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

[Riddickulous]

Pages and pages and pages of discussion and yet the only thing I've seen anywhere on this supposed NFL decision from GA3 is one tweet from someone I've never heard of. Is there more information out there I haven't seen?

 

[GoIrish41]

People act like GAIII tried to burn down the Golden Dome and desecrated the Grotto or something. He wasn't even as bad as people go to say. I bet he makes an NFL roster if he decides to go pro. He's got a lot of natural talent that no one at Notre Dame could manifest into consistent performance on the field. The NFL has better coaches than we do, and I bet he could have a solid NFL career as a returner and 3rd running back.

Then why do they keep trying to get our head coach?

 

[Bluto]

Pages and pages and pages of discussion and yet the only thing I've seen anywhere on this supposed NFL decision from GA3 is one tweet from someone I've never heard of. Is there more information out there I haven't seen?

No

 

[IrishFaninTX]

i think GA3 will have a Michael Spurlock like career in the NFL, will bounce around but will be worth a TD on a KR every now and then

I like GAIII and hope he gets some better advice from people he trusts because going to the NFL would not be in his best interest. At least not before he receives his degree. And he has not returned a kick for a TD since his freshman year against some pretty horrible teams, too, so I'm not sure that would happen in the NFL against pros. He had some almost returns this year and last year but almost only counts in horseshoes and well, you know the rest.

I can understand wanting to blame others for losing the starting job but really GAIII needs to look at himself. He has never run as hard as Cam does and he isn't as talented as Tarean. Sadly I saw this happening after the 1st couple of games this year. I hope he realizes the mistake he would be making by leaving early and if he isn't in the dog house so bad that Coach never wants to play him again then I hope he will put in the work to at least get 10 carries/game because he does have that home run threat capability. That is one thing I do love about GAIII. When he breaks free to the outside, he is gone. Not many can catch him.

 

[Andy in Sactown]

I think the new kick-off rules really marginalized his PR/KR specialist value. At this level and the next.

 

[woolybug25]

Question on GA3's kickoff yards? I checked it out and he ranked #14 (780yds)in all of cfb for return yards. That is a jump from #77 (441yds) the year prior.

What's the explanation for this?

 

[ulukinatme]

Question on GA3's kickoff yards? I checked it out and he ranked #14 (780yds)in all of cfb for return yards. That is a jump from #77 (441yds) the year prior.

What's the explanation for this?

I would guess it's the fact our defense gave up a bunch more scores this year, leading to more kickoff returns for GA3. What was his average return last year and this year, and how many returns?

 

[irishog77]

More returns? That'd be my guess.

 

[DillonHall]

GAIII averaged about 5 more yards per return in 2013 than in 2012 but he also had 9 more return attempts.

 

[woolybug25]

I would guess it's the fact our defense gave up a bunch more scores this year, leading to more kickoff returns for GA3. What was his average return last year and this year, and how many returns?

That makes sense. He had 31 returns versus 22 last year. So the math adds up to him getting 5.2 more yards per return. Not that drastic of an improvement.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

He's 26th in KR average.

Our return game is not nearly as bad as people think this year.

 

[ulukinatme]

That makes sense. He had 31 returns versus 22 last year. So the math adds up to him getting 5.2 more yards per return. Not that drastic of an improvement.

So there was a bit of improvement on his part, but he also received 9 more returns. 340 more yards on only 9 extra returns isn't shabby.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

He's 26th in KR average.

Our return game is not nearly as bad as people think this year.

Maybe 24th, actually.

Kickoff Returns | FBS Football Statistics - NCAA.com

 

[woolybug25]

He's 26th in KR average.

Our return game is not nearly as bad as people think this year.

Where are you getting that number from? EDIT - I'm not sure why the two list are different.

I have him at #33 with an average of 25.2 yards per return.

College Football Player Stats & Stats Leaders - Yards Per Kickoff Return

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Where are you getting that number from? EDIT - I'm not sure why the two list are different.

I have him at #33 with an average of 25.2 yards per return.

College Football Player Stats & Stats Leaders - Yards Per Kickoff Return

ESPN had him at 26, but the NCAA site says 24th.

Kickoff Returns | FBS Football Statistics - NCAA.com

EDIT: I think a couple ahead of him don't have enough returns to qualify. Whitfield, in fact, is #1 with only 13 returns.

 

[woolybug25]

ESPN had him at 26, but the NCAA site says 24th.

Kickoff Returns | FBS Football Statistics - NCAA.com

EDIT: I think a couple ahead of him don't have enough returns to qualify. Whitfield, in fact, is #1 with only 13 returns.

