Darius' new habit

[Irish Envy]

I just went back and watched the game again because this is the kind of thing you do when you've got the weekend home alone and you want to torture yourself. Anyhow, I've noticed a disturbing new trend by Darius Walker which led to that fumble, and ultimately, could lead to a very serious back injury.

I'm not sure when it began, but I counted at least 5-6 times Darius spinning and taking contact with his back facing his defender. On the initial play he coughed up the ball as his defender put his hat on it. Later in the game, there were a couple times that, if the defender leads with his helmet or just hits Darius in the wrong spot, he's going to be done with football for good.

Did anyone else notice this yesterday as it seemed he was doing it all time time but maybe it was just overly obvious to me as I was looking for it on the second viewing.

 

[tedwick]

i'm pretty sure that's usually a good way to slide off defenders. if you spin and the defender hits you on the side, he's simply going to continue your spin and blow right by you. the play with the fumble would have been even if darius didn't spin. it was just a really good hit. and yeah, putting your helmet on the ball will usually cause a fumble, spinning or not.

when it comes down to it, darius is a finesse back. he's not going to power through people, even though he can pick up the hard yardage when neccessary. he hole-hunts and tries to get through whatever hole he can find. i don't think spinning is necessarily a great thing, but it fits darius's style.

 

[irishtexan]

I noticed this last year a couple times. Darius strays away from contact, usually diving for extra yardage or running out of bounds. Also when you re-watch games notice the juke he tries to give defenders that wastes time. If he would just keep running he could get more yardage. Personally it pisses me off because I like physical backs but he makes up for it by his receiving skills. I just dont understand why we are not giving other backs more touches in the game, or even 1 touch for that matter.

 

[Irish Envy]

i'm pretty sure that's usually a good way to slide off defenders. if you spin and the defender hits you on the side, he's simply going to continue your spin and blow right by you. the play with the fumble would have been even if darius didn't spin. it was just a really good hit. and yeah, putting your helmet on the ball will usually cause a fumble, spinning or not.

when it comes down to it, darius is a finesse back. he's not going to power through people, even though he can pick up the hard yardage when neccessary. he hole-hunts and tries to get through whatever hole he can find. i don't think spinning is necessarily a great thing, but it fits darius's style.

There is a difference in spinning when you're one on one, but when you're about ready to get gang tackled, it's a very bad idea.

 

[marv81s]

I noticed that too Svo, he doesn't fix that bad habbit he is going to find himself with a bad back and some kidney problems, no mater how much padding he wears. He takes a shot by an NFL linebacker and/or defensive back, he isn't going to last long in the NFL.

 

[dylan020]

where's the game replays again?? i forgot

 

[Stealingshrimp]

Many backs do this to get an extra yard. You can push off the ground better on your back, and also your knees are facing up so they don't contact the ground.

 

[VictorsValiant]

RBs spin most likely because a defender has already penetrated the line of scrimmage. Spinning usually only takes place when a good RB wants to get an extra yard and sees space at some side (left or right), to plunge toward. If this happens at the line, it means the OL isn't blocking.

 

[tchris555]

i've noticed a habit too. it's not taking the hole when it presents itself breifly. im ok with the spins occasionally

 

[Irish Envy]

RBs spin most likely because a defender has already penetrated the line of scrimmage. Spinning usually only takes place when a good RB wants to get an extra yard and sees space at some side (left or right), to plunge toward. If this happens at the line, it means the OL isn't blocking.

He's not doing it on the line... he's doing it on swing passes, runs around the end, and after he has already broken through the line. He's also doing it against two or three defenders.

 

[Pinoy QB]

Darius is a good back, remember guys he is our leading reception leader please don't take him for granted. he may not look like he has the speed but he has been dependable in the clutches just like everyone else. I predict that he will do something special before he is done with his Notre Dame career.

 

[irishfox]

I have notice he has taken some good shots the last few games. He even looks a little shaken up after some.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

he may not look like he has the speed but he has been dependable in the clutches just like everyone else. I predict that he will do something special before he is done with his Notre Dame career.

