TE Jay Rome stands out in Bulldogs’ first scrimmage of spring
ATHENS – Georgia held its first formal scrimmage of the spring Saturday at Sanford Stadium. And while the defense dominated as it has been throughout, there were some positive signs for the offense.
Namely, Jay Rome.
The redshirt freshman tight end from Valdosta got loose for two touchdowns, including a leaping grab in the corner of the end zone that had coaches and players buzzing long after the two-hour scrimmage concluded.
“It was pretty acrobatic,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “He had to kind of turn his body and reach back and snag it. He landed off his feet and the ball didn’t come out.”
Rome’s other touchdown came on a 30-yard pass from Hutson Mason down the middle of the field, a la Orson Charles.
“I ran a little seam route up the middle,” Rome recounted. “I don’t know if it was a broken coverage or what but I looked up and there was nobody in the middle and I just reached up and caught the ball and jogged in. There was nobody around.”
But it was the short touchdown catch during goal-line work at the end of the practice everybody was raving about.
“I ran a corner route to the back pylon and Parker [Welch] put it high for me and I went up to catch it,” Rome said. “It was a really high ball but I was able to get up there for it. I attribute that to basketball. I don’t know if I could’ve gotten up there last year when I had all that extra weight on me. Coach [Mark] Fox made a point to run that off of me and I think that helped.”
Afterward, Rome was beaming. Topping off the whole day was the fact that his father, Valdosta legend and Clemson two-way star Stan Rome, was there along with little brother Justin, 9.
“I just told myself I was going to come out and play hard and just have fun at today’s scrimmage,” said Rome, who ESPN rated as the top tight end prospect in the country last year. “That’s the biggest thing me and my dad were talking about, just having fun. I talk to him probably two or three times a day.”
With Charles, Aron White and Athur Lynch ahead of him last season, Rome redshirted and decided to go out for the Georgia basketball team. He played sparingly in a backup role as a forward and missed much of the Bulldogs’ off-season football work the first three months of this year.
“The transition from basketball wasn’t nearly as hard as the transition to basketball,” Rome said. “I came back and I was in really good shape. I just had to get back to being really physical and stuff like that. I’ve been staying after practice trying to catch a lot of extra balls just trying to catch myself back up and getting used to it.”
Rome wasn’t the only young offensive player to turn heads. Several Bulldogs mentioned that true freshman tailback Keith Marshall looked good, especially on one particular run.
“Keith Marshall showed why he was the number one running back,” senior wideout Tavarres King said. “He broke a long one up the middle that was pretty nice.”
Georgia’s No. 1 offense drove the length of the field against the No. 1 defense on the opening drive but failed to get in the end zone after reaching the 1 and had to settle for a field goal.
“The offense came out with a bang today,” nose guard John Jenkins said. “You could tell they were fighting. Overall it was a good scrimmage.”
Quarterback Aaron Murray agreed.
“Bobo was very happy with us at the end,” Murray said. “It wasn’t perfect but, for being a first scrimmage, I thought it we looked very impressive offensively. We had some great drives, made some great plays in both the passing and running game. So I’m happy with how far we’ve come in two weeks.”
Following are what coach Mark Richt referred to as the Unofficial/Official stats. You have to keep in mind the scrimmages are not conducted like a real games. Most of the work is situational. So for what it’s worth . . .
