Walls out for Fall Semester and Hord to Transfer

[goldandblue]

Hopefully Gray can play to his potential and The Loss to Walls will not be that Dramatic. Did anyone see McNeil play in the AAA Allstar game when he was a senior in High School? The Kid is a gamer and hopefully in can step up and show that at the Collegiate level.

 

[IrishGrizz]

McNeil is a Jr and played some last year, so we are not w/out hope he steps up big.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Let's have some faith in this defense before we all drop off the bandwagon, all. It's fine to be disappointed that D-Wall is out for at least this season. But if one DB is the difference between us talking bowl game /dark-horse BCS team to sub-.500, then all of the drooling we have done about the direction of this program has been for naught. One player does not a program make, especially on defense.

Have faith that the rest of the D will step up and rise to the challenge. Have faith that some of the blitz packages that Tenuta will bring with him will give us a chance to put pressure on opposing QB's and take some pressure off our DB's as they get acclimated. Have faith that the O-line will do their part to let Jimmy and these stud offensive weapons put some points on the board. geez, just have faith. We win with Pat Dillingham under center for Pete's sake. We are ND.

 

[IrishGrizz]

Heck, I choose to look at it this way- even though it is a hit to the defense, we still have people in place to back him up. We are giving several guys a chance to be big. Some guys grab there chances and perform better than we could have hoped for. All they need is a chance.

We will be ok, no matter how good or important Walls would have been.

 

[OCIrish]

OMG!!! Can we please refrain from any Dillingham referances? Whether or not we won with him or despite of him, let's not get carried away and put the loss of Walls' in with the great playing potential of Dillhole surpise.

Although, I do agree that we're going to be OK in spite of the loss. We have talent in the cupboard, so let's get some people off of the ledge.

 

[Legacy]

I agree with '97. One starter is not going to cause us to lose 2 games. Tenuta time will generate a lot of pressure. We are not as thin as when what's his name coached.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

OMG!!! Can we please refrain from any Dillingham referances? Whether or not we won with him or despite of him, let's not get carried away and put the loss of Walls' in with the great playing potential of Dillhole surpise.

Although, I do agree that we're going to be OK in spite of the loss. We have talent in the cupboard, so let's get some people off of the ledge.

Come on, how 'bout some love for the Dillingham reference?

"...pass is caught by Battle... he's at the 45, 50. 45,40. He's gonna go! Touchdown Notre Dame!"

I hope the point was understood that we win as a team, and that the cupboard has been much more bare (not that I am saying it is by ANY stretch). Thus the 'Dillhole Surprise' reference.

Dillhole. LOL.

 

[tgolden]

I agree with '97. One starter is not going to cause us to lose 2 games. Tenuta time will generate a lot of pressure. We are not as thin as when what's his name coached.

Yet if only Powers-Neal were used vs. MSU and played vs. USC in 2005... I don't think he would have made any difference vs. OSU though.

 

[ACamp1900]

Sorry guys, losing a WR right now doesn't hurt... losing one of two proven studs on our D is something else... if one of the other DBs gets hurt we are in deep shit.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

Guys, if it is an academic issue, or some other sort of disciplinary issue, i dont think he can come back for another year. Assuming he can come back in the spring, the 2009 season will probably be his last in an Irish uniform. It is like KMAC and the basketball team last year. He got suspended from school, he will be senior this upcoming season, and will not be eligible for another year after this. I really hope I am wrong but I just cant see the NCAA giving him another year because he didnt make the grades, if that actually is the case.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

KMAC did play a few games before he got the boot, I believe thats why he can't get a 5th year. I think that as long as Walls doesn't play this year, he will be granted a 5th. I pray he comes back and with two years left.

 

[jonesman]

Guys,
What happened with Walls is a perfect example of why we should not be bashing 5th year players who choose to come back. I remember many a person on this site hoping that Lambert did not return for a 5th year. How would you feel now with Lambert or Walls on the roster. I welcome every single body we can have on the roster up to our scholarship max. Let's all hope Walls returns for next season. I knew this news was coming a couple weeks back.

 

[JeremyND07]

Sorry guys, losing a WR right now doesn't hurt... losing one of two proven studs on our D is something else... if one of the other DBs gets hurt we are in deep shit.

I TOTALLY agree and am VERY shocked at how little of a deal some of you think the lose of Walls actually is going to be. I believe he was the only real "lock down corner" on the roster. Yes, we have some young talent but DB is like QB and is all about experience!!! The lose of Walls could easily mean the difference in (2) loses! Do you guys just block out all of those long TD's the last couple of years over our horrible DB's get burnt? I still think we make a lower tier bowl game but I think hope of shocking the world and getting back to the BCS is gone!!!!

 

[jonesman]

The loss of Walls puts extra strain on the whole D. With Walls, we had a set him and forget him CB. You could leave him on an island with the best WR on the field and not worry. Further, we had room for an injury with ample back-ups. Now we are thin for talented CB's. Even though Blanton is a talented freshman, we do not want to have to put him on the field yet. Walls is gonna be an NFL CB and he struggled alot as a freshman. When I predicted an 8 win season, the one factor I saw taking this down a couple wins was injury to key players. Well, this is like a season ending injury to one of our key players. I am not conceding 2 wins yet, but this will cost ND some big plays and maybe a win. Let's hope Darrin gets his grades in order and returns for the title run in 2009. Good Luck Darrin.
DJ Hord, I was one of your biggest fans, good luck in where you land.

