http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/28/284953.jpg

 

here's a pic of him during last years US Army junior combine. this guy is going to be one heck of a player for ND, he's got amazing speed and look at the size of this kid. he's only 5'9 but 185 lbs. of solid muscle with 4.31 speed, i believe this guy will have a C.J. Spiller type of impact for ND this coming season. i can't wait unitll spring when allen just runs right threw NDs defense.

I like DW... he's a solid, reliable, all-purpose back. And, he bleeds blue & gold... he's a dedicated worker; he does all that he is asked and more... to the limits of his ability.

 

But, that's just it.. the limits of his ability. I've seen Darius break on the outside a few times, and get some nifty draws... but he's ALWAYS tackled. I think people want to see him take that opening he got on the outside, or through the draw, to the house! If he did that just once, I think you'd see a lot of DW haters melt away.

 

To me DW is maximizing his potential.. even exceeding it perhaps, and that's why I love that guy.

 

I had hoped that DW would be a sufficient threat to provide nice balance to the pass... but he's not. Ds can adjust somewhat... give DW a few yards, but protect more against the pass... that's another reason, I can see, why DW is viewed as an inadequate SOLE back option.

ny i agree whole heartly! i love DW he will have 4000+ yard when its all said and done.

yea, i love DW. I wish for his sake he had a great compliment with him his entire career. But for all we know Thomas could have been that complement to change things up, if Weis had let him.

 

Seems cliche but it really does hurt the defense to have different running styles. They have to get used to approaching a running back in one way in order to bring him down and then a different running back comes in and they have to get used to that. It's not something an individual defensive player can turn on and off mentally. It takes a few plays to get used to different speeds, cuts, etc.

 

Not saying it makes a world of difference but it helps a lot (look at the impact Marion Barber has with the Cowboys when he comes in for JJ and starts dancing around)

Travis Thomas has been one of the most underutilized players I have ever seen. The guy runs with passion. I remember his freshman year people on campus were buzzing about how he was dominating the practices. He had his fumbling problems, and just got a bad rap early on from there.

 

While Darius had a great Sugar Bowl, he did seem to avoid contact and not have that burst he had his freshman year. This is because he has been overused immensly. I think he played injured all year, which shows how tough he really is. I really hope Travis gets a chance next year...he deserves it...hell, Darius deserves the rest too...the team needs fresh legs (and ribs) in there.

hi 1895, walker is the man no question , a lot of us feel that maybe he should be given a blow now and then and use someone with a little more north south runner, as you noted in the lsu game walker ran pretty good and mostly to the outside or catching a good block now and then when Allen gets here we should use him more often scat back kickoff punt returns we have to get more physical with speed if were going to go anywhere, charlie needs more potions with different personal. Frazer will help. clausen will wait his turn or we will go to the two qb system like Fla uses. if zibby returns, i would have him in linebacker, as he can't play safety that well or isn't coached on basic coverages OR schemes , that my opinion he would be a better linebacker i believe.

 

While Darius had a great Sugar Bowl, he did seem to avoid contact and not have that burst he had his freshman year. This is because he has been overused immensly. I think he played injured all year, which shows how tough he really is. I really hope Travis gets a chance next year...he deserves it...hell, Darius deserves the rest too...the team needs fresh legs (and ribs) in there.

 

it's no coincidence that Dwalk has his best games after a rest period (both bowl games, games following a bye, etc.) He needs the rest. He gets beat up.

 

I sat with his fam during the 2005 Purdue game and Holly Rowe came and talked to Mrs. Walker at halftime about what looked like extra padding on his thigh and she denied it and said Darius was fine. When Holly was gone she admitted to me that Darius had been playing with a deep thigh bruise, among other injuries the whole year.

I agree with pretty much everything you said 1qa.

 

During the season there was a lot of discussion about DW and how good he really is. DW does pretty much everything well like blocking and catching out of the backfield, but at times he just becomes a none factor running the ball and seems to dance too much. Although you won't see too many spectacular runs from him, he's "quiet", and before you know it he's up over 100 yards. Ntm, the kid was a beast for us in some of the big games like Gtech, tOSU, and LSU.

Da Coach! You are right!! Walter was 5'10" 200 lbs.

AA is a complete Stud!

 

I love his videos, this guy is going to go nuts. I cant wait to see him return kicks and break 80 yard runs!

Guys, I think Darius does a great job too. He does lack that speed to break a long one, but he sure looked good in the bowl game thanks to rest and health. That's why we need other RBs to split carries: so he stays fresh and healthy. He definitely played hurt most of last year. I'm not sure about this year.

I believe that AA willbe leaving for ND also this weekend to meet up with JC and Kamara to start there Colege Careers.

so kamara is the other EE along with AA, JC and GG.

Three guys that could see significant playing time next year. We will be young, but it's going to be exciting. I agree we have to get AA on the field. We haven't had a player with his speed or ability in a long while. It will be interesting to see how explosive our young offense can be next year with all the new talent.

so kamara is the other EE along with AA, JC and GG.

 

 

Russ I meant GG not Kamara.I knew we had three of them just got the wrong name there.Wish Kamara would be able to go early.