UAB is Vols' perfect get-well opponent

You won't hear Tennessee coaches or players call UAB the perfect get-well opponent. The Vols (0-1) aren't ready to start doling out bulletin board material after losing the season opener to UCLA.

But the fact of the matter is, you'd be hard pressed to find a better opponent for the Vols to play this Saturday.

Not only is UAB's defense ranked 117th of 118 teams in the Bowl Subdivision, it's spread offense is a near perfect tune-up for upcoming games against Florida and Auburn.

"I think it will help us out," defensive end Wes Brown said Wednesday. "Having an athletic quarterback that UAB does will certainly prepare us for what we're going to see in the future."

No one is going to confuse Blazers quarterback Joe Webb for Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow of Florida, but an extra peek at a similar offense isn't anything UT's defense is going to turn down, especially with the Gators looming a week away.

After reviewing UAB's game tape, UT defensive coordinator John Chavis joked that Webb throws a bit better than UT's coaches had hoped.

In two games this season, Webb has completed 43-of-79 passes for 495 yards, four touchdowns and only one interception. Webb is UAB's leading rusher with 202 yards in losses against Tulsa and FAU.

In order to simulate a multi-faceted quarterback, UT's scout team has turned to freshman receiver E.J. Abrams-Ward, who played some quarterback in high school.

"He's identical to the (UAB) quarterback we'll be facing as far as his size and his athletic ability," Brown said. "E.J. can throw it around a little bit too, so he's giving us some really good looks."

Abrams-Ward will continue running the scout team offense for most of the coming month. Tebow is up next.

Caldwell's Call: Defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell said UT's defensive front was as disruptive as it has been in recent memory for most of the game against UCLA.

"Even though we did not get to the quarterback and get sacks, we had people laying around his feet all the time," Caldwell said. "That helped get the four picks in the first half."

Caldwell said he was particularly pleased with starters Robert Ayers and Wes Brown. He said backup sophomores Chris Walker and Ben Martin need to continue too improve.

Martin is continuing to work on his pad leverage and footwork.

"They're hard to work on (during the season), but they're things you have to focus on," Martin said. "It's one thing to do it right in practice.

"Then you have to make it carryover to the game. To stay focused on the small things in the game is one of the hard things, with all the emotions."

As for Walker, he just wants to play more aggressive.

"I think I was kind of timid," Walker said, recalling his play against the Bruins. "It was my first time being out there in the college football atmosphere (at defensive end).

"I felt like the first couple of series I was in, I felt like I was feeling my way around a little bit. After I got going, I felt like I played a little bit better."

Walker had one sack against UCLA. Martin had none.

"Chris and Ben have got to improve," Caldwell said.

Caldwell said he expects freshman Willie Bohannon to play soon, and possibly freshman Steven Fowlkes.

Braced: Quarterback Jonathan Crompton was wearing a brace on his right ankle during a media availability.

"Oh yeah, ankle's fine," the junior said when asked about it.

Crompton has been dealing with soreness in the joint for much of preseason practice. The injury is not thought to be serious.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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