Special? He could have started that in any one of the games that he went less than 70 yards.

Look, he's a great receiver, an excellent blocker, can pick up the blitz like few RB's can...but the guy is slow and is not going to be "special" anytime soon. He will have a great college career and there it will end.

 

[BigIrish]

He's not doing it on the line... he's doing it on swing passes, runs around the end, and after he has already broken through the line. He's also doing it against two or three defenders.

yeah, i saw the same thing. and you're right...a spin after contact will pick up an extra yard or two, and on rare occasions, several yards if he manages to stay on his feet, but i noticed several instances of walker starting a spin well before contact, in the open field. that's bad technique and a dangerous habit. it was blatantly obvious some plays....

 

[knute]

Darius does a lot of things well, but he doesn't punish the defense, that's for sure. I noticed during the Purdue game, their rather small running back (forgot the name) would get a head of steam, lower his shoulders and run into and through tackles. Darius seemed to avoid contact more.

There's no doubt that Darius is our most experienced, versatile and reliable back. There's also no doubt that when the OL is opening holes, Darius can run well. Personally, I enjoy watching the big brusining backs like Bettis run people over and I think most other people do, too.

Aldridge will have his day, but when the game is on the line, you've got to go with your best guy and right now, that's Darius.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Aldridge will have his day, but when the game is on the line, you've got to go with your best guy and right now, that's Darius.

Thats exactly it.

It's not like Weis is going with DW because he is blind or dumb... DW is the best back we have right now...for good or for ill.

I would LIKE to see Aldridge play, but he's VERY VERY green...to think he will change the world is a bit unreasonable in an offense this complicated/complex.

 

[UNTITLEDPROJECT]

I think Darius took it to heart since the team is trying to back its way into the NC game.

 

[jiggafini19]

Here's a habit I've noticed that has nothing to do with Darius Walker.

Notre Dame's secondary likes to throw their shoulders into people rather than tackle. WRAP THE MAN UP at the point of attack. Bring him down off of his feet. Let the second and third guys try to strip the ball if you can't get him down.

How many times this year has one DB gotten a guy close to wrapped up and down before ONE OF HIS TEAMMATES from the defensive backfield throws the shoulder shiver into the opponent and knocks the other DB off of the guy?

Several. See the Lymon guy from Purdue if you will.

Again, wrap the ball carrier up and bring him off of his feet to the ground. Secure the damn tackle. Herring and Ndukewe were guilty of EXACTLY what I'm talking about and the result was a score for UCLA.

Save the shoulder shivers for guys tightroping the sidelines. Make the play.

 

[I Am Irish]

Save the shoulder shivers for guys tightroping the sidelines. Make the play.

AMEN

 

[BGIF]

I think Darius took it to heart since the team is trying to back its way into the NC game.

Well played!

 

[BGIF]

I just went back and watched the game again because this is the kind of thing you do when you've got the weekend home alone and you want to torture yourself. Anyhow, I've noticed a disturbing new trend by Darius Walker which led to that fumble, and ultimately, could lead to a very serious back injury.

I'm not sure when it began, but I counted at least 5-6 times Darius spinning and taking contact with his back facing his defender. On the initial play he coughed up the ball as his defender put his hat on it. Later in the game, there were a couple times that, if the defender leads with his helmet or just hits Darius in the wrong spot, he's going to be done with football for good.

Did anyone else notice this yesterday as it seemed he was doing it all time time but maybe it was just overly obvious to me as I was looking for it on the second viewing.

I got blacked out of the first half of the game so I didn't see the play. In the UCLA preview, it was noted that Darius hadn't fumbled in over 400 carries. So much for streaks.

I agree with the poster below your first post that if the defender gets his hat on the ball there's a good chance of a fumble for anyone so I'm not sure if the spin move was the fault in itself. I can't say I've scrutinized his spinning in traffic but it doesn't strike me as new particularly on the swing passes. Perhaps you have picked up a new habit. If so, DCs most likely have it already noted. Something to watch for in the Navy game.

 

[NDAlumSon]

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't this habit of Darius' one that the coaching staff seemed intent on BREAKING going into this year.