Mailbag: You ask politely (sometimes), I answer politely (sometimes)

I couldn’t get to every question, so my apologies for that. A lot of them were similar, so I tried to pick out the one that best encapsulated it, or said the nicest thing about me.

Here you go:

Why did we not ask for a measurement on the 4th and inches before we rushed the FG team on? We've done this earlier where Murray scored on a run and we tried to kick a FG but they stopped us just before the snap to review the play. I'm a fan of the hurry up offense, but not the hurry up field goal kicking. If Richt ever wondered why folks berate him with the name Field Goal Jesus, there's 2 examples.
- Anonymous

There’s bad clock management everywhere. But the decision to go for the field goal against Central Florida – while on the game’s first drive – has deservedly received a good deal of criticism. It’s become the flashpoint of a good deal of the anger at Richt, and just in the context of losing the game, I understand why. It’s a bowl, you’re playing a Conference USA opponent – why not go for it?

Watching this team from across the country on TV, I get the feeling they have an unearned swagger about them. To me they seem to go into every game expecting to win based on the name on their jersey, and not the effort they put forward. Am I completely off with this view? I think these guys (the defensive backs especially) need to be knocked down a few pegs.
- Travis

No, I don’t think you’re off. When I first arrived here in August, I thought the attitude around the team was admirable, in a professional, Atlanta Braves way that said: “We’re Georgia, we’re used to winning, and we don’t need bells and whistles and rah-rah stuff.” Well, this team isn’t used to winning much anymore. They now need that – excuse the cliché’ – chip on their shoulder.

If you were at UGA Seth, and could make a change, what would it be? Where would you devote your focus? If you were the COACH, what would you do differently?
If it’s National Champs or bust every year, why isn’t every coach besides the champions fired?
- DawgStephen Himself

Not sure how serious you’re being with the latter statement. But look, if you’re Michael Adams and Greg McGarity, here’s what you have to be thinking on Jan. 3:

Take emotion out of it, and will this program be better off with a new coach in 2011? And if you were to make a change, who would you hire, and how would they be better than Mark Richt? Would Kirby Smart win more games next year (and in the following years)? Would you risk hiring Mike Leach, when Maryland would not? In short, if not Richt, then who, and does that make the program better?

Clemson fired their offensive guy Billy Napier. They seem committed to get it right over there. Is Richt totaly against making anymore changes within his staff ?
- Anonymous

From the looks of it, yeah. Any outright firings would have happened by now, I suspect. That’s not to say someone could leave if they get offered another job. There have been a lot of rumors, but only that.

Hypothetically if Bobo was fired, would we give Friedgren a look? Is even a logical choice, or is his name just being thrown around because he's been in the news?
- Mike

Friedgen still has a house near Lake Oconoee (or possibly right on it, I can’t remember), so he’d probably love it. But there’s got to be an opening, and right now there isn’t. It’s also debatable whether there should be. I’m not sure replacing Bobo suddenly fixes all the ills of this program, and as I’ve said many times before, you can’t argue with his coaching of the quarterbacks at Georgia during the past 10 years.

On defense, whatever happened to talk of installing "Exotic blitzes out of the 3-4"? Our LB and Safety blitzes have been overly telegraphed and we never back out of them once QBs spot the blitzer. How about "faking" a safety blitz and then just playing straight once in a while? Or not telegraphing so much by the 11th game of the year?
- Lev

I haven’t spoken to Todd Grantham about this, but I know what his answer would be: the players were still getting used to the system, and they were trying not to throw too much at them in the first year.

First off, how important for Richt's career is the signing of the big recruits such as (Isaiah) Crowell, (Ray) Drew, or (John) Jenkins? … Lastly, any news on the guys who gave their name to the NFL? With the exception of Green, do you think we have a good shot to get the rest back?
- DawgInVA25

I’ve written before I think the next month in recruiting is very critical to Richt, perhaps the most vital in his tenure at Georgia. The above three you listed all would contribute right away.

Plus, Richt could use a few recruiting wins to provide hope to the fans that are so down on the program right now.

Is it true that you've been laying waste all over town with UGA coeds? Also, I'd like to hear your take on the recent Florida hirings.
- Anonymous

To answer your first question, I’m 34, so if I were doing that, I’d also be showing up in the arrest docket. As for Florida, I thought Will Muschamp could be considered a reach for a place like Florida, but he’s certainly surrounding himself with experienced men. He has now reached to the NFL for both his coordinators, and the hiring of Charlie Weis is quite a coup.

I saw an interview with Corey Moore on rivals and he said he knew of some guys committing but could not say who. Do you happen to know who he's referring to? ... Also, what kind of attitude do you expect from next season's leaders and who should we expect them to be?
- Zach

On the first question, he’s clearly speaking about … No just kidding. If I knew that, it wouldn’t be buried this far down in a mailbag. As for next year’s leaders, I think I’ve listed them before, but off the top of my head, on offense look for it to be Aaron Murray and the tight ends, and on defense it would likely be Brandon Boykin (if he comes back), Bacarri Rambo, Jarvis Jones and Richard Samuel. Jones in particular was singled out by Grantham for his leadership, despite not playing this year.

Seth,
Do you see any changes in the offensive staff? Not necessarily mass firings but a potential shakeup? I have seen our RB's woefully underperform so wondering if a former WR like McLendon is really up to this task? ... Also favorite dish in Athens? Mine is the mac & cheese at 5 star day.
- Josh

One thing people need to remember about McClendon: He’s Crowell’s main recruiter.

I haven’t gone to Weaver D’s nearly enough. I’m also a big fan of Tapas, and there’s a few good spots for that in town: Pauley’s, Speakeasy, and that place next to the Fox Theater, whose name I’m forgetting right now. But whatever its name, it has really good stuff, and I really hope they comp me next time, along with all the other places I just named.

With Joe T heading up the new S&C program, it looks like there will be much harder work in the weight room and training facilities. Besides the obvious help to the OL, who do you think is going to benefit the most? I think C Washington could take on the JH role if he got stronger and more aggressive, getting DeAngelo Tyson bigger would be huge, and of course more physical secondary would make a big difference.
- Kevin

I would guess that, since Richt felt a change was necessary, this will be a team-wide emphasis. But the players you listed, yes it would be huge if they got, well, huge. Georgia did not win the scrimmage battles on either side of the ball this year, so the line will be a big focus of Tereshinski and the other guys he’s bringing in. (John Kasay Sr. and Thomas Brown, apparently, are among them.)

Since our OL can't block why don't we use more two TE sets to confuse defenses and put extra blockers on field?
- Andrew Hamilton

I’m not sure that’s the answer. They did move Bruce Figgins to fullback to help the blocking, but they need to use those tight ends for their pass-catching ability. The solution, as simplistic as it sounds, is just to get the O-Line to block better.

I'm staying near DuPont Circle tonight and jonesing for some clam chowder - suggestions?
-TrboDawg

Never had clam chowder in D.C., from what I can remember. But really, you can’t go wrong eating in many joins in DuPont Circle. That area is heavily populated by people who, um, tend to make good cooks.

Do they make Prozac chewing gum?
- Anonymous

If they do, they could make a killing on it over at the Butts-Mehre Building right now.