UAB preview

It remains to be seen whether the UAB Blazers will improve on their disappointing 3-9 season of last fall. After all, the Blazers lost seven starters on both sides of the ball, and a senior class that numbered nearly 30 players in 2006. But those who have observed closely in the months since Neil Callaway was named UAB's head coach last December have seen a new air of enthusiasm over the program. It started with a demanding offseason strength and conditioning program and continued through spring practice.

Callaway made it clear early to his players the expectations he and his staff would have when it came to their level of commitment on and off the field.

"We want to create a mindset of how we want to do things and I think we're off to a good start," said Callaway. "We're not where we want to be, but I think we've got a good start on things."

Instilling a dedicated work ethic and a discipline were at the top of the list of priorities for Callaway and his staff.

He knew he had to start spring practice with some form of a depth chart, but he also made it clear everyone was starting over and the field for playing time was a level one.

"Everybody is starting with a clean slate," Callaway said after one of the team's first practices. "Our philosophy will always be that the best guys are going to start, and if you're good enough to play, you're going to play. It doesn't matter whether you're a freshman or a senior."

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