Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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we're willing to move them around, you can kind of mix and match and plug guys in at different spots and hopefully cover all the jobs that need to get done." Which brings us to … Mix & Match Judging by the results of this spring, there might not be a standout allaround running back — rushing, receiving and blocking — in one package like Theo Riddick last season. There also isn't a projected first-round pick lining up wide like a Tyler Eifert in 2012, or even Michael Floyd in 2011. Among the "knowns" are senior TJ Jones and junior DaVaris Daniels, who combined for 13 catches for 205 yards in the BCS National Championship loss to Alabama; junior tight end Troy Niklas, who is continuing to progress as potentially the next stalwart at "Tight End U."; and a backfield-bycommittee approach. Junior running back George Atkinson III is best in space with his speed, classmate Cam McDaniel is the top downhill runner and Carlisle may be a cross between the two. "It's always just figuring out, 'These are the things that we need to make the offense go and what guy can we plug in to fit that bill,'" Martin said. "There's not one running back, particularly at this point, that could do all the things that Theo could do — we still need all those jobs done, though. "Maybe it's George doing this job and Cam doing this job, maybe Amir if he's in the mix … maybe TJ lines up sometimes where Theo was, even though TJ is not a running back. Maybe Junior running back George Atkinson III, who had 10 carries for 49 yards in the Blue-Gold Game, is in line to lead a committee of Irish ball carriers this fall. Photo by Bill panzica in the pass game TJ or one of those rookie running backs [freshmen Greg Bryant or Tarean Folston, who will arrive on campus in June] can do some of the jobs that Theo did. You just try to kind of mix and match and try to make sure all the jobs are covered." Getting It Right There might not be a stronger left side on offense in college football than Notre Dame's fifth-year seniors Zack Martin at tackle and Chris Watt at left guard. Plays to the left were not only Notre Dame's bread and butter with those two in 2012, but also a good por-