Wednesday, April 30, 2008

KGMB interview of several NFL-bound Warriors

About losing his last college football game, Colt said:
"You know Peyton Manning got destroyed for his last football game in his college career, but that doesn’t make him any less of a quarterback in the NFL. He’s still regarded as one of the best and I think that’s what Washington saw and I think that’s what made the decision a good choice and I’m going to live up to the pick definitely." (KGMB)

About how Miami has new management now, Bess said:
“Coach Parcels is there, and I know he’s cleaning house. He means business so I can see that program is definitely on the rise." (KGMB)

About not being drafted, RGM said:
“When I got to Hawaii I had to work to get a job and you know win that job that I did so, it’s the same thing now." (KGMB)

About choosing to go to Tennessee, Jason Rivers said:
“Maybe the past 2 years watching Vince Young and the offense struggle. I always felt like I was someone who could contribute to a team winning." (KGMB)

Sugar Bowl reps are happy with UH fans

About how the Sugar Bowl rep was happy with the way the UH fans traveled to New Orleans, Karl Benson said:
"I think he was joking, but, seriously, they were very happy with the Hawai'i turnout. Both the Sugar Bowl and Fox were very happy with what Hawai'i brought to the game." (HA)

HA Note: "A Sugar Bowl representative told members of the Bowl Championship Series yesterday that he isn't sure all the Hawai'i fans have left New Orleans yet. " 'There may still be some (Warriors' fans) on Bourbon Street,' they said," recounted Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson, who is attending the annual meetings that wind up in Hollywood, Fla. today."

About the Sugar Bowl, Paul J. Hoolahan, Sugar Bowl CEO, said:
"we were absolutely delighted with the turnout." (HA)

HA Note: "Hoolahan said it has been difficult to tab the number of Hawai'i fans — both those from the Islands and Mainland — who attended the game but said estimates of 15,000 to 20,000 "are about right." There had been fears entering the game that Hawai'i would have scant representation, so much that UH took 4,000 tickets less than the full 17,500 initial allotment."

HA Note: "The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau has said the two biggest post-Katrina passenger days at Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport were the day following the Sugar Bowl (18,000) and the Tuesday after the BCS Championship game (19,000)."

About how UH's appearance in the Sugar Bowl was extremely positive, Benson said:
"I think the reaction from both Fox and the Sugar Bowl is that leading up to the kickoff was a home run. And the outcome of the game certainly didn't do anything to diminish that impact Hawai'i had on the Sugar Bowl." (HA)

Despite the 17% drop in ratings from the previous New Year's game (BSU vs. Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl), Dan Bell, Fox VP for communications, said:
"We are pleased with the rating because the Sugar Bowl helped us dominate all other television competition that night." (HA)

HA Note; "Fox said the Sugar Bowl and its pre-game show combined for a 12 percent win over second-place NBC in the "key" adults age 18-to-49 demographic."

Sugar Bowl spokesman Duane Lewis said that the Sugar Bowl rating was:
"a very solid rating. Given the fact that the game was lopsided, it was still a good number." (HA)

About how UH and BSU were featured by Fox, Benson said:
"Hawai'i and Boise State had prominent parts in Fox's media presentation (yesterday)." (HA)

HA Noet: "The WAC has been touting its consecutive appearances in the BCS as the only non-BCS signatory to manage the feat with "Back to Back" T-shirts featuring UH and Boise State logos mailed out to national media."

Touting Fresno State this year, Benson said:
"we had Boise in the Fiesta Bowl, Hawai'i in the Sugar Bowl, so why not Fresno State in the Orange Bowl this season?" (HA)

Colt received the Jack Bonham Award

About how Colt is a good fit with Washington and Zorn, Mack said:
"Jim Zorn was a left-handed guy who wasn't supposed to play for Seattle and he and Colt are a lot alike. Nobody thinks Colt can make it but I know he's their third quarterback and they're taking three and he will be able to coach him. ... It's a perfect fit. It's a lot like Tom Brady. Lots of times you just have to get in the right situation. People are disappointed because he went so low (in the draft), but I'm excited for him because he's in a situation where he's going to be successful." (HA)

HA Note: "McMackin, who worked with Washington head coach Jim Zorn at Seattle, has no fear about the future of his former quarterback. Brennan graduated in December — an accomplishment McMackin emphasized was "a big deal to him" — after "lighting the fire" to lift the Warriors to a perfect regular season and into the Allstate Sugar Bowl."


About Colt graduating from UH, Mack said:
"Graduating was very important to him." (HSB)

HA Note: "The award began in 1974 to honor the late assistant athletic director. It is given annually to the top female and male senior student-athlete who "best exemplifies the ideals for which Jack Bonham stood in the areas of athletic excellence, academic achievement, public service, leadership and character." The announcement came at the Scholar-Athlete Dinner, which honored 162 student-athletes who earned a grade point average of at least 3.0 this school year. That was 27 more than last year and included Tara Hittle twice — in volleyball and basketball, earning top team scholar-athlete for basketball."

