Is Darius Walker the future?

[WriterGene]

This guy is so small - it looks like the defenses are reaching too high, expecting someone taller and he is streaking through the D-line . ..which is fine by me!!!!! He has the promise of becoming a great player. I'd like to see him stay in with 1/2 the touches for the final 2 games.


By the way - I can't tell you the THRILL of sitting here in Denver and walking around my office wearing my Texans jersey today. I'm in an office of 75 people - 73 people are shaking their heads, the lone Raiders fan gave me a high-five - and I'm bleeding Battle Red!!!!!

Anyone else in Denver having the same amount of fun today?

[SuperstarII]

LOL Who needs to draft a running back next season? :)

I say he is the future of this team. Well as long as he can stay consistent that is. he also needs to play a full season to see how truly well he does.


BTW like your avatar! :D

[HtownRevival07]

I dont think he can be an everydown back as he is WAYYYYY to small. HOWEVER I see him as a perfect change of pace back who could be dangerous in the open field...poorman Reggie Bush...still need high quality back but it may bye you another year till we have to draft one.

[outofhnd]

He doesn't have breakway speed but the kid just gets positive yards almost every play. I wish He coulda got a TD but he was smart to pull the ball back in before a defender stripped him. I say he could be our 3rd down specialist runner.

[wrestler4life]

This guy is so small - it looks like the defenses are reaching too high, expecting someone taller and he is streaking through the D-line . ..which is fine by me!!!!! He has the promise of becoming a great player. I'd like to see him stay in with 1/2 the touched for the final 2 games.


By the way - I can't tell you the THRILL of sitting here in Denver and walking around my office wearing my Texans jersey today. I'm in an office of 75 people - 73 people are shaking their heads, the lone Raiders fan gave me a high-five - and I'm bleeding Battle Red!!!!!

Anyone else in Denver having the same amount of fun today?

"raiders fan"...... LOL
Glad you are having such a good day. I think we all can have a great weekend knowing that we just performed so well on a national broadcast.

[WriterGene]

I dont think he can be an everydown back as he is WAYYYYY to small. HOWEVER I see him as a perfect change of pace back who could be dangerous in the open field...poorman Reggie Bush...still need high quality back but it may bye you another year till we have to draft one.

Good point. I suppose his size could work against him as an every down back. I didn't think of that.

[HydrOshocK]

This guy is so small - it looks like the defenses are reaching too high, expecting someone taller and he is streaking through the D-line . ..which is fine by me!!!!! He has the promise of becoming a great player. I'd like to see him stay in with 1/2 the touched for the final 2 games.


By the way - I can't tell you the THRILL of sitting here in Denver and walking around my office wearing my Texans jersey today. I'm in an office of 75 people - 73 people are shaking their heads, the lone Raiders fan gave me a high-five - and I'm bleeding Battle Red!!!!!

Anyone else in Denver having the same amount of fun today?

Dude I'm feeling ya....I'm sporting my steel blue Meco jersey and I'm in a room with 20 diehard cowboys fans. We keep the TV in our dept tuned to ESPN and they've been talking us up all day!! Man it feels good don't it? :D

As for Walker I've been impressed with him. I don't believe he's a home run hitter like other backs but he's definitely good enough to have a spot on our active roster.

[texans83]

Dude I'm feeling ya....I'm sporting my steel blue Meco jersey and I'm in a room with 20 diehard cowboys fans. We keep the TV in our dept tuned to ESPN and they've been talking us up all day!! Man it feels good don't it? :D

As for Walker I've been impressed with him. I don't believe he's a home run hitter like other backs but he's definitely good enough to have a spot on our active roster.

**** I wish my office had a tv tuned to sports center

[3andOUT]

I dont think he can be an everydown back as he is WAYYYYY to small. HOWEVER I see him as a perfect change of pace back who could be dangerous in the open field...poorman Reggie Bush...still need high quality back but it may bye you another year till we have to draft one.

that's why we really never established a run attack in the first half. You could tell Kubiak didn't want to over-extend Darius. He was saving Dayne for the second half and it worked to perfection.

A back like Darius Walker can be a good change-up back or complimentary back to your bruiser, but can't take a whole lot of carries.

