Bucs talk trade with Broncos for Walker

   The Bucs have had discussions with the Denver Broncos about trading for receiver Javon Walker.

   The Broncos have made no secret of their desire to part ways with Walker, who is owed an option bonus of $5.4-million March 4. Walker said at the end of the of the season that he wanted to find a 'better fit,' elsewhere.

Walker, 29, was hampered by a knee injury last season and played in just eight games, catching 26 passes for 287 yards and no touchdowns. But he has had 1,000-yard receiving seasons with the Broncos in 2006 and the Packers in '04.

   The Bucs are looking to upgrade the receiver position. Joey Galloway will be 37 next season, Ike Hilliard will be 32 while Michael Clayton and Maurice Stovall had struggled to make a consistent impact.

   Walker would give the Bucs a big target at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds that can work the middle of the field and make yards after the catch.

   On Thursday during a break at the NFL scouting combine, general manager Bruce Allen would neither confirm nor deny the Bucs had talks with the Broncos about Walker.      

   ""I couldn't say that,'' Allen said. ""I couldn't say one way or another.

   ""I'll neither confirm nor deny.''

   Walker isn't the only player on the Bucs radar. Allen said the team is pursuing Falcons defensive tackle Rod Coleman and tight end Alge Crumpler. One or both players could visit the Bucs training facility sometime next week.

   Allen met with Coleman's agent, Pat Dye, Jr., on Wednesday and will have talks with Crumpler's agent this weekend.

   Allen predicted that Coleman could have a new team before the start of the free agent signing period Feb. 29.

   Coleman, who has 58.5 career sacks, was plagued by an assortment of injuries last season and played in just five games before finishing the year on Injured Reserve.

   But the Bucs are all too aware of how disruptive Coleman can be as a pass rusher and the Bucs are looking to put more pressure on the quarterback. Allen drafted Coleman with the Oakland Raiders in 1999.

   ""He's been quite a foe for us the last four years,'' Allen said. ""You've been to the games, you've noticed No. 75. We have talked to him. (His agent) is working out Rod's schedule where to do visits and physicals. We've just got to see where his health is and when Pat decides when to get serious.

   ""He's played very well against us. He has rushed our players...he is a good competitor. That's why he has a lot of interest and that's why we haven't heard when he's scheduled to visit yet.''

   Crumpler has more than 4,000 career receiving yards and 35 touchdowns. Allen said he likes his ability to make plays down the field but said he also is a good blocker.

   ""I'll meet with them. (His agent) is coming here to meet with different teams and I should meet with him tomorrow.

   ""He's a very good weapon and he's made (four) Pro Bowls. Amazingly productive and a good all-around tight end. Not limited to one aspect.''

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Comments

[Big Chet]

Walker is a complainer. At some point he'll pull the same stunt here as he's done at his past two stops. If we can get one good year out of him (his "I'll show you" year) and then dump him, that would be good. I'd rather the Bucs go for Berrian as the WR, he's young, doesn't have the baggage that Walker does and has produced the past 2 years, is young and has a real good upside. If he played his last 2 years with a good QB, he could have put up even better numbers. He runs his routes real well and has great hands.

[vinny]

read this

[Steve]

I believe Walker knows it would not be in his best interest to tank the season if he came here. This guy is solid but health is an issue. Berrian is solid as well as I would like either player. We need offense no matter what spin you put on it. The defense is so amazing to have ranking they had and have an offense that could not put up points. You have to have talent to play in this league and rebuilding a program through the draft is very hard. This defense is already superbowl caliber and by some freak of nature if we get any kind of consistant offense we can make some real noise this year.

[aaron]

we already have 2 "possesion" wr's in stovall and clayton. clayton came on at the end of the year and stovall just needs a chance. for gods sake gruden get those 2 on the field more and you would see that adding another type of wr like that is unnecessary. look at the other side with joey, he is so freaking old. dont get me wrong i love him as a buc but if we are to get a wr in free agency rather than the draft then my god, gruden/allen go after a faster wr, like bernard berrian.

[DR]

aaron, to be a "possession" receiver, you have to get open and catch the ball. Stovall and Clayton don't do either. Stovall may have a chance to be something here but Clayton is a waste.
Waker would be a good addition if he can stay healthy and as long as he doesn't retire and hang out with Plummer.

