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gorillapittpray · 08-05-2011, 11:26 PM

BLAZER WEEKLY

SLAUGHTER-HOUSE!
BLAZER DEFENSE LOOKS FOR MIDDLE LINEBACKER TOM SLAUGHTER TO LEAD THE WAY.

(#43 TOM SLAUGHTER HIT TAILBACK MATTHEW SCOTT DURING OKLAHOMA DRILL AT THE BLAZERS FIRST FALL PRACTICE)

When previewing the UAB Blazer defense its not hard to mention out spoken Linebacker Tom Slaughter. He's a in your face trash talking hard hitting type a guy. Just want Travis Rhatigan needs from his Captain on the defense. Last season Slaughter was second on the team in tackles (89) and sacks (12). He also forced six fumbles and returned two to the house. But he did that with a senior led defense last year.
"Teams didnt have to focus on him much" Mentioned coach Rhatigan at UAB's media day. "We had DJ Washington in front of him, we had Bowser on the edge and we Williams roaming the defensive backfield. That allowed Tom to play in space."

Play in space he did, and he did it so well that it was said at times he had no responsibility he was to just roam and watch the quarterback.
Slaughter enters his senior year bigger and stronger and ready for some football.
"Im just ready to get the season started. Coming off the type of year we had where we snuck up on teams. This year they'll be ready and im ready for that challenge."
Slaughter wont be alone. Despite losing five starters on defense they return six, this unit will try to help out Senior quarterback Wayne Smith and his young offense.
"I know Wayne's a Senior but its his first year starting. We know they'll be hard ship and we'll be ready to help them out at any time."

DEFENSIVE LINE
The defensive line may very well be UAB strong point this year. They return defensive ends #79 Jerry Bowser (SR) and #77 Kareem Kirby (JR). Bowser led all of Division one in sacks with 20. A relatively slow start but after teams focus a bit more on graduated DJ Washington Bowser turn on his motor and shined. The Pre Season All American has been added to the Lombardi Watch list and looks to have another big year if returning defensive tackle #95 Brandon Richardson can replace Washingtons vacant spot. as a back up last season Richardson recorded six sacks, the Junior is a bit undersized at 267 pounds but has a motor. (RS) Freshmen Marcus Leak will start at the other tackle spot in the 4-3 look and has looked exceptionally well during fall camp.

LINEBACKERS
You all know about Tom Slaughter a pre season All American the Senior captain however raves about true Freshmen Timi McCollum. McCollum has started getting reps with the ones and has shwon great athletic ability, at 6'3 227 pounds size isnt a issue but maturity is. He'll have to grow up fast with Auburn being a week away. Senior Dan McCray #34 had a quiet great year his junior season and looks to add to this good linebacking core. McCray is more of a coverage backer and will need to add more support with the run game. Seniors Adam Chase #46, Brad Swan #35, and #47 Thomas Moore will add much needed depth for this linebacking core.

SECONDARY
This unit was hit the hardest this past off season with graduation. Of the four positions three graduated. That included corners Kevin Evans, Marcus Stevens and Free Safety Nick Williams who probably the biggest loss to the defense. #36 Eugene Jackson will be the leader of the secondary this year. The hard hitting Senior had 64 tackles 8 sacks and 3 interceptions. But he will now have to take on a bigger responsibility in teaching fellow safety senior Mark Parrish and sophomore Jason Mills the calls and checks out on the field. The two arent as crisp and could be cause for concern. Replacing Evans and Stephens at corner will be #30 Nathan Davis and #31 Adam Love. Davis a senior who saw significant action last season is said to have better instincts as Stephens and has looked really really good during camp. Love, a (RS) freshmen also looks good, his cocky attitude and ball hawking ability could see him become one of the nations better cover guys. Junior Bryan Wyatt and Sophomore Andrew Gates will add quality depth to this position.

Overall the defense will more than likely carry this team again. Coming off a season where the unit finished in the top 10 in overall defense the excitement is there. If the new faces can pick up where the old guys left off this unit wont miss a beat.