[HomeGrownTexan]

Cut Green, keep Dayne and Taylor (the guy who has the potential to be a #1 back), draft/sign another back who has potential, and keep Walker as the third down/emergency starter and our backfield is set.

[jayvilla]

73 people are shaking their heads, the lone Raiders fan gave me a high-five

Hahahahaha! You guys both have a common enemy!

[CarolinaTexan]

Am i the only one who thinks walker has huge potential? this kid needs more carries, he definitly runs down hill and has some speed.

[jvaldez1984]

I did like the Walker/Dayne combo in this game. He kept Dayne fresh and big Ronnie mowed 'em over in the second half. Dayne looked a little quicker than normal too. Or was that just that uni that made him look quicker?:D

you got that right! i dont know many backs that can take a john lynch collision head on and still fall forward...

[texans83]

Am i the only one who thinks walker has huge potential? this kid needs more carries, he definitly runs down hill and has some speed.

I like him.

[Sprtsfanatic]

Am i the only one who thinks walker has huge potential? this kid needs more carries, he definitly runs down hill and has some speed.

Heck no your not, I've been tooting his horn all season long since we picked him up(and brought him back), and I totally agree...if this kid sees more carries its only a matter of time before he shows us that extra gear....can you imagine what it would have been like if walker would have had that run that dayne had and only had 1 guy to beat....dayne tried to run him over cause he knew he wouldnt out run him....walker would have attempted a juke and if that guy would have missed....he would have taken it all the way to the promise land!!!!

[DTexan]

"According to DTexan"....We need to either...

A)....Work and concentrate on the Dayne/Walker combo (I can see the potential...but, not my favorite pick). Make Dayne a 1st and 4thQ back...and, let Walker fill in the middle quarters for next year.

B)....Get rid of Dayne, keep Walker and try to draft/find someone with similar attributes to share equal responsiblities.

C)....Get rid of Dayne, draft a workhorse RB and let Walker get in where he can fit in.


Im not sure what quarter it was, but on one play, Walker hit that right outside corner so nice, it gave me goosebumps. Im digg'n what he could bring to this offense for now and the future.

[outofhnd]

I like walker as our 3rd down Specialist with his hands he is a solid receiving threat. as well as nifty could really be good with the delay draw play.

[TexanBorn51]

I'm lovin every Texan minute of all this here in Phoenix. I always have loved every minute of it anyway bit it's getting better. Im moving back to home Texas in 09 I can only imagine then and can't wait now. I went to the preseason here in aug and they won. That Cardinal QB they had is now our backup to Sage, Shane Boyd and he actuall played pretty good.

[Towlie]

Who else did DW remind of a rookie DD???

[doodyps]

I defiantly saw the DD comparison last night. He might not be as fast in the open field, but he defiantly looked like DD last night. and strangely enough now has the same initials as him (DW). I'd love to see him and dayne for another year, and see what RB's we could get past the 4th round or undrafted, or get chris taylor back. I just want to shore up the o-line and secondary this off season. I saw somewhere that Quentin Jammer might be a FA. I feel like last night we used walker to tire the defense and then when dayne came in they were to tired to tackle him. I think dayne should be used to take advantage of already tired defenses, not to tire them out. He's not fast enough to make defenses run around that much. Seemed to work last night

[wildroot]

Cut Green, keep Dayne and Taylor (the guy who has the potential to be a #1 back), draft/sign another back who has potential, and keep Walker as the third down/emergency starter and our backfield is set.

Need to Draft that "feature" back. I agree though, keep Dayne, Walker and the best of the rest plus whover we draft.

[CarolinaTexan]

Yes but he's smart and doesn't fumble, and he has excellent vision. Dayne is slow and fat and look at him go

[Sprtsfanatic]

If Darius Walker makes this team next season, then we are struggling at the rb position again. He's small and slow - not a good combo.

Darius Walker is not slow....I dont know who you've been watching but he's the fastest back we have on the team. Im not sure who would win out of him and taylor...but it would be close....but no way in hell is walker slow. Dont forget he's a perfect fit for our style...hes a one cut and go, with great vision, hands, and cut back ability.

