Greyson Lambert and Brice Ramsey shared first-team responsibilities at quarterback Saturday as the Bulldogs conducted their first spring scrimmage under new coach Kirby Smart.
The Bulldogs scrimmaged for two hours in Sanford Stadium, and heralded freshman quarterback Jacob Eason got multiple series with the second and third teams.
"Greyson and Brice both kind of did the expected," Smart said afterward in a news conference. "I want Brice to manage the huddle a little better and be more efficient - get the call out and get to the line faster. Greyson is doing a nice job of managing the huddle right now, but he's got to be more mobile in the pocket.
"He's got to be able to create a little bit more and get out there and make some throws."
Smart did not provide any statistics from the scrimmage - another about-face from the Mark Richt era - which was open only to family members, recruits and select guests. He did say there were "some good, explosive passes," which was not the case last year for an offense that ranked 104th nationally in passing yardage and failed to surpass 200 aerial yards in eight contests.
The passing game was better Saturday than the running game, according to Smart, who added that a lack of tailback depth factored into that.
Smart said Eason was nervous early in the scrimmage but improved as it progressed. Eason apparently displayed his five-star talent quite frequently.
"He had several times where he threw the ball to the wrong place, but he made a hell of a play," Smart said. "You don't want to take that out of the guy."
Eason was among six early enrollees getting their first taste of scrimmaging in the Southeastern Conference.
"It's an awakening for them when they get out there and see how fast it really is," Smart said.
The first-team offense squared off against the second-team defense and vice versa for much of the scrimmage. Smart singled out inside linebackers Natrez Patrick and Reggie Carter for their hustle on defense.
Georgia will return to practice Tuesday, which will be its 10th spring workout.
Odds and ends
Smart estimated that the quarterbacks completed 60 to 70 percent of their passes. Sony Michel got eight to 10 carries, with most of the load at running back going to redshirt freshman Tae Crowder. Smart said freshman receiver Riley Ridley is doing well and his older brother, Alabama sophomore receiver Calvin Ridley, really wanted him to go to Georgia.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.