already questionable move considering knee problems in 2007 that limited his production and a inability to string back-to-back solid seasons since 2004 – the Silver & Black believed they acquired a ‘go to’ target for JaMarcus Russell and a motivated player that was primed to face the club that jettisoned him back in February as a divisional rival in 2008. But since his acquisition, what they have gotten is a receiver who is still healing injuries from last season and that has put himself in a dangerous predicament off the field a year after a teammate died in his arms.
Walker was found unconscious early Monday on a street near the Las Vegas Strip after a night of partying during which he was photographed spraying a nightclub crowd with champagne per Associated Press reports.
Today, news surfaced that Walker is still hospitalized with a concussion and a battered face, one day after he was beaten, robbed, and left unconscious.
Considering that his dear friend and teammate Darrent Williams was fatally shot during a late-hour incident which again heightened the awareness of athletes in public places and the dangers involved in making appearances at events that can cause such unfortunate instances, Walker reportedly engaged in the bar-hopping and casino scene, exposing himself to what became another avoidable occurrence that miraculously did not end in the life of another athlete.
Police said a large amount of cash and some jewelry were taken from Walker, who suffered “a moderate concussion and significant injuries to his face,” per AP stories.
Investigating police Lt. Clinton Nichols said Tuesday that authorities will try to conduct interviews with Walker prior to his discharge from the hospital about activities that occurred in the hours before he was robbed.
Regardless of what he says or what instances happened that evening, Walker should’ve never put himself in that situation.
The Raiders rewarded him with a bigger contract this off-season than what free agents Bernard Berrian or Randy Moss got from their clubs.
And in return, what they have received is a player that Lane Kiffin has not been able to incorporate in important preparatory drills with his new teammates due to his lack of conditioning and now that has been in the hospital due to late night indiscretions.
Getting healthy, bouncing back from an unproductive season as he did in 2006 after playing only game in 2005 should be Walker’s emphasis.
Retaining his status as one of the exciting receivers in his conference is what the Raiders expected. Not being part of unfortunate circumstances off the field that could be avoided.
Oakland showered him with a big deal and in turn Walker chose to shower champagne into a club crowd instead of immersing himself into complete commitment to the team.
It’s been a tough start for Walker in Oakland. And first impressions have not been rousing.
You would’ve thought that the Williams incident in Denver would’ve served as a wake up call.
If that wasn’t…
Then this one will.
For his sake, I hope it was.
