Darius Walker

[isotopes]

we need to get vertical a little more. most routes that are run are 7 yrds and in. Mix that with the multiple screen passes per drive and it allows d's to sit up a little closer to the line without having to worry quite as much about a big play. Last years offense constantly went deepto mo sto and jeff, whereas this year's is quite a bit more conservative.

Get that vertical element back and i think dwalk, or any of the backs, could run for days

 

[lattedatte]

we need to get vertical a little more. most routes that are run are 7 yrds and in. Mix that with the multiple screen passes per drive and it allows d's to sit up a little closer to the line without having to worry quite as much about a big play. Last years offense constantly went deepto mo sto and jeff, whereas this year's is quite a bit more conservative.

Get that vertical element back and i think dwalk, or any of the backs, could run for days

Going deep means passing the ball, I'm cool with that..

 

[lattedatte]

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.

My favorite quote by weis...

Weis said he doesn't treat players as interchangeable parts.

"You don't try and do the same thing with different people. That's what dumb coaches would do," he said.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

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..

I agree it's SOMEWHAT antiquated. However, against some teams we will not be able to establish the pass...so what then?

That's my main concern...if they don't have to worry about the run, they will focus all efforts on the pass. And an athletic team can do that.

 

[lattedatte]

I agree it's SOMEWHAT antiquated. However, against some teams we will not be able to establish the pass...so what then?

That's my main concern...if they don't have to worry about the run, they will focus all efforts on the pass. And an athletic team can do that.

Yeah, then we lose.... If a team can shut our pass down, we are finished. But let's face it if you take most teams bread and butter away, they'll likely lose.

 

[kmoose]

I'm hoping that next year turns into another Julius Jones/Ryan Grant situation, with James Aldridge getting more and more carries (and yards) as the season goes along. I think there is a fair comparison between Grant and Walker: Both of them are players that play hard every game and have talent. You really can't knock them without looking like a ungrateful shumck. But, by the same token...............as you are watching them run, you just can't help but wish they were more explosive. Hopefully Aldridge can be guy to play the role of Julius Jones, and give us some explosive runs from scrimmage, next year. He seems to have the tools. From what I have heard Weis saying, all year, Aldridge's lack of playing time is simply a question of him not knowing the offense well enough for Weis to trust him. It seems that is changing. Hopefully, by next year, he will be able to use Aldridge for 10 or so carries(per game), to Walker's 15 or so.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Yeah, then we lose.... If a team can shut our pass down, we are finished. But let's face it if you take most teams bread and butter away, they'll likely lose.

That's true, but Top5 teams can do both.

tOSU, UM, UF, USC, Arkansas...all are more balanced than ND...and in many cases more dangerous when a coach needs to plan a Defense to contain them.

So, to be honest, it's not clear to me that the Top5 teams TRULY have a "bread and butter" style. Some LEAN one way a bit more...but we are unquestionably the most unbalanced of the Top5 (or Top6). If you shut down our pass we are completely toast.

If you spend energy shutting down tOSU's run game...they will light you up through the air. (UM and Florida too)

USC's run game is not what it used to be, but its definitely better than ours. Arkansas is a little dependent on the run, but they can pass when needed.

This is what makes me nervous going forwards. When we hit our bowl game, I am hoping we get a team that has an average or pourous secondary.

 

[lattedatte]

That's true, but Top5 teams can do both.

tOSU, UM, UF, USC, Arkansas...all are more balanced than ND...and in many cases more dangerous when a coach needs to plan a Defense to contain them.

So, to be honest, it's not clear to me that the Top5 teams TRULY have a "bread and butter" style. Some LEAN one way a bit more...but we are unquestionably the most unbalanced of the Top5 (or Top6). If you shut down our pass we are completely toast.

If you spend energy shutting down tOSU's run game...they will light you up through the air. (UM and Florida too)

USC's run game is not what it used to be, but its definitely better than ours. Arkansas is a little dependent on the run, but they can pass when needed.

