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Darius Walker Activated

Darius Walker, sounds like a good name for a running back. Let's see if he can live up to his name.
 
Interesting. To be honest, I think Dayne has earned the roll of permanent Ahman Green replacement for this season (in fact, I am in favor of putting Green on IR and giving Dayne the season). Why? We are a passing team. What that means is that all we really need out of our RB is the ability to hold on the ball (in 8 seasons, I think Dayne only has 5 or 6 fumbles), the ability to stay healthy (has he ever been hurt?), and the ability to put up about 60 or more yards. Dayne is good for all of this.

That said, Walker was a rather explosive back at Notre Dame and should be tested with a few series in our next game.
 
I'm interested in seeing him get some carries. He looked pretty good when given a chance during preseason.
 
adam said:
Interesting. To be honest, I think Dayne has earned the roll of permanent Ahman Green replacement for this season (in fact, I am in favor of putting Green on IR and giving Dayne the season). Why? We are a passing team. What that means is that all we really need out of our RB is the ability to hold on the ball (in 8 seasons, I think Dayne only has 5 or 6 fumbles), the ability to stay healthy (has he ever been hurt?), and the ability to put up about 60 or more yards. Dayne is good for all of this.

That said, Walker was a rather explosive back at Notre Dame and should be tested with a few series in our next game.
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I wouldn't mind seeing a RBBC approach. Certainly anyone not named "Lendale White" is faster than Ron Dayne, so mixing it up in the backfield would add a little more dimension to our game. I would also like to see what Echemandu can do, but for some reason, Kubes DOESN'T institute DEN's famous (and frustrating) RBBC approach, otherwise known as "who's going to start for the Broncos this week?" that we've seen in the past. Kubes can take DEN's cast-off players, but not the RB carousel?

I think the Texans NEED to see what Walker can do. Just imagine if he starts a couple games and shows us all something...wouldn't you rather have a RB right now rather than use a draft pick for one? I think it's silly if the Texans don't give him a try.
 
I saw what Walker can do at ND, he will not have any big break out runs but he will not dance behind the line when you need one freakin yard either.

He can also catch out of the backfield and is not affraid to sick his nose in there on a blitz pickup, just do not expect blazing speed because he does not have that.

I am very interrested to see how Kubiak uses him.
 
Hardcore Texan said:
I too am very interested in seeing what he can do and how Kubes uses him. Also, might be a good FF sleeper pick up?
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If you have a spot to burn I would consider it only (i do mean only) for his pass catching ability but that was while at ND and not in pro what worries me is the speed factor.
 
He's not a burner, but I think he is fast enough. He was the only player on ND who was doing anything against the fast LSU defense in the Sugar Bowl and he did seem to have some burst in the preseason.
 
adam said:
Interesting. To be honest, I think Dayne has earned the roll of permanent Ahman Green replacement for this season (in fact, I am in favor of putting Green on IR and giving Dayne the season). Why? We are a passing team. What that means is that all we really need out of our RB is the ability to hold on the ball (in 8 seasons, I think Dayne only has 5 or 6 fumbles), the ability to stay healthy (has he ever been hurt?), and the ability to put up about 60 or more yards. Dayne is good for all of this.

That said, Walker was a rather explosive back at Notre Dame and should be tested with a few series in our next game.
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I agree with what you said about Dayne. Frankly, unless the Texans deciede to invest in a real running back, I don't care if they start Bugs Bunny as long the ball carrier can block, not fumble, and get about 60 to 70 yards a game.
 
gwallaia said:
Darius Walker, sounds like a good name for a running back. Let's see if he can live up to his name.
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i think it's because of his last name. Walk all over defenses, blah blah, change his last name to runner blah blah. also easy to slander. (or would it be libel because it's typed?)
 
I respect him because he's undrafted and seemingly never gave up. Did those wonderful wednesdays with a smile on his face even though he could be released the next day...

Also the guy is a Kubiak RB, he's going to just hit the hole and run...so if there are holes he will succeed. I don't think he's going to make nothing out of something, he's going to depend on our inconsistent run blocking.

Also I remember in pre-season where he lost his helmet...mid carry...and continued to go on and get like 4 extra yards...

But him being sgined means Green isn't playing this week most likely.
 
Leahmic223 said:
I respect him because he's undrafted and seemingly never gave up. Did those wonderful wednesdays with a smile on his face even though he could be released the next day...

Also the guy is a Kubiak RB, he's going to just hit the hole and run...so if there are holes he will succeed. I don't think he's going to make nothing out of something, he's going to depend on our inconsistent run blocking.

Also I remember in pre-season where he lost his helmet...mid carry...and continued to go on and get like 4 extra yards...

But him being sgined means Green isn't playing this week most likely.
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my god man have you seen D.W.'s forehead? He's more dangerous with out the helmet. Could you imagine if he hit someone with that. j/k . I did see that too in the game and thought I like that. Someone thats not afraid of getting those extra yards.
 
Here's the confirmation:

Texans sign RB Walker, release QB Nall

(11/21/07 - HOUSTON) - Up until this week, Darius Walker's biggest responsibility with the Texans involved taping a weekly video segment for the team Web site called "Wednesdays With Walker."

