Why are we not more excited about Atkinson III at RB?

[irish o'phile]

He seems to have the "it" factor that teams are looking for. He is a big play maker right out of the gate. He has the breakaway speed we are looking to compliment Mahone. Also, he looks like he can add some muscle. Once he gets a feel for the Offense and finding holes he will be more than legit.

 

[eNDzone]

Agreed. He has the speed and breakaway ability. His returns are consistently for 40 to 35 yards. I am impressed.

 

[beryirish]

I'm sure people are excited about GAIII at RB.....but the staff like him at WR not RB.
He is at RB because of lack of depth.

ND is in the running for a 5 RB If ND receives a commitment then I believe they can put GAIII back at WR. Now you have more dynamic playmakers on the field at the same time.

I'm excited for him to be at RB because I know he has ability but to me it's Plan B.

 

[returnofthemack]

He's definitely a playmaker and a go-getter. Right now, it seems he's a lot like sophomore year Cierre in that he dances around a little too much looking for holes. Once he puts on muscle and hits the hole with determination, he could be great.

 

[Patulski]

I'm excited about Atkinson, but we have speed issues at wide receiver that he could have solved at one receiver position. That being said, hopefully Daniels and one of the recruits can fill the void.

 

[Riddickulous]

His career production is 27 yards on 9 carries.

Also, he's not a WR.

 

[GreatGolson]

he's def the kind of guy with the exsplosiveness needed to win at the bcs level, i think alongside freshman like Lynch, Tuitt, and Williams they give us a real shot at winning games

 

[Irish Fam]

I'm sure people are excited about GAIII at RB.....but the staff like him at WR not RB.
He is at RB because of lack of depth.

ND is in the running for a 5 RB If ND receives a commitment then I believe they can put GAIII back at WR. Now you have more dynamic playmakers on the field at the same time.

I'm excited for him to be at RB because I know he has ability but to me it's Plan B.

I'm pretty sure BK came out and said GAIII is staying at RB... He noted a lack of receiving skills.

I'm geeked about him staying at RB. If our line makes holes in the future to the degree they have this year, he will be in open space and making guys miss quite a bit for us.

 

[irish o'phile]

I'm sure people are excited about GAIII at RB.....but the staff like him at WR not RB.
He is at RB because of lack of depth.

ND is in the running for a 5 RB If ND receives a commitment then I believe they can put GAIII back at WR. Now you have more dynamic playmakers on the field at the same time.

I'm excited for him to be at RB because I know he has ability but to me it's Plan B.

IMO, we are not getting Marshall, as he appears to be going to Georgia. Also, next year, ND looks to have some real athleticism coming in at WR, along with D. Daniels. We should be ok either way.

 

[RyCo1983]

I don't know about you guys...but I love that teams kick away from GAIII and Austin Collinsworth is right there to be quite the return threat himself...

Those two are making an excellent kick off return duo.

 

[beryirish]

I don't know about you guys...but I love that teams kick away from GAIII and Austin Collinsworth is right there to be quite the return threat himself...

Those two are making an excellent kick off return duo.

The goal for ND for the KO Return is to only see the field once a game....

They're exciting but I don't want to see them often.

 

[RyCo1983]

The goal for ND for the KO Return is to only see the field once a game....

They're exciting but I don't want to see them often.

Yeah...that's the goal...clearly not being reached though.

 

[TerryTate]

He needs to work on his lower body strength this offseason. He can only improve. IMO I think the staff likes his future at RB. I don't know if we will recruit another RB this cycle if KM picks UGA

 

[NDinL.A.]

I'm sure people are excited about GAIII at RB.....but the staff like him at WR not RB.
He is at RB because of lack of depth.

ND is in the running for a 5 RB If ND receives a commitment then I believe they can put GAIII back at WR. Now you have more dynamic playmakers on the field at the same time.

I'm excited for him to be at RB because I know he has ability but to me it's Plan B.

I'm pretty sure BK came out and said GAIII is staying at RB... He noted a lack of receiving skills.

Yup, GA3 isn't going to play WR because the coaches said he wasn't making plays on the ball that a WR should. And remember, he was a dynamic RB in h.s. Once he learned the position and how to run with better pad level, he'll be fine. At this point in their careers, both of our starting RBs (who are having great seasons) weren't even close to being good running backs. Now look at them...

 

[BeauBenken]

He's a runningback. Think, Cierre Wood but less dancing.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

He's a running back. He may look like a wide receiver but he's also a freshman. Don't be spoiled because Tuitt and Lynch came in looking like NFL vets. He's going to grow into a running back's body.

