'11 CA ATH George Atkinson III (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[FLDomer]

He will have to have more than one good game for me to be sold on his progress. He was playing against OUs 3-3-5 defense which isn't exactly a run stopper and beyond his impressive 80 scamper he only had 68 yds rushing... I hope this was a coming out for him but I need to see consistancy. Just couple weeks ago everyone was on the Cam Bandwagon.

On a side note: what the hell is up with Amir, I thought he was more of a scat back but when he gets the ball he lowers his head and just blast forward. He doesnt seem to be looking to hit any holes. Dont get me wrong, I dont want him dancing around in the back field but my God, look where you are going.

 

[koonja]

Obviously your entitled to your opinion but go back and watch every run he's had against Michigan St. and Oklahoma and I think you'll say something different. On a consistent basis he is running much stronger and is more decisive in his cuts. I'm not calling for a Heisman here but there is no reason we should down play this. Its exactly what he needed to do and now he's doing it. He's still has to get better but it wasn't just one run that he should be proud of.

I'm just saying he's 3rd on my depth chart, which means nothing, obviously, but I don't see him running harder than he was earlier this year.

Put it in context and look at it as what it was. A good game against a small defense. I have Folston and Cam ahead of GAIII, if you have a different opinion I have no problem with that.

 

[koonja]

He will have to have more than one good game for me to be sold on his progress. He was playing against OUs 3-3-5 defense which isn't exactly a run stopper and beyond his impressive 80 scamper he only had 68 yds rushing... I hope this was a coming out for him but I need to see consistancy. Just couple weeks ago everyone was on the Cam Bandwagon.

I'm with you.

 

[Emcee77]

Obviously your entitled to your opinion but go back and watch every run he's had against Michigan St. and Oklahoma and I think you'll say something different. On a consistent basis he is running much stronger and is more decisive in his cuts. I'm not calling for a Heisman here but there is no reason we should down play this. Its exactly what he needed to do and now he's doing it. He's still has to get better but it wasn't just one run that he should be proud of.

I agree. He just looked like a more determined runner start to finish against OU.

I agree with some others that we don't want to exaggerate the importance of one game, but I don't think anyone's doing that. This thread was bumped simply to congratulate George for playing better than some of us had predicted. He had a good game, and props to him. I hope he keeps it up.

 

[Luckylucci]

that 68 yards came on 13 carries which gives you a YPC of 5.23.

 

[FLDomer]

that 68 yards came on 13 carries which gives you a YPC of 5.23.

I understand this but my point is he needs much more consistent, game in and game out. Like I said also the 3-3-5 is a terrible run stopping defense. Also GAIII had a game last yr where he look crazy good against Miami (who didnt run on that D) but he could not consistently put it together.

 

[Luckylucci]

Yes, we all want to see more consistent performance but to me, more than the result is the way he ran. GAIII's problem has been his seemingly unwillingness to plant his foot and go up field when there isn't a open hole to run through. He often time strings plays out too far instead of taking what he's given and maybe making some more of it. I thought his running style has been more impressive than the result. With that said, yes we do need a more consistent result.

 

[irishfan]

Sometimes one big play is all it takes for a guy to get his confidence way up and for him to take off. Hopefully GA3 has some more confidence. He's so hesitant going through the hole, even when the o-line blocks well he seems surprised when a hole opens up.

Sounds stupid, but sometimes one big play is all it takes for a guy's game to come together.

 

[IrishLion]

He played well, and he also had excellent blocking. I also think any of our RBs outside of Cam would have scored on GAIII's TD run. Again, he played great, but that was fool's gold IMO. It's not like he instantly became stronger, more agile, and made quicker cuts. We played a small front 7.

Cam and Folston are still our best runners IMO.

I disagree with the bolded part. GAIII and Amir score, sure, but Folston couldn't outrun the defender on his own break-away run. The defender caught him from behind and didn't even have an angle; it looked like he blew a tire lol. You think he could've outrun a defender over 80 yards like GAIII did, especially considering the defender had a better angle on GAIII than the other had on Folston? (And I'm not knocking Folston's speed at all, GAIII is just a freak in the open field).

I agree on Cam not scoring, and we don't know about Bryant yet. He broke a few nice runs around the end in fall camp practice videos, but we haven't seen him in the open field against DI competition yet.

 

[koonja]

I disagree with the bolded part. GAIII and Amir score, sure, but Folston couldn't outrun the defender on his own break-away run. The defender caught him from behind and didn't even have an angle; it looked like he blew a tire lol. You think he could've outrun a defender over 80 yards like GAIII did, especially considering the defender had a better angle on GAIII than the other had on Folston? (And I'm not knocking Folston's speed at all, GAIII is just a freak in the open field).

I agree on Cam not scoring, and we don't know about Bryant yet. He broke a few nice runs around the end in fall camp practice videos, but we haven't seen him in the open field against DI competition yet.

I could be wrong, but didn't Folston stumble before he could hit full speed? I thought he got so excited at the open field that his mind was moving faster than his legs, and he almost tackled himself? Point is, I think Folston is faster than what we saw in that run he had.

I'm pretty sure Greg scores, fwiw.

 

[IrishLion]

I could be wrong, but didn't Folston stumble before he could hit full speed? I thought he got so excited at the open field that his mind was moving faster than his legs, and he almost tackled himself? Point is, I think Folston is faster than what we saw in that run he had.

