What is your opinion of Delanie Walker?

When he returned kickoffs he looked like a runaway locomotive. If he had somebody to throw him the ball......just dreaming.

Love Delanie Walker!

Walker is a 50/50 player. Half the time, he will make a nice play... have the time he will drop a critical pass or fumble on a RAC.

He's versatile, no doubt... but can be somewhat overrated.

Originally posted by buck:

Originally posted by Redeemer:

Originally posted by ObePwnD:

Originally posted by okdkid:
He would start for most teams.

this.

+1. Davis and Walker, is there a better TE duo in the league?

This board tends to overate Walker.

I do not think that Walker would start for most teams.

At this point, and for whatever reason, Davis and Walker are not the best TE duo in the league.

Compare them to:

Rob Gronkowski NE
Aaron Hernandez NE

Greg Olsen CAR
Jeremy Shockey CAR

Antonio Gates SD
Randy McMichael SD

I'd take Vernon and Delanie over any of those combos. Put our guys on any of the teams these other guys are on and their numbers would explode.

Originally posted by verb1der:
He look like Kanye

lol i was gonna say that

Originally posted by zainladha:

Originally posted by verb1der:
He look like Kanye

lol i was gonna say that

Yeah Spikes used to always call him Kanye too..

Originally posted by buck:

Originally posted by Redeemer:

Originally posted by ObePwnD:

Originally posted by okdkid:

He would start for most teams.

this.

+1. Davis and Walker, is there a better TE duo in the league?

This board tends to overate Walker.

I do not think that Walker would start for most teams.

At this point, and for whatever reason, Davis and Walker are not the best TE duo in the league.

Compare them to:

Rob Gronkowski NE
Aaron Hernandez NE

Greg Olsen CAR
Jeremy Shockey CAR

Antonio Gates SD
Randy McMichael SD

I'd take Davis/Walker over all three of those.

Always have liked Walker but he does make too many errors to be a starter. Perhaps with more involvement in the O he would improve on this but until he does? I would like to see him do some work in the middle of the field where his size might give him an advantage. VD does well in the middle but teams may be figuring that out.

The 9ers desperately need a big blocking TE who can catch, in order to free up VD. He has complained ot Harbaugh and I think for good reason. He has the best chemistry with Smith but is not getting open enough. Walker can certainly help with this by catching more balls like the TD on Sunday.

Some have suggest going to a spread offense, and while I question whether the line can be trusted with this, Walker would be a natural in that system.

underused

Originally posted by BrianGO:

Originally posted by 9erfanAUS:
I bring this topic not only to foster some discussion but also because it seems like forever that we've been drooling about Walker and Davis together creating mismatch problems. Let's face it, it just hasn't happened and who knows if it will ever happen in the future. Walker hasn't put up anything near the numbers to warrant some of the recognition that he receives from the fans and media. In fact, he rarely plays more than half the snaps on offense and I don't think he's ever had a big catching day either. Simply put, he's not our "X-factor" and while he's a good #2 TE, I don't think there's potential for much more from him.

I know I'm starting this thread on the heels of a great but rare touchdown play by him, so I know 'Zone opinion may be swayed a little. Anyways, discuss...or flame on!

Let's just back up a bit.

Let's say you take all the All-Pro TE's and WR's and put them in our offense. What kind of numbers will they put up?
If we only throw the ball 20 times a game, and put up 150 yards a game, what kind of numbers are they supposed to put up?

Or even better. What if Antonio Gates replaced Delanie Walker? Would he somehow magically put up huge numbers in our offense? Would Smith throw him the ball more? What would cause him to get huge numbers? With only 20 footballs in the air and half of them check downs, what kind of numbers are you expecting?

If we had an all-pro TE and WRs in our offense, I would hope the coaching staff would adapt the playcalling to suit the strength of the personnel that's on the field. I don't think that we would continue to run Gore. It just so happens to be that Gore is our best player on offense which is why I think the coaching staff is committed to giving Gore his touches.

If Antonio Gates replaced Walker, he wouldn't put up the same numbers as he does in San Diego I think that we can agree on. But Gates is twice the TE that Walker is and I think we would try to get him involved a whole lot more. Gates is better than Walker in just about every facet of being a TE.

Again, you can only play to the personnel who have on the field. It's obvious that with Raye, Johnson and now Harbaugh/Roman that Walker just isn't in that league where you specifically include him in a substantial part of the game plan. You can use him as a decoy, ala Reggie Bush but I don't think he'd start for most teams.

Career stats for Delanie Walker:



Just to add some perspective.

back up player

starter

Put him on a team that has the luxury and time to send TE's into routes all the time and he would explode. Lining him up in the backfield and keeping him in to block is not his strong suit.

he's a cool dude and player but he wont ever be used to his potential on teh niners.