Aug. 3, 2008

Listen to Coach Callaway

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB football team held its annual preseason media day Sunday afternoon. Blazers' head coach Neil Callaway and several players were on hand to discuss the upcoming season.

UAB is gearing up for its opening practice on Monday, where the coaching staff will get its first look at this season's squad. Everyone within the program is excited about the potential of this year's team.

"I expect us to be a much improved football team this year," said Callaway. "We are still going to be limited with our numbers, but I do think we have some good quality players. If we can continue to work hard, have great leadership and can be lucky as far as not having a lot of injuries, we can have a good football team."

Callaway feels his team is well prepared for fall practice, largely do to the offseason workout program that the players had a chance to participate in to get ready for the upcoming season.

"We all know summer workouts are voluntary," said Callaway. "We went through something I've never been a part of. We had 100 percent participation in the offseason conditioning this summer.

"That speaks highly of our players and the commitment that they have made to this program. It has built a great foundation for us to get the season started on."

The Blazers will open their 2008 schedule on Aug. 30 when they host Conference USA foe Tulsa. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT at Legion Field.

Head Coach Neil Callaway

Opening remarks:
"I am really looking forward to this year. I want to start by thanking Coach Martin (Strength & Conditioning) and his staff for the great job they have done this summer. We all know summer workouts are voluntary. We went through something I've never been a part of. We had 100 percent participation in the offseason conditioning this summer. That speaks highly of our players and the commitment that they have made to this program. It has built a great foundation for us to get the season started on.

"I expect us to be a much improved football team this year. We are still going to be limited with our numbers, but I do think we have some good quality players. If we can continue to work hard, have great leadership and can be lucky as far as not having a lot of injuries, we can have a good football team."

On the team chemistry:
"I think we are light years ahead of where we were. Just being around each other day-to-day and us coaches understanding them as players and them understanding us as coaches. I think we are a lot further along."

On the biggest thing he hopes to see in his second year at UAB:
"Obviously, we want to see more wins. We didn't fare very well last year being 2-10. I think we will be much improved. We are also looking for guys to play hard and do what's right on and off the field. "

On the quality of play within Conference USA:
"It's a very competitive league year in and year out. I don't think there's a lot of difference between the first team and the last team. I think it's a balanced and fun league to play in. "

Senior Safety Will Dunbar

On getting ready for the season:
"Everybody is anxious to get back onto the field. After last year, we have a lot to prove to everybody."

On the possibility of opposing teams overlooking UAB:
"No team should take us lightly. We have something to prove this season. We feel like we have everything in place right now."

Senior Linebacker Joe Henderson

On being named to the Preseason All-Conference USA team:
"It gives you a lot of confidence, but you still have to go out there perform and show people that you really are an all-conference player. I still have to keep working hard."

On the expectations of the defense this year:
"We are going to be a lot more physical. We are going to come out more physical and practice more physical. Everything else will take care of itself."

Junior Quarterback Joe Webb

On the whether the offense has an edge over the defense entering fall practice:
"Its pretty much even. This summer, we worked hard to make sure that everybody was doing what they have to do. We have to have faith in each other and that each side of the ball is going to do their part."