I'm pretty sure Greg scores, fwiw.

I would have to watch a replay, I don't remember him stumbling but I was also drinking heavily from a keg lol.

I think maybe I'm just paranoid about seeing the old Armando Allen/Theo Riddick runs again: the RB hits open field, nothing but green grass in front... and then a defender easily catches up and drags them down from behind after a long gain on which the RB ran out of gas.

 

[SoDakDomer]

I would have to watch a replay, I don't remember him stumbling but I was also drinking heavily from a keg lol.

I think maybe I'm just paranoid about seeing the old Armando Allen/Theo Riddick runs again: the RB hits open field, nothing but green grass in front... and then a defender easily catches up and drags them down from behind after a long gain on which the RB ran out of gas.

He stumbled, no doubt.

 

[Irishbounty28]

I hope this GAIII character shows up again this week in Tayhass (Texas)!

 

[EuropeanDomer]

"Brian Kelly says NFL evaluations were sent out for Stephon Tuitt, Troy Niklas and George Atkinson. Can be teaching tools for players"

Call me crazy but i think he should leave if he has the chance. I feel that next season he will get less carries and he is ready to be a kick/punt returner.

 

[ThePiombino]

"Brian Kelly says NFL evaluations were sent out for Stephon Tuitt, Troy Niklas and George Atkinson. Can be teaching tools for players"

Call me crazy but i think he should leave if he has the chance. I feel that next season he will get less carries and he is ready to be a kick/punt returner.

I'm sure this is nothing more than Niklas and Atkinson getting an idea of where they stand and the room for improvement they can work towards in 2014. Not a chance in hell either declares for the draft. Tuitt on the other hand, I think his evaluation goes a LOOOOOONG way in determining who he's lacing up for next fall.

 

[Booslum31]

"Brian Kelly says NFL evaluations were sent out for Stephon Tuitt, Troy Niklas and George Atkinson. Can be teaching tools for players"

Call me crazy but i think he should leave if he has the chance. I feel that next season he will get less carries and he is ready to be a kick/punt returner.

How good could that NFL evaluation be? I agree that he is going to see reduced carries next year...big time. I hope he stays and provides the occasional spark on STs.

 

[Luckylucci]

He's not going pro, his dad has been bitching so its probably for perspective. To understand that at this point he's not there yet.

 

[Booslum31]

He's not going pro, his dad has been bitching so its probably for perspective. To understand that at this point he's not there yet.

Agree.

 

[tko]

Ripple.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

How good could that NFL evaluation be? I agree that he is going to see reduced carries next year...big time. I hope he stays and provides the occasional spark on STs.

If Theo went in the 6th and Cierre went undrafted, there's not a chance in hell he gets drafted.

 

[NDdomer2]

If Theo went in the 6th and Cierre went undrafted, there's not a chance in hell he gets drafted.

i agree to an extent. the nfl is a different beast. every year no name kids who have average college careers make a name for themselves in the league. george is more explosive of an athlete than theo and cierre and i can see how that would be appealing to nfl. now cierre and theo were more complete backs so i don't think george gets a grade he wants to see either.

 

[Pachuco]

Still pullin' for GAIII to reach his goals. As far as I've been able to witness, the kid puts his helmet on with the best of them, and does what he can for the team.

I don't see a problem with an NFL evaluation.

I'm sure he already has a sober perspective on what he has accomplished thus far,

and if not, he can always check the ND fan boards for some love... *sarcasm*.

Good luck, George.

Keep working.

 

[CraigKrenzel]

i agree to an extent. the nfl is a different beast.

Good luck, George. Keep working.

+1. I think George made some progress running this year with better pad level and lateral ability, things he didn't really show as a sophomore. Not great, but better. I thought he, more than any other offensive skill player (save for maybe Chris Brown), was hurt by Golson's absence though.

I hope as a senior he can combine that speed with even better vision and pad level - really giving us something that it appears none of the other backs can provide on the edge. If teams have to respect Golson's ability to take it the other direction... lots may open up for GAIII's speed.

One can hope..

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Tweeted that he was suspended for today's game for texting during the the meal as he said he did all season. Tweet has been deleted.

I am sure his dad will go on another rant...

 

[CanadalovesND]

Suspended for the game today.

He was texting friends and family during a team meal, something he tweeted that he's "done all season long". However, his tweet has since been deleted.

 

[JD Irish]

That is a pretty stupid rule. I would be really angry.

 

[IrishLax]

Tweeted that he was suspended for today's game for texting during the the meal as he said he did all season. Tweet has been deleted.

I am sure his dad will go on another rant...

Suspended for the game today.

He was texting friends and family during a team meal, something he tweeted that he's "done all season long". However, his tweet has since been deleted.

That is a pretty stupid rule. I would be really angry.

Just going on gut instinct here... 0% chance that is what happened.

 

[woolybug25]

That is a pretty stupid rule. I would be really angry.

Texting during a meal or during any event is stupid?

Sorry, I disagree.

Follow the rules, GA3. They were there before you did it, so quit blaming other people.

 

[irishff1014]

Texting during a meal or during any event is stupid?

Sorry, I disagree.

Follow the rules, GA3. They were there before you did it, so quit blaming other people.

Money!!!

 

[peoriairish]

Here's the tweet.

George Atkinson ‏@georgeatk3 10m
For those of you who are wondering I was suspended from today's game for texting friends and family during team meal, as i did all season