The former Notre Dame standout has a much more important job now after being signed to the active roster from the practice squad Wednesday.

With the health of Ahman Green unclear, the Texans signed Walker to add depth at running back. Quarterback Craig Nall was released to make room for Walker on the roster.

Walker joked about the pressure of handling both tasks.

"Two tough duties, very, very true," he said. "Just tough duties. We'll see how that goes and how that's going to work out, but I'm going to try to juggle both. See if I can multitask."

All joking aside, Walker is excited about his opportunity.

"It's a great feeling," he said. "Especially going from having to watch and not even dress to actually dressing and actually having an opportunity to get in the game. I know it's a big task, because they expect a lot out of me."

Walker had 1,267 yards rushing and seven touchdowns as a junior last season before declaring for the draft. He went undrafted and signed as a free agent with the Texans.

Coach Gary Kubiak was impressed with Walker's work on Wednesday in his first practice since being elevated to the roster.

"If Darius keeps working the way he practiced today, then we'll expect him to play this weekend," Kubiak said.

Kubiak said he didn't have an update on Green, who has been slowed for most of the season with a knee problem. He said the team is monitoring him to see if two weeks off will help his condition.

Ron Dayne will start as long as Green is out and the Texans also have Adimchinobi Echemandu, who is also a former practice squad player.
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I'm looking forward to seeing Walker play this weekend, as it sounds like Kubiak has plans for him in Cleveland.
I remember him from the big bowl game Notre Dame played against LSU last year and he was impressive as I recall ? I think he's a weapon to catch a little
pass in the flat, maybe run some screens ? Not real fast, but some quickness
as I recall ?
 
Andrew6 said:
Well we'll see if he's worthy of playing or if he's going to be a bust. Heres your chance DW
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Great...now even undrafted players that we pick up are heavily scrutinized. No NFL team (including the Texans) drafted this guy, but if he doesn't play well it is another lousy move by the Texans?
 
Spike said:
Great...now even undrafted players that we pick up are heavily scrutinized. No NFL team (including the Texans) drafted this guy, but if he doesn't play well it is another lousy move by the Texans?
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I agree, Andrew that is a little tough to put on the guy he has to be an All-Star performer from game one. He is an undrafted rookie he might do well he might make mistake (more than likely) but can we not even use the bust card on him.

What I am saying is he is a rookie lets not put the weight of the whole team on him.
 
Well let's re cap:
Denver Draft's Selvin Young the year after this HC is gone. Someone in Denver
was nutorious for sitting guys on the bench when they fumbled in years past.
Selvin Young spit the pill alot at Texas.

Last week on his first touch, Adimchinobe Echemandu spits the pill.

The next week, Walker is brought up. Message: RB's, don't put the ball on the ground. Fumbles are a zero tolernce thingy with this HC.
 
Oh man, I'm just so excited that an undrafted running back with no speed has been activated, I could just . . .
 
Darius Walker may look very, very good Sunday. It could happen and I believe that if it does happen then nobody should be surprised to see it. No, I'm not drinking the kool-aid. I'm just pointing out the obvious. Several factors could combine to make Walker look better than he is Sunday.

1. Cleveland ranks 28th in run defense. It doesn't take Walter Payton to have a good day on the ground against Cleveland.

2. Walker is not on a lot of film so he's not particularly easy to prepare for.

3. Walker has fresh legs and in week 12 of the NFL season that can make a bit of a difference.

4. Walker isn't fast but he's faster than Ron Dayne by a ton. The line has been blocking for Dayne and so holes he would squeak through will be plenty big for Darius. This is where the fresh legs help. Once the running game becomes effective the line will get some momentum going.

I'm not saying it's going to last or that it means much of anything. I'm just saying don't be surprised (or overly impressed) if Walker has a good day. Judging by the "big picture" he should have a good day and maybe even finish the season strong. Remember Samkon Gado did this exact same thing a couple of years ago in Green Bay.
 
I'll just be happy if he makes some decent catches out of the backfield. Dayne just can't get out in the flat fast enough to make screens work dependably. Hopefully Walker will add that dimension to the offense.
 
Hervoyel said:
Darius Walker may look very, very good Sunday. It could happen and I believe that if it does happen then nobody should be surprised to see it. No, I'm not drinking the kool-aid. I'm just pointing out the obvious. Several factors could combine to make Walker look better than he is Sunday.

1. Cleveland ranks 28th in run defense. It doesn't take Walter Payton to have a good day on the ground against Cleveland.

2. Walker is not on a lot of film so he's not particularly easy to prepare for.

3. Walker has fresh legs and in week 12 of the NFL season that can make a bit of a difference.

4. Walker isn't fast but he's faster than Ron Dayne by a ton. The line has been blocking for Dayne and so holes he would squeak through will be plenty big for Darius. This is where the fresh legs help. Once the running game becomes effective the line will get some momentum going.