 

[JeremyND07]

The loss of Walls puts extra strain on the whole D. With Walls, we had a set him and forget him CB. You could leave him on an island with the best WR on the field and not worry. Further, we had room for an injury with ample back-ups. Now we are thin for talented CB's. Even though Blanton is a talented freshman, we do not want to have to put him on the field yet. Walls is gonna be an NFL CB and he struggled alot as a freshman. When I predicted an 8 win season, the one factor I saw taking this down a couple wins was injury to key players. Well, this is like a season ending injury to one of our key players. I am not conceding 2 wins yet, but this will cost ND some big plays and maybe a win. Let's hope Darrin gets his grades in order and returns for the title run in 2009. Good Luck Darrin.
DJ Hord, I was one of your biggest fans, good luck in where you land.

Hord leaving tells me one thing...the incoming group of freshman are beastie! I think he saw the writting on the wall! I liked DJ too but this move was probably the best for him!

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Sorry guys, losing a WR right now doesn't hurt... losing one of two proven studs on our D is something else... if one of the other DBs gets hurt we are in deep shit.

This was a huge loss. He's not easily replaced in ANY way.

Anyone who thinks there is someone BETTER in waiting in the wings is mistaken. Walls is "better". He's that guy. He's a shutdown corner.

 

[Sureal]

Bottom line is this, ND has standards that need to be followed and the recruits I would think are informed that from jump. What seperates ND from other schools/programs is integrity. No matter who you are you have to follow these rules. Although I am saddened by this matter but Walls knew from Day 1 of what was expected. Hopefully he can get it together and we will see him next year.

It stinks but at the same time be glad that you root for a school that operates with a high level of integrity.

 

[ACamp1900]

This was a huge loss. He's not easily replaced in ANY way.

Anyone who thinks there is someone BETTER in waiting in the wings is mistaken. Walls is "better". He's that guy. He's a shutdown corner.

yep, unfortunately we totally agree...

and YES this very easily could make us one-three games worse then we would have been with Walls. I'm not saying we are going from BCS to sub 500 but it for damn sure could cost us a game or two... again, think of where we will be if McNeil or Gray or whoever gets hurt and misses a lot of time........... This absolutely could be the difference between the Gator Bowl and no bowl

 

[Greg]

This realy sucks, Walls is my favorite defensive player but at least secondary is a position of strength for us.

 

[JeremyND07]

This realy sucks, Walls is my favorite defensive player but at least secondary is a position of strength for us.

I keep seeing "the secondary is a position of strength for us" stuff everywhere...am I missing something? I think the last GOOD secondary we had was in 2000 with Duff and Walton...sense then it has been more of the same...guys getting burnt on go routes over and over. Walls is a HUGE loss because he was showing great potential to be an NFL first round guy. Gray and McNeil have the chance to be great but not this year in my opinion. Next year with those (2) getting time and Walls coming back...then I will lable the secondary as a strength but until we can shut down a good wide receiver I am not buying it!!!!

 

[irish4ever]

With Hord leaving, that should open up another schollie for this year, correct? Though I hate to see DJ leave ND, this could end up being an opportunity to land another stud late in the recruiting process that we may have turned down due to already meeting the max. limit.

 

[Shamrock44]

This was a huge loss. He's not easily replaced in ANY way.

Anyone who thinks there is someone BETTER in waiting in the wings is mistaken. Walls is "better". He's that guy. He's a shutdown corner.

I totally agree. We just lost our best cover corner and a playmaker. I don't know how anyone can spin this into something positive. That being said, he's gone this year and not coming back. We have to move forward and make the best of a bad situation.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

I agree with Shamrock, we have to move forward. This isnt a good thing in any way. But we have to support Darrin and hope he can come back, and support the guys we have playing.

 

[Greg]

I keep seeing "the secondary is a position of strength for us" stuff everywhere...am I missing something? I think the last GOOD secondary we had was in 2000 with Duff and Walton...sense then it has been more of the same...guys getting burnt on go routes over and over. Walls is a HUGE loss because he was showing great potential to be an NFL first round guy. Gray and McNeil have the chance to be great but not this year in my opinion. Next year with those (2) getting time and Walls coming back...then I will lable the secondary as a strength but until we can shut down a good wide receiver I am not buying it!!!!

We had the second best pass defense in the nation last year.

 

[JeremyND07]

We had the second best pass defense in the nation last year.

I have seen that stat...and it had A LOT to do with the average starting position of our opponents. You not going to rack up that many yards when ur average starting position is inside the 50 yard line.

We were also ranked 73 in the nation in interceptions last year, 72 in scoring defense, and 72 in passes defended, and 84 in 3rd down % conversions. These stats show lack of big play ability and that has a lot to do with our lack of playmakers! I thnk we are getting a lot better and I look forward to our defense being in the top 25-30 in all these catagories by the end of the year even without Walls.

 

[irishmarine]

walls will be greatly missed but we werent going to win the national championship this year. i am hoping but dont see it happening. this will give the guys aroubnd him alot of experience though. there will be mistakes that cost us a game or two but next year it will end up being so much better for the team.

 

[kmoose]

We had the second best pass defense in the nation last year.

That might have more to do with being 96th against the run, and teams being up by, what, 20 or so, at the half each game?

When you are up, and can run the ball, you do so..........ALOT!

 

[irishmarine]

either way it is going to hurt us this year but better prepare us for next

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

We had the second best pass defense in the nation last year.

I think that might hafta be due to the fact that teams didn't hafta pass against us and that they also knew we wouldn't score much so why take the chance of throwing a pic??

 

[Irish93]

Plenty of speculation in Pittsburgh, that Walls would like to transfer to play for the Panthers.