Javon Walker To Make Full Recovery…

Updating previous reports regarding the Javon Walker situation, Sirius NFL Radio reported last night that Walker has been released from the hospital and is on his way back to Oakland to rehab and continue his preparation for the 2008 regular season. Head coach Lane Kiffin then seemed optimistic with media about Walker being able to make a full recovery for the 2008 season.

This is great news, as he apparently dodged a huge bullet (figuratively). Still, we’re not crazy about him as more than a stretch WR3 option in 2008. We’ll continue to monitor Walker’s progress, as he’s definitely a fantasy x-factor due to his past stat lines.

Javon Walker Recovering & Rehabbing…

According to Rotoworld, Javon Walker’s agent issued a statement to the media saying that his client had already begun recovering and rehabbing. He suffered a concussion in the incident in Las Vegas on Monday, and reportedly has an orbital fracture and other noteworthy injuries.

We wish Javon the best - and it’s good news that he’s apparently in “recovery mode,” and we’re not saying he won’t play at all in 2008 - but we are definitely going on the record with our readers with the advice to avoid him at all costs in all league formats.

Javon Down - What Next?

We’re taking a break from analyzing our 18-round expert draft in this space, to look at a situation that occurred just two short nights ago, when Oakland Raiders WR Javon Walker was apparently mugged and robbed in Las Vegas, just off of the strip. Walker was found unconscious, with a fractured orbital bone, prior to being taken to a local hospital and treated. He was in fair condition originally, and could be released from the hospital soon, but what happened, and what happens next remain strikingly unclear. Read more

Javon Walker Situation: Will He Play In 2008?

Raiders WR Javon Walker was found unconscious just outside the Las Vegas strip early Monday morning, as the victim of an apparent robbery, according to Rotoworld.

Although Walker - one of the NFL’s top three highest paid WRs after signing with Oakland this off-season - is listed at an area hospital in fair condition, there are many reports that the has “significant injuries” including an orbital fracture.

Join our No-Offseason.com readers in talking about this on our forums, as they’re doing a great job reporting and analyzing the situation.

We won’t comment now on the situation, but we will give our fantasy take. This is not good for Walker owners. Flat out - he may not play this year. Cowboys safety Ken Hamlin suffered head and neck injuries in a club altercation while playing with the Seahawks, and was miraculously able to recover and re-start his career, hopefully Walker will be as fortunate.

We wish the best for Walker, but at this point - with these injuries - football doesn’t appear to be in his immediate future, thus his fantasy value - dynasty and otherwise - is in serious jeopardy.

Ronald Curry would likely step in and replace Walker in Oakland’s starting line-up, while Drew Carter would see an increased role as well.

Darren McFadden Grasping Raiders Offense…

KFFL reports that RB Darren McFadden, the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, is grasping the Raiders offense very well. Head coach Lane Kiffin his very impressed with his progress and ability to run plays in such a short time as a pro.

McFadden also understands that it’s up to him to help turn the Raiders franchise around and he’s up for the challenge. We don’t buy the reports that Justin Fargas will beat him out. Ask us, and we’ll tell you that McFadden is the man in Oakland.

Justin Fargas To See Bulk Of Carries?

ESPN.com’s John Clayton is reporting that Oakland Raiders coaches have said that Justin Fargas will receive 20 or more carries a game in 2007, while Darren McFadden will be used in a variety of roles, but will only get around 500 yards rushing in 2008.

Sorry, but we don’t really see this happening. McFadden has the talent to make the Raiders totally forget Fargas even exists. 1,000 yards from McFadden in year one, with 55 catches, seems like a solid bet to us. Call us crazy for going against what Clayton reports and what the coaches say, but we just don’t believe it.

Javon Walker Lashes Out At Broncos…

Reportedly, former Broncos WR Javon Walker has spoken out against Denver, telling the media that they misused him last season. This doesn’t come as a surprise, but what we find funny is that Walker is making threats at his former team, but we’re not impressed with the threats.

He recently told media that the Broncos would “see (him)” on September 8, the season opener for both squads. Well, we hope so. By “see me,” we’re wondering if Walker forgot a few words. “In the endzone” perhaps? Or maybe, “catch 11 balls for 140 yards.” If he just meant “on the field” then that’s not very exciting.

Apparently Walker was fired up when he made the comments, and one thing was apparently clear - he is happy to be out of Denver. Question - has anyone told him that he plays for the Raiders?

Darren McFadden Smart To Sign Early

The Raiders inked fourth overall pick Darren McFadden to a six-year, $60 million contract late Thursday night, with more than $20 million of it guaranteed. It may not seem like that big of a deal, but this move bodes well for his fantasy potential in 2008. We can’t physically look inside the minds of players to tell just how focused they are, but we can analyze their actions and the actions of those around them. The fact that McFadden didn’t beat around the bush and kick and scream like last year’s first rounder JaMarcus Russell, tells us his head is in the right place. Read more

Darren McFadden Gets Deal Done…

Unlike last season’s first round draft choice, this year the Raiders’ top selection decided to sign early. Darren McFadden inked a six year, $60 million deal with reportedly $20 million in guaranteed money late yesterday.

Wow - that was fast. McFadden has been practicing well and took the initiative to get a deal done. While it’s great money, it still says a lot about the fact that he wanted to make sure he didn’t miss any time. We fully expect him to come in and be a fantasy stud in 2008. Yep, we said it.

Michael Bush Looks Great In Practice…

We’re hearing that Raiders RB Michael Bush has looked very solid in recent practices. While it’s tough to judge the true potential of running backs when nobody is wearing pads, Bush has impressed the coaching staff with his pass catching ability and speed.

There’s still hope for him to carve out a role in Oakland’s backfield with Darren McFadden. Justin Fargas’ future appears to be shaky, and LaMont Jordan will be out the door soon enough.

Raiders Update: McFadden Looks Solid…

Word out of Oakland Raiders practice on Tuesday was that rookie RB Darren McFadden looked very solid, making some nice plays as a receiver out of the backfield, and showing the explosiveness that the Raiders drafted him for.

On the other hand, two players that the Raiders have a lot of cash invested in, aren’t exactly looking as explosive. Free agent WR acquisition Javon Walker still looks sluggish according to head coach Lane Kiffin - which is a concern, and QB JaMarcus Russell looks like he’s totally out of shape.

LaMont Jordan In Limbo…

The Raiders wouldn’t let LaMont Jordan practice with the team today, a clear cut sign that the back will be dealt or released soon.

With Al Davis being paranoid about Denver swooping in to sign Jordan, he’s more likely to be traded then released. However, no team has really expressed interest in giving up anything of value for Jordan - thus the limbo in which he currently sits.

One possibility for him is to be traded to San Diego for a 2009 late round draft pick. Norv Turner was his offensive coordinator in Oakland in 2005 during his one and only solid fantasy season, and Ladainian Tomlinson doesn’t have a clear cut back-up heading into the season - sorry Jacob Hester and Darren Sproles.