The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Completes Day One of Fall Practice
7/31/2017 4:39:00β―PM | Football
PHOTO GALLERY
Β
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - In what will go down as one of the biggest stories of the 2017 college football season, the UAB Football team opened up its historic return to the field on Monday morning at the Football Operations Center.
Β
Among the many story lines for the Blazers this season, nothing was more impressive than seeing a full 105-man roster utilize the new state-of-the-art facility that Birmingham and its fans help build in what was UAB's first structured practice of the season.
Β
"It's exciting, there's no way to describe it," said head coach Bill Clark. "All of the people that helped us get here, I tell the guys all of the time that we are representing a bunch of folks. When you're in a facility that all of the money was raised, you have to feel for a bunch of different people. That to me is what this is all supposed to be about β you're playing for your family, hometown, and we are literally playing for this community who stepped up for us."
Β
TAKEAWAYS:Β
VIDEOS:
Β
Head Coach Bill Clark
Senior Linebacker Shaq Jones
Senior linebacker Tevin Crews
Β
WHAT THEY SAID:
Β
Head Coach Bill Clark:
Β
On what you saw from the guys today:
Β
"It is just a totally different day. We are sitting here in our multi-purpose room to do this interview, we got to come into the pavilion during practice which I told the guys was unbelievable because you get a breeze and get some cover. To be able to go from the outside heat to under the pavilion and have two fields practicing at once, there's a lot of things that maybe we took for granted really made for a great day. Organizationally it was a great start. Like anybody from the first practice to the second we will look for improvement and we also did not have any pads on today. Organizationally I felt good."
Β
On the feel of today's first practice compared to previous ones:
Β
"It's totally different. Those things that I probably was happy with and satisfied with, the happy to be out there feeling, is over because the game there. We're really looking at that depth chart and that depth chart should change every day because those guys are fighting for actual playing time now versus before they knew they would play in a scrimmage and that should change everything."
Β
On there still being wide eyes amongst the players and coaches in the new facility:
Β
"There is and that is something that you would hope is not the case but it is. I'm picturing meetings in that old building even when I'm talking to them and now all of a sudden, we have a team room, we have a multi-purpose room, everybody has an office. It's things that probably most people take for granted we don't. Hopefully we will just settle in and things will be normal but it is a big deal to be here, no doubt."
Β
On having more or less of a feel on the depth chart than normal:
Β
"We've had these guys for a while but we've added some new ones so that would tell you we have a better feel. I think the fact that we don't have games to go back and say 'I know what this guy does in a game' is something that is still be seen. We've seen them in scrimmages but there is no way to replicate game action. There is going to be a lot of unknowns still even going into that first game."
Β
On there being more enthusiasm with these guys:
Β
"There is no doubt. Just the urgency of knowing it's time to play has set everything up from the way we trained all summer. All the guys that were here did everything this summer they needed to get themselves ready to play and practice. We worked them really hard and they responded well."
Β
On if anybody stepped up today:
Β
"It would be hard to single guys out today. I would just say that guys that we expected to lead for the most part led. That's a lot of them. We've had these guys for a while so just understanding how we practice. That's when I get upset, when a guy that has been here doesn't do it that's when I'm going to have a problem. I thought it was a very solid day but the expectation for us is really up here and we have to raise that."
Β
On what your expectations mean practically:
Β
"We're playing to win. I think that we're here to compete versus we're here to win is two completely different thought processes. We're excited to be here, we're proud of this and I tell them all of the time that we're playing for more than ourselves. Our expectation level is to do all of the things it takes to win. The more guys that you can get to that spot the more guys you can play. There is a high expectation and I've told them over and over and over to be ready for that different level."
Β
On how the new guys adjusted:
Β
"First off it's a blessing to have the upperclassmen. To have someone say this is how we do this, and it wasn't just the guys we had from 2014 who basically were teaching the whole team, we had a very small group of guys that came in. We also had some walk-ons that didn't get to come to camp even though they've done everything we've asked and that is hard for me - when you've signed a guy and some of those walk-ons who have done everything right don't get a chance to play in the first game. The new guys, even though they were new to the system, probably did pretty well."