THE “UNOFFICIAL/OFFICIAL” SCRIMMAGE STATS
Passing
Murray 9-18-1, 74 yards, 0 TDs
Mason 5-12-0, 59 yards, 1 TD
LeMay 2-7-1, 44 yards, 0 TDs
Welch 2-6-0, 2 yards, 0 TDs
Bingham 0-1-0, 0 yards, 0 TDs
Rushing
Harton 8-24 yards
Karempelis 8-22 yards
Marshall 5-18 yards
Crowell 4-19 yards
Malcome 4-13 yards
Receiving
Bradberry 4-14 yards
Scott-Wesley 3-51 yards
Lynch 3-17 yards
Brown 2-17 yards
King 3-21 yards
Rome 1-30 yards, TD
Mitchell 1-20 yards
GOAL LINE
Malcome 2-yard TD
Crowell 1-yard TD
Rome TD catch
DEFENSE
S. Williams 4.5 tackles, INT (34-yard return)
Drew 4 tackles, TFL
B. Smith 4 tackles, TFL
Thornton 3.5 tackles, 3 sacks
Vasser 3.5 tackles, 2 sacks
J. Jones 3 tackles, 2 sacks
Rambo 3 tackles
A. Ogletree 3 tackles, 0.5 sack
Mitchell 3 tackles, TFL
Swann 3 tackles, sack
Commings 3 tackles, TFL
Gilliard INT (2-yard return)
Faloughi sack
R. Lowe sack
G. Smith sack
Morant sack
K. Geathers 0.5 sack
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245 comments Add your comment
Todd
April 2nd, 2012
2:27 pm
All the way back to the Kentucky game in 2007, Mark Richt has not beat any SEC team with a winning SEC record.
Pretty telling I would say…well worth a 5 year extension. AND we think we have a shot this year with Aaron Murray???? If you do, I have a bridge for sale in Manhattan
Have not beat any team winning SEC record - starting with Kentucky in 2007.
April 2nd, 2012
2:28 pm
I never said I didn’t bash the players.
DawginLex
April 2nd, 2012
2:29 pm
I’m mad about the suspensions and stupid conduct of the players.
Who isn’t?
but again, tell me what needs to be done now???
I’m not an expert on anything. I have an opinion just like everyone else does.
so tell me:
fire Richt now?
Boot the dummies off the team?
change the University Policy?
Fire the guy who set up the drug test the week after spring break?
what do all of you want done?
DawginLex
April 2nd, 2012
2:30 pm
Yes you did bulldawg!!
you want me to go find it for you?
i’m sure it is in your archives but I bet you won’t copy and paste it because I’m right
AltamahaDawg
April 2nd, 2012
2:34 pm
Alabama has had as many arrest as Georgia in the past couple of years. is that a lack of respect for Saban. Are all the problem at Miss State a sign of lack of respect (you wanted to hire Dan Mullen, didn’t you).
If Alabama had our policies would that have more or less suspensions. Would be have more or less with thier policies. Would taht prove anytjing one way o the other as far as respect?
If “respect” is the main factor, why then would so many defenders have such lack of respect for Grantham? Is he such a weinie? Or thier position coach? He is the one they really hurt.
How about thier teammate? thier High school coach. or the folks of the home town?
Do they have no respect for thier Mama? Would that have to hold true, as well?
OR is it that of all those folks, Grantham, position coach, high school coach, team mates, family, and freinds………(all folks who had MUCH more daily and lifetime contact with the fellow) Coach Richt is the only one that had the burden of having thier respect?
DawginLex
April 2nd, 2012
2:35 pm
todd
Mason played against LSU
How did that turn out?
Murray had 2 TD’s DROPPED
His fault?
I blame Murray for the MSU game. Up 16-0 and throws the pick and changes the momentum. My complaints have been listed.
but to say Mason is going to set the world on fire just because you say so is idiotic.
At some point you have to believe the coaches see things in practice that warrant the playing time the way it is.
Either way, none of the coaches give a tinker’s dam about what any of us think
aprilglaspie
April 2nd, 2012
2:36 pm
The Valdosta boys got their lunch from Coach Sellers’ boys in the 70s.
Todd
April 2nd, 2012
2:38 pm
so tell me:
fire Richt now? (No,
Boot the dummies off the team? (in some instances- YES! send a message to the rest!!!
change the University Policy? (I dont blame the university- the players know the policy and choose to come to UGA- they got busted….it’s their own fault, Its called “following the rules”)
Fire the guy who set up the drug test the week after spring break? (WHY? the players know the rules….they knew they could be tested)
what do all of you want done? (I want the head ball coach to make a statement to the rest of the team…..get rid of the guys that continue to break the rules- they are not part of a team……(Rambo…Ogletree)…..
