The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Continue With Preseason Drills
8/8/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 8, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB football team went through a two-and-a-half workout on its fourth day of practice here Friday and head coach Watson Brown praised his offensive line's showing in the early workouts.
"We're really pleased with the offensive line," said Brown. "It may take us awhile, but I've got four or five new faces who I'm pretty excited about. I think we're going to be better on the offensive line than we've been. We've struggled at times, especially last year when we had all those injuries.
"Right now, that's probably the most pleasing piece that I see," said Brown. "We have our first five doing pretty well, we're glad to get Barker White back with us, but we have some younger ones who are picking it up maybe quicker than I thought they would."
Overall, Brown was satisfied with his team's practice, its first in shoulder pads. The Blazers will work out in full pads Saturday for the first time. "There's always some pretty good enthusiasm when you put on the pads; I expect tomorrow to be the same when we put on full pads."
Brown also announced that junior running back Kendal Gibson and his twin brother, defensive lineman Randal, had announced they would transfer from UAB, though their destination is not known as of yet.
"They came to me this week and told me they were transferring," said Brown. "I don't know where. They're going to think about it.
"I always want our players to be happy. Kendal wants the ball more. We don't run that style of offense. We're not going to be an I-formation team where we give to our I-back 30 times a game. I understand that's what he wants to do. And Randal wants to go with him."
The Blazers will open their 2003 season on Saturday, Aug. 30 (6:00 p.m. CT) when they travel to Waco, Texas to meet Big XII Conference foe Baylor.
