just pointing this out: if walker goes down in the army game, ND nation lets out a collective "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" and goes into panic mode. You know why? Because, without Walker, we lose the USC game. As "slow" as he is, there's nobody on that roster better fit to be starting on this team. Same goes for next year. I can see Aldridge splitting time, a la Grant/Jones, but Walker will be the field general for the offense next year.
Darius Walker
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TexasDomer
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Holtz had a point about Army, or did we forget that it took Ivory Covington stopping a guy at the 1 to prevent Army from beating us, and an incredibly generous spot to give us a chance to beat Navy one year when Davie coached?
If Weis thought anyone was better suited to play RB than Walker, he would be in the game. Only Walker is the combination of ball protection, blitz pick-up, receiving and running back Weis wants. Weis' running playbook is draws and stretch plays using zone blocking, and that requires a patient runner who can find the spot then hit it. It's only been in the last couple of weeks that the running plays have been between the tackle hit the hole kinds of plays, and I think that's in part to get the OL into a rhythm on pass blocking, like a QB throwing a screen or flair pass to get into a passing rhythm.
The two sacks given up to AF by the OL were caused, IMO, by Quinn holding onto the ball too long on one occasion and a coverage sack on the other. There are signs of OL improvement over the last couple of weeks, and we should expect it to continue right through Army to the USC game.
LOVEMYIRISH
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Yeah, well Army is awful this year...Air Force is pretty "not good" too. But you should never have a let down before playing them...no doubt.
However, a ND RB should be faster than the Armed Forces Cornerbacks.
LOVEMYIRISH
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Yeah, I have to believe that is true. Weis would put Aldridge on as the starter if he really was the better man for the game.
Basically, Weis is correctly making the decision to put on the worse runner because in the end he adds more to the team when you look at all of his responsibilities.
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Indydomer
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I officially hate this thread. It is way played out. Leave the poor guy alone. None of us can make any decisions about who starts. Let Charlie to the decision making.
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TexasDomer
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Usually, the most popular guy on a team is the backup QB. Since we have Quinn, what's become clear in this thread is that the most popular guy on ND is the backup RB.
I trust Charlie. He's the coach. No matter what I would be more comfortable with, he knows his personnnel more than I do.
I trust Charlie. He's the coach. No matter what I would be more comfortable with, he knows his personnnel more than I do.
jiggafini19
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I thought starting this thread would maybe shed some light on a few things, kinda get the gears turning up in people's noodles.
Mission: Failed.
Mission: Failed.
scooper
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It was certainly worth a try. It's like the movie groundhog day anytime DW is brought up in any thread. I swear I've lived this day before.
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FleaFlicker
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I think it did get the gears turning.
Is there something not true in everyone's minds about saying, "He isn't the best pure RUNNING back (i.e. for running plays) that we have, or will have next year. But he is great at everything else, and adds a ton to the team in terms of leadership, blocking, receiving, etc. And for that reason, it might be nice if he more consistently shared reps with someone like Aldridge"?
Is there something not true in everyone's minds about saying, "He isn't the best pure RUNNING back (i.e. for running plays) that we have, or will have next year. But he is great at everything else, and adds a ton to the team in terms of leadership, blocking, receiving, etc. And for that reason, it might be nice if he more consistently shared reps with someone like Aldridge"?
LOVEMYIRISH
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Actually, I don't really think anyone has said that Walker should not be the starter. I for one think he should remain until Weis decides otherwise (which could be never). However, Weis clearly sees the need to get Aldridge some reps as well, so he is obviously thinking about altering the role of the RB...or changing the offense a bit.
LOVEMYIRISH
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I would definitely like to see him share some reps...not just because he's slow, etc...but also because Aldridge needs reps for the day Darius leaves or is injured.
That's always concerned me about the QB position. Weis is really not getting Sharpley any good reps...and that BEFUDDLES me.
njuneardave
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Sharpley will get some reps this weekend. We have had too many close games for Sharpley to get an insane amount of reps. But you are right.... Weis had some missed chances earlier to get him in the game
LOVEMYIRISH
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Well, not only that...when he has had him in the game he does not let him throw.