[Jrock31]

how many carries did Walker and Dayne each get thurs night?

[SuperstarII]

Darius had 14

Dayne had 13

[Jrock31]

wow, not many at all. I know we had some pitch plays to Walter but it seems we just cam out gunning and then used Dayne in the second half to eat clock and beat down the D-line.

[edo783]

wow, not many at all. I know we had some pitch plays to Walter but it seems we just cam out gunning and then used Dayne in the second half to eat clock and beat down the D-line.

From what I understand, Kubes wasn't real happy with the 1st half play selection. Too many passes and he instructed (Sherman?) at the half to do more running, hence the change in the second half. Looks like he knows what he is talking about as it was close in the 1st half and then we trucked them in the 2nd.

[Line_Producer]

Anyone else in Denver having the same amount of fun today?


Are you kidding me? I showed up at the bar wearing all battle red...and face paint.

Good times were had by all. And 'by all', I mean me.

I'll see if I can get some photos up.

-wil

[DeclanJr]

D. Walker had a good game, but he didn't show much speed or elusiveness. It didn't seem like he blocked that well in the Tampa Bay game. I still would like to see how Taylor plays when he comes back next year. Dayne is a good backup and I'm hoping we find a feature back in a future draft.

Personally, I could live with taking an OT in the first round and drafting secondary help in the later rounds. I think this team is ok with Dayne, Walker and Taylor running the ball. Not in the long term, but at least for one more season.

[HydrOshocK]

From what I understand, Kubes wasn't real happy with the 1st half play selection. Too many passes and he instructed (Sherman?) at the half to do more running, hence the change in the second half. Looks like he knows what he is talking about as it was close in the 1st half and then we trucked them in the 2nd.

That's the sign of a good head coach. He wasn't happy with the play calling so he told Sherman to throttle down and run the ball, and when we did we had great success. Those bootlegs only score big like that when the other team believes you are pounding the ball. Kubiak called that game just like he used to do in Denver and Shanahan couldn't do anything to stop it.

On the flip side we've all noticed better play calling on defense as well. I have to think Kubs was in Smith's ear about being more agressive. I'm starting to think that speech the players were alluding to was very emotional, and Kubs put it on the line. Crow is now being served in the South dining room for all of those who called for his firing......we have a very good HC

[rush2112mn]

If Darius keeps doing what he is doing....he has my vote to comeback next year.....I like his speed....
Chris Taylor should be looked at again....he will be healthy......
Ahman Green.....should be looking for another team......because his opportunity here is over.......too bad.....

The draft should be deep at running back....I think we should get one in either the 1st or 3rd round.....

[DeclanJr]

That's the sign of a good head coach. He wasn't happy with the play calling so he told Sherman to throttle down and run the ball, and when we did we had great success. Those bootlegs only score big like that when the other team believes you are pounding the ball. Kubiak called that game just like he used to do in Denver and Shanahan couldn't do anything to stop it.

On the flip side we've all noticed better play calling on defense as well. I have to think Kubs was in Smith's ear about being more agressive. I'm starting to think that speech the players were alluding to was very emotional, and Kubs put it on the line. Crow is now being served in the South dining room for all of those who called for his firing......we have a very good HC

I totally agree. The D-Line has stepped up their game and our secondary has been playing great. I can only imagine how dominant they would be with Dunta Robinson still on the field.

Also, I am loving the agressive playcalling by Smith. Early in the season, the defense didn't blitz at all. Now they are forcing teams into bad throws and getting more sacks. As happy as I am...even if we end the season with only 7 wins...I can only imagine how great this season would have been if the Texans had been able to pulloff wins agains the Titans(twice), Falcons, and Browns.

I'm confident this team will be competitng for a playoff spot next year and for years to come.

[rush2112mn]

oh yeah......Dayne Train back too....

[Matt_in_KW]

Everyone keeps saying that Walker is slow, and small. I think you need to rewind the DVR and watch agian. He isn't small(5' 11 and 205lbs), so yea he could add 10-20lbs if needed. He certianly has speed if you watch. But, remember this was his 2nd game.

