Packers wide receiver isn't mad at Favre
By LORI NICKEL
lnickel@journalsentinel.com
Posted: May 13, 2005
Green Bay Packers receiver Javon Walker claims that he holds no grudges against Brett Favre over the quarterback's criticism of his contract holdout and left open the possibility that he would attend the team's next minicamp next month.
Javon Walker is scheduled to make a base salary of $515,000 next year.
The Pro Bowl receiver spoke to a reporter from WTMJ Channel 4 Thursday at Mitchell International Airport, soon after he arrived in Milwaukee for the first Javon Walker Celebrity Softball Slam, Saturday afternoon at Miller Park.
"As a matter of fact, I didn't hear the comments," Walker said when asked about Favre's blunt criticism of Walker's holdout a week ago. "I heard them from friends. But I'll never hold a grudge, you know. He's a great quarterback and I don't see myself playing with any other quarterback."
Walker missed the Packers' post-draft minicamp and could not say for sure whether he would attend the next minicamp, which begins June 1.
"Um, I'm not sure," Walker said. "It's a possibility."
Walker was asked if he would consider playing for the Packers even if they didn't immediately sweeten his contract. Walker is scheduled to make a base salary of $515,000 next year.
"We'll just have to wait and see," he said.
He did say he hoped his reputation with fans is not damaged by the holdout.
"I'm hoping it is something that they can forgive and forget," Walker said.
Meanwhile, Walker's agent, Drew Rosenhaus was interviewed on ESPN on Thursday, saying he was certain he would be successful in getting a deal between Walker and the Packers.
"It's only May. Everyone should just chill out," Rosenhaus told ESPN.
Rosenhaus also had a shot for Favre.
"You know, I have to show great respect for the Hall of Famer, Brett Favre," Rosenhaus said. "But Brett Favre himself has had his own contract disputes. And I'm surprised he's not sympathetic and supportive, but we respect him."
Minicamp set: The Packers will hold seven practices as part of their second and final minicamp of this off-season.
The camp will run from June 1-3 and 6-9, the team announced Wednesday.
Practices will start at 11 a.m. except for the final day. On June 9, practice will start at 8:45 a.m. The workouts are scheduled to take place on Ray Nitschke Field and be open to the public. However, in the event of inclement weather or poor field conditions, the practices will be moved inside to the Don Hutson Center. Practices there would be closed.
http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/may05/325812.asp
