ND's Aldridge hopes size matters this year
SOUTH BEND -- James Aldridge is bigger and healthier.
His 6-foot-2 frame now carries about 222 pounds, about 10 pounds more than he weighed last year.
Aldridge, a 2006 Merrillville graduate, is hopeful the extra weight is going to be useful in what should be a bruising battle for playing time at running back for Notre Dame this year.
Travis Thomas, Armando Allen, Junior Jabbie, Robert Hughes and Aldridge all figure to be part of an intense competition for the starting position.
Right now, the depth chart lists Thomas as the No.1 guy.
But their is plenty of audition time available over the next three weeks plus for someone to sneak past Thomas.
"Right now, I'm just trying to compete," Aldridge said.
That is more than he could say last year after a knee injury sidelined him for training camp and for the first five games of the season.
Monday, Aldridge successfully navigated his way through a conditioning test that required him to run 18 110-yard dashes consecutively. Each had to be done in less than 15 seconds.
Notre Dame's ground attack is going to be interesting this year.
Weis has said he wants to play smash-mouth football -- something that wasn't necessarily part of their arsenal last year.
With Brady Quinn throwing bullets and Darius Walker dancing through holes instead of attacking them, the offense wasn't suited to a grind-it-out running style.
Both Brady Quinn and Walker are gone. A dearth of experience at quarterback suggests the Irish have no choice but to be more ground conscious.
Aldridge conceded that Thomas is the leader, based on experience.
One clue that he might be next in line is the roster.
Aldridge is listed directly below Thomas though everyone besides Thomas is noted as the No. 2 back.
"I just want to go out there and compete and see how it pans out by the time Georgia Tech rolls around," he said.
One advantage Aldridge has over Hughes and Armando Allen, a pair of freshman, is familiarity with the system.
One of the biggest transitions for freshman is learning how to block in the offensive scheme.
"It's not a problem for me now that I've had the play book in hand for a year," he said. "Everything is just more natural for me now."
One advantage Aldridge has over all the runners is his combination of size and speed.
Thomas is as strong as him but not as fast. Hughes is mostly an inside runner while Armando Allen is more of a burner.
Jabbie falls somewhere in the Hughes-Thomas mold.
Weis said it's possible the Irish might use more of a running back by committee system than they did when Walker was here.
Aldridge said he's OK with that plan if it materializes.
"Whatever coach decides to do, I'm right behind," he said.
Mike Haywood, Notre Dame's offensive coordinator, is excited about the prospect of the competition and running the ball frequently.
When asked if Aldridge has a chance to earn the No. 1 job he said: "We'll see."
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