If memory serves Sharpley has attempted 2 passes!!!
marv81s
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Play the starters till there is a comfortable lead, then play all the others. Never underestimate any oppenent, or look past someone. That is when you get bit in the ass. I think we have seen plenty examples of that this year. All ND has to do is play the way they are capable of playing. They do that and the others will get plenty of quality playing time.
Can we knock it off about DW's playing ability. WTF else does the guy have to do to get some people's respect man? Does everything that is asked of him, plays his heart out and leaves nothing behind. Isn't that good enough?
Can we knock it off about DW's playing ability. WTF else does the guy have to do to get some people's respect man? Does everything that is asked of him, plays his heart out and leaves nothing behind. Isn't that good enough?
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FleaFlicker
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Really no need to get defensive about that... I don't doubt that he has great ability, great heart, etc...
But is it ok to say that he isn't the fastest guy, and isn't someone who makes defenses scared of our running game? You know it is ok to criticize something, it doesn't mean the end fo the world, and it doesn't mean we don't respect the guy.
kjones
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Yeah, but his speed has been talked about enough. We all know it, we all know that he's still very much the best option we have to be our back, and we also don't need to instill fear, our passing game does that, we just need to keep them honest. But I think we really all pretty much agree, just some people like to focus on the positive, and others on that one pesky negative that just won't go away. Let's try to realize that we all know about this issue, and back off of it for a little while maybe.
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FleaFlicker
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Man, some sensitive peeps in here...
lattedatte
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the more we pass the better off we are..... when people realize that maybe you won't care about DW so much. This is not a shot at DW just our best attribute the passing game with Brady, Shark, Rhema and co. This isn't smashmouth, 3 yds and cloud of dust ND football anymore. Our running should be swing passes, screens and maybe a few draws every once in a while. Get used to it with the QB's we are bringing in.
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FleaFlicker
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That's just it though, our offense isn't set up like that yet, CW likes to give equal running and passing plays. We are going to run it up the gut a bit, even if the fans don't like it, it is what CW likes to do. Therefore, we need to think about how we can best approach that aspect of the game as well. Which is why I believe a dual RB system will be the best for next year. Have DW start, and just mix in Aldridge a lot more than they are currently. It will give him more experience for the next year, and will allow defenses to have to defend different runners in different ways. Maybe they will think twice about playing us for the pass every down if Aldridge is slashing them and getting long runs...
Then we put in DW for different plays, screens, etc. Obviously we couldn't be that predicatable, but you get my point. A dual threat would be awesome.
I like this idea for next year. Like i've said before, sort of a Grant/Jones thing.
LOVEMYIRISH
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Is that good enough? Well, lots of guys do that...and they don't get to start.
DW does get respect, its just that it's frustrating to not have an explosive/productive running game.
That being said, he's our best option according to Coach Weis, so I trust Weis...I am comfortable with that.
However, this thread started with a review of Walker's total yards and it continued on into a discussion about whether he will come back and what he adds to the team. So, talking about his good/bad qualities is a fair subject within this thread.
LOVEMYIRISH
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I don't care if we run or pass...as long as we get yards. But a team does need to be multi-dimensional to win it all...or else they become Texas Tech.
However, Weis RELIES on the run...and when the team has needed it MOST it is spotty at best. (that's not just Walker by the way, the O-Line has been crappy this year in a few ways)
lattedatte
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I don't care if we run or pass...as long as we get yards. But a team does need to be multi-dimensional to win it all...or else they become Texas Tech.
However, Weis RELIES on the run...and when the team has needed it MOST it is spotty at best. (that's not just Walker by the way, the O-Line has been crappy this year in a few ways)
I agree it is always better when you can run and pass. But swing passes and screens are basically run plays. We just have the best QB in the country surrounded by great wr's, so i've learned in business and in sports, focus in on what you well rather than what you are average at. If we try to run at USC we'll lose, I promise you that, they have a true freshman starting at safety we need to expose that. I know he's good but he's a freshman.
We need to try to run. establishing the run opens up the pass. when we get that safety with single coverage, that's when we strike. Just relying on the pass won't do us any good. But passing more often wouldn't be terrible.
lattedatte
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that's an antiquated way of thinking, IMHO, I think for us passing would actually open up the run. If you go 4 wide that spreads out the field, teams can't put 8 in the box. I wish we could run the ball, so we were balance but trying to run just to do it isn't a recipe for success..