Quotes about the DTs losing weight in the offseason

After going from 336 in the spring to 298 at the start of fall camp, Rocky Savaiigaea said about his diet:
"I felt grouchy, you could feel it hit you. It was like a food withdrawal." (HSB)


About going from 335 going into the summer to 295 now, Keala Watson said about his diet:
"Oh yeah, it was brutal." (HSB)

HSB Note: "It's all part of a master plan to get the linemen attuned to Greg McMackin's new 4-3 defensive scheme this season, which requires the bangers to rely as much on quickness as strength.

So coach June Jones challenged the linemen (mostly defensive, with some O-linemen mixed in) to keep to the Atkins plan over the whole summer -- eliminating all carb intake -- while maintaining their strict workout regimen of running with trainer Mel deLaura."


About how they needed smaller, quicker linemen after switching to the 4-3, JR said:
"You need bigger bodies in (last year's) two-gap system. In the one-gap (4-3) system, you gotta be up the field, you gotta be able to run. Those guys did a great job of pushing themselves away from the rice and the poi this summer, and eating better. In the long run, it's better for them health-wise." (HSB)


About how all of the DTs struggled losing the weight, Savaiigaea said:
"All of us, even like me and 'Ala had headaches. It was something I never felt; I'd never been so tired. I would sleep and I'd still be tired when I get up. It was just like, a real big change." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Savaiigaea's mother put the rest of the family on the Atkins plan to support her son. That, combined with regular pickup basketball games, helped the sophomore get through the adjustment period."


About how they didn't want to let their fellow DTs down, Watson said:
"It was hard to get away from the variety of food that we're used to eating, here in Hawaii, and to find the energy to come out here (to the practice field). But it was good that a lot of us were on it, so that we just kept pushing each other, and seeing each other every day, asking each other how we were doing and just motivating each other to keep going and lose the weight." (HSB)


About playing without just relying on brute force, Watson said:
"I'm used to throwing my weight around, but now I don't have as much weight to play with so I plan on using other techniques. It's just lower pad level and coming off the ball quicker." (HSB)


About how the DTs are near their optimum weight now, Watson said:
"The conditioning is like a walk in the park now. I'm not carrying 40 pounds of extra luggage around. It's a lot easier to go over plays and a lot easier to remember your assignments when you're not huffing and puffing." (HSB)