‘Twas the notes before Christmas
Talk about a sign of the times. Reporter to Javon Walker: “Javon, simply put, can you say those three words, ‘I’ll be back?’ ”
Walker: “Here?”
Well, no, that wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. I wanted to know if Walker thought he could be, you know, Javon Walker again, the guy who caught 69 balls for 1,000-plus yards last season. But you get the point.
Walker can feel the uncertainty, given his washout year and all those millions the Broncos owe him. But then, how could he not feel it? He gets asked about it almost every week.
Know this about Walker: His return to health ranks right after upgrading the defensive front seven on the list of things that must happen for the Broncos to return to the playoffs. If he’s healthy and productive and on the same field as Brandon Marshall, the Broncos’ offense could be special.
And if not? Then it would be hard to envision this nucleus of players unseating the Chargers from the top of the AFC West food chain. While time will tell if Walker can re-emerge as an elite big-play receiver, let the record show his knee problems haven’t diminished his confidence.
“Yeah, obviously,” Walker said, when asked if he planned to be his old self next season. “The way I’m running around at practice right now, it feels good. It’s just an injury where you’re trying to get healthy over the course of a year, which makes it very hard. But knowing I’ve been taking my time, still practicing but progressing, I know I can go into the offseason perfectly healthy.”
You don’t suppose Walker, who wears his Florida State heritage on his sleeve, caught any grief for the academic cheating scandal at his old school, do you? Nah, didn’t think so. “I’ve always passed all my finals, so I think I’m eligible,” he said. “I think I might go suit up. They might need some people.” …
The most vocal leader on the Broncos? Believe it or not, it still might be Rod Smith, who has spent the entire season on IR. Said Matt Lepsis: “It’s just part of his personality. He likes to talk.” …
From the where-are-they-now dept.: Travis McGriff, a Broncos third-rounder in 1999 who caught five balls in three NFL seasons, is playing in the All American Football League. …
The bad news is the Broncos’ defensive front seven needs a major upgrade. The good news is there are a handful of impact front-seven types scheduled to hit the free-agent market. The names include Jared Allen, Justin Smith, Terrell Suggs and Lance Briggs. …
Tennessee D-tackle Albert Haynesworth? He’s a heck of a talent and, yep, he could be a free agent. Expect him to have a locker at Dove Valley right about the time Santa’s pet pig flies by your window. …
A name that jumped off the page while perusing the latest NFL stats: Mason Crosby. The ex-Buff leads the league in scoring with 130 points. The last rookie to lead the Not For Long in points? Chicago’s Kevin Butler, who had 144 in 1985. …
Bill Parcells‘ first order of business with the Dolphins? Let’s put it this way: Thanks for the memory, Cam Cameron. …
You figured they would arrive at this time of year. The Marty Schottenheimer rumors, that is. Having been turned down by Parcells to run their front office, the Falcons could make a run at Schottenheimer to walk the sideline. …
What, no Bill Cowher rumors? To quote the Wicked Witch of the West, “In time, my pretty, in time.” …
So you missed a couple of 2-foot birdie putts before the snow arrived. You’re not alone, bubba. Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri has shanked two extra points this season. For the record, Jason Elam has missed three in 15. …
Troy Smith, the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner, will start today for the Ravens. Meanwhile, Vinny Testaverde, the 1986 Heisman winner, has started a handful of games for the Panthers. Two Heisman winners starting at quarterback in the same NFL season, 21 years after one of them won the award. Feel free to assume that’s a first.
Catch Jim Armstrong’s column on Sunday and the day after Broncos games. He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