Chip Towers
April 2nd, 2012
2:42 pm
TO: Thomas Brown, aka BuLLdawg, aka the “Mark Richt winning percentage . . .” handle:
You need to cool it. You crossed the line with your post that included misinformation regarding past players’ legal situations. I have fielded numerous complaints from readers of the blog about your activities and had discussions with management about the length, frequency and content of your posts. If you don’t refrain we’ll have to take action.
DawginLex
April 2nd, 2012
2:44 pm
I’m outta here.
Gonna go enjoy the basketball game and make sure my car and couch is locked up
Todd
April 2nd, 2012
2:46 pm
Lex….see comments
Mason played against LSU- HA! after murray gave bumbled and fumbled his way to 45 points. Nice time for mason to come in……what a bunch of crap
How did that turn out? well…lets see he didnt fumble (murray did DEEP in our territory=14 points….toss a pick 6…..another 7 points……need I say more…..
Murray had 2 TD’s DROPPED: WOW……thats it blame the receivers blame the FG kicker against Sparty……Blame everyone except the moron that is the so called leader of the circus
His fault?
I blame Murray for the MSU game. Up 16-0 and throws the pick and changes the momentum. My complaints have been listed. Really? how about SC, how about Michigan State????? how about any decent team we have played
but to say Mason is going to set the world on fire just because you say so is idiotic. Nobody said that…where did I say that????????????????????????????????????? I just said GIVE THE KID A CHANCE! were tired of murray’s seemingly free pass to make mistake after mistake and no accountability……NONE
At some point you have to believe the coaches see things in practice that warrant the playing time the way it is. At some point you would think the coaches would see things in the ACTUAL game that would warrant some sort of adjustments…..oh, thats right- we suck at that also
Have not beat any team winning SEC record - starting with Kentucky in 2007.
April 2nd, 2012
2:48 pm
“You think Mason can beat Mizzou on the road? I do not!!!”
I never said Mason can beat Mizzou. What I said is that Aaron Murray in 2 years has beat two 8-win teams, none of which are winning record in SEC, no 10-Win team, no 9-Win team and has lost to 2 teams who did not make the AP Poll Top 25 including 7-loss Colorado. Can Hutson Mason do worse than that ?
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
“You think we should fire Richt now and hire another coach? The new coach will have the same University Policy and will have the same bunch of dunderheads on the team.”
I never said fire Mark Richt. I said teach the guy something about his job; he is clueless at discipline, clueless at punishing starters softer than back-ups who he throws out of the program for doing something 1-time a lot less severe than the starters’ offenses multiples of them all worse than back-ups. I also have questioned him about his QB choice. I also have questioned him all Winter this year about why no secondary players were recruited. We got 1 and I said he will start game 1. I’m right on that too. I questioned him about Aaron Murray before he ever played the guy. I still question him. Different in 2012 ? No not based upon his photo in bed, it’s not. Not based on yesterday’s scrimmage it is not. I think I know what a football player looks like. I said Keith Marshall is your starting TB. I said Isaiah Crowell never would be. I’m not wrong on either of those, either. I said Brandon Boykin should have been starting TB last year, not Isaiah Crowell. Brandon Boykin led the team in yards per carry. I am not wrong about that, either. I also said that will be his position in the NFL. I said Aaron Murray would never get a snap in the NFL. I am not wrong on that. I said David Greene never would. He didn’t. I said Mark Richt does not know how to hire a coaching staff. I stand by that as well. He also doesn’t know how to fire a coaching staff. I stand by that.
My problem with the players are : (1) Aaron Murray (2) Isaiah Crowell (3) anyone else who tweets, does tv interviews and tells them they are winning the Heisman Trophy this year based on what I’ve seen these 2 do here now, or cannot stay out of the BAD PRESS. Photos posed for on Spring Break doing that, DawginLex ? No. He is not my starting QB.
“Do you actually believe Richt hasn’t told them to stay out of trouble?”