08-05-2011, 11:26 PM	#119
gorillapittpray MVP OVR: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: new berlin wisconsin	Re: "Dragon Breath" A UAB Dynasty (NCAA12) BLAZER WEEKLY SLAUGHTER-HOUSE! BLAZER DEFENSE LOOKS FOR MIDDLE LINEBACKER TOM SLAUGHTER TO LEAD THE WAY. (#43 TOM SLAUGHTER HIT TAILBACK MATTHEW SCOTT DURING OKLAHOMA DRILL AT THE BLAZERS FIRST FALL PRACTICE) When previewing the UAB Blazer defense its not hard to mention out spoken Linebacker Tom Slaughter. He's a in your face trash talking hard hitting type a guy. Just want Travis Rhatigan needs from his Captain on the defense. Last season Slaughter was second on the team in tackles (89) and sacks (12). He also forced six fumbles and returned two to the house. But he did that with a senior led defense last year. "Teams didnt have to focus on him much" Mentioned coach Rhatigan at UAB's media day. "We had DJ Washington in front of him, we had Bowser on the edge and we Williams roaming the defensive backfield. That allowed Tom to play in space." Play in space he did, and he did it so well that it was said at times he had no responsibility he was to just roam and watch the quarterback. Slaughter enters his senior year bigger and stronger and ready for some football. "Im just ready to get the season started. Coming off the type of year we had where we snuck up on teams. This year they'll be ready and im ready for that challenge." Slaughter wont be alone. Despite losing five starters on defense they return six, this unit will try to help out Senior quarterback Wayne Smith and his young offense. "I know Wayne's a Senior but its his first year starting. We know they'll be hard ship and we'll be ready to help them out at any time." DEFENSIVE LINE The defensive line may very well be UAB strong point this year. They return defensive ends #79 Jerry Bowser (SR) and #77 Kareem Kirby (JR). Bowser led all of Division one in sacks with 20. A relatively slow start but after teams focus a bit more on graduated DJ Washington Bowser turn on his motor and shined. The Pre Season All American has been added to the Lombardi Watch list and looks to have another big year if returning defensive tackle #95 Brandon Richardson can replace Washingtons vacant spot. as a back up last season Richardson recorded six sacks, the Junior is a bit undersized at 267 pounds but has a motor. (RS) Freshmen Marcus Leak will start at the other tackle spot in the 4-3 look and has looked exceptionally well during fall camp. LINEBACKERS You all know about Tom Slaughter a pre season All American the Senior captain however raves about true Freshmen Timi McCollum. McCollum has started getting reps with the ones and has shwon great athletic ability, at 6'3 227 pounds size isnt a issue but maturity is. He'll have to grow up fast with Auburn being a week away. Senior Dan McCray #34 had a quiet great year his junior season and looks to add to this good linebacking core. McCray is more of a coverage backer and will need to add more support with the run game. Seniors Adam Chase #46, Brad Swan #35, and #47 Thomas Moore will add much needed depth for this linebacking core. SECONDARY This unit was hit the hardest this past off season with graduation. Of the four positions three graduated. That included corners Kevin Evans, Marcus Stevens and Free Safety Nick Williams who probably the biggest loss to the defense. #36 Eugene Jackson will be the leader of the secondary this year. The hard hitting Senior had 64 tackles 8 sacks and 3 interceptions. But he will now have to take on a bigger responsibility in teaching fellow safety senior Mark Parrish and sophomore Jason Mills the calls and checks out on the field. The two arent as crisp and could be cause for concern. Replacing Evans and Stephens at corner will be #30 Nathan Davis and #31 Adam Love. Davis a senior who saw significant action last season is said to have better instincts as Stephens and has looked really really good during camp. Love, a (RS) freshmen also looks good, his cocky attitude and ball hawking ability could see him become one of the nations better cover guys. Junior Bryan Wyatt and Sophomore Andrew Gates will add quality depth to this position. Overall the defense will more than likely carry this team again. Coming off a season where the unit finished in the top 10 in overall defense the excitement is there. If the new faces can pick up where the old guys left off this unit wont miss a beat.