Darius Walker undrafted...why?

[zarakotas5]

Anybody learn anything? I think most expected him to be drafted and I, for one, expected it to be relatively early.

A lot of folks here are pretty hard-core in the research and development aspects of the game. I'd like to tap into that to find the answer.

I watched the combine on NFLN. He impressed me very much. I watched him on TV while he was at ND. Seemed like a servicable back. He reminds me of 90% Kevin Faulk, but with more reliable hands.

So..?

 

[zippo59]

I watched ND a lot, and I personally didn't think Walker was very good. He was an OK college back but I wasn't very impressed. JMO.

And before you start with the Faulk comparisons, Faulk was a hell of a college player and one of the best, and most productive running backs in LSU history. Plus, most Patriots will tell you he has the best hands on the team.

 

[notex]

anyone pick him up yet??? could be worth givin a tryout IMO

 

[Remix 6]

anyone pick him up yet??? could be worth givin a tryout IMO

Bears picked him up but he backed out of his contract so hes an FA again

 

[sebman2112]

I watched ND a lot, and I personally didn't think Walker was very good. He was an OK college back but I wasn't very impressed. JMO.

And before you start with the Faulk comparisons, Faulk was a hell of a college player and one of the best, and most productive running backs in LSU history. Plus, most Patriots will tell you he has the best hands on the team.

I've seen ND a lot the past few years, and I too felt he was a little overhyped. I did think he was worth a late 4th-5th round pick, though.

 

[sebman2112]

Bears picked him up but he backed out of his contract so hes an FA again

Seriously? I didn't hear about his backing out on the contract.

Update: RotoWorld is reporting this.

 

[zarakotas5]

And before you start with the Faulk comparisons, Faulk was a hell of a college player and one of the best, and most productive running backs in LSU history. Plus, most Patriots will tell you he has the best hands on the team.

Easy killer, I'm on your side as far as Faulk goes. I remember Faulk well from LSU. I like him as a Pat.

I don't quite understand where the irrational defense for Faulk comes from, but I don't see how my relating Walker to Faulk was to say they are equal talents. Which is where "serviceable" college back comes in, not "spectacular". OTOH, Walker had ZERO fumbles in his final year, 1200+ yards and ~50 catches.

4th, 5th rounder...but nope. I was just wondering if anyone knew why. Things like maybe hiring Rosenhaus made teams look elsewhere, etc.

 

[Pats726]

I think he really didn't understand what he was getting into..probably should have stayed in school a bit longer...

 

[dryheat44]

Maybe Charlie didn't think too highly of his skills as they translate to the NFL.

 

[zippo59]

Easy killer, I'm on your side as far as Faulk goes. I remember Faulk well from LSU. I like him as a Pat.

I don't quite understand where the irrational defense for Faulk comes from, but I don't see how my relating Walker to Faulk was to say they are equal talents. Which is where "serviceable" college back comes in, not "spectacular". OTOH, Walker had ZERO fumbles in his final year, 1200+ yards and ~50 catches.

4th, 5th rounder...but nope. I was just wondering if anyone knew why. Things like maybe hiring Rosenhaus made teams look elsewhere, etc.

Sorry, I didn't mean to come off as agressive or defensive. My point simply was that Faulk was a much better college player so chances are he is a much better pro than Walker ever will be. I didn't think that by comparing the two you were somehow insulting Faulk.

 

[PonyExpress]

We become close to these prospects during draft season, and imagine the players we saw on Saturday can become players on Sunday. The truth is the jump from NCAA to the NFL is a gigantic leap. Out of the 300+ prospects in any given year, only about 10% will become quality multi-year starters in the NFL. The players who make it are very special, and their special qualities are usually evident in college in one way or another. D. Walker was a solid but not great college player who looked like he was running in sand, and often went down easily on 1st contact. There are few college running backs who turned more long gains into short gains than D. Walker. Also, D. Walker had a tell, tending to give away the play call, run or pass, with his pre-snap posture (see LSU-game).

 

[zippo59]

We become close to these prospects during draft season, and imagine the players we saw on Saturday can become players on Sunday. The truth is the jump from NCAA to the NFL is a gigantic leap. Out of the 300+ prospects in any given year, only about 10% will become quality multi-year starters in the NFL. The players who make it are very special, and their special qualities are usually evident in college in one way or another. D. Walker was a solid but not great college player who looked like he was running in sand, and often went down easily on 1st contact. There are few college running backs who turned more long gains into short gains than D. Walker. Also, D. Walker had a tell, tending to give away the play call, run or pass, with his pre-snap posture (see LSU-game).

I agree. You said what I was trying to say better than I could.

 

[hobbsownscoles]

Yeah and he has a huge head. Literally, his head is ****ing huge

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

Maybe Charlie didn't think too highly of his skills as they translate to the NFL.

I've thought this same thing. Charlie giveth - Brady Quinn, and Charlie takes away - Darius Walker. Put another way - I bet Walker would have been drafted, mid rounds at the latest, if Charlie had put the word out that he was a player.

I hadn't noticed Walker's "tell," you'd have to think it could be coached out of him (ah, but the Charlie thing pops up again here - GM's might think, geez, if Weiss couldn't fix this dude's posture, he must be a bust). Leaning and looking early drive me crazy, he'd need to correct this.

I never thought he looked like he was "running in sand" to me. I'm still on the record as saying Walker will be a good NFL RB, I'm sticking to it.

 

[hobbsownscoles]

I've thought this same thing. Charlie giveth - Brady Quinn, and Charlie takes away - Darius Walker. Put another way - I bet Walker would have been drafted, mid rounds at the latest, if Charlie had put the word out that he was a player.

I hadn't noticed Walker's "tell," you'd have to think it could be coached out of him (ah, but the Charlie thing pops up again here - GM's might think, geez, if Weiss couldn't fix this dude's posture, he must be a bust). Leaning and looking early drive me crazy, he'd need to correct this.

I never thought he looked like he was "running in sand" to me. I'm still on the record as saying Walker will be a good NFL RB, I'm sticking to it.

Why do you have that name

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

What, are you put off by gay people? Are you a homophobe?

Geez, dude, don't panic, I'm not gay and in love in TB's fanny.

Here's the slang def once again...

1. butt boy

A servile underling. Especially one who is also a sycophant. A suck up or brown-noser. Synonomous with "toadie" or "stooge." A butt boy does his Master's dirty work.

The CEO is sending one of his butt boys down to straighten out the mess in accounting.

Get it? It's a joke, like I am TB's butt boy, bound to defend him at any criticism. Are you OK now?

 

[dryheat44]

Signed with the Texans. That's one hell of a crowded backfield situation with Ahman Green, Ron Dayne, Wali Lundy, Domanick Williams, Samkon Gado, and Chris Taylor. Some talented cuts, although now that I think about it, Williams might be a free agent.

 

[patsfan-1982]

i had him as a 4th rounder but this make me think brady quinn is a even better QB now look russel had 2 frist round WR quinn did not and has RB was not even drafted

 

[zippo59]

i had him as a 4th rounder but this make me think brady quinn is a even better QB now look russel had 2 frist round WR quinn did not and has RB was not even drafted

Smardzjia or however you spell his name had a good chance of going in the first round if he had chosen to play football over baseball.

 

[BelichickFan]

Smardzjia or however you spell his name had a good chance of going in the first round if he had chosen to play football over baseball.

Plus Russell had much tougher defenses to face week in and week out against the SEC schedule.