Darius Walker

[DrDawkinstein]

Thanks but no thanks, if the bills pick him in the 2nd over any of Bush, Irons or Hunt then we are in trouble.

 

 

Antonio Pittman would be a better choice

[ndirish1978]

well obviously there are better choices in earlier rounds!

[BoondckCL]

What is this infatuation with Antonio Pittman, the guy is a mediocre back on a team that had a good college qb and passing game. He's not going to translate.

[KD in CA]

Nah, not a steal. It would be value. Again, watching tape is interesting but it's alos important to understand the perception of a player when he is playing. We always knew Walker could get those 2 or 3 yeards when we needed them (unlike Willis). But the big play hopes were basically nonexistent. Wehn he did break a long one it was always a welcome surprise. He does have GREAT hands catching screen passes. i would love him in the 4th. Actually if we reached, I wouldnt be disappointed. I just dont want people thinking he is Thurman reincarnetd. This expectations aren't fair to him cause I don't think he would compare himself, to Thomas

 

After watching Darius for 3 years I completely agree. IMO, he was a good, not great college back and I am not confident of his ability at the pro level. He should not be a day one pick. Another TT? No chance.

[In space no one can hear]

After watching Darius for 3 years I completely agree. IMO, he was a good, not great college back and I am not confident of his ability at the pro level. He should not be a day one pick. Another TT? No chance.

 

 

Agreed.

Not to mention those Thurman comparisons shouldn't be thrown around lightly.

[cmdevisser]

Kenneth Darby

Height: 5-10

Weight: 213

Position: Running Back

College: Alabama

 

I've been reading up on a good amount of running backs and this one interests me quite a bit, anyone know where he projects to get drafted?

 

Positives: Has a short, compact frame with good upper-body thickness, muscular arms and legs, broad shoulders, big bubble and thick thighs and legs. … Creative open-field runner with that sudden burst of speed that allows him to immediately gain an advantage through the rush lanes. … Elusive cutback runner with precise plant-and-drive agility. He has the body control and lower-body flexibility to stop and go with no wasted motion and is effective at utilizing head fakes and his hip wiggle to set up the opponent. … Alert athlete, especially when it comes to recognizing and locating the blitz and bull rush. … Needs only minimal reps to retain and takes the plays from the chalkboard to the playing field. … Most featured backs shy away from blocking assignments. Darby relishes playing the role of blocker; he is a tough, fiery type who will not hesitate to mix it up in the trenches. … Explodes out of his stance through rush lanes and is very decisive attacking the holes. … Has the loose hips and wiggle to make the initial tackler miss and stays low in his pads to burst through the pile. … Runs with short pitter-patter steps and is very fluid redirecting. … Very deceptive varying his speeds to break free along the perimeter. … Has the burst to outrun defenders when working in space and most of his long runs have been the result of his explosive second gear. … Shows a very good feel for rushing lanes and the vision to quickly locate cutback routes. … Excels at anticipating even the slightest of creases and, based on the poor performance of the Tide's 2006 offensive line, most of his yardage was the result of his own hard work; solid blocks rarely developed for him. … Has that explosive second gear, hip snap and balance to be much more effective turning the corner than running between tackles. … His hip shake and wiggle allow him to change direction in an instant and run through cutback lanes. … Slippery runner who is very difficult to bring down in isolated coverage. … Possesses an array of moves to elude, especially when changing direction. … Protects the ball well by keeping it close to his body, usually carrying it away from the defender (is ambidextrous). … Quick to uncover and has the anticipation skills to work back to the ball. … Effective cut blocker with enough hand strength to lock on and sustain. … Quick in the open, using angles properly to locate second-level defenders. … He shows good alertness picking up the blitz and has a quick kick-slide in pass protection.