Β
On if this team is different than any other team that UAB has brought forward:
Β
"They are going to be different just for the amount of time they've waited and sat. There is just an unknown about them and that right there makes them different."
Β
On anything you expect to happen on the field in the first game:
Β
"I would just expect us to put a good product out there. I expect us to do all of the things that we should do and that is that level of expectation that we have and have always had. We came in here in 2014 with the same expectation. It doesn't matter what we've done before. The difference with this group is that there is not a negative or a positive. Just to be here, they're here and everything they've fought through. We had an undefeated season but if we had of been undefeated last year even all of that is gone. Whatever we've done before, it's all about what we do now and hopefully they understand that."
Β
On what today feels like:
Β
"It's exciting, there's no way to describe it. All of the people that helped us get here, I tell the guys all of the time that we are representing a bunch of folks. When you're in a facility that all of the money was raised, you have to feel for a bunch of different people. That to me is what this is all supposed to be about β you're playing for your family, hometown, and we are literally playing for this community who stepped up for us. I'm not a big emotional guy but you can't help but get a little bit emotional looking out there. I can see that old facility every day and I'm ready for that to be gone but it is probably a good reminder for us to be appreciative to where we are. I will tell you this β this group is very appreciative."
Β
On the historical significance of September 2 being a motivator:
Β
"I know this is as cliché as can be but we literally just need to be thinking about today. That's what we have to fight against because everybody is ready for it but we have a lot of work to do. Just to magically say that we are going to show up and everything is going to be ok on September 2. The guys down the road are probably tired of hearing about us. 130 teams, everybody is working, everybody is saying they are going to be the best in shape team and this is their year. What are we doing that sets us apart?Β
Β
Β
Linebacker Shaq Jones:
Β
On the number of new guys not being as big as last year:
Β
Β "It made practice go a lot smoother this today. We didn't have a bunch of new guys that we had to teach them what to do, so we were all synchronized and it went smooth. That is the benefit of not having a lot of new guys."
Β
On being at UAB for as long as he has:
Β
"I am a senior and this is my last go-around. I am trying to make it the best I can and bring my teammates along with me."
Β
On the new facility still being surreal:
Β
"Yes sir. I went from having a locker room over at Bartow Arena and now we have this multi-million-dollar facility and I am amazed. I still get lost in this building. There are different turns and different twists - it's like a maze - but it's a wonderful maze and I'm glad to be in it."
Β
On the city of Birmingham:
Β
"We want to show our respect to Birmingham. They put their hard-earned money into this project, so we are going to give our blood sweat and tears and do the best we can."
Β
Β
Linebacker Tevin Crews:
Β
On being a veteran leader:
Β
"I am embracing it. It has been taken away from us so I go out there every day like it could happen again. That is the approaching I am taking."
Β
On needing to have patients throughout this process:
Β
"It is actually here now. There is so much excitement. Everyone is locking in and everyone is focused. If you were leaving here late at night in the summer, you would look out and see about 20 guys on the field getting the extra work in."
Β
On today's first practice:
Β
"We had a lot of energy. We had some mental errors but that comes with the first day of practice. For the most part we had a lot of energy and we can fix the other stuff."
Β
On his journey to the 2017 season:
Β
"It's a blessing. Coach Clark is a blessing. The way the community has stepped up for us is amazing. I try not to think about the past as much anymore."
Β
On the extra responsibility of playing for everyone who contributed:
Β
Every day we go out there, it's hard not to think about everyone who fought for us and marched for this team. We appreciate them every day. Every time we are in the weight room it is mentioned 'There are a lot of people depending on you,' so it is in the back of our heads every single day."Β
Β
Β
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - In what will go down as one of the biggest stories of the 2017 college football season, the UAB Football team opened up its historic return to the field on Monday morning at the Football Operations Center.
