The Baltimore Ravens’ newcomer celebrated deflecting a Joe Flacco pass intended for Ernie Wheelwright this week by taking off his helmet and spinning it on the turf.
The energetic Tuskegee, Ala., native has stayed in wide receivers’ ears since training camp began. His taunts aren’t derogatory for the most part.
"With these guys out here on the field, it’s more of an enthusiasm type thing," Walker said. "I’m not getting in their head in a negative way. We’re basically just trying to raise up the competitive nature between each other."
During free agency, Walker signed a two-year, $3.5 million contract that included a $1.25 million signing bonus after spending one up-and-down year with the Green Bay Packers.
"The guys talks trash all the time," wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "You’ve got to talk trash back because you kind of get him out of his game a little bit, but he’s a good player. He talks a lot of trash, but he backs it up also."
"It’s definitely a fresh start," Walker said. "I’m not mad with the way anything went in Green Bay. I had a great deal there. I played the nickel, I played the dime. I played wherever they needed me, but I’m definitely loving it here.
"Every time I would cut the television on, I’d see the Ravens’ defense. I’d see people happy, smiling, everybody running to the ball. I had a couple of teams offer me the exact same thing the Ravens offered me, but I figured what place would I rather be?"
At 5-foot-11, 196 pounds, Walker is a physical cornerback who relishes contact. He had a big hit against the New England Patriots to open the preseason.
For his career, he has 62 tackles, five interceptions and one forced fumble.
"Physical and brute, baby," Walker said when asked describe his approach to football. "Whatever type of guy you call it, I haul it. If a play’s made and it’s on me, it’s on me. I’ve got broad shoulders."
He limped off the field with the assistance of a trainer and sat out the remainder of practice with his knee iced and wrapped.
Later, Mason was able to put weight on his leg and said: "I’m fine. It’s not that bad."
Safety Ed Reed didn’t practice due to an undisclosed health issue apparently unrelated to the left shoulder problem that had him on the physically unable to perform list to begin camp.
"He had some issue right before practice that camp up last night that he was in the training room with," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "I don’t have the details on it yet."
Running back Willis McGahee was on crutches at the team hotel following his recent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
Defensive end Trevor Pryce was visibly in pain and had his left wrist re-taped. It’s the same one that he broke last year.
Cornerbacks Chris McAlister (right knee), Samari Rolle (left leg), Fabian Washington (neck spasms), Derrick Martin (head) and David Pittman (leg) were limited to individual drills.
Also not practicing: linebackers Dan Cody (right foot), Tavares Gooden (hip) and Robert McCune (knee), offensive tackles Adam Terry (sprained left ankle) and Jared Gaither (sprained right ankle), tight ends Todd Heap (right calf) and Daniel Wilcox (offseason toe surgery), defensive tackle Kelly Talavou (dislocated shoulder), wide receiver Demetrius Williams (left Achilles’ tendon) and nose guard Kelly Gregg (arthroscopic left knee surgery).
"It might need surgery," Talavou said. "I’m waiting to find out."
Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (sprained right medial collateral ligament) didn’t participate in all the drills, but seems to be moving around well.
ROSTER MOVE: The Ravens re-signed cornerback Anwar Phillips after he was cut Aug. 1 to make room for running back Alex Haynes.
"I didn’t know if I would be back," Phillips said. "I understood why I got cut because they were banged-up at running back. I’m not happy with what I did today. Practice is totally different than working out."
The team cut rookie offensive tackle Isaiah Wiggins.
QUICK HITS: A crew from Nippon Television Network interviewed safety Haruki Nakamura for a feature that will air in Japan. Nakamura has been one of the top performing rookie at camp. “I would say he’s been everything we thought he would be,†Harbaugh said. “He plays fast. He’s physical, loves football. He’s our kind of guy. He’s right in the hunt to make the team.†… When middle linebacker Ray Lewis penetrated the backfield on a blitz past center Jason Brown, offensive line coach John Matsko bellowed: "Wake up, Jason!" … Matt Stover converted all five field goal tries, hitting kicks from 20, 34, 42, 47 and 51 yards. … After the morning practice, fullback Le’Ron McClain gave away his skullcap to a young fan as linebacker Jarret Johnson handed out gloves and cleats. Quarterback Troy Smith handed a fan his Ravens cap and implored teammates to autograph three pairs of cleats that he handed out. … With Reed out, Jim Leonhard ran with the first defense at free safety.
