Mailbag time

OK, no dawdling. Lots of questions to get to, so let’s dive right in:

Can you take some time this week and find out exactly what makes Bobo and co. so high on Carlton Thomas?
- David Harrison

I asked Bobo this week, and he agreed that Thomas is more of a change-of-pace back. That’s probably the best way to use him now. The things he does have on Caleb King and Washaun Ealey is he hasn’t fumbled this year, and he manages to stay healthy.

Oh, and how about an over-under poll on how many wins saves Richt? I'm mad, but I'm still with the Coach. Mainly because I do see the improvement he's seeing, and I don't want to see some other schmuck come in and win next year with a team that Richt put together.
- David Harrison again

I like the word ‘schmuck.’ That’s the main reason I’m answering this question. (For future reference, getting Yiddish in your question adds to the chances it’ll get into the mailblog). … Now what was the question? Oh yeah. There’s no set over-under on Richt and wins he “needs.” From what I can tell, new A.D. Greg McGarity is quietly evaluating the program, and any decision would be made more on the overall state of things.

How does Coach Richt's demeanor compare during this trying time sitting at 1-4 versus other coaches that you have been around in a similar situation? I just listened to his press conference and I don't know if I should be happy or upset that he continually seems so even keel. You wouldn't know if we were at 5-0 or 1-4. Just curious as to your thoughts.
- Stephen Williams

Stephen, you’re exactly right. Richt has been very even-keel during his press conferences, although his post-Mississippi State one did seem a bit unusual. He was a bit shorter with reporters after that loss. Behind the scenes, however, Orson Charles told me that Richt has been a bit more fiery.

I am so confused. Are the events this year a lack of talent, coaching or youth....a combination of all three?
- Ian Lee

If you look at the recruiting rankings, it’s not talent. But how accurate are they? I think youth is an issue in the secondary – but not on the offensive line. As for coaching, well, that’s been dealt with a lot, and I’m not sure I have anything to add to it. Sorry, there just aren't any easy answers here.

What effect will the NFL lockout have on players like AJ Green? Can they go pro and still get paid, or will they be stuck in limbo? … Also, what is your favorite type of potato chip? My guess is the Utz Crab Chip.
-Conor McCullough

I like Sun Chips. The calorie count is sort of in the middle, and the taste is pretty solid. If I knew I could eat Cool Ranch Doritos all day and not balloon into Ralph Friedgen, I would. … As for the lockout, I’m not convinced it’ll happen. And if it does, I still don’t think it will have a huge effect on underclassmen. Maybe I’ll be proven wrong, but I think the kids that want to go pro will anyway. Keep in mind, when they do declare they’re now free to accept whatever they want as far as endorsements and agent deals, so they won’t go poor for the duration of the lockout.

I know Richt has had 10 years to make something happen, while Saban and Meyer both came in and took their programs to National Championships in 2-3 years. Besides Joe Pa, is there a good example of a coach having such problems in his program and then bringing them back to win a Nat' Championship??? I want to hold out hope for Richt but it seems that the blueprint for winning a National Championship in the SEC over the past 10 years is to follow Fla and Bama. Any thoughts?
- Drew Ward

AND …

- I have heard a lot the past couple weeks about firing Coach Richt if we keep losing. Is "Firing Coach Richt" even an option? I have heard that his buyout clause is $2 million+ a year and that Coach Richt has 4 years left on his contract. If this is correct, then UGA would owe him $8 million+ to fire him. There is no way that UGA would pay that kind of money so why do fans even discuss potentially firing Coach Richt if we can't fire him. Let's just put this topic to rest and move on.
- Anonymous

The contract runs three years after this season. As far as the buyout, as far as I can figure (it’s fairly convoluted) it’s around $5 million. Ultimately I don’t think money would be a factor. But it’s still hard to see Georgia firing Mark Richt. He’s built up too much goodwill, both on and off the field. That doesn’t meant that, if it gets bad enough, there could be a mutual parting of ways, or something like that. I don’t know how this will play out – nobody does – but I have a hard time picturing a press release that has "Mark Richt” and “fired” in the same sentence.

If you ran the team and could fix one thing, right now, what would it be?
- Jeff Fisher

First off, if you’re Jeff Fisher, I’m pretty sure you’d know better than me. Oh wait, you’re not THAT Jeff Fisher. Oh … Honestly I can’t pick one thing, and that’s what has to be so frustrating to Georgia fans, and the coaching staff. With the exception of special teams at Colorado, you could find blame in all three units in each of the four losses.

Changes in O-line sound good. What about (defense). D.backs have struggled. Is this personnel or more learning?
- Ken Wilkinson

I’ll have a story in Friday’s paper on the secondary. The coaches say it is youth and learning. But I do wonder whether guys like Nick Williams and Alec Ogletree could provide some help at safety.

If I'm Isaiah Crowell, I want to go where I can play. Do the Dawgs struggles help or hurt competition for top talent?
- Ken Wilkinson again

It never helps. Richt said this week that it could show that players have a chance to make an immediate contribution. But that shows a digression: True freshmen aren’t starting on this year’s team (although Kenarious Gates looks like he’s about to at right guard) and if you look up and down the Georgia roster, they have a lot of players who have redshirted.

Why haven't we seen more of Alec Ogletree? I know he's a Freshman but the safety play couldn't be any worse, right?
- Daniel Wood

I tend to agree. But Scott Lakatos told me the same basic three guys (Bacarri Rambo, Jakar Hamilton and Shawn Williams) will see time there. Maybe he’s playing possum this week, the way they tried to on the offensive line, before forgetting that reporters had eyesight.

I've seen Kiante Tripp out there lately - very happy for him to get PT. What about CB we heard tons about in spring - D Owen?
- Zach Ramsey

Derek Owens is in the mix now, with Branden Smith out. Lakatos says Owens is in the group with Sanders Commings and Jordan Love, behind Vance Cuff and Brandon Boykin.

Did Dexter kill anyone this week?
- sgtangelbatista@miamipd.com

Actually no, he didn’t. And that’s worrisome. And I just realized that Julia Stiles doesn’t come on the scene until later in the scene, and only for two episodes, according to IMDB. What’s up with that?