Walker Wants More $$$

Walker wants new contract

By Allen Wilson

Updated: 05/11/07 7:47 AM

http://www.buffalonews.com/213/story/73300.html

The Buffalo Bills could be facing a holdout from recently acquired defensive tackle Darwin Walker.

Walker wants a new contract, and he won’t report to the club until he gets it, his New Jersey-based agent, Albert Irby, said Thursday.

Walker has two years left on his current contract he signed with Philadelphia, which granted his request for a trade after contract talks reached an impasse. In late March, the Bills sent linebacker Takeo Spikes and quarterback Kelly Holcomb to the Eagles in exchange for Walker and a conditional 2008 draft pick.

Irby said the Bills knew his client wanted a new contract when they traded for him.
“They understood the conditions of the trade,” Irby said. “We spoke to the Bills prior to the trade, explained what we were looking for and it was their decision to make the trade or not make the trade. They decided to make the trade, so I can only assume they are going to give Darwin a new deal.

“They don’t have to do it. But if they don’t, they probably won’t see Darwin around there.”
There is no immediate urgency for Walker to be in Buffalo. The Bills are in the midst of their offseason conditioning program, which is voluntary. Besides this weekend’s rookie orientation, the team will have three minicamps (also known as organized team activities), but only the June 11-13 session is mandatory. The Bills open training camp in late July.

“Obviously, Darwin is the property of the Buffalo Bills due to the trade,” said Scott Berchtold, the team’s vice president/communications. “We have been in contact with the agent and we look forward to Darwin’s participation in the mandatory camp in June.”

Irby is hopeful an agreement will be reached soon, but added Walker is prepared to sit out the June minicamp if a new deal isn’t in place.

The Bills obtained Walker to add experienced depth at defensive tackle. The seven-year veteran started the last five seasons in Philadelphia and is a good fit in the Bills’ defensive scheme because of his quickness and ability to disrupt plays in the backfield.

Walker made 36 tackles in 15 starts last season, and he had more sacks (six) than all of the Bills’ defensive tackles combined. He added two more sacks in an NFC second-round playoff loss at New Orleans.

“He brings so much to the table for the Bills in terms of his production, experience and leadership,” Irby said. “For them to not do this deal does not make much sense to me. The trade was made because of need. They got what they wanted. I’m assuming they are going to do the deal, but they are dragging their feet a little bit.”
awilson@buffnews.com

No wonder the Birds traded this clown. Not only can he not stop the run if his life depended on it, but he thinks he should be paid more for the crappy job he does. Good riddance. I hope Buffalo takes a hard line approach with him, and fines him every day he does not show up. I'm sick of players holding out. You signed the contract, now be a man, and honor it!