[Mike]

I am pretty sure that Gruden sees his wr's EVERY DAY at practice and has a better idea of what he is dealing with than anyone on the blog.

[Mike]

I have to agree with DR on this one. Clayton is never going to be more than an average #2 or #3 wr. Stoval has some good highlights but the consistancy isn't there yet. He could be a hell of a 3rd down option (like Ike).

[Jay]

Walker would definitely produce his 1st year here, its the years after that, that might cause speculation. I think its worth the risk, he shouldnt be expensive due to his injury plagued season last year, he is definitely a playmaker, i say go for it. One player i would love to see them pursue but would definitely be at a very steep price is Larry Fitzgerald, great hands and character guy, a franchise receiver definitely. Stovall or Clayton gotta go. Hopefully Parris Warren comes back in good shape, and can show what he showed last year.

[BucsFan28]

Hey,I think Walker is a heck of a player but if he can't get along with Farve,and now wants to leave Denver what is he going to do after a year or two here.Didn't he come into the Broncos with a knee injury as we'll if not it was some injury related to his leg,anyways lets get Berrian,he's the only W.R. that doesn't have baggage or issues,forget Roy Williams,him and Garcia didn't get along in Detriot and Clayton will be fine if Gruden would just trust his youth on the team,he's starting to come around with the O'line but how can someone produce if thet never get a look and if you remember correctly there was alot a praise from Gruden on his two young wide-outs in the begaining if the saeson last year so why didn't they get on the field,of coarse there productivity will drop if there not getting playing time.

[jason]

Walker concerns me. All the issues listed above, and the money definitely needs to be reworked.
I do like Berrian he's been awesome inside of a really bad passing game. The Bears are crazy if they let him get away.

[Jay]

Hey maybe third time is a charm for diva wide recivers, for example: Terrell Owens; San Fran, Philly, and Dallas. Randy Moss: Minnesota, Oakland, and New England. Javon Walker; Green Bay, Denver, and Tampa Bay? Just a thought or wishful thinking. Not saying Walker is on the same level, just saying.

[Chris Rix]

I've been known to be a hard person to get along with and not always the best teammate and he and I never had issues at FSU. In fact, he still owes me A LOT of money from his last game in garnet & gold when he made himself a #1 draft pick.

[Roqer]

Ted Thompson looks like a genius now for dumping this guy. He's beginning to look like a real cancer on a football team. As a Packer fan I sure don't miss him. I think Gruden is a terrific coach, but I don't know why he would want Walker. It's like spiking the players Gatorade with arsenic.

[shane]

well i would like to see walker come in here and produce and take the bucs to the next level (or at least past the first round of the playoffs) maybe if the bucs get a couple of good recievers maybe the bucs will be in the suberbowl here in tampa

[Str8BucIn]

I think he would be a great fit for the Buc's. He's fimilar with the West coast offense and Gruden would put him to use the way he want's to be used. That was his biggest complaint in Denver and you know he would be very happy to be back in the state which he shined in as a college player. Bring him on and look for speed in the draft.

[Str8BucIn]

I think he would be a great fit for the Buc's. He's fimilar with the West coast offense and Gruden would put him to use the way he want's to be used. That was his biggest complaint in Denver and you know he would be very happy to be back in the state which he shined in as a college player. Bring him on and look for speed in the draft.

The last thing we need is another FSU guy on this team. How about drafting Mike Jenkins and getting some Bulls on the roster. USF is Tampa's team.

[Sean]

That was one of the dumbest posts I've ever seen: "The last thing we need is another FSU guy on this team."

Because the history clearly shows that anyone who comes out of that school doesn't belong in the NFL, right?

Settle down with the USF talk. Let the Bulls find a way to finish a season without tanking down the stretch before proclaiming them the talent-rich program of Florida.

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
We do not need a 29 year old injury prone wide reciever. we can get a speedy reciever in the fourth round that can produce more than walker would. We need a young LT in the first round. Branden Albert (Virginia)...

[Alex]

YES YES YES But go after Moss or Chad Johnson first

[Chuck]

Bucs would be better off drafting Andre Caldwell or Mario Manningham than wasting money on this malcontent.