GREEN BAY, Wis. (April 29, 2005) -- Pro Bowl wide receiver Javon Walker failed to report to the Green Bay Packers' minicamp, beginning a holdout after changing agents in February.
"I'm very disappointed as I'm sure everybody is. We want our whole team here," coach Mike Sherman said.
The team will fine Walker, a first-round draft choice three years ago. Sherman did not specify how much, but the maximum under league rules is $1,000 a day.
"He's a guy that I enjoy being around and I enjoy coaching," Sherman said. "I look forward to him being here, as a player and as a person."
The minicamp began April 27, but Walker was not required to be present until now. The camp will end May 1.
Walker's new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
But Walker, who has two years left on his contract, is believed to be upset about his existing contract after a season in which he caught 89 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns to earn his first trip to the Pro Bowl.
Rosenhaus also is the agent for cornerback Mike McKenzie, who held out of both offseason minicamps and training camp last year with the Packers, in part because of an apparent dissatisfaction with his contract.
McKenzie returned to the team after the regular-season opener and was traded to New Orleans three weeks later.
Some other top players Rosenhaus represents are receivers Terrell Owens of Philadelphia and Anquan Boldin of Arizona, both of whom are demanding a pay increase this offseason. Owens also skipped the Eagles' first mandatory minicamp practice.
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