July 24, 2006

As head coach Watson Brown peruses the roster of his 2006 Blazer squad, it's easy for the veteran UAB head coach to get excited about all the returning players, including a senior class that will be the largest Brown has had since he's been in Birmingham.

There is experience virtually everywhere across the board with more than 50 returning lettermen, and while 12 combined returning starters on offense and defense is not an overwhelming number, it should also be considered that one could make a case that there are hardly any returning starters back for the Blazers. Why? Because, it seems like just about everyone has started at one time or another, especially on the defensive side. Several Blazers listed as backups during spring practice have also seen starting duty at some point of their careers at UAB.

There are question marks, no doubt, but not as many as there were a year ago.

The departure of record-setting quarterback Darrell Hackney, who started 38 games for the Blazers and threw for 9,886 yards and 71 touchdowns in his career, will be the first item observers notice. Hackney was a tremendously significant part of the UAB offense throughout his time in Birmingham, and last season, his senior year was no different as he passed for 3,180 yards and 22 TDs.

Look for the 2006 Blazers to run the ball more, with their intent to control the clock more often. They are not expected to be as much of a "down-the-field" passing team as UAB was with Hackney providing the passing arsenal.

"We're going to be a ball-control football team," said Brown. "With Darrell, we've been more of a down-the-field passing team. We're going to be built much more on consistency, eating clock, ball control, run the ball, pass the ball, a little option. The quarterbacks are going to have to run some this year."

UAB also has some uncertainties at the receiver position where Reggie Lindsey and Jhun Cook combined for 95 receptions and 1,631 yards, along with 13 touchdowns as senior starters in 2005. Only one returning Blazer there has substantial experience at this level.

And finally, while UAB returns four of its five starters on the offensive line, that single void will be felt as three-year starter and first-team All-Conference USA performer Matt Batusic has concluded his career in the Green & Gold.

The Blazers have put the disappointments of the 2005 season behind them as they finished 5-6 overall and 3-5 in C-USA play. Brown and his staff have spent an abundance of time trying to improve the consistency of the Blazer defense that ranked in the middle of the pack in most conference defensive statistical categories last season. It was primarily big plays and key drives that hindered UAB's defense in 2005.

Brown has also put a renewed emphasis on the special teams units, naming Rodney Bivens who coached the Blazer receivers the past three years, as the team's special teams coordinator.

Brown also has shuffled most of the position responsibilities within his staff and promoted long-time assistant Rick Christophel to defensive coordinator. Coordinator duties are nothing new for Christophel. He also called the shots for the UAB defense in 2001 when the Blazers ranked No. 1 nationally in rushing yards yielded per game and No. 5 in total defense.

The 2006 schedule is as attractive as it's ever been, if not the most challenging, with road games at Oklahoma and Georgia among the first three contests of the season. In between the contests with those two powers will be a Conference USA opener against East Carolina.

OFFENSE
The 2006 season will be the start of "Life After Hackney". UAB has had one of the nation's most productive offenses in recent seasons and last year, averaged 434.6 yards per game.

As the Blazers concluded their '06 spring drills, the question of who will replace Hackney at the quarterback position was still not resolved. Getting his signal-calling candidates plenty of work and testing them in the line of fire were spring practice objectives of Brown. Settling on just who the starter will be heading into the Sept. 2 contest at Oklahoma was not necessarily a must.

Unlike the past three seasons when Hackney saw by far the most action at quarterback in the UAB offense, Brown says the Blazers will very likely use more than one signal-caller in 2006. As it stood last spring, three quarterbacks were vying to be in the mix and to compete for playing time.

Senior Chris Williams (5-11, 205) is the only player in the trio who has seen action at UAB. Williams has seen action in 10 games with the Blazers and has 93 career pass attempts. However, most of that action came during the 2003 season after Hackney went down with a season-ending thumb injury.

Two newcomers - Sam Hunt (6-3, 215, Jr.) and Joseph Webb (6-4, 205, R-Fr.) -- will also contend for playing time at the quarterback position after practicing with the Blazers last fall. Hunt has limited Division I-A experience having seen some action at Middle Tennessee during the 2004 season. Of the three quarterbacks competing for action, Hunt is regarded as the best running threat of the trio.

Without the strong-armed Hackney, the 2006 Blazers will utilize their experienced running back corps more often. A group that includes four seniors, including Corey White (6-2, 235) and Dan Burks (6-1, 218) who have combined for 3,398 yards and 28 touchdowns as a tandem, will be called on often this fall. But White and Burks aren't the only backs returning with proven experience.

Marculus Elliott (5-9, 195, Sr.) and Trey Chaney (5-8, 190, Sr.) have also had their share of quality moments during their Blazer careers. Elliott, in fact, was UAB's hottest runner at season's end in 2005 as he averaged 97.3 yards over the final three contests, including a career-best 116 (on only eight carries) against UCF. Chaney has rushed for 638 yards during his career, the bulk of that coming as a freshman in 2003 when he was thrust into action due to injuries in the backfield.

