The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Team Begins Spring Practice
2/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 22, 2005
Comments from the Spring Football Luncheon 
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB football team opened its 2005 spring practice here Tuesday under spring-like conditions and head coach Watson Brown said his team seemed ready to get a new season underway.
"I thought it was a very good first day," said Brown, who will be beginning his 11th season as head coach next fall. "It was about 70-75 degrees today, so it didn't feel like February. The players were enthusiastic about being out here and trying to improve on what we accomplished last year. I think we've got a chance to have another good football team.
The Blazers worked out in jerseys and shorts as they held their first of 15 spring sessions. They will hit the field again Wednesday for day two.
While UAB lost some key performers in wide receiver Roddy White, linebackers Zac Woodfin, Nigel Eldridge and Gaylon Black along with kicker Nick Hayes, the Blazers return 16 starters from last year's Sheraton Hawaii Bowl Team. Brown feels his team's depth will be a strength in 2005.
"I think we will have some depth," he said. "We need some second and third-team guys to step up. That's how you create depth. I'm hoping we can use our depth to win some football games this season. As it is now, a lot of our second-team players are close to our first team."