Until then, he makes kickoffs fun.

 

[Buster Bluth]

If he returns one more...could he be a All-America returner this season? His average is certainly up there.

 

[BGIF]

Why are we not more excited about Atkinson III at RB?

He seems to have the "it" factor that teams are looking for. He is a big play maker right out of the gate. He has the breakaway speed we are looking to compliment Mahone. Also, he looks like he can add some muscle. Once he gets a feel for the Offense and finding holes he will be more than legit.

Who said we weren't excited? Did you read his recruiting thread?

Who would you sit now so he can play? Wood or Gray?

You acknowledge he needs to "add some muscle" and that he need to get "a feel for the Offense". He's gotten PT proportionate to his ability to contribute. He might get more in the next two weeks which should be blowouts.

 

[NDdomer2]

I don't know about you guys...but I love that teams kick away from GAIII and Austin Collinsworth is right there to be quite the return threat himself...

Those two are making an excellent kick off return duo.

Austin Collinsworth is alot faster than I thought. It also makes me feel better about the future if the safety position.

TerryTate
He needs to work on his lower body strength this offseason. He can only improve. IMO I think the staff likes his future at RB. I don't know if we will recruit another RB this cycle if KM picks UGA

I was just telling my cousin this. Another offseason with Longo and he will be getting more reps at rb. You could tell he needed the lower body strength when he was in
during Navy game.

I for one would like to see the remaining scholarships go to defense and oline other than Algolhor. Not saying Keith Marshall isn't a stud, but our rb situation is better than I thought and a we all know championships are won upfront and on D.

 

[irish o'phile]

Who said we weren't excited? Did you read his recruiting thread?

Who would you sit now so he can play? Wood or Gray?

You acknowledge he needs to "add some muscle" and that he need to get "a feel for the Offense". He's gotten PT proportionate to his ability to contribute. He might get more in the next two weeks which should be blowouts.

Yes. I read all of the recruiting threads, including his. As far as I can remember, everyone was excited to have him as a WR. Also, I sensed some disappointment from posters when he was changed to a RB

Bench someone? I did not even come close to saying we should bench anyone. I am content with Wood and Gray at this time. I am looking to the future. My point speaks more to our fixation with K. Marshall as a speed guy/game changer. I think that Atkinson has that capacity, and he can be developed into a similar type back.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

If he returns one more...could he be a All-America returner this season? His average is certainly up there.

I don't know about other returners but 3 kickoff returns plus a bunch of others to around midfield? Seems possible/likely.

 

[irish4ever]

He seems to have the "it" factor that teams are looking for. He is a big play maker right out of the gate. He has the breakaway speed we are looking to compliment Mahone. Also, he looks like he can add some muscle. Once he gets a feel for the Offense and finding holes he will be more than legit.

Good God, another worthless post! Geesh, get a life!

 

[Buster Bluth]

Good God, another worthless post! Geesh, get a life!

Easy killer.

 

[irish o'phile]

Good God, another worthless post! Geesh, get a life!

You respond with this, and you're the one telling another person to get a life? No reason to be such a jerk for no reason.

People discussed the post. That is the point of a message board. If you don't like it, then go away and don't respond. Here's another idea, try being a decent and nice person. People like you are the reason that so many non-Notre Dame fans have a problem with our fan base.

 

[ND23JOE]

Just be patient hes going to explode next year.

 

[CoachB]

While I recognize and love Atkinson's wheels, I have one observation. I wish he would be more of a one cut runner. While it's impossible not to notice his straight line speed, he slows down significantly when he cuts. If he learns to cut at full speed and explode through his cuts, he will be deadly. Therefore, I don't see him becoming a next level running back until he develops that ability. Which I believe he will. Kind of surprised he hasn't already. Just my two cents.

 

[clashmore_mike]

I don't know about you guys, but this is how I feel.


Jessie Spano Caffeine Pill Freakout! - YouTube

 

[Kingbish01]

Good God, another worthless post! Geesh, get a life!

I love internet tough guys..lol..how bad did you get picked on in your life? Be honest...couple hundred times??? Couple thousand times???

 

[Irishman77]

i just think about ricky watters when i see him a rb. If we get KM great, but we are fine. Our OL is fantastic and we will be able to put the run on when we need to.

Ricky Watters - YouTube

 

[Anchorman]

I think we're all excited, but also are realistic in that he has 9 carries for 27 yards thus far. There's a difference between having two electrifying returns and being Adrian Peterson. Also, I think we have to realize that freshman highlights and excitement, while awesome, don't always pan out.