At receiver, the Blazers are hoping for big things from senior Norris Drinkard (6-0, 195). With the departure of Lindsey and Cook, Drinkard is the team's leading returning receiver with 41 receptions for 390 yards in 2005. Drinkard has also been used in the backfield during his UAB career and has run for 201 yards the past two seasons. The Blazers are also optimistic that Willie Edwards (6-3, 215, Jr.) will emerge in 2006 as a productive receiver. Edwards, who has excellent size at the wideout spot, has battled health issues the past two years but had an outstanding spring, giving the UAB coaches a glimpse of his potential.

Nick Coon (6-2, 185, Sr.) and Steven Brown (6-1, 185, So.) are also expected to be key contributors to the Blazer offense at the receiver position. After catching 10 passes for a 36 yards per catch average as a true freshman in 2003, Coon has only made three receptions over the past two seasons. His role is expected to increase this fall. Meanwhile, Brown sat out last fall after transferring to UAB. A former high school quarterback at Vestavia Hills, Brown had an outstanding spring and will be in the picture for extensive playing time among the Blazer receivers.

Sylvester Mencer (5-11, 185, So.) and Gershom Bigham (5-11, 190, R-Fr.) are two of UAB's younger receivers and are expected to see increased time on the field in 2006.

The offensive line should be a team strength this season as four of five starters return for the Blazers. The only loss among the group, three-year starting center and all-conference performer Batusic, was a vital cog and his absence will be felt.

Cornelius Rogers (6-4, 320, Sr.) and Julius Wilson (6-5, 310, Sr.) give the Blazers arguably the best set of starting tackles in C-USA. Both Rogers and Wilson will be starting for UAB for the third consecutive season.

Alan Leon (6-4, 320, Sr.) was impressive in the spring and is slated to be the starter at right guard with JaMarius Dismuke (6-5, 320, Jr.) listed as the backup.

Providing depth on the line is Patrick Swoopes (6-4, 310, R-Fr.) who is a talented newcomer with outstanding potential, according to the Blazer coaches. Willie Thompson (6-6, 285, R-Fr.) is also expected to lend depth at the tackle position.

Quinton Harris (6-4, 330, Sr.) was the starter at left guard last season after seeing part-time starting duty as a sophomore in 2004. Despite missing spring practice due to academic reasons, Harris should return to his guard spot when fall drills begin in August. Adam Truitt (6-3, 310, Jr.) will likely see action at both center and guard this season. Truitt started at left guard in 2005 but also served as Batusic's backup at the center spot.

Tommie Keys (6-1, 300, Sr.) also will compete for playing time at the guard position and could battle for a starting job. Jake Seitz (6-2, 300, R-Fr.) has yet to play a down for the Blazers but the local product from Vestavia Hills will get a shot at taking over the center responsibilities.

At tight end, Cedric Hampton, the Blazers' starter for much of the past two and a half seasons, has completed his eligibility. Jordan Erwin (6-3, 245, Sr.) is coming off a solid spring and will contend for time at tight end. LaDarrius Stanley (6-3, 300, Sr.), a converted lineman, will also compete at tight end.

David Sigler (6-3, 250, Jr.) served as Hampton's backup last season but was moved to fullback prior to spring practice. Taylor Ownbey (6-2, 235, Sr.) was a first-year linebacker last fall after transferring to UAB from Dixie State (Utah) Community College. Now, he is a fullback and will vie for playing time there.

DEFENSE
The Blazer defense, while the 4-3 alignment remains intact from the past three years, is sure to have some new wrinkles in 2006 as Rick Christophel takes over the defensive coordinator duties.

Up front, UAB will feature one of the best group of defensive ends in the conference. Larry McSwain (6-1, 255, Sr.) will be starting for the third straight season. McSwain, who has been a first-team all-conference selection each of the past two seasons, recorded 53 tackles in 2005 as he garnered a lot more attention after leading C-USA in sacks a season earlier. McSwain has already been tabbed to the "Watch Lists" for the 2006 Lombardi, Lott Trophy, Nagurski and Ted Hendricks Awards.

Jermaine McElveen (6-5, 250, Sr.) and David Miller (6-3, 265, Sr.) could virtually be considered "co-starters" at defensive end after splitting time there in 2005. McElveen registered 26 tackles, including four tackles for loss and a sack last fall. Miller had 28 tackles with a pair of sacks and five tackles for loss.

Kyle Bissinger (6-3, 255, Sr.), a former high school quarterback, has battled injury woes during his Blazer career but provides depth at the end position.

Inside, Clarence Respress (6-1, 320, Sr.) is expected to take over the starting nose tackle spot that was occupied by his brother, Ernest, last season. It is also hoped that Jason Hamlin (6-2, 280, Sr.) can return to action after missing last season with a knee injury. The Blazers will look to Brandon Jeffries (6-5, 255, Sr.) and Jerrickus Speights (6-5, 255, Jr.) at tackle. Speights has moved inside after seeing limited duty at end last season. Jeffries and Speights will be looking to replace Sam Williamson, who was a constant force for UAB up front the past two seasons.

A year ago, UAB was looking to replace three starting linebackers who were seniors in 2004. This season, the Blazers have all three starters back. Orlandus King (6-3, 215, Sr.), Mastaki Smith (5-11, 230, Sr.) and Marcus Mark (6-2, 230, Sr.) were regulars last season and combined for 171 tackles.