 

Negatives: Frame could carry some additional bulk, but he is too close to maximum growth potential to add without it affecting his quickness. … Was forced to create on his own; he could not be patient waiting for blocks to develop, which resulted in 23 negative-yardage runs by Darby in 2006 -- uncharacteristic for this player. … Will not hesitate to take the ball up the gut but, because of some size limitations he had to rely on his line to create space and they failed to do so in 2006. … .Type of player that needs room to run and can get bottled up inside, where his leg drive is only adequate. … His 2006 early-season knee bruise contributed to Darby being tackled behind the line of scrimmage 13 times in the team's first four games; he was also stopped five times for no gain during that span. … Executes excellent jump-cut moves, but just seemed a bit frustrated that he had little or no room to execute these moves in 2006. … Will run the ball hard up the gut, but unless he redirects or bounces wide, he is not the type that can break many tackles taking the ball up the middle. … Has good weight-room strength, but needs room to operate and seems to get too narrow with his base when having to power through arm tackles. … Doesn't have the long arm reach to compete for the ball at its highest point (29 5/8-inch reach) in passing situations.

 

Compares To: DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers (Memphis) -- Darby is bigger than Williams, but both rely on their exceptional burst, outstanding field vision and instincts with the ball to be slippery outside runners. Darby has a great feel for the crease and cutback lanes, but relies more on his elusiveness; he doesn't have the ideal strength to be a power runner.

[bartshan-83]

I've given my opinion extensively on DW in various threads, so I will just summarize. I basically agree with ndirish and KD, except I'm a little more generous. As stated, his lack of elite speed will be his biggest hurdle in the NFL. He was noticeably average in speed even by college standards. However, I've seen slow RBs be successful in the league and I think his feel for the game will earn him a roster spot and some decent PT.

 

The guy just sees the field better than any RB I've ever seen in college. He beat out a number or RBs on NDs squad who were better athletes. You'd think an undersized, slow RB wouldn't rush for 2500 yards and catch 100 balls in 2 years. He didn't need Reggie Bush-speed because he was great at finding the crease and maximizing the gain. This is why I think he will forge a solid NFL career because he knows how to pickup yards. He almost always made the "correct" decision with the football...whether it was the time to take the gamble and cut back a run, or whether it was time to dive forward for the extra three yards. Doesn't make boneheaded plays, and PROTECTS the football very well.

 

Finally, his best asset is his receiving skill. Great after the catch, and a thing of beauty on screen passes. If there is one place where we can throw Thurman's name into the mix, it's the comparison of their screen pass abilities. Darius ran screens like Thurman, plain and simple. Yes, it was in college, but it was still a great talent to watch. He is very patient with his blockers and yet extremely decisive when he needs to be. His lack of speed will keep him from ever hitting a homerun on a screen, but I guarantee that he will rack up several key 1st downs in this regard if he used correctly.

 

All that being said, I would take him in the 3rd. I believe that some people just know the game better than others and that this can't be measured with a stopwatch or in a cone drill. Darius will not be a star because he simply is not athletic enough. But he will contribute and could develop very nicely into a 3rd down back. I'd definitely use a third round pick on that kind of player.

[The Dean]

Agreed.

Not to mention those Thurman comparisons shouldn't be thrown around lightly.

 

 

Damn right, Spaceman. There are no Thurmans in the draft, IMO. Thurman Thomases don't come around that often. He's one of the few GREAT backs on his era, IMO.

 

But, I think Darius is being underrated by most on this wall. Because ND fans are among them, perhaps I overrate him. But I've seen him play a ton and I liked what I saw. The kid is versatile and smart. He played for Charlie Weiss in an NFL style offense (damn those NE alumni, damn them to hell!) and he played against top college competition.

 

If we got him in the 3rd or 4th I'd be VERY happy.

[flo fan]

Thanks for the input. With virtually no rb's on the roster it should be interesting to see who the new horse is

 

Regards

 

'flo fan

[the_franchise]

Pittman, in all the horrible youtube tributes has been the only back I have seen make efficient cuts and not just dance around for 2 yards... and he's good good speed. But Fanfair looked pretty good too even though he looks a little small....

 

 

I dont care who we get just as long as its not Sticky Ricky... once a fish always one in my opinon