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Titans' Delanie Walker: Not your friend 'until you make the team'

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Titans' Walker in no rush to befriend rookies (1:37)

ESPN's Field Yates explains why Titans TE Delanie Walker says that he isn't in a rush to get to the know the team's rookies, at least not until they make the team. (1:37)

Tennessee Titans veteran tight end Delanie Walker is hardly in a rush to ingratiate himself with the team's rookies.

They have to earn it first.

"I don't get to know anybody until they make the team," Walker, a 10-year veteran, told The Tennessean. "I talk to them, but they might not be here. There ain't too much I need to learn from them till they make the team. That's everybody. Anyone that's a rookie.

"You've got to earn the right. These rookies come in nowadays, stuff's given to them. I'm not going to be your friend until you make the team."

The 31-year-old Walker, who was drafted in the sixth round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2006, signed a two-year extension this offseason that will keep him with the Titans through 2018.

While he is observant of the newcomers -- Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry has caught his eye -- he generally keeps them at arm's length.

"They don't talk to me at all. Not at all," Walker told the paper. "I'm a good dude, but they know. You've got to make the team first."