Atkinson to get PT at Running Back

[BeauBenken]

Lol....

You got me, that IS what I meant

 

[calvegas04]

how about Cam?

 

[BGIF]

Am I the only one who thinks Atkinson is a bit overrated so far? I'm not implying I'm disappointed by him or don't like him or don't think he'll be good but I think a lot of Irish fans are all over him because he has had 2 kickoff returns for touchdowns and both were very meaningful returns in the context of the games.

But in all honesty he didn't do anything really special in those runs. The keys to those runs were the huge blocks our special teams made for him.

Yes, it's awesome to get 2 special teams TDs in a season let alone 2 from the same player and let alone 2 from a true freshman, but i didn't feel like "wow he's a special player" after watching either of those runs.

The glass is half empty with you. It's always empty. "The keys to those runs were the hugh blocks our special teams for him." Well the blocks definitely help but like Lattner, Rocket, and Rossum it helps when the ball carrier reads the blocks and makes a decisive move. Unlike the way Cierre rushed like a Matador, more feint than follow through. Guess we know why Cierre isn't returning kicks.

It doesn't take one hand to count the number of ND players that have returned two kicks in a season. Atkinson has done it as true freshman. Ismail was the only other freshman to do so. And Atkinson still has a bunch of game left to add to that.

Right now his 30.4 yds/return puts him in ND's All-Time Top 10 for a season. But no doubt your right, nothing special here.

Atkinson has played in 7 games, fielded 19 kicks, has 2 rushes, and 1 reception. He averages 84 yds/game. He had 3 TDs about one TD per 7 touches.



ND's Depth Chart has Wood #1, and Gray #2, at RB as expected. So far this season, McDaniel and Atkinson each have a couple of carries. I expect them both to get some more work against Navy.

 

[EifertPower]

I'm not trying to ruffle feathers or be pessimistic.

I have no problem with Atkinson returning kicks. It was more in response to people being so excited to hear Kelly saying Atkinson will be getting time at running back this week. I feel that people are excited about this because we are all high on Atkinson now because he's returned 2 kickoffs for TDs. But we don't know much about his RB ability yet and, to be honest, I think we're doing perfectly fine at running back this year with Wood and Gray.

 

[tko]

I'm not trying to ruffle feathers or be pessimistic.

I have no problem with Atkinson returning kicks. It was more in response to people being so excited to hear Kelly saying Atkinson will be getting time at running back this week. I feel that people are excited about this because we are all high on Atkinson now because he's returned 2 kickoffs for TDs. But we don't know much about his RB ability yet and, to be honest, I think we're doing perfectly fine at running back this year with Wood and Gray.

true but GAIII isn't on twitter chirpin about "every man for himself." cierre c/b spending some extra time by the butane heater this afternoon.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Cierre Wood is definitely in Coach's doghouse. Kelly said as much flat about three or four interviews ago post-USC. Jonas is NOT in Coach's doghouse. Kelly said specifically that his play needs to be rewarded with more touches.

GAIII is simply an experiment and a necessary one. It is not at all impossible that Wood goes into the tank emotionally due to his "slight" by Kelly [who doubtless really rained on him post-game]. Wood's tweet supports the idea.

If Wood becomes emotionally dysfunctional, Kelly needs a Next-Man-In to go with Jonas. Listening closely to all Kelly says tells you quite a lot. If GAIII does not look like a running back during the experiment, and Wood funks out, then I expect Cam McDaniel to be tried out on the field the following game.

 

[EifertPower]

I have no problem at all with using Atkinson if Wood is in Kelly's doghouse and Kelly needs to be prepared to use him.

Sorry for being a bit behind on this but why again is Wood in Kelly's doghouse? Is it because of the drop on the Rees' screen pass that was a fumble?

 

[Old Man Mike]

...

 

[Old Man Mike]

Kelly doesn't go into details about things like this. He made some more generalized statement about getting his act together. It is my speculation that he was displeased with the entirety of Wood's performance. [that is not hard to imagine]. What would be PURE SPECULATION could involve attitude on the sidelines arising from the in-game remarks that Coach doubtlessly gave him. This last is just me guessing; Kelly certainly would have put something in his ear a few times, and then how did he react? Bottomline: we don't know specifically.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Also to show incoming recruits and possible leans our way that if you are good enough, you will play immediately.

^^+1^^

This should get more recruits looking the Irish's way. There are many holes to fill and many positions that will need to be replaced and I feel Kelly is going to give every player the opportunity to play regardless of class.

Diz

 

[IrishLax]

I don't see him getting more than 3 touches out of the backfield while the game is close.

 

[domerfor life]

Cierre or Jonas must be in the doghouse.

Cierre probably is. Too much dancing. Had a screen pass for an easy TD at the end of the 1st half (1st down in the worst case scenario), but danced to the outside and got tackled after 3 yds. Proceeds to get cussed out while walking to the sidelines. Is he hurt or did the game atmosphere just get to him? That was a big disappointment. He's better than that.