Possible Clues:

• Deserving of a D, say
• Like church mice?
• What Willie's "Boys" were, to CCR
• Like church mice
• Well, that's not off
• Disappointing, like 12's Tom
• 'It's a . . . . heart that never rejoices'
• Word with mouth or excuse
• Like Ali Baba, at first
• Word with box or excuse