http://www.modbee.com

By BEE NEWS SERVICES

ALAMEDA — Javon Walker has some experience bouncing back from knee
surgery and a change of teams to return to his level as an elite wide
receiver in the NFL.

The Oakland Raiders are hoping he can pull off the trick once again.

After a torn knee ligament cost Walker all but one game in Green Bay in
2004, he was traded to Denver where he caught 69 passes for 1,084 yards
and eight touchdowns in his first season with the Broncos.

The revival lasted only one season as Walker injured his right knee
again last year and was limited to just eight games and 26 catches in
2007, leading to his release by Denver in February.

Walker signed a six-year, $55 million deal with the Raiders shortly
after that and says the latest injury should be of little concern.

"Sometimes injuries are like a tuneup. When you get a car that goes 100
miles per hour and wastes so much gas, when you bring it into the
service shop, you service it, and it's as good as new. I feel good. I
feel faster. I feel lighter on my feet."

The Raiders are still taking things slow with Walker, limiting him to
one practice a day at this week's mandatory minicamp. Coach Lane Kiffin
said that Walker is picking up the new offense well, but that
conditioning remains an issue.

"Javon's a little heavy right now."

A healthy Walker will be a big key to the Raiders 2008 season. He
provides the big-play threat lacking last season after Randy Moss was
traded to New England.

Walker was a Pro Bowler in Green Bay when he caught 89 passes for 1,382
yards and 12 touchdowns and has scored 30 TDs over his past three
healthy seasons.

He's part of a unit in Oakland that has plenty of questions.

Ronald Curry had the best year of his career in 2007 with 55 catches for
717 yards and four touchdowns, but has been injury prone throughout his
career and is out right now recovering from foot surgery.

Drew Carter was also signed as a free agent this offseason, but has only
71 career catches for 977 yards and eight touchdowns as he has also
struggled with knee injuries.

• BUC STOPPED — Tampa Bay tight end Jerramy Stevens was suspended
without pay for the first two games of the season and fined an
additional game check Wednesday for violating the NFL's substance abuse
policy.

Stevens signed with the Bucs in April 2007 after being released by
Seattle following his arrest for investigation of driving under the
influence and possession of marijuana. The former first-round draft pick
was convicted of DUI in September and served a one-game suspension and
was fined an additional game check for the marijuana offense. The latest
suspension stems from the DUI portion of the case.

• JASON, COME BACK — Two weeks after announcing Jason Taylor won't
practice with the team through training camp, Dolphins coach Tony
Sparano said he told the six-time Pro Bowl defensive end that he and the
organization want him back.

The new Dolphins regime, led by Bill Parcells, has been fuming for
months that Taylor spent his offseason on the TV show "Dancing With the
Stars" rather than working out with teammates.

Sparano and GM Jeff Ireland talked at a fund-raising dinner for the
defensive end's charity last weekend, and the two sides seem to cool
their feud — for now.

However, Sparano said Taylor is still not expected to be at any
practices through training camp, keeping his future with the team uncertain.

• PACMAN — At the end of his first practice in more than a year Tuesday,
Adam "Pacman: Jones intercepted a pass — thrown by Cowboys
third-stringer Richard Bartel, not Pro Bowl starter Tony Romo — and
returned it about 60 yards to the end zone.

Jones, acquired from Tennessee in April, can also take part in training
camp and preseason games, but remains suspended from the regular season.
Commissioner Roger Goodell will rule on that by Sept. 1, six days before
the Cowboys' opener. He missed all the 2007 season while suspended from
the NFL following an accumulation of arrests and legal problems,
including his connection to a shooting at a Las Vegas strip club.