This is what makes me nervous going forwards. When we hit our bowl game, I am hoping we get a team that has an average or pourous secondary.

I agree with most of these points. Maybe you are starting to convince me that ND just isn't that good. j/k. we have to run the ball, i agree, especially in the 4th q with the lead. But we should have the same pass/run ratio Texas had last year only in reverse, 70/30. if we try for 50/50 against usc or whoever other than WVU or louisville, well lose.

 

[tedwick]

That's true, but Top5 teams can do both.

tOSU, UM, UF, USC, Arkansas...all are more balanced than ND...and in many cases more dangerous when a coach needs to plan a Defense to contain them.

So, to be honest, it's not clear to me that the Top5 teams TRULY have a "bread and butter" style. Some LEAN one way a bit more...but we are unquestionably the most unbalanced of the Top5 (or Top6). If you shut down our pass we are completely toast.

If you spend energy shutting down tOSU's run game...they will light you up through the air. (UM and Florida too)

USC's run game is not what it used to be, but its definitely better than ours. Arkansas is a little dependent on the run, but they can pass when needed.

This is what makes me nervous going forwards. When we hit our bowl game, I am hoping we get a team that has an average or pourous secondary.

Gators fans around the intorweb (EDSBS) have described their offense as a pistol with a bayonet. House Rock Built lovingly describes it as a knifewrench. two seemingly dangerous things that, when put together somehow become less formidable. And after watching them against the other SC, I tend to agree. UF has talent, but it just doesn't click.

 

[sonomairishfan]

With all this discussion of Darius Walker coming back, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Aldridge possibly sharing the reps with him next year. With Aldridge one year in the program, his skill should improve, and who is to say he won't become a complement or even supplant Walker next year in the lineup?

until aldridge proves that he can catch as well as DW, he won't be the starter. he will be a GREAT complement to him next year. will we see some 2 back formations????? that would be different for CW.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I agree with most of these points. Maybe you are starting to convince me that ND just isn't that good. j/k. we have to run the ball, i agree, especially in the 4th q with the lead. But we should have the same pass/run ratio Texas had last year only in reverse, 70/30. if we try for 50/50 against usc or whoever other than WVU or louisville, well lose.

It's not a good/bad thing. It's just that Weis has done more with less... And in the end he has worked around the weaknesses. But when you are playing for a National Championship, you really need to bring it all to the table. It's not just offense either. Defense matters too. (it was not the running game that lost it for us at Michigan)

Unfortunately, we are missing a few items. That does not preclude us from running the table and even playing (and winning) a NC...

But let's be really honest with ourselves. We have two big gaps: Weak running game, weak secondary. Those are two very tough obstacles to over come when shooting for a NC.

Hope is not lost of course...I mean damn we have 9 wins already!!!

I just like to keep it all in perspective.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

until aldridge proves that he can catch as well as DW, he won't be the starter. he will be a GREAT complement to him next year. will we see some 2 back formations????? that would be different for CW.

...and pass block...

 

[jiggafini19]

The last time Darius Walker had to share reps with anyone was in 2004 with Ryan Grant.

And that didn't work out so great.

Walker's physical attributes, or lack thereof, have been noted countless number of times. The purpose of my starting this thread was to highlight the body of work in terms of this young man's accomplishments. People are talking about tomorrow's Senior Day as a big one, and it is, but in 12 months we're going to be saying goodbye to Darius Walker.

And he'll be the school's all time leading rusher when we do.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

The last time Darius Walker had to share reps with anyone was in 2004 with Ryan Grant.

And that didn't work out so great.

Walker's physical attributes, or lack thereof, have been noted countless number of times. The purpose of my starting this thread was to highlight the body of work in terms of this young man's accomplishments. People are talking about tomorrow's Senior Day as a big one, and it is, but in 12 months we're going to be saying goodbye to Darius Walker.

And he'll be the school's all time leading rusher when we do.

