Quotes from training camp

Not impressed with the singing ability of their new players, RGM said:
"They're terrible. They're not very good singers."

HA Note: "For first-year Warriors, acceptance is not measured in 40-yard times or bench-press totals. The way to a team's heart is through the vocal cords. In what has become an annual tradition, rookies are asked to stand in the middle of the campus dining room — in front of teammates and other UH students — and sing."


About singing in front of his teammates and other students, Le'Marcus Gibson said:
"The thing is you can't be scared doing it. You get up there, do what you have to do, and get down as quick as possible. And hope you don't get booed." (HA)


About the reaction most of the singers get, Adam Leonard said:
"Almost all of them got booed." (HA)


About their singers, RGM said:
"They pretty much suck. I give them credit for trying. They have to stand in the middle of the cafeteria with all of the regular students watching. It's all in fun." (A)


About how he and Michael Lafaele are in charge of selecting the singers, Colt said:
"Now that they know they have to sing at lunch time, they've been ducking lunch. The veterans are really good about it. We try not to make it as embarrassing as possible." (HA)


About how he starts singing to help people who have stage fright, Colt said:
"We're a team. The veteran guys are there to help." (HA)


Chris Leatigaga, who was praised for his singing of Nate Dogg's "Never Leave Me Alone", said:
"It was pretty fun." (HA)


About the pillow fight tournament that their newcomers get into, with Austin Hansen the big loser, Leatigaga said:
"Singing, is easier." (HA)


About the "stinger" he suffered in his shoulder that kept him out of practice yesterday, Blaze said:
"Every year I get this. It feels like nothing." (HA)

"Every year I get this. It's nothing, whatevers. The trainers will decide (when he returns). But I can be back tomorrow. I had this all through high school." (HSB)


LB Coach Cal Lee said that another player's helmet knocked Blaze's shoulder out of place:
"He had it last spring, too. It's one of those things. I'm going to work on getting him a larger set of shoulder pads. But he likes the small ones, for speed." (HSB)

HA Note: "Center John Estes, who is suffering from a sprained left elbow, participated in walk-through and technical drills, but not in any scrimmages. Estes said he does not expect to resume full training until at least Saturday. Offensive lineman Laupepa Letuli has a pulled right hamstring. He won't resume contact drills until next week."


About how punter Tim Grasso will serve as his holder, kicker Dan Kelly said:
"We can go on the side, and have three hours to work on our snap and hold. There's more time to practice as a unit." (HA)


Grasso, who was an All-State WR in high school, said about holding:
"It seems like it's easy for me to catch the ball and get it down. Jake (Ingram) is a really good snapper, and it makes it easier when you have a really good snapper. All I have to do is catch it, get the laces out and hold it correctly." (HA)

HA Note: "In his main job, Grasso is averaging 4.4 seconds of hang time per punt. Briton Forester, meanwhile, is competing at punter and kicker."


About punting and kicking, Forester said:
"The punter needs more flexibility and eye coordination with the ball, dropping it properly in the same place every time. (Place-)kicking is hitting the ball in the right spot. Consistency is everything." (HA)


Kelly has still been having his kickoffs reach the end zone, despite the kickoffs starting 5 yards further back this year, which can be partly attributed to the 17 pounds he gained since the end of last season, saying the reason he worked on his lower body strength:
"I want more height and power on my kicks." (HA)


About how he kept missing his FGs in practice yesterday, pushing them wide right, Kelly said:
"It was the first day live, so I was just trying to get my feet under me. I know I'll kick better (today)." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Backup Briton Forester fared better, knocking one wobbly kick through the uprights before blasting one down the middle that drew some oohs and aahs. The kickers took turns kicking from roughly 35 yards. After Forester made two in a row, Kelly missed two more attempts, prompting receiver Ryan Grice-Mullins, who was sitting at midfield stretching, to yell, "Hey Kelly, between the posts." "


About how their starting CBs Newberry and Lewis are now their outside kick blockers, JR (who is in charge of the kick blocking unit) said:
"You need guys with quickness, the ability to turn, and some want-to." (HA)


Newberry said that the key to block kicks is to get low and aim for:
"where the ball is going to end up and not at the kicker's foot." (HA)


Lewis said that his kick blocking assignment is to:
"put my body on the line. It's risky but it's for the team." (HA)


About Newberry and Lewis, who are both 5'8", JR said:
"They have great quickness. And when you ask them to get low, they don't have too far to go." (HA)


Freshman Joey Lipp was surprised at all of the reps he got yesterday, saying:
"Today was kind of a surprise. I felt like I made some good calls, but there's still a lot to learn. One or two snaps early-on were high, but (No. 2 quarterback Tyler) Graunke helped me fix it." (HSB)