I'm not saying it's going to last or that it means much of anything. I'm just saying don't be surprised (or overly impressed) if Walker has a good day. Judging by the "big picture" he should have a good day and maybe even finish the season strong. Remember Samkon Gado did this exact same thing a couple of years ago in Green Bay.
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If Walker was another teams rookie pitcher, the Astros would be looking at an upcoming shutout or nohitter.
 
Marcus said:
Oh man, I'm just so excited that an undrafted running back with no speed has been activated, I could just . . .
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He is faster than Ron Dayne and he will not try and do the hookie pookie on
4th and 1. He may not get the yard but he damn sure will hit the freakin hole with all he has. I do not care if he is a homerun threat at this point. what I want is a one cut and go towrds the damn goal type of running back. it is not to hard to ask at this stage in the season.
 
AnthonyE said:
Hopefully someday we'll have the same non-homosexual love for Darius Walker as the guy who made this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h32lYOUksw

Or gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that...
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He looked like a couple blocks away from being awesome! That is the first time I have seen him run.
I was there for pre-season but don't remember.

As far as speed, from what I can find on him, he is as fast as Emmitt Smith but slower than Addai. But Addai is freakishly fast like a 4.37 40 and DW is a 4.55 40.

He seems humble and is a hard worker let's just hope we have had the second coming of Emmitt on our practice squad! :yes::texflag::yes:
 
Specnatz said:
He is faster than Ron Dayne and he will not try and do the hokie pokie on
4th and 1. He may not get the yard but he damn sure will hit the freakin hole with all he has. I do not care if he is a home run threat at this point. what I want is a one cut and go towards the damn goal type of running back. it is not to hard to ask at this stage in the season.
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If we were truly doing the Denver running game here and not a funky mix of Denver and Green Bay then Darius Walker would have me pretty excited. He is a perfectly adequate "one cut and go" kind of back. He's not too small and he's not too slow. Since we tend to kind of run the ball more like the Packers and less like the Broncos I think we all know what we're going to be getting.

I figure he wouldn't be activated this week if they didn't think he was ready. I certainly don't believe that Itchy fumbling last week is the reason they activated him. I believe the only response to that fumble was that Dayne did all the work. The Texans aren't going to activate a rookie running back just to send a message to a street free agent they picked up.
 
AnthonyE said:
Hopefully someday we'll have the same non-homosexual love for Darius Walker as the guy who made this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h32lYOUksw

Or gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that...
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I watched the video, now I can see why he went undrafted.

He doesn't take on tacklers and prefers to run out of bounds rather than plow ahead to get another couple of yards, lack of burst through the hole, and dances around.

Hope he changed all of that.

I am really hoping that this is not the best that Walker has to offer.
 
Hervoyel said:
If we were truly doing the Denver running game here and not a funky mix of Denver and Green Bay then Darius Walker would have me pretty excited. He is a perfectly adequate "one cut and go" kind of back. He's not too small and he's not too slow. Since we tend to kind of run the ball more like the Packers and less like the Broncos I think we all know what we're going to be getting.

I figure he wouldn't be activated this week if they didn't think he was ready. I certainly don't believe that Itchy fumbling last week is the reason they activated him. I believe the only response to that fumble was that Dayne did all the work. The Texans aren't going to activate a rookie running back just to send a message to a street free agent they picked up.
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I never thought it was a message either. Not sure if he is an everdown back, but I thought he could be a decent back-up and third down guy because he knows how to pick up the blitz and can catch the ball. That is why I liked him.
 
From Saturday's Chronicle . . .

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/5325062.html

Adimchinobe Echemandu, signed as a free agent by the Texans in early October, ran well in his debut against San Diego but lost a fumble on his only carry against New Orleans last week, giving coach Gary Kubiak the incentive to activate rookie Darius Walker.

Kubiak hasn't decided if Echemandu and Walker will be active.

"I wanted them to compete this week, and I thought they both looked really good," Kubiak said after Friday's workout. "I think Darius is close. I'll go back and look at how he practiced today (on tape), looking at blitz pickup, that kind of stuff."
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What Walker does when he's not carrying the ball is not important to fans . . err, well . . most of them, that is.
 
TEXANRED said:
I watched the video, now I can see why he went undrafted.

He doesn't take on tacklers and prefers to run out of bounds rather than plow ahead to get another couple of yards, lack of burst through the hole, and dances around.

Hope he changed all of that.

I am really hoping that this is not the best that Walker has to offer.
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Avoiding tacklers, running out of bounds rather than gutting it out thru the middle, dances around. You must be talking about Regiie Bush. Didn't keep him from getting drafted #2 overall last year.
Oh by the way, little Reggie also catchs passes wide-open over the middle
and then falls down untouched & unhurt and waits for the ref to blow the play dead.
 
It's a shame that "Prominent Forehead" isn't considered as criteria in the Pro Bowl balloting.

If it was, Schaub and Darius Walker would both be locks for Honolulu.
 
drewmar74 said:
It's a shame that "Prominent Forehead" isn't considered as criteria in the Pro Bowl balloting.

If it was, Schaub and Darius Walker would both be locks for Honolulu.
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LoL, I thought I was the only one that noticed those giant Klingon foreheards. If DW does something and stays around I say we rename him Wharf.
 
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