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    Friday, September 07, 2007

    Scouting UAB


    SCOUTING THE OFFENSE:
    Due to a lack of proven receivers and the athleticism of QBs Sam Hunt and Joe Webb, the two will alternate at quarterback and play receiver when they're not under center. That plan didn't work out in the opener when Webb sustained a shoulder injury early in the game, but it's still in the plans for this week. The Blazers are short on playmakers right now and can't afford missed opportunities, such as the dropped passes by Frantrell Forrest and Nick Coon, but coach Neil Callaway was pleased with the progress of his young offensive line in the opener.

    SCOUTING THE DEFENSE:

    More than anything else, the Blazers need to do a better job of tackling. Michigan State was bigger, stronger, older, deeper and better, but the Blazers allowed some of those 298 rushing yards because they missed too many opportunities to make a play. Having Dunbar back this week gives the Blazers an experienced player who knows how to tackle.

    PLAYERS TO WATCH
    QB Sam Hunt -- Hunt played the entire season opener at quarterback instead of splitting time with Joe Webb. Hunt took a beating from five sacks and threw an interception, but he also completed 21 of 39 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown.
    QB/WR Joe Webb -- Webb was supposed to see some playing time at quarterback, but an early injury to his throwing shoulder forced him to remain at receiver, where he led the Blazers with six catches for 98 yards. Hunt and Webb hooked up for UAB's only touchdown on a 15-yard scoring pass.
    LB Joe Henderson -- Henderson produced a safety and a team-high 12 tackles at Michigan State, but he must also to learn to play within the system and avoid the kind of big mistakes that hurt the team so often the past three seasons.

    ROSTER REPORT
    Senior FS Will Dunbar is expected to return to the starting lineup for the Florida State game after missing the season opener due to a suspension for violating team rules. Junior Matt Taylor replaced Dunbar in the lineup and contributed eight tackles, but the Blazers would be better off having both Dunbar and Taylor available and being able to use more combinations at safety.

    Of the 10 true freshmen who played at Michigan State, LB Mike Tashman stood out as one of the best. Tashman, who spent last year at the U.S. Military Prep School, was a surprise starter at middle linebacker but finished with seven solo tackles, one assist, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Other true freshmen who stood out include Matt McCants and Caleb Thomas, who started on a rebuilding offensive line.

    Callaway said he hopes Webb will see some action at quarterback against FSU, but that depends on Webb's shoulder. "If he's able to throw the ball, we'd like to play him at quarterback," Callaway said. "He's doing all the things we've asked him to do. He's done a fine job."

    Swayze Waters emerged from the preseason as UAB's best punter, but Callaway is considering a change so Waters can focus solely on placekicking and kickoffs. Waters made three field goals against Michigan State, including a career-long 50-yard field goal. While he did send one punt 50 yards and dropped another down at the Michigan State 1-yard line, he also shanked a 10-yard punt. "He has a strong leg for both," Callaway said, but added, "We don't need to go through games with shanked punts."

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