Β
Among the many story lines for the Blazers this season, nothing was more impressive than seeing a full 105-man roster utilize the new state-of-the-art facility that Birmingham and its fans help build in what was UAB's first structured practice of the season.
Β
"It's exciting, there's no way to describe it," said head coach Bill Clark. "All of the people that helped us get here, I tell the guys all of the time that we are representing a bunch of folks. When you're in a facility that all of the money was raised, you have to feel for a bunch of different people. That to me is what this is all supposed to be about β you're playing for your family, hometown, and we are literally playing for this community who stepped up for us."
Β
TAKEAWAYS:Β
- Clark noted that the team had good organization today as they utilized both turf fields.
- The Blazers started in the sun on practice field No. 2, and moved under the covered pavilion for the second half of practice from 10:30-11:45 a.m. There is a significantly notable difference in temperature being under the pavilion.
- UAB will increase the physicality throughout the week with the progression to shells and then pads, but today the Blazers were in shorts and helmets to get used to the structure of practice.
VIDEOS:
Β
Head Coach Bill Clark
Senior Linebacker Shaq Jones
Senior linebacker Tevin Crews
Β
WHAT THEY SAID:
Β
Head Coach Bill Clark:
Β
On what you saw from the guys today:
Β
"It is just a totally different day. We are sitting here in our multi-purpose room to do this interview, we got to come into the pavilion during practice which I told the guys was unbelievable because you get a breeze and get some cover. To be able to go from the outside heat to under the pavilion and have two fields practicing at once, there's a lot of things that maybe we took for granted really made for a great day. Organizationally it was a great start. Like anybody from the first practice to the second we will look for improvement and we also did not have any pads on today. Organizationally I felt good."
Β
On the feel of today's first practice compared to previous ones:
Β
"It's totally different. Those things that I probably was happy with and satisfied with, the happy to be out there feeling, is over because the game there. We're really looking at that depth chart and that depth chart should change every day because those guys are fighting for actual playing time now versus before they knew they would play in a scrimmage and that should change everything."
Β
On there still being wide eyes amongst the players and coaches in the new facility:
Β
"There is and that is something that you would hope is not the case but it is. I'm picturing meetings in that old building even when I'm talking to them and now all of a sudden, we have a team room, we have a multi-purpose room, everybody has an office. It's things that probably most people take for granted we don't. Hopefully we will just settle in and things will be normal but it is a big deal to be here, no doubt."
Β
On having more or less of a feel on the depth chart than normal:
Β
"We've had these guys for a while but we've added some new ones so that would tell you we have a better feel. I think the fact that we don't have games to go back and say 'I know what this guy does in a game' is something that is still be seen. We've seen them in scrimmages but there is no way to replicate game action. There is going to be a lot of unknowns still even going into that first game."
Β
On there being more enthusiasm with these guys:
Β
"There is no doubt. Just the urgency of knowing it's time to play has set everything up from the way we trained all summer. All the guys that were here did everything this summer they needed to get themselves ready to play and practice. We worked them really hard and they responded well."
Β
On if anybody stepped up today:
Β
"It would be hard to single guys out today. I would just say that guys that we expected to lead for the most part led. That's a lot of them. We've had these guys for a while so just understanding how we practice. That's when I get upset, when a guy that has been here doesn't do it that's when I'm going to have a problem. I thought it was a very solid day but the expectation for us is really up here and we have to raise that."
Β
On what your expectations mean practically:
Β
"We're playing to win. I think that we're here to compete versus we're here to win is two completely different thought processes. We're excited to be here, we're proud of this and I tell them all of the time that we're playing for more than ourselves. Our expectation level is to do all of the things it takes to win. The more guys that you can get to that spot the more guys you can play. There is a high expectation and I've told them over and over and over to be ready for that different level."
Β
On how the new guys adjusted:
Β
"First off it's a blessing to have the upperclassmen. To have someone say this is how we do this, and it wasn't just the guys we had from 2014 who basically were teaching the whole team, we had a very small group of guys that came in. We also had some walk-ons that didn't get to come to camp even though they've done everything we've asked and that is hard for me - when you've signed a guy and some of those walk-ons who have done everything right don't get a chance to play in the first game. The new guys, even though they were new to the system, probably did pretty well."
