"Overall, too many bad decisions, obviously," Richt said. "Not good
enough communication. I mean, we've caught the ball inside the 10 when
we shouldn't. We've let the ball bounce and not field it when we should.
We've had not a very good-looking fair-catch issue. And these are not
all Malcolm's issues. We've had very communication at times."
Nonetheless, if Mitchell keeps having issues, then former walk-on Rhett McGowan may get the call because he's dependable.
Mitchell
and fellow sophomore Damian Swann have each returned five punts.
McGowan has returned two and receiver Chris Conley has one. The longest
return of the season is by Swann, for 30 yards.
"It may end up
being Rhett McGowan before it's over if he can communicate the best, and
secure the ball the best, and field the ball the best," Richt said.
"We're trying to find an answer there."
Branden Smith doesn't
appear to be an answer right now, despite having returned punts for much
of the past three years. Why is that? Because, according to Richt,
Smith had similar issues as Mitchell.
"I don't know if everybody's
got a short memory or not, but we were having some of the same issues
the year before," Richt said. "Right now we're trying to coach and
teach, work it all out."
Smith, also speaking after Wednesday's practice, admitted he was surprised he hasn't been returning punts.
"Yeah I'm kinda surprised. But I'm just here to help the team. I'm just playing my role, basically," Smith said.
Then there is Richt's second area of concern: Extra points.
Freshman
Marshall Morgan has been very solid on his field goals and kickoffs,
but he missed an extra point at Missouri, had another bounce off the
upright, and has had a couple more veer too close for Richt's comfort.
"He's
an amazing guy. He must have played pinball as a kid," Richt said.
"Especially extra points, you would think he could get it a little
closer to the center post. I'm smiling now. But it could cost us. Trying
to be patient."
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