I see. The list from my link has everyone over 10 returns. I wonder what the number each site uses as it's arbitrary entry point to be included?

 

[Booslum31]

ESPN had him at 26, but the NCAA site says 24th.

Kickoff Returns | FBS Football Statistics - NCAA.com

EDIT: I think a couple ahead of him don't have enough returns to qualify. Whitfield, in fact, is #1 with only 13 returns.

With such a high percentage of Kickoffs going into the endzone in the NFL...good return guys aren't really that valuable. Whatever happened to Josh Cribbs? Not so sure GAIII would be that good at handling punts either.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

With such a high percentage of Kickoffs going into the endzone in the NFL...good return guys aren't really that valuable. Whatever happened to Josh Cribbs? Not so sure GAIII would be that good at handling punts either.

I'd think he doesn't have the lateral quickness to be in that role. KR gives you a chance to get to full speed.

 

[Booslum31]

I'd think he doesn't have the lateral quickness to be in that role. KR gives you a chance to get to full speed.

I agree. a punt returner needs to:

a. Catch the damn ball...............B- (if it's anything like a pass)

b. Make the first guy miss..........C

c. Turn on the jets............A

However, he's still an Irish man and I hope things settle down and he returns...our kickoffs next year.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I agree. a punt returner needs to:

a. Catch the damn ball...............B- (if it's anything like a pass)

b. Make the first guy miss..........C

c. Turn on the jets............A

However, he's still an Irish man and I hope things settle down and he returns...our kickoffs next year.

That's the key. Someone (maybe Whiskey) posted a ND punt return analysis from last year that demonstrated that point. TJ was much better in that area than Neal was.

 

[GoIrish41]

I agree. a punt returner needs to:

a. Catch the damn ball...............B- (if it's anything like a pass)

b. Make the first guy miss..........C

c. Turn on the jets............A

However, he's still an Irish man and I hope things settle down and he returns...our kickoffs next year.

Was I was the only one who was nervous in the bowl game with Amir on KO return, because of (A)?

 

[Booslum31]

Was I was the only one who was nervous in the bowl game with Amir on KO return, because of (A)?

Even stiffs can catch a kickoff...and if they muff it there is usually time to recover it. wasn't too worried. i really wanted to see him break one.

 

[woolybug25]

Was I was the only one who was nervous in the bowl game with Amir on KO return, because of (A)?

Probably because he dropped the very first KO? haha

 

[GATTACA!]

With such a high percentage of Kickoffs going into the endzone in the NFL...good return guys aren't really that valuable. Whatever happened to Josh Cribbs? Not so sure GAIII would be that good at handling punts either.

The browns didn't resign him because he wanted some crazy salary for a guy that can't learn to run routes. Then he bounced around to a couple places Oakland and Arizona I believe, but couldn't get healthy.

 

[tko]

Was I was the only one who was nervous in the bowl game with Amir on KO return, because of (A)?

I was ready to post my snowman picture after that kickoff. I was cracking up.

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_DanMurphy">@BGI_DanMurphy</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NotreDame&src=hash">#NotreDame</a> junior running back George Atkinson III will enter the NFL Draft: <a href="http://t.co/JR1O0WNBR5">http://t.co/JR1O0WNBR5</a></p>— Andrew Owens (@BGI_AndrewOwens) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_AndrewOwens/statuses/420999889787842560">January 8, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Ironman8]

I think George is a great kid, and has been a valuable piece of our team, but can he honestly think he will get drafted?

 

[Emcee77]

Wow. He must be really unhappy at ND. Crazy.

Makes me feel more confident that Josh Atkinson will transfer.

 

[Rack Em]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_DanMurphy">@BGI_DanMurphy</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NotreDame&src=hash">#NotreDame</a> junior running back George Atkinson III will enter the NFL Draft: <a href="http://t.co/JR1O0WNBR5">http://t.co/JR1O0WNBR5</a></p>— Andrew Owens (@BGI_AndrewOwens) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_AndrewOwens/statuses/420999889787842560">January 8, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

 

[PANDFAN]

Atkinson said he received a late-round grade in his league evaulation. He spoke with other NFL personnel earlier this week when making a final decision.

Atkinson Jr., a former All-Pro cornerback with the Oakland Raiders, said the league sources led him to believe Atkinson has a chance to earn an invitation to the draft combine in Indianapolis in February or to one of the new regional combines throughout the country. Atkinson plans to get ready for combines and pro day events in California, his home state.

His father said Atkinson wants to return to school to finish his degree at some point in the future. Atkinson’s twin brother, Josh, plans to remain at Notre Dame for his senior season next year. He was a special teams regular during the 2013 season for the Irish and worked at both cornerback and wide receiver at times in practice.