When the Broncos spent the spring watching tape of veteran receivers they thought might be available through trade or free agency, they were looking for the guy who could win a game late.
They wanted the guy who would be sure to make a catch even if he wasn’t open. The guy who would outjump and outwork multiple defenders to make the play everyone would talk about.
Stop the tape. Here’s the guy. Here’s your game-winner. The study always brought the Broncos to Javon Walker. After two months of study and subsequent negotiations with Green Bay, the Broncos used a second-round pick to trade for Walker on draft day. And in a 9-6 victory over Kansas City, Walker began to show why the Broncos wanted him.
“I know why they brought me in, to help make the big play,” Walker said. “They want me to make the big catch. That’s what I’ve done in the past. I pride myself in making the big catch. Hopefully, this is just the start of it here. Hopefully, the fans will see a lot more of this.”
Fans left Invesco Field at Mile High on Sunday knowing why Walker was the centerpiece of the Broncos’ offseason. They knew why Denver outworked half a dozen teams to acquire Walker. They knew why Denver gave Walker the hefty contract he wanted. They knew why Walker was worth the risk, coming off a knee injury that had sidelined him for most of the 2005 season with the Packers.
If this season is going to mirror the Broncos’ 2005 season – it has been eerily similar thus far – a big catch by Walker in overtime may be the equivalent of Champ Bailey’s 25-yard interception return for a touchdown against San Diego in Week 2 last year, awakening a Denver team that wound up taking a 14-3 record into the AFC title game.
During a second consecutive game of mostly uninspired and mistake-filled play by the offense, Walker made the play of the early season in overtime. With longtime star receiver Rod Smith on the bench because of a concussion, the Broncos were at the Chiefs’ 49-yard line on second-and-10. Walker took off down the Chiefs’ sideline, baiting veteran cornerback Ty Law and moving inward toward the ball. He brought in the pass from Jake Plummer, and made a nice move to get to the Chiefs’ 25 for a 24-yard gain. After three consecutive running plays, Jason Elam ended what Walker started with a 39-yard field goal. Denver had the victory. Denver had the guy.
“I hope it has the same effect as the interception did last year,” Bailey said. “I hope it rubs off for the rest of the season.”
Plummer expects it will.
“He’s shown why we got him here is to go get the ball,” Plummer said of Walker. “He’s made some big catches, and that one was the biggest one he’s had yet. Hopefully there will be more.”
Against the Chiefs, Walker showed why he is a co-No. 1 receiver with Smith. He made five catches for 79 yards, and ran a 16-yard reverse on fourth-and-1 from Kansas City’s 43 in the third quarter to set up the first of Elam’s three field goals.
“I felt much better about my second game than my first game,” Walker said. “But those first games are always shaky. I feel like I have it all behind me now.”
Walker dropped two passes in Denver’s 18-10 loss at St. Louis while making his first regular-season appearance since suffering his knee injury in the 2005 opener with Green Bay.
Walker showed in the Kansas City game he is healthy and ready to team with Smith for a strong receiving tandem. Smith practiced Wednesday and is listed as probable. Coach Mike Shanahan said he expects Smith to play Sunday at New England.
New England tried to get Walker to visit after he completed his trip to Denver on the eve of his draft-day trade.
“Now, I’m finally making that trip to New England,” Walker said. “But I’m a Bronco now.”
Staff writer Bill Williamsoncan be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