I will tell you, DawginLex, you be careful about how you talk to me because I don’t think you want me back on your case again, now do you ? We’ve been getting along famously for a while now. Do I think Mark Richt has that ability to say that you, DawginLex ? No. And, you know I mean it when I tell you that. He means nothing, and none of the players have any respect for one word out of his mouth. I know you don’t want me all over your case, DawginLex. I know that. You know that. Mark Richt telling me something ? In one ear, out the other. Me, I mean business.
“Your rant makes me so dam mad I could spit nails.” I see that. Check yourself now. When I spit nails, I take names.
“Why in God’s name don’t you tell us what you want and what your point is?” How about win some bloody games against some SEC team with a winning SEC record ? He hasn’t done that starting KY in 2007, not once. You get that ? And, 1 day I open the paper and no BAD PRESS from the recruits you guys run in here and say Mark Richt did so well getting us here.
“Otherwise, take your lists and SHOVE THEM WHERE THE SUN DON’T SHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CLEAR ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND THAT GOES DOUBLE FOR YOU TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Fine DawginLex, that what you want, when there is not 1 word of what you said I said, did I say and when every post I am fixing to put up of yours, are all words you said, and guess what ? DawginLex, every word says everything here I just typed. You get that ? I have not said anything in this post that you haven’t already said yourself.
Joey
April 2nd, 2012
3:01 pm
Obviously there is no “fire Richt” option. He has the full support of the AD, as well as the UGAAA.
This is a phenomenon – I’ve never heard of a program losing 30 players before, (even with a program going on probation or losing a coach – I bet Kiffin didn’t lose 30 players at USC) plus half the D suspended for various # of games – some for half the season – unbelievable. It blows my mind that two certain high NFL draft picks, Ogletree and Rambo, have so little regard for Richt and the team.
I thought this ‘12 team was going to be the best in a decade, but now, if we lose at Mizzou, this season could be a disaster.
DawginLex
April 2nd, 2012
3:03 pm
So you are threatening me now bulldawg?
That is rich?
Bring it on
I guarantee you that you don’t want to go there with me
you best leave it alone if you know what is good for you
I don’t care whether you think we get along now
I’m sick of your rant and so is Chip towers and a lot of other folks on here
so cram it
DawginLex
April 2nd, 2012
3:04 pm
todd
MSU=michigan state
Do you even watch the games?
We were up 16-0 IN THE BOWL GAME AGAINST MICHIGAN STATE
READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AltamahaDawg
April 2nd, 2012
3:09 pm
…..except that it was King’s fault.
Nothing Could Be Finer
April 2nd, 2012
3:21 pm
Howdy dogs fans.
Heard there is another doggone dog gone.
Marc Deas.
Whats the deal?
Yall gonna field a team this year?
AltamahaDawg
April 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
I agree……..but as you point out IF those guys have so little regards for (everybody in my post) , and for that matter, how about so little regard for themselves, wouldnt that be the sort of on all of them? But you blame Only Richt for that.
By all accounts, In Rambo’s case, his high school coach would be a guy who seems to have been a big part of his life,much longer than Richt.
So I’ll ask again, do you now know that he has no respect for that guy? Or his own parents?
Truth be told Richt is the guy who is caught having to deal with the screw ups, and IMO, come out in the end as the guy who gets the most respect from him.
And obviously its a far more complicated situation, than “respect” anyway.
Todd
April 2nd, 2012
3:33 pm
todd
MSU=michigan state
Do you even watch the games?
We were up 16-0 IN THE BOWL GAME AGAINST MICHIGAN STATE
READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawginlex- you’re a complete moron READ THAT ……it disgust me to think you and I actually support the same team………learn how to have an adult conversation dude instead of the “world according to Dawginleg” above everyone else attitude…….
AltamahaDawg
April 2nd, 2012
3:33 pm
What I also don’t get is why are we not hearing “Its all a matter of not having any respect for Grantham” over and over. Isn’t HE the guy more let down? He works with these guys a lot closer. Don’t we think nof them as HIS boys? Isn’t that what we all call defensive players. His guys. He’s thier leader. He certainly is the one that gets the credit for them when they do well. He probably talked to both of them personally before they headed out on spring break, I’m betting too.
