Darren Sharper: Walker Wants To Walk

Coming to a Clearance Rack Near You

Minnesota Vikings defensive back Darren Sharper was live on the scene as the San Diego Chargers topped the Indianapolis Colts yesterday. But while he was doing some television work, Sharper offered some insight on his good friend, and Denver Bronco wide receiver, Javon Walker.

"He wants to get out of there," Sharper said Sunday during the Colts-Chargers AFC divisional playoff game, where the Minnesota Vikings safety was doing television work. "I know all about it, and he wants out. He's not happy. He wants the ball. He doesn't feel like he's part of the offense."

While I can agree that the Broncos have another solid wide receiver in Brandon Marshall, perhaps not feeling like a part of the offense stems from not being able to stay healthy?

Is it just me, or did the same situation go down in Green Bay? Walker can deny that he has an ego all he wants, but getting injured and watching others flourish is the bane of his problems. In 2005, after a long contract battle, Walker injured his knee early in the season and then refused to play for the team again, prompting the move to Denver.

Many have hinted that the Broncos will ask Walker to re-work his contract - as he's slated to receive $5.4 million in bonus money on top of his $7.05 million cap number - but the receiver was quick to nip this in the bud as "other top players have not be asked to take a pay cut after injuries." It was only a year ago that Walker was supposed to be the "final piece" to Mike Shanahan's Super Bowl puzzle.

Walker is quickly making a name for himself in the league, and it isn't a name that many teams will want to add to their roster.


Sharper's Line On Walker [Denver Post]

Not So Fast, A.P.

While Adrian Peterson getting the Rookie of the Year award has been pretty much a lock for weeks, those that thought he would be unanymously handed the trophy will be surprised to see that A.P. didn't get all of the votes.

That's right, Peterson had to share a few first place votes with Browns' offensive tackle Joe Thomas.

Of the 50 votes, Thomas mustered 3.5 first-place nods. How one can get half of a vote is beyond me, but the former Wisconsin Badger did just that.

Football Outsiders have Thomas listed as one of the top two tackles in all of football this season, based on one of their in-depth formulas. While he has to sit and wait to see if one of the offensive linemen that were voted to the Pro Bowl dip out, those that followed the rookie know what he meant to the Browns turn-around this year.

Morning YouTubeness: Crotch Grabbin' Good Time

Morning, readers. Both of you.

The big talk of the blogosphere yesterday was the Lamebeau Leap that resulted in a little second base action. While I totally agree with these guys, I figured you could forward this on to the 3:30 mark to check it out for yourself. Enjoy.



On The Grabbing Of NFL Crotches [With Leather]

Hi, My Name Is: Koren Robinson

Typically, the "Hi My Name Is" features are about unknown players. In this case, many of fans know of Koren Robinson, but what you may not know is that the veteran receiver has been reinstated today.

If you recall, Robinson was given the chance to rejuvinate his career in Minnesota. He then proceeded to throw opportunity off of a giant cliff by getting busted with a blood alcohol level of 0.11 percent while driving at triple-digit speeds.

He was promptly released by the Vikings and picked up by division rival Green Bay. After playing in a handful of games, Robinson was suspended for a year and spent 90 days in jail due to the abovementioned incident.

Well, today hath shine a ray of light.

..according to Robinson's agent Alvin Keels...

"He just got this letter this morning," Keels said. "He's flying to Green Bay and will start to catch up on things with the team. The Packers have a bye week so he has some time to get caught up."

The Packers will be given a roster exemption for Robinson until they decide when he should come onto the active roster.

His return has been long awaited by quarterback Brett Favre, who feels that the receiver should be given another chance. For a team that throws the ball roughly 50 times a game, another receiver added to the mix will only help. Of course until he gets in trouble again; which, by using history to tell the future,is bound to happen eventually.

Koren Robinson can return to Packers practice immediately [ESPN]

Morning YouTubeness: Purple Jesus

While Monday's are typically awful, I'd have to argue that this one may not be so bad. Well, unless you're one of those guys that swapped Adrian Peterson for Sammy Morris right before game time in your fantasy football league.

Peterson tore up the vaunted Chicago defense for 361 all-pupose yards and three touchdowns. He made half of the team look like they were standing still for the majority of his 20 carries. NFL players don't average 11 yards per carry through an entire game. Especially rookies. Against Chicago. Except one man. Purple Jesus.

Check out the run that takes place about 50 seconds in. Absolutely sick. Enjoy.



Bad. Ass. [Kissing Suzy Kolber]

"A Little Bit Extra" ... Against The Giants

Two weeks after Eagles Quarterback Donovan McNabb told the ever-jolly Bryant Gumbel that African-American quarterbacks need to give "a little bit extra" to not get criticized, I’m beginning to think that he has a point. At least he has a point when it comes to beating the New York Giants.

Week one, the Giants were handed a 10-point loss by a pale Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys. Romo threw for 345 yards and four touchdowns. Solid Effort regardless of what Michael Irvin said about Romo's past...

Week two, Brett Favre and the Packers come to town. This time, more of the same with the grizzly, and very white, veteran throwing for 286 yards and three touchdowns. Again, a superb effort.

Last week, the Giants go on the road – this time facing a Redskins team led by Jason Campbell, an African-American quarterback. What does Campbell provide? A sub-par 190 yards and only one touchdown - resulting in a gut-wrenching loss for his team.

This past Sunday night, the Giants welcomed Donovan McNabb and his Philadelphia Eagles to town. How did the Giants greet him? By sacking him 12 times and allowing only 138 yards through the air. McNabb completed less than half of his pass attempts, averaging less than five yards per completion. Piss poor effort.

If you ask me, the answer is obvious: The New York Giants are easier on Caucasian quarterbacks than those of African-American descent.

The Giants defense has 16 sacks on the season; 14 of which are against the two black quarterbacks that they have opposed. Maybe if Campbell and McNabb gave it a little bit extra, they may have escaped some of the takedowns. Perhaps McNabb could have kept it to single digits, even.

Looking down the remainder of the Giants' schedule, the Blue and White should be able to at least win two more games – coincidently just happens to be the next two times they play Washington and Philadelphia. Fear not Giants fans, as there appears to be some upside!

The Atlanta Falcons (week six) have recently signed Byron Leftwich, who is definitely no Michael Vick Johnson when it comes to agility. He can easily be taken down 13 or 14 times.

Minnesota (week 12) is currently being manned by Kelly Holcomb, who may be as far from African-American as there is in the league. Actually, "manned" may even be a stretch, given that his name is Kelly. However, his performance over the last game allows me to think that the job will not be his when Tavaris Jackson returns. Another black quarterback for the Giants to feast on. Fans, I’d circle this day on my calendar if I were you.

If you think about it, a 6-10 record isn’t too bad, and may even get you into the playoffs in the NFC. So, strap in next week as it may be a rough ride against whichever white quarterback the Jets throw the Giants’ way. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel – it’s just not a very white light.

McNabb says black QBs under more pressure [ESPN]

Queue Up The Berman Sound Effects

Rookie running back Adrian Peterson had a decent evening on limited work this past weekend. Thanks to the boys at KSK, we get to see a few of his carries. The best one by far is the first carry from scrimmage that coupled a Madden-esque spin move with a little bit of shoulder for the defensive back down field.



While Chester Taylor is still in tow, it'll be tough for Minnesota to not give way to Peterson. Let's just hope that his shoulder-lowering antics coupled with the astroturf in the dome don't land him on the injured list by week eight.