Atkinson could fit into Raiders family
Son of former Raider excels as kick returner
INDIANAPOLIS — The Raiders can address a glaring need at kick returner by turning to a familiar face in George Atkinson III, who sparkled at the NFL scouting combine Sunday.
Atkinson III is the son of former Raiders standout defensive back George Atkinson. He auditioned in front of NFL owners, general managers, scouts and coaches in Indianapolis in hopes of being selected in the draft in May.
He posted times of 4.39 and 4.41 seconds in the 40yard dash Sunday, with Raiders owner Mark Davis and Atkinson’s father looking on from a suite at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Raiders, of course, crave fast players. Just as important, they are in need of a player who possesses Atkinson’s kick returning ability.
Atkinson III shined in that capacity during his collegiate career at Notre Dame. He averaged 24.3 yards per kick return during his three- year career for the Fighting Irish.
Atkinson III also averaged 6.2 yards per rushing attempt and scored 10 touchdowns in a complementary role.
Taiwan Jones led the Raiders with a 24- yard average on kick returns last season. However, he has a history of trouble hanging on to the ball and is far from a lock to retain that job next season.
Atkinson III bypassed his final year of college eligibility. His decision came on the heels of being suspended for Notre Dame’s final game, against Rutgers on Dec. 28 in the Pinstripe Bowl, for what coach Brian Kelly termed “a violation of team rules.”
Atkinson III defended himself via Twitter by saying he got suspended for texting during a team meal, something he did all season.
Atkinson III is a Granada High- Livermore graduate. He also was a regular visitor to Raiders practices during his formative years, along with his twin brother Josh, who is still at Notre Dame.
Fast on his feet: Texas A& M quarterback Johnny Manziel’s offi cial 40 time at the combine was 4.68 seconds. That’s fourth at his position among those who participatedin the drill Sunday. The best was Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas, who registered 4.61 seconds.
Manziel is widely considered one of the top three quarterbacks in the draft. Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater did not run the 40. Central Florida’s Blake Bortles ran a 4.93.
Kent State running back Dri Archer posted the fastest official time at 4.26.
On downside: Bridgewater will spend the next 2 ½ months trying to convince NFL scouts he’s the No. 1 quarterback — No. 1 player — in this year’s draft. Tajh Boyd is just itching to show scouts he’s still the quarterback they once thought he could be.
Yes, the two college stars were on opposite ends of the spectrum at the combine. Boyd’s draft stock has plummeted over the past four months.
Last fall, Boyd was a potential first- round draft choice. But after going 17 of 37 for 156 yards with only one touchdown and two interceptions against eventual national champion Florida State, the perceptions changed. NFL teams started picking apart Boyd’s flaws.
“Coming into the season I was a top 15 pick supposedly,” he said. “Now nobody really knows.”
Sunday’s workout didn’t help. He was timed at 4.84 seconds in the 40, fi nishing ahead of eight of the 16 quarterbacks who ran Sunday, and looked inaccurate during the throwing part of the workouts.
Bears update: Former Cal linebacker Khairi Fortt and defensive lineman Deandre Coleman began their measurable testing with the bench press. Fortt registered 30 repetitions of 225 pounds to tie for the most by a linebacker, while Coleman totaled 24 reps. The remainder of the duo’s measurable drills are scheduled for Monday.
Teammate Richard Rodgers wrapped up his combine Saturday. He was 12th among tight ends in the 40 in 4.87 seconds.