Steve
April 2nd, 2012
3:36 pm
Agree with the above post. Lexdawg is pretty full of himself and seems to have no problem bashing anyone that doesnt toe the line accrding to him…….great to be a Dawg fan- Lex, you need to get onboard man. Your they type that gives UGA fans a bad name…….just sayin…..
BigTimeTechFan
April 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
They should play B-52’s Roam after his TD catches.
for the Athens connection.
Rome will be a beast, have to admit UGA is stong at TE, Rome listed as 3rd team but I think he’s better then any of Tech’s TE’s.
Craig
April 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
Hey Chip Towers-
You seem to call out folks on here that get personal with their posting comments- which is good but you seem to be ok allowing this Dawginlex guy talk and bash folks on here at will. What is good for one is good for all.
Thanks!
AltamahaDawg
April 2nd, 2012
3:51 pm
Take it hip to hip Rocket through the wilderness?
AltamahaDawg
April 2nd, 2012
3:55 pm
I’d rather hear “Big Bird”.
The crowd can all shout ” Wants to use me to feather it’s nest. whiiooooo”
Joey
April 2nd, 2012
3:57 pm
You know AD, if you would ever, ever, just once, NOT defend Richt, I would probably have to be resuscitated by defibrillation . Your posts regarding UGA are always intelligent, funny and thoughtful, (hell, I scan looking for them) except when about our head coach – in which you knee-jerkingly get that attack-attitude.
Even 8-5 and 6-7 didn’t phase you – you never even wavered. Congrats. You got your wish (new contract), and time will tell if it pays off for UGA – but I guess either way, 10-2 or 6-7, and you’ll still be toting Richt’s water.
Question. Are you secretly his agent?
Chip Towers
April 2nd, 2012
4:05 pm
Craig: I haven’t seen anything from DawginLex that bears my attention. But there is a format on the page for registering complaints when you have one, so I would encourage all to do that if someone is out of line or being inappropriate.
"dawg-hater" hater
April 2nd, 2012
4:25 pm
hmmm…thats me wondering what the deuce is going on with some of the ppl on here! Bulldog fans my rear-end!!! maybe when they are winning you might call yourself a fan!! sounds to me like someone is a bandwagon-bulldog hater when things dont fall in their way. well things arent always going to go the way we want them to…if so we would have 80 NC’s in a row. i stand by what “OUR” CMR is doing…and i say OUR even though some of you dont think he is worth taking a leak on if he is on fire, but i do. call me stupid, call me ignorant, but i stand behind him. I will always support this team no matter what. it would be nice if some of you would take a step back and look at the bigger picture of what he is trying to do for his players. Go DAWGS
magnolia, tx dawg
April 2nd, 2012
4:25 pm
Mr. Towers, according to your post, the Dawgs have five QB’S. How many backups do we have for the OL?
Craig
April 2nd, 2012
4:27 pm
Thanks Chip! Appreciate your taking the time to respond. Not sure that it could be considered inappropriate in the sense you are probably thinking. It is just disgusting to read post after post from him talking to people like their a child or that he is so much better than someone…..oh well- guess its more in how your raised and talk to people….thanks again Chip! and GO DAWGS!!!
"dawg-hater" hater
April 2nd, 2012
4:31 pm
also dont be so ignorant to think that the players dont follow up on blogs either. how much confidence are some of you giving with all the “he cant beat this team” or “he fumbles every game”? SUPPORT YOUR TEAM AND ITS PLAYERS!!!!! i read some of this stuff and just shake my head…then i look at the names and they are supposed to be part of the Bulldog Nation. i expect it from them bama guru’s and the kitty cats, but wow, some people i guess
AltamahaDawg
April 2nd, 2012
5:04 pm
Come on man. If I would not defend Richt for once, I would what? Agree with something that I don’t this is correct? I think oyu know thsts not going to happen.
I notice that you didnt actually disagree with my point there, either.
But If by stating a position that I believe to be right, Or in this case, disgreeing with something I think is just plain wrong………….that makes me look supportive of a guy who coaches my favorite college team, I can live with that.