His body of work? IMPOSSIBLE to measure... Slow or not, that kid is something special. He's exactly what you want to see in a Notre Dame man... Team player, tough, hard-working, smart, and dare I say eloquent? (in all seriousness)

We have a team of guys like him...but he stands out amongst even them.

 

[jiggafini19]

The kid has gotten straight A's his entire life. To date, I'm not sure he's ever seen a 'B' on his report card.

Read the book "Signing Day" and the chapters within on Walker's recruitment. You'll know all you need to know about what kind of kid he is.

 

[tedwick]

His body of work? IMPOSSIBLE to measure... Slow or not, that kid is something special. He's exactly what you want to see in a Notre Dame man... Team player, tough, hard-working, smart, and dare I say eloquent? (in all seriousness)

We have a team of guys like him...but he stands out amongst even them.

Darius is probably the most well-spoken guy on the team. And since this will probably become a racial thing, I'll qualify that with white OR black. Last year during the Fiesta Bowl, I was amazed that most of the OSU guys couldn't string 2 words together to make a sentence, yet Darius consistently handles himself amazingly. Even with all the face time brady gets, Darius still is a better speaker than he is.

I still remember that Michigan game, where he scored twice in the fourth quarter and wondering "Who dat?" After three years, now we know.

 

[Freeman Ara]

Darius is probably the most well-spoken guy on the team. And since this will probably become a racial thing, I'll qualify that with white OR black. Last year during the Fiesta Bowl, I was amazed that most of the OSU guys couldn't string 2 words together to make a sentence, yet Darius consistently handles himself amazingly. Even with all the face time brady gets, Darius still is a better speaker than he is.

I still remember that Michigan game, where he scored twice in the fourth quarter and wondering "Who dat?" After three years, now we know.

I don't think this speaks just of Darius, but about most of the athletes/football players I have heard speak publicly from ND. In a world today where most kids talk thug or aren't educated well enough to speak clearly without stammering like an idiot, its refreshing to see young student athletes that are well spoken. This also highlights the type of kids that we recruit, most of them are true STUDENT-athletes not just kids looking for NFL training ground. DW is precisely the type of kid we want to see play for the Blue & Gold.

 

[irishfan]

Please no one ever mention Ryan Grant.

Didn't he run for over 1000 yards, and help lead us to an 8-0 start in 2002?
Not too bad considering he had to replace one of the best running backs in Notre Dame history, and then lose his starting spot to him the next year.

 

[njuneardave]

i love to listen to DWalk talk to the reporters. He makes me proud as a fan that we have someone with such intelligence and skill on the team. He's an excellent student, an excellent athelete, and he's rich but still humble. He's someone that I would want to hang out with even if he didn't play football.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Didn't he run for over 1000 yards, and help lead us to an 8-0 start in 2002?
Not too bad considering he had to replace one of the best running backs in Notre Dame history, and then lose his starting spot to him the next year.

Yeah...how soon we forget. He was not the best runner but he was a head-down-bowl-em-over type. In some ways, he woulda made a great fullback. I sometimes wonder what Weis woulda done with him....

 

[Orazl]

Walker, aldridge and Prince will pose unbelieveable change of pace

 

[sonomairishfan]

I'm hoping that next year turns into another Julius Jones/Ryan Grant situation, with James Aldridge getting more and more carries (and yards) as the season goes along. I think there is a fair comparison between Grant and Walker: Both of them are players that play hard every game and have talent. You really can't knock them without looking like a ungrateful shumck. But, by the same token...............as you are watching them run, you just can't help but wish they were more explosive. Hopefully Aldridge can be guy to play the role of Julius Jones, and give us some explosive runs from scrimmage, next year. He seems to have the tools. From what I have heard Weis saying, all year, Aldridge's lack of playing time is simply a question of him not knowing the offense well enough for Weis to trust him. It seems that is changing. Hopefully, by next year, he will be able to use Aldridge for 10 or so carries(per game), to Walker's 15 or so.

i wouldn't compare grant with walker at all. they are totally different backs. walker is much more athletic and can change a game. i don't remember seeing grant take a game over. i remember seeing the o-line take games over but not grant.

walker will be nd's all time rushing leader by the time he is done.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

i wouldn't compare grant with walker at all. they are totally different backs. walker is much more athletic and can change a game. i don't remember seeing grant take a game over. i remember seeing the o-line take games over but not grant.

walker will be nd's all time rushing leader by the time he is done.