Now as for him not being an every down RB...think agian. The reason that Kubes picked him up was because he reminded him of a RB in Denver that he worked with. Maybe you guys remember this guy. Not too big, and not overly fast. But won a SB and lead the NFL in rushing...take a look. And then get back to me about him being too small or not fast enough to be an every down RB.

http://www.allsports.com/players/terrell-davis/

Anyone remember the knocks TD took? And everyone said he wasn't ever going to be more than a backup...well look what he ended up doing. Walker has alot of the tools he had. On the upside, he has better hands than TD did. We aren't talking about W. Dunn at 5' nothing and 175lbs here. We are talking about a RB that could stand an off season in the weight room adding 10lbs or so and working on his reads and speed some. He is probably a guy in the 4.5-48 range, but over the intire offseason he could get that down and add some more size. Don't count out this guy, Kubes brought him along slow and it shows that he has an eye for talent.

[Texian]

To all those who say Darius Walker is to small and to slow let's review the numbers:

Darius Walker is 5'10" weighs 212 lbs and runs a 4.5 40. That is bigger than Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith. Emmitt ran a 4.6. Darius compares in size to more than a half dozen backs currently starting in the league today, ie: Burkhalter and Addai.

Darius is a patient runner and catches the ball well. His ability to block and pick up the blitz is the reason he has not seen the field early than he has.

[Matt_in_KW]

To all those who say Darius Walker is to small and to slow let's review the numbers:

Darius Walker is 5'10" weighs 212 lbs and runs a 4.5 40. That is bigger than Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith. Emmitt ran a 4.6. Darius compares in size to more than a half dozen backs currently starting in the league today, ie: Burkhalter and Addai.

Darius is a patient runner and catches the ball well. His ability to block and pick up the blitz is the reason he has not seen the field early than he has.



Thats my point...give the kid an off season to learn and the last 2(hope more) games this season and he may just be what we need at RB. And yes, he compares VERY close to Terrell Davis...thats why Kubes grabbed him. If you don't recall that info, search it, Kubes himself said in an interview he planned to move him onto the feild slowly and that he had alot of similar traits of a certian former All Pro he worked with in Denver...TD

[GT]

This guy is so small - it looks like the defenses are reaching too high, expecting someone taller and he is streaking through the D-line . ..which is fine by me!!!!! He has the promise of becoming a great player. I'd like to see him stay in with 1/2 the touches for the final 2 games.


By the way - I can't tell you the THRILL of sitting here in Denver and walking around my office wearing my Texans jersey today. I'm in an office of 75 people - 73 people are shaking their heads, the lone Raiders fan gave me a high-five - and I'm bleeding Battle Red!!!!!

Anyone else in Denver having the same amount of fun today?C'mon dude how do you expect me to read your post, heell all I can do is stare at your avatar. :eek:

[Welsh Texan]

I like what we've got going at RB atm, I think Dayne can do a job for another year, with Walker and Taylor taking significant playing time as well, Green's will be gone so I'd draft a prospect late on but look to draft O-line and give it a year to develop before drafting in the first next year.

[WriterGene]

To all those who say Darius Walker is to small and to slow let's review the numbers:

Darius Walker is 5'10" weighs 212 lbs and runs a 4.5 40. That is bigger than Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith. Emmitt ran a 4.6. Darius compares in size to more than a half dozen backs currently starting in the league today, ie: Burkhalter and Addai.

All I know is - he was looking UP at every player that was standing around him. Perhaps Denver just has unusually tall D-Liners . . .which could be the case.

However, as long as he is helping get the job done (which he seems to be) doesn't matter to me how tall he is. LOL

[WriterGene]

C'mon dude how do you expect me to read your post, heell all I can do is stare at your avatar. :eek:

Yeah - Kate Beckinsale is something, isn't she? Hehehehe

[ObsiWan]

If Chris Taylor (a) has cured his fumbling issues and (b) comes back from injury 100%, then my money is on him being the starter next year.

I think we'll keep five backs
Dayne - Kubiak loves him
Green - He gets one more year to produce
Taylor - the REAL starter
Walker - good spot guy
NewGuy - either a 2nd day pick who shines in camp or an UDFA

I doubt we use one of our only two first day picks on a RB when we clearly need a OL and DB more than a RB. UNLESS, by some miracle McFadden falls to us... not likely though since I'm thinking we'll be picking somewhere in the 15-18 spot.

