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13 For ’13 At ND: GAIII

George Atkinson III

Finding a way to utilize George Atkinson III's 10.36 speed in the 100 meters on the football field will be needed to help bolster the 2013 offense.

In Part 6 of our 13-part series, we look at relatively new figures, or topics, that might play an important role in Notre Dame’s 2013 success.

Lou Somogyi

    • Great article, Lou. I was always concerned this year when GA3 would try to run because he got tripped up by the first guy that touched him almost every time. That being said I think he is the perfect fit for the screen game or jet sweep. He really needs space in order to run because he can't make people miss, nor out physical them. Maybe he could be part of the zone read game...

      I just hope Kelly tries to build some plays around him for next year, otherwise he's likely going to get overshadowed by either the duo coming in in Bryant and Folston, or to someone like Amir Carlisle who can make people miss and someone with a big body like Mahone.

      bfrischnd ●

    • Great Stuff Lou!!

      In the past, you used to link the previous articles in a series to the bottom of an article like this. That was very helpful if I missed any in the series. Just an FYI.

      tommyd44

    • We need him to be more consistent and have a big year.

      edd1066 ●

    • Being taller, and looking slight, with elite speed -- that usually adds up to WR.
      Don't see many NFL RB with that body type for a reason.
      But this is not the NFL, so the same rules don;t apply. But if he is auditioning for his next career, GAIII needs to seriously reconsider where he is playing.

      dave83nd

    • dave83nd said...

      Being taller, and looking slight, with elite speed -- that usually adds up to WR.
      Don't see many NFL RB with that body type for a reason.
      But this is not the NFL, so the same rules don;t apply. But if he is auditioning for his next career, GAIII needs to seriously reconsider where he is playing.

      Dont understand why the move to receiver keeps coming up. BK said that he doesnt have the hands for it

      ShelbyIrish ●

    • so, so far all the "shortcoming's" are in GA3's lap? maybe bk and the staff need to help the kid find the right fit. or he waste's two yrs like riddick, which was a coaching mistake, not the kid's......

      Coach_Clancy

    • ND has the perfect compliments to his incredible speed with Mahone,Bryant and Cam.Bryant sounds like Riddick with better speed..The other guys are tough between the tackles runners.I really like our backfield next year,its got a little bit of everything.Folston may be an option for passes out of the backfield.GA is never going to be a power back ,he a home run guy.I would like him to run a little harder though.

      new era irish

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      2daniel6

    • Hi Shelby:
      I think the hand(s) writting on the wall is obvious. Unless GA3 learns to use his hands much better (along with some wiggle of the hips) he will be running into a wall before he sees much playing time.pray

      Caledonia Kid

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      LIShamrock

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      ndpalazotto9

    • there is little doubt that GA III will get first shot at the rb spot opened up by theo and cierre's departures. i hope he wins and dominates next year because he has that top end gear that few others possess. however, he really lacks moves or the ability to cut at top speed. the rb cannot just run sweeps or draws in any offense. hopefully he proves my doubts wrong, but i am not sold yet on him being "the guy" at rb.

      phineas

    • GAIII needs to learn the intricacies of the slow-developing zone runs that Cierre and Theo nearly mastered over the past two years. With our O-Linemen setting blocks, it's just a matter of Atkinson biding his time for a few seconds, making one cut at just the right time, and burning every member of the opposing defense with his 10.36 speed. Sounds so simple; but is oh so difficult to execute.

      I think he knows how much is riding on his development in the offseason. If he rises to the occasion, Atkinson will be a superstar. If not, we'll see a whole lot - and I mean a WHOLE LOT - of running back by committee (Carlisle, Mahone and McDaniel picking up the slack).

      Here's to GAIII having an All-American 2013.

      BleedsBlueGold1

    • Pass protection is also a major concern with GAIII. Every time he was in the game, it was a running play. The reason for that was quite simple - he really struggled with picking up blitzes. The only time we threw the ball with him in the game seemed to be on play action passes off the stretch fake, which took him out of the backfield and negated the need for him to pass protect.

      mkurinsk

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      LIShamrock

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