Hey George!

Monday October 23, 1967

Why did you elect to receive the opening kickoff when it seemed obvious to select the right side of the field so the strong wind would be at your back and in your favor starting the game? — George Wass, 19015 NE 18th

I didn’t think the wind was that much of a factor. After all, Larry Seiple’s first two punts into that wind went 46 and 45 yards.

Don’t you think that you strung along with Rick Norton too long and should have brought in Bob Griese in the first half? — Leslie Neu, 2575 SW 27^th Ave

Bob Griese had been hurt and we weren’t sure he would be ready to play. Besides, we wanted to give Rick Norton a full opportunity to show what he could do after he had impressed us in Boston.

What was your reasoning when you tried for a long field goal when trailing by 24 points? — Dr. W. Mashburn, 545 Hardee

They had one field goal and we figured we might as well try to get one to match it and then try to score touchdowns with them.

Did you feel that the changes you made in your secondary gave you a stronger pass defense, or were you just experimenting? — Cheryl Leavengood, 4028 Ponce de Leon.

Of course we were experimenting. Every position change is an experiment. But we thought the changes helped somewhat. But we had a lot of their receivers covered, but there isn’t any defense against a perfectly thrown pass.

Tuesday, October 24, 1967 (happy birthday, Rick!)

What kind of a coach would play Rick Norton week after week when Bob Griese is the only quarterback on the ball club? — Fred Hall, 11300 SW 107th Ave.

Griese has been hurt and Archie Roberts, our other quarterback, hasn’t had the experience Norton has. In the absence of John Stofa those are the only quarterbacks we have. Griese still couldn’t throw long Sunday as you may have guessed, because of his sore right shoulder.

Why didn’t you have Norton throw more often to Frank Jackson, who was open time and again throughout the game? — Joe Bond, 15721 SW 108th Ave.

Rick overthrew or underthrew Jackson a few times. I guess he didn’t see him at other times. You're right that Frank was open most of the afternoon.

Where and why were you playing Jack Clancy when you had Jackson in the game at the same time? — Steve Martin, 285 West 63rd St., Hialeah.

We’ve been playing Clancy and Jackson together for a few weeks now, Steve, in case you haven't heard. Jackson is the flanker, Clancy the split end, but in our offense they are constantly flip-flopping. We have been playing them together because we believe they are our best receivers.

Why, when you are noted for being a coach of fundamental football, are you tolerating your team’s weekly mistakes? Frank C. Barone, 805 NW 132^nd St.

Would you have me shoot the players who are making mistakes? It takes time, I say again, to build a winning football team. We’re in a bad slump right now but, honestly, I believe we’ll pull out of it.

Why can't you pick up Jackie Simpson from the Continental League, who is better than the defensive backs you now have? — James Smith 6161 19th St

I’m not familiar with Jackie Simpson, but I’m sue that if he were better than any one of our defensive backs one of the 25 American or National League teams would have picked him up by now.