The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
On Campus with Cory Provus
8/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 17, 2006
After trying to replace the guy who holds virtually every passing record in school history, it's understandable why much of the focus has been on the UAB quarterback position this off-season. For the first time in recent memory, the Blazers are "HACK-LESS," and it won't take fans long to notice the change in offensive philosophy. Coach Watson Brown has said several times that UAB will run the ball more in 2006. With four senior tailbacks leading the way, not to mention 4 of 5 starters back on the offensive line, UAB hopes to be a ball-control football team. We know that quarterbacks Chris Williams and Sam Hunt will both play in the opener on September 2nd. Which one will start, we don't know. And while that battle plays on in Southside, here are a couple other positions to keep an eye on as the Oklahoma game approaches.
Linebacker:
Last season, linebackers Orlandus King, Mastaki Smith, and Marcus Mark combined for 26 starts. But just because all three are back doesn't necessarily mean all three are guaranteed to start. "We have six or seven players that have an opportunity to be good players," UAB linebackers coach Ron McCrone said. "We have a lot of competition and the players are working hard." Among those who has caught McCrone's attention is junior, Jeffery Williams who is in competition with Mark for the starting "Sam" position. The 6-0 foot, 225 lb, linebacker appeared in 10 games last season, and has looked awfully sharp since camp opened in early August.
Meanwhile, sophomore, Joe Henderson, is in a tight race with King at "Will" linebacker. "I compare him (Henderson) to former Miami linebacker Rohan Marley, McCrone said." "He's currently in a tough battle with Orlandus." A preseason injury kept Henderson off the field until week 3 last season, but now fully healthy, the former John Carroll product is pushing for immediate playing time in 2006.
Competition at "Mike" linebacker is also pretty fierce. Mastaki Smith came out of spring practice as No. 1 on the depth chart, but sophomore Kris Guyton and red-shirt freshman BJ Steed will push for playing time as well. "The competition we're seeing is exactly where I thought it would be," UAB head coach Watson Brown said. "Mastaki and Kris both played well a year ago, and BJ is certainly in the mix."
Regardless of who will take up the three starting spots in Norman, McCrone is very pleased with the attitude of the entire unit. "The biggest thing is their helping each other," McCrone said. "It's not a me versus you deal. It's a team deal."
Kicker/Punter:
When Parker Mullins arrived on the UAB campus in 2002 he wasn't shy about admitting his strengths. "When I first got here as a freshman my specialty was punting," Mullins said. "But with some extra time on the field I just started kicking field goals, and last season was a great experience for me." It sure was. Mullins connected on 14-of-18 field goals last year, but currently is battling sophomore Swayze Waters for the position.
"The best challenge I'm seeing right now is our kicker/punter situation," Brown said. "Parker and Swayze are really getting after each other." Waters was UAB's regular kickoff man in 2005, but definitely has the resume to be the Blazer's place-kicker. During his high school career at Jackson Prep in Jackson, Mississippi, Waters set school records with field goals of 50 and 51 yards. "I think field goals and kickoffs are my strength," Waters said. "I thought I was a better punter coming out of high school, and my punting is definitely coming along compared to last year."
Mullins has been punting for the Blazers since 2003. While his numbers dipped a bit in 2005, he did end the season strong. Mullins averaged better than 46 yards per-punt over the team's final two games, and believes that the competition going on right now is better for everyone in the long run. "The one thing that makes you get better every day is competition for both me & Swayze," Mullins said. "Competition is what drives you and what in the end will make you a better football player."
When you think about it, though, it's more than two guys fighting for three jobs. True freshman Matthew Terwilliger has a very promising future and is in contention for UAB's kickoff assignment. "Punting is between me and Parker," Waters said. "Kickoffs are between me, Parker and Matt. Field goal is up in the air right now."
The September 2nd opener at Oklahoma is just around the corner. Just like you, I am anxious to see how everything plays out. Keep in mind there are plenty more than just these two positions up for grabs. For example, there are some very intriguing battles taking place both on the offensive and defensive lines. "We do have so many battles. We know we're going to play two-deep at a lot of positions," Brown said. That's easy for us to say as coaches, but for the player they want to be known as the starter." Guess what? It won't be too long before we find out who those starters will be. I'll talk to you next month.......On Campus.
Programming Notes: The Blazers All-Access radio show debuts Wednesday, August 23rd. The one-hour coaches call-in show airs from 6-7 PM on the Blazers ISP Sports Network. Each week the show originates from Full Moon BBQ on Valley Avenue.
Birmingham/Huntsville - WYDE-FM - 101.1, Montgomery - WIQR-AM -1410
Blazers All-Access, our weekly television show, debuts Sunday, August 27th. The :30 minute show features interviews with players & coaches, highlights, and more. Each week the show can be seen on Birmingham's ABC 33/40 at 11:35 PM.