King was the team leader in tackles with 85 while Smith ranked No. 3 at 60. King also contributed three sacks, six tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions.

Providing solid backup help at linebacker will be sophomore Kris Guyton (6-3, 230), a C-USA All-Freshman Team choice in 2005. Guyton finished as the Blazers' sixth-leading tackler with 43 stops.

Also, look for Joe Henderson (6-2, 210, So.) to see increased playing time. Henderson had 35 tackles in 2005.

Gerod Condry (6-2, 220, Jr.), a former defensive back, also provides depth at the linebacker position. He saw limited action in 2005, contributing two tackles.

The Blazer secondary lost some experienced performers through graduation in safety Dominique Cosper and cornerback Carlos Hendricks, along with part-time safety starter Julius Wainwright, but the UAB coaches are excited about the prospects in the defensive backfield for 2006. Team speed is expected to be an asset in the secondary, and for the defense overall.

Cosper will doubtless be missed as he was a two-year starter and his nose for the ball helped him to earn all-conference honors in each of the past two seasons as he rang up a total of 172 tackles.

Hendricks was a regular performer in the secondary for most of the past three seasons.

Carnell Williams (6-1, 205, Jr.) was a starter at corner down the stretch last season and finished the year with 22 tackles. Will Evans (5-9, 175, Sr.) has also seen starting duty at the corner position the past two seasons. Last season, he recorded 27 tackles with one interception.

Kevin Sanders (5-11, 185, So.) saw his first action as a Blazer in 2005 at cornerback and gave signs that he has a bright future ahead. Sanders registered 15 tackles and a pair of interceptions last season. Brandon Carlisle (5-10, 180, R-Fr.) and Durrell Fuqua (5-11, 185, Jr.) are also expected to see action at cornerback. Fuqua saw most of his playing time at nickel-back for the Blazers in 2005, recording 20 tackles.

At safety, Chris Felder (5-10, 185, Sr.) and Will Dunbar (6-1, 195, Jr.) will get their shots in the lineup. Felder, who was a highly-touted prep performer in Camden, Ala. and later starred at Butler (Kan.) CC, had 24 tackles last season. Dunbar, an aggressive hitter, made his mark initially last season on special teams but began to see increased playing time in the secondary at midseason. Dunbar went on to finish with 35 tackles.

Brandon Register (5-11, 190, Sr.) and Carl Johnson (6-1, 190, Jr.) will also see action at safety. Register was a starter the early part of 2005 and had a pair of interceptions in the season opener at Tennessee. Johnson, meanwhile, saw limited duty but had a quality spring and is expected to see more playing time in 2006.

Matt Taylor (5-11, 185, So.) provides depth in the secondary, especially in "nickel-back" situations. Taylor had seven tackles during the 2005 season.

"Nobody will out-run us," said Brown. "This team can run. We've got to get back to where we are solid against the run. I thought we were last year except for one game. Southern Miss was the team we couldn't stop in the second half. And our pass defense should be better. I saw improvement in the spring, but we just have to do it on Saturday. The strength of our defense is depth and experience. Everybody's back. All the linebackers have played, all the defensive line has played. When you look at it, we don`t really have returning starters on defense, because they've all started at one time or another. We do not have an inexperienced position anywhere on the board on defense. And we don`t even have a two-deep situation where there is inexperience."

SPECIAL TEAMS
The Blazers are hopeful of increasing their production from their special teams in 2006. Rodney Bivens will coordinate this unit after coaching the wide receivers the past three seasons.

Parker Mullins (5-11, 185, Sr.) has been the Blazers' starting punter the past three seasons, but in 2005, he also handled the regular field goal and extra point duties.

Mullins averaged 38.6 yards per punt and connected on 14-of-18 field goals. Swayze Waters (6-0, 170, So.) took care of the kickoff duties for the Blazers and served as the backup to Mullins as both the regular placekicker and punter.

UAB is definitely looking for more contribution from its punt and kickoff return units. Last season, on 19 punt returns, the Blazers averaged only 5.9 yards per return. The team kickoff return average was 20.3 yards.

Drinkard, Sanders, Evans, Mencer, Elliott and Burks are among the players who may see action at punt and/or kick returner.

Chris Barrett (6-0, 235, Jr.) handled long snapper duties in 2005 while Jeff Hamby (6-1, 205, So.) took care of the short snapper responsibilities.

SCHEDULE
The 2006 schedule may be the most attractive in program history with non-conference games vs. schools from the Big XII Conference (Oklahoma) and Southeastern Conference (Georgia and Mississippi State). MSU will visit Legion Field on Sept. 23. In addition, Troy will be in Birmingham to take on the Blazers a week later on Sept. 30.

What magnifies the difficulty of the early-season slate with games one and three on the road at Oklahoma and Georgia is the Conference USA contest sandwiched in between -- a Sept. 9 home date with East Carolina.

UAB will resume C-USA play in full-swing Oct. 7 when it takes on Memphis. The Blazers' other league home games in '06 will be Marshall and UTEP.