A Bit More on Darwin Walker

by Brian Galliford on Jul 30, 2007 2:07 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

While we wait for reports on today's lone practice at St. John Fisher (which ended at 1:00 PM), let's take one more look back at Darwin Walker. Specifically, some of the quotes to note from the parties involved in the trade as well as a strange rumor:

Bills GM Marv Levy on the Walker trade:

"When he didn't show up to begin camp, it looked like it would drag on. The opportunity presented itself for us to make this deal with the Bears, so it seemed like the best thing to do. We did it and we're moving on."

"We're very encouraged by the progress John (McCargo) has made. That helps alleviate a little bit of the fact that we weren't able to come to terms. If we could have worked something out with Darwin, we would have liked to have had him."

"We are content with the deal."

Bears DT Darwin Walker on the situation:

"Philly, I have no regrets. I enjoyed myself in Philadelphia. I'll always have those years, championship years, to remember. But I'm extremely excited to be here."

"When we first went to Philadelphia [to ask for a trade], the first team I wanted to talk to was Chicago. Philly had their ways of making things happen the way they wanted to, but fortunately it turned around and worked out for me."

Walker's agent, Albert Irby, on Walker's status with the Bears:

"Darwin's old deal is gone. The new deal will be talked about tomorrow. We'll take a one-year deal. We'll do whatever it takes. We're not going to hold out."

Sounds like the big guy is singing a completely different tune - it's painfully obvious that Walker played his hand this way to force his way out of Buffalo rather than get more money. That much is certain. Why else would he go to Chicago and settle for exactly what the Bills already offered him?

Those are the quotes. Here's the rumor, per Pro Football Talk:

WALKER REPORTED BEFORE TRADE
Bears defensive tackle Darwin Walker, acquired earlier on Sunday in a trade with the Bills, reported to the Buffalo camp on Saturday, a day before being shipped to Chicago.

We wrote earlier that Walker's rights would revert from Buffalo to Philly if a long-term deal were not worked out by August 5. We were incorrect -- Walker's rights would have gone back to the Eagles if Walker had not reported by August 5.

Since Walker reported to the Bills before the trade, that issue is now dead.

It doesn't much matter that Walker reported, it's why - he did it to permanently cut ties with Philly, whether a deal was cut or not. By reporting to the Bills he voids the "throwback to Philly" option and forces the Bills' hand - trade me or cut me. This was another ploy by Walker and his agent, and it worked out well for him.

You know what? It's hard to fault Walker here - he wanted to play in Chicago and he played his angles perfectly to get there. I'm glad he's not in Buffalo - anyone who goes to those lengths to get what they want doesn't exactly fit into the character atmosphere we're building here in Buffalo. It's refreshing to know that Levy was able to improve our draft pick, leaving us with 10 picks in next year's draft. This team is still doing well - and in the long run, we're likely far better off with Walker in Chicago than as part of our rotation.

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I am loving...

all of these postives coming from training camp about John McCargo. I had no idea who he was when Buffalo drafted him, and last year we barely got to see him. If he can step up and play like a first-round pick, that is just one less thing that the defense has to worry about.

As has been said on this blog many times before, this defense is going to be MUCH better than anyone is giving them credit for.

bravescorner.blogspot.com

by nickfeely8 on Jul 30, 2007 3:08 PM EDT reply actions

Like a scratched record...

I'll repeat what I've said before. Mario Williams owes him millions (as does Manny Lawson, for that matter). Look at MW's sack totals just in their final year (2005 season) before McCargo got injured vs. after. THAT is why he went first overall. McCargo is the snowplow of any line he's on - he sucks the line in around him.

That's why eventually - I think - we'll see him at the NT. First, though, there had to be a full correction of his foot (as it wasn't healed up to NFL standards in the first place, apparently).

Who knows? This is a very bright defensive (scratch that - all around) coaching staff. First off is his lining up next to Kyle as a starter - and I think we just might see that by opening day.

by Dock Ellis on Jul 31, 2007 9:36 AM EDT reply actions