I'm not saying we don't need an upgrade at RB, I'm saying we need upgrades in the OL and secondary even more.

[Newfan2006]

Did you guys even watch the game? He has speed, he has vision, and boy can he catch the ball out of the backfield. He ran the ONLY outside running plays (not up the gut) that we have ran all year because he has speed. He is constantly giving us positive yardage. He had 63 yards on the day with 4.5 YPC. Those are good numbers not great, but he is new and Sage didn't hit the ground all night and barely left the pocket at all. I guess he blocks pretty well huh. He never fumbles that is the difference between him and Joe and Taylor. DW has earned the time to grow in our offense he and Ron are the definition of 1 - 2 punch.

[edo783]

Based on how he runs on the field, I doubt very much that Walker is a 4.5 guy. Maybe a 4.6-7. Of course he could be one of those guys that really slows down with the pads on. Runs well on the track, but are affected more than others with the pads on, because frankly to me he didn't look all that much faster than Dayne. Quicker yes, but not much faster.

[TEXANRED]

If Chris Taylor (a) has cured his fumbling issues and (b) comes back from injury 100%, then my money is on him being the starter next year.

I think we'll keep five backs
Dayne - Kubiak loves him
Green - He gets one more year to produce
Taylor - the REAL starter
Walker - good spot guy
NewGuy - either a 2nd day pick who shines in camp or an UDFA

I doubt we use one of our only two first day picks on a RB when we clearly need a OL and DB more than a RB. UNLESS, by some miracle McFadden falls to us... not likely though since I'm thinking we'll be picking somewhere in the 15-18 spot.

I'm not saying we don't need an upgrade at RB, I'm saying we need upgrades in the OL and secondary even more.

Depends on what we do in FA.

I see Green coming back. Its not that he sucked, he was just hurt, and as far as I am concerned we are already paying the man next season so he might as well stay a Texan.

I see us not resigning Dayne and cutting Walker leaving us with Green, Taylor, and FA/rookie.

Just in case Walker reads these boards, the reason why you went undrafted is probably b.c. you don't run with authority or take on your tackler preferring to duck down or run out of bounds. Walkers running style reminds me an awful lot of James Allen.

[ROUGHNECKS]

I don't believe he's a every down back "yet" we have two games to change my mind. On the other hand I can see using him like a Bush type player, you know on the edges or flare him out as a wideout he has good hands and was known for his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Don't get me wrong I hope that he would be a every down back so that all the talk of drafting a RB in the first wil stop when we need a saftey or say a O-lineman maybe another linebacker to play along side Demeco why not we got Mario someone young to grow with and help him out I would like to see a good coverage line backer. Like I said I do not see him as a every down back but like a lot of you I have been wrong about things with this team so far. Now as for Taylor we would not know if he could handle the spot by the time the draft comes around that been said there is a lot of good backs in the draft and as free agents and with all the backs on the roster and the money tied into them it makes me wonder what they will do now giving how much I hate the Bills and you guys know why, I have swallowed my pride and I hope you guys will to and root for the Bills today so come on guys all together GO BILLS whoa that does leave a bad taste in your mouth but if they win I sure it will turn sweet so heres to a slime chance of the playoffs, to a team that never gave up, and to our team on the rise. GO TEXANS

[TheLBCoach]

Good point. I suppose his size could work against him as an every down back. I didn't think of that.

I can't remember if it was Ian Gold or DJ Williams who delivered the blow, but I've NEVER seen an NFL RB get completely knocked sideways and off both his feet from a single hit.

I still think, and will continue to think, that Chris Taylor and Darius Walker can be our 2 main RBs next season.

[DeclanJr]

I can't remember if it was Ian Gold or DJ Williams who delivered the blow, but I've NEVER seen an NFL RB get completely knocked sideways and off both his feet from a single hit.
I still think, and will continue to think, that Chris Taylor and Darius Walker can be our 2 main RBs next season.

I was just happy to see him bounce back up. He's a tough kid. I wish more of our players had just bounced back up this season.