If Mike Shanahan is looking for a way to spice up the Broncos’ offense Sunday at New England, Javon Walker will have no problem telling the coach where the ball should go.
After a five-catch, 79-yard receiving effort highlighted by a leaping, 24-yard grab in Sunday’s overtime victory against Kansas City, Walker promised that his best performances in a blue-and-orange jersey are ahead of him – that is, if he’s given the chance.
“Any call to 84 is a great call,” Walker said, invoking his number after the Broncos’ 9-6 victory at Invesco Field at Mile High.
“If (Shanahan) comes to me and says, ‘Mr. Walker, we’re giving you 10 to 12 opportunities,’ then there’s going to be 10 to 12 completions.”
Playing in his first regular-season game in Denver as a Bronco, Walker caught only one ball in the first half but shone the brightest when the spotlight was hottest.
Along with easily his biggest play – the 24-yard catch from Jake Plummer in overtime to put the Broncos in position to win the game – Walker’s role as the team’s newest multitool weapon was on display late in the third quarter when he took a fourth-and-1 reverse upfield for a 16-yard gain.
Walker immediately followed that with another reverse, this time for 5 yards, and set up the Broncos’ first score.
Teammates said they could feel Walker’s energy, especially in the second half and overtime as he combined for 80 yards on the two runs and four catches.
And he came up big after fellow receiver Rod Smith was taken out in the second half with a concussion.
“He’s a big-play receiver, and you have to get him as many balls as you can,” Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams said. “He gave us a big push.”
Especially at the end of the game.
With Chiefs cornerback Ty Law fighting him down the sideline, Walker brought a lob by Plummer down in a tangle of hands at the K.C. 25.
Plummer admitted that he was just “throwing it up there” but had confidence that his new target would come away with the ball.
Walker wants his role to expand more in the coming weeks as the anemic Denver offense looks for a cure.
Next time, though, Walker wants to play a larger role earlier in the game, whether it be running or catching.
“Give me the ball,” Walker said. “I’ll make things happen.”
Perhaps the only player who could stop Walker at game’s end was Williams.
As Walker spoke to a reporter while walking to the off-field tunnel with fans screaming his name, the excited cornerback leapt and bumped Walker from behind.
The collision sent Walker sprawling amid the hiss of cleats on concrete.
The crowd gasped, but was relieved when Williams helped up the stunned receiver. The two slapped hands and headed into the locker room.
“He took a good fall, but he knows he’s my dog,” Williams said. “Believe me, we don’t want that guy hurt.”
Robert Sanchez can be reached at 303-954-1282 or Rsanchez@denverpost.com.
