Worst Contract Ever?
Tommy Kelly looks like a bargain now. Javon Walker's six-year, $55 million contract, with $27 million available in the first three years, was onerous in so many ways. It's the single most shocking contract I've seen in the last five years. NFL.com's wire report agrees, saying, calling it the "single-most stunning free-agent contract this off-season -- maybe ever." Let's count the reasons why.
1. Walker could barely jog down the stretch last season and missed eight games total. In the last six he played, he caught nine passes for 67 yards, for a sterling 7.44 yards-per-catch. He occasionally played behind Glenn Martinez.
2. His old coach, Mike Shanahan, believes Walker will need career-threatening microfracture surgery to fix his chronically injured knee. Walker has missed 23 games over the last three years because of the injury.
3. Walker doesn't want to be a supporting player, and he's successfully pushed his way off of two excellent passing attacks. In Denver, he openly resented Brandon Marshall's success. It will be interesting to see how handles playing for a poor passing team like the Raiders led by an inexperienced quarterback.
4. It seems highly unlikely that anyone would bid near that much Walker. Walker was going to have to sign a short-term prove-it deal. After Walker's agent said a third of the league was interested, many of the teams publicly said it wasn't remotely true.
5. Randy Moss got the exact same money in the first three years the day before. After he set the touchdown record for receivers in a season.
I wouldn't go near Walker in fantasy leagues this year. If he's lucky, Walker's tenure in the Black Hole will go as well as Moss'.
Comments
The Raiders don't have a choice though. They have to throw stupid money at FAs in order to attract anyone to come to town. They're woefully thin at WR (the only receivers on the roster before Walker signed were Ronald Curry and Johnnie Lee Higgins, not exactly striking fear in the hearts of anybody) and Walker, if he can get healthy has the skills to be a solid #1. This is the way it's going to go now in the NFL with the CBA/salary cap where it is.
Posted by: Mario | March 5, 2008 11:15 AM
They have a choice! Every team has a Choice..The GM of the Raiders has continued to put forth nothing but chaos into his team and this has just comfirmed he is way to old to be still leading this team. They will be able to trade their First overall pick for the next few years for guys like Brady...They'll never be able to rebound from this mess I hop Russell finds a way out...Phillys going to need a QB in a year or two.
Posted by: Biggz | March 5, 2008 12:01 PM
To quote Michael Steffes. The Raiders did to piss Lane Kiffin more so he quits. Basically 16 mil in guarantees to a one-legged disgruntled WR instead of paying 2 mil to Lane Kiffin who actually improved the Raiders and wanted to control the team he was coaching, now everybody gasp "DONT YOU SAY!" Al Davis needs to stop smoking crack.
Posted by: SEaHaWkArG | March 5, 2008 07:17 PM
The Raiders had plenty of choices here. They are rebuilding. To give Walker that rediculous contract is completely insane. He very easily could have been signed to a one year deal by somebody ...or sit out the year and have the micro frac done.This is certainly the end to a great franchise.
Posted by: John | March 5, 2008 08:53 PM
I am no salary cap genius, but his contract basically is a short term deal. Raiders can cut him loose after 2 seasons, and he would have been paid a $6 million signing bonus and salaries of $5 million in each of the 1st 2 seasons. He will basically need to repeat his career year with GB if the Raiders will ever consider writing the checks for the last few years of the deal, where his salary will increase substantially if he hits incentives. It's a risk, but the reward is very high if walker can stay healthy.
Posted by: cc | March 5, 2008 09:42 PM