The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers 'Learning Their Craft' As Spring Continues
4/4/2012 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 4, 2012
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB football team was back on the field in pads under the lights Wednesday night as they continued spring practice.
The Blazers worked out for just under two hours in the fifth of 15 scheduled practices this spring. It was the third consecutive practice in pads with the team continuing to build toward its first scrimmage of the season on Saturday.
John Peterson, who coaches the offensive line for first-year UAB coach Garrick McGee's staff, said it's still early to assess the team as a whole, though he likes the effort he has seen on the practice field.
"I think they understand the importance of their execution and the importance of being part of a team," Peterson said. "I think Saturday after our first scrimmage we'll see a little more evaluation when we get the chance to have the flow of a game. But right now it's just the early stages, where kids are working hard and learning their craft and having fun doing it."
Peterson's offensive line unit is one area of the team that has undergone a serious transition with just one starter -- senior tackle Chris Hubbard -- returning from last season's accomplished group that was one of the Blazers' biggest strengths.
Hubbard's counterparts lack his game experience but are eager to get their chance to make a major contribution. Peterson sees a group that is learning to play the game fast and hard, and he expects to see continued improvement over the last two-thirds of spring practice.
"The biggest thing that has stuck out in my mind is they have the 'want to' and that's been fun to coach," he said. "They come to work every day. They have the study habits. After five days of practice, and a couple in pads, they're progressing. They understand the process it takes to be as good as they want to be."
That process will continue Friday when the team returns to the UAB practice field for a 5 p.m. workout. As always this spring, the practice will be open to the public.
The practices are all leading up to the UAB Spring Game, which is scheduled for Noon on Saturday, April 21 at West Campus Field.