Β
On if this team is different than any other team that UAB has brought forward:
Β
"They are going to be different just for the amount of time they've waited and sat. There is just an unknown about them and that right there makes them different."
Β
On anything you expect to happen on the field in the first game:
Β
"I would just expect us to put a good product out there. I expect us to do all of the things that we should do and that is that level of expectation that we have and have always had. We came in here in 2014 with the same expectation. It doesn't matter what we've done before. The difference with this group is that there is not a negative or a positive. Just to be here, they're here and everything they've fought through. We had an undefeated season but if we had of been undefeated last year even all of that is gone. Whatever we've done before, it's all about what we do now and hopefully they understand that."
Β
On what today feels like:
Β
"It's exciting, there's no way to describe it. All of the people that helped us get here, I tell the guys all of the time that we are representing a bunch of folks. When you're in a facility that all of the money was raised, you have to feel for a bunch of different people. That to me is what this is all supposed to be about β you're playing for your family, hometown, and we are literally playing for this community who stepped up for us. I'm not a big emotional guy but you can't help but get a little bit emotional looking out there. I can see that old facility every day and I'm ready for that to be gone but it is probably a good reminder for us to be appreciative to where we are. I will tell you this β this group is very appreciative."
Β
On the historical significance of September 2 being a motivator:
Β
"I know this is as cliché as can be but we literally just need to be thinking about today. That's what we have to fight against because everybody is ready for it but we have a lot of work to do. Just to magically say that we are going to show up and everything is going to be ok on September 2. The guys down the road are probably tired of hearing about us. 130 teams, everybody is working, everybody is saying they are going to be the best in shape team and this is their year. What are we doing that sets us apart?Β
Β
Β
Linebacker Shaq Jones:
Β
On the number of new guys not being as big as last year:
Β
Β "It made practice go a lot smoother this today. We didn't have a bunch of new guys that we had to teach them what to do, so we were all synchronized and it went smooth. That is the benefit of not having a lot of new guys."
Β
On being at UAB for as long as he has:
Β
"I am a senior and this is my last go-around. I am trying to make it the best I can and bring my teammates along with me."
Β
On the new facility still being surreal:
Β
"Yes sir. I went from having a locker room over at Bartow Arena and now we have this multi-million-dollar facility and I am amazed. I still get lost in this building. There are different turns and different twists - it's like a maze - but it's a wonderful maze and I'm glad to be in it."
Β
On the city of Birmingham:
Β
"We want to show our respect to Birmingham. They put their hard-earned money into this project, so we are going to give our blood sweat and tears and do the best we can."
Β
Β
Linebacker Tevin Crews:
Β
On being a veteran leader:
Β
"I am embracing it. It has been taken away from us so I go out there every day like it could happen again. That is the approaching I am taking."
Β
On needing to have patients throughout this process:
Β
"It is actually here now. There is so much excitement. Everyone is locking in and everyone is focused. If you were leaving here late at night in the summer, you would look out and see about 20 guys on the field getting the extra work in."
Β
On today's first practice:
Β
"We had a lot of energy. We had some mental errors but that comes with the first day of practice. For the most part we had a lot of energy and we can fix the other stuff."
Β
On his journey to the 2017 season:
Β
"It's a blessing. Coach Clark is a blessing. The way the community has stepped up for us is amazing. I try not to think about the past as much anymore."
Β
On the extra responsibility of playing for everyone who contributed:
Β
Every day we go out there, it's hard not to think about everyone who fought for us and marched for this team. We appreciate them every day. Every time we are in the weight room it is mentioned 'There are a lot of people depending on you,' so it is in the back of our heads every single day."Β
Β
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
DL
/ FootballThursday, June 11
Wednesday, June 10
Tuesday, June 09
Tuesday, June 09