Joey
April 2nd, 2012
5:21 pm
Good for you. I choose to wonder, sometimes to myself, sometimes on here, if the guy who coaches my favorite college team, is just not gonna get us to the Big Game, much less win one.
You apparently think he is just the guy to do it, or you just aren’t that concerned with winning it all.
Well, we got him for 5 more years. Hopefully, 16 seasons will be enough time for him to get it done . . .
Joey
April 2nd, 2012
5:22 pm
Oh, and you didn’t thank me for the compliments . . .
AltamahaDawg
April 2nd, 2012
5:24 pm
By the way , at 6-7, all I did was stay realistic. Richt was the coach. Some things needed to be addressed. The addressing what going to have be from the coach, therefore….Richt was going to have to fix the (number of issues that I named on several occations). Exactly what options did we have at that point but to be supporting of the man that was going to fix the problems? Support a guy who didn’t exist?
AltamahaDawg
April 2nd, 2012
5:35 pm
Who doesn’t wish for a NC? But, I can tell you that the hypothetical “big game” is not what governs my comments when it come to what I think is correct and not about specifit topics.
Are you suggesting that because a person has doubts about winning a NC, then whatever the topic is prior to that, he shouldn’t still try to be accurate(as he sees it), even IF that seems supportive?
And thank you.
Joey
April 2nd, 2012
5:53 pm
“Who doesn’t wish for a NC?”
Maybe about 6 straight of our SEC brethren – and 7 of the last 9, who have won a NC since Mark Richt has been at UGA.
All the while our program has had almost unprecedented success in recruiting, income, and filling up NFL squads with players.
UF, LSU, and Bama have multiple “Crystal Footballs” (and good gosh, even Auburn got one) while we watch these superstars come through Athens, superstars who, I believe, Spurrier, Saban, Myer, Petrino, and yes, Mullen could all have parlayed into one or more championships.
I’m not greedy. I’d take just one.
And, you’re welcome.
AltamahaDawg
April 2nd, 2012
6:32 pm
So if Richt would win one, then all of a sudden a player getting suspended is not a matter of respect, Its more like whatever it is when Saban has to do the same thing?
My point being, Not having a NC is just that. Critising coach for NOT having a NC is fair. He doesn’t. But that’s that thing. It’s not the end all everything in college football. Pretty much all but one coaches arent going to win a NC this year. I don’t believe its fair or accurate to blast everything he says or does, if he didnt.
DawginLex
April 3rd, 2012
8:47 am
Hey Craig
Show me where I said anything out of line??
I have an opinion
If you don’t like it, don’t read it.
Steve, same for you
Craig
April 3rd, 2012
8:56 am
Exactly Dawginlex…..we all have opinions- just like my opinion of you- again, if you dont like it- dont read it. Disgusting to think you have any kind of connection to UGA but again, that’s my opinion- if you dont like it- so what?
Steve
April 3rd, 2012
9:18 am
Every college team has people that call themselves a fan but are not representitive of the teams true fan base and those with real ties to the particular school wish they would crawl in a hole because they sling mud at everyone including those of the same school they claim to support-
DawginLex happens to be UGAs
Todd
April 3rd, 2012
9:24 am
Pretty sad state when you have dawg supporters bashing each other- but from reading over LEXs comments to others (UGA fans and other schools as well) its pretty apparent he is just a jerk. Like Steve said in a post above- we all have em…….GOOOOOOOOOOOO Dawgs!
Dawg Tired
April 3rd, 2012
9:57 am
Shoudn’t Murray be saying “COACH Bobo was very happy with us at the end”?
yard dog
April 3rd, 2012
9:19 pm
Both TE’s looked great. Richard Samuel looked like a fish out of water at fullback. Move the boy back to Tailback. The freshman needs a redshirt. Crowell was impressive Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 43 and 42 were physical at Fullback. The defense is way ahead of the offense which is good. We will have a chance to win every game . D.L. AND LINEBACKERS LOOKED Great.
Badland Dawg
April 5th, 2012
3:27 pm
hay boys ..want to play some football Mizzou is wating for you…we just gonna beat on you a LITTLE…..and have some fun with ya!!!!!!!