He should be...he's going to have far and away more carries than anyone else. It's going to take him a lot more carries than Autry Densino just to catch up to Denson's record.

 

[NDAlumSon]

Sorry......I don't read any Darius Walker threads.
Is there a problem with him? Not in my mind.
He's a certain KIND of back. Period.
And as that KIND of a back, he's superb.
Won't be checking back in on this thread.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Sorry......I don't read any Darius Walker threads.
Is there a problem with him? Not in my mind.
He's a certain KIND of back. Period.
And as that KIND of a back, he's superb.
Won't be checking back in on this thread.

I wish I knew what KIND of back that was... (I have my own opinions)

However, the answer is he's THE best back we have. He's not really a "KIND" of back. He's the best one for the position, until someone better comes along. Like any other back.

 

[NDAlumSon]

I wish I knew what KIND of back that was... (I have my own opinions)

Oh I guess the KIND of back who:
1) is smart
2) knows the offense
3) picks his spots
4) knows how to follow blocks
5) is patient and waits for the holes to develop
6) picks up blitzes well
7) is a good receiver out of the backfield
8) is durable
9) controls the ball and doesn't fumble
10) has good power, but
11) really misses his fullback
12) will leave Notre Dame with a lot of records

But NOT the KIND of back who:
1) can turn the corner
2) has explosiveness
3) can fake out a defender
4) has breakaway speed
5) can consistently block superior defensive pass rushers
6) can make something out of nothing
7) will play on the next level

 

[tedwick]

Oh I guess the KIND of back who:
1) is smart
2) knows the offense
3) picks his spots
4) knows how to follow blocks
5) is patient and waits for the holes to develop
6) picks up blitzes well
7) is a good receiver out of the backfield
8) is durable
9) controls the ball and doesn't fumble
10) has good power, but
11) really misses his fullback
12) will leave Notre Dame with a lot of records

But NOT the KIND of back who:
1) can turn the corner
2) has explosiveness
3) can fake out a defender
4) has breakaway speed
5) can consistently block superior defensive pass rushers
6) can make something out of nothing
7) will play on the next level

Ummm.... what primary college back in the nation can consistently block superior pass rushers?
And I beg to differ re: playing on the next level. He'll play on the next level, and he'll succeed. There are plenty of backs that go to the nfl that are slower or worse pass catchers, etc. and succeed. walker's going to be one of the top 10 backs in next year's draft.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Ummm.... what primary college back in the nation can consistently block superior pass rushers?
And I beg to differ re: playing on the next level. He'll play on the next level, and he'll succeed. There are plenty of backs that go to the nfl that are slower or worse pass catchers, etc. and succeed. walker's going to be one of the top 10 backs in next year's draft.

Let's mark down that prediction...LOL

Unless he changes his tempo a lot he won't play at the next level...

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Oh I guess the KIND of back who:
1) is smart
2) knows the offense
3) picks his spots
4) knows how to follow blocks
5) is patient and waits for the holes to develop
6) picks up blitzes well
7) is a good receiver out of the backfield
8) is durable
9) controls the ball and doesn't fumble
10) has good power, but
11) really misses his fullback
12) will leave Notre Dame with a lot of records

But NOT the KIND of back who:
1) can turn the corner
2) has explosiveness
3) can fake out a defender
4) has breakaway speed
5) can consistently block superior defensive pass rushers
6) can make something out of nothing
7) will play on the next level

I am fine with all that...good clarification. That's what I have been saying all along...

 

[NDAlumSon]

I forgot one.
13) can gain 1000+ yards every season