HSB Note: "Brennan, who set or tied 31 NCAA records, returned to UH for his senior year and led the Warriors to a 12-0 regular season record and unprecedented appearance in a BCS bowl game. He also graduated with a 3.12 grade point average last December -- despite increasing time-consuming celebrity, statewide and nationally."

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Random Warrior Quotes

About having to cut 31 Warriors, Mack said:
"It's a tough thing. You're dealing with people's dreams." (HA)

HA Note: "The dream will end or, at best, be postponed for 31 University of Hawai'i football players. Head coach Greg McMackin said he needs to reduce the roster to make room for recruits and "preferred" non-scholarship players who will join the Warriors this summer." (HA)

About how players who are cut and not added to the roster will have a chance to try out for the Warriors next year if they do not transfer, Mack said:
"They need to find out what they need to work on to make the team." (HA)

Mack said that being cut does not have:
"to be a forever thing." (HA)

HA Note: "Daniel Libre was once one of the players cut after spring practice. Libre worked his way back, and now he is listed as the co-No. 1 running back."

About having so much depth that they have to cut some good players, Mack said:
"We've reached a point where it's very competitive. We have a lot of talent. Unfortunately, we can't keep everybody. It's not P.E. football." (HA)

About how Inoke and Tyler are "competely slashed" (tied) as #1 QB, Mack said:
"They are sliced. Nobody is ahead." (HA)

HA Note: "Junior college quarterbacks Brent Rausch and Greg Alexander join the team in August. Both will have a fair chance to compete for the starting job. McMackin said a No. 1 quarterback should be apparent after two weeks of training camp. McMackin said he does not plan to rotate quarterbacks during games."

About his invitation to compete in the Jets' rookie mini-camp, Karl Noa said:
"Oh, man, I'm looking forward to the opportunity. I'm glad I have a chance to do something." (HA)

HA Note: "Noa started every UH game at right defensive end last season. He was an outside linebacker in 2006, when the Warriors were in a 3-4 defensive alignment. Noa, who is 6 feet 4 and 250 pounds, competed at the April 1 Pro Day in Carson, Calif. He ran 40 yards in 4.79 seconds, bench pressed 225 pounds 29 times, and had a vertical jump of 36 inches and broad jump of 10 feet, 1 inch."

About how he wasn't expecting to be drafted, Noa said:
"To be honest, I didn't think I would get drafted. I was hoping to get a call (after the draft). I was trying to stay positive. (Yesterday) morning I was fortunate to get a call. I'm happy and grateful to have an opportunity." (HA)


About Bess, his agent Kenny Zuckerman said:
“He’s a slot receiver with hands of glue." (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

SFSS Note: "After not taking any receivers with their nine draft picks, Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland agreed to terms with 5-9 receiver Davone Bess of Hawaii, a Wes Welker clone who had 108 catches for 1,266 yards with 12 touchdowns this season."

Monday, April 28, 2008

Colt was drafted, other Warriors sign free agent deals

About being drafted by Washington, Colt said:
"It really is a great situation. I really like the coach they have, and they're bringing in the West Coast system. I definitely have experience with that offense. I'm really excited about that." (HA)

"I was hoping to be a high draft pick just because of the success I had. But as I went through the draft process, I went through a lot of adversity. I really started thinking I may not even get drafted, so to get the phone call to hear the Washington Redskins, you have no idea of the feeling." (HSB)

After not being drafted in the first 5 rounds, Colt said:
"I was sitting there pretty bummed. Then all of a sudden I got a strange area code (on caller ID) and picked it up. Sure enough, it was, 'Hold on, Colt, would you move to the Washington D.C. area?' I was like, 'Yeah.' He said, 'Hold on, we're going to punch you through to coach (Jim) Zorn and the (general manager).' It was an awesome feeling, a really good feeling." (HA)

HA Note: "Brennan and more than 20 family members and friends had gathered at a rented beach house on Balboa Island yesterday. They raised a Hawaiian flag."

About how they celebrated after he was picked, Colt said:
"When (the selection was) announced, my whole family went nuts." (HA)

About his drop in the draft due to the questions critics had about him, Colt said:
"The way it kept being described to me, the closer you get to the draft, the more conservative everybody gets. Unfortunately, I came with a lot of question marks because of the (offensive) system I played in and the conference I played in, to obviously my situation at Colorado (when a dormitory incident led to a seven-day jail sentence), to obviously my hip injury. With all of those question marks, when you compare it to a guy like (USC's John David) Booty or (Michigan's Chad) Henne who don't have any of those question marks, it's just one of those things." (HA)

About having Jim Zorn as his new coach, who played QB in the NFL, Colt said:
"It's obviously cool. June Jones being my coach in college, I think that's a big reason we had a lot of success." (HSB)

About how he has to let his hip heal instead of trying to push through the injury, Colt said:
"One thing the doctors stressed is don't push too fast, give it time to heal. I'm feeling great. In a couple of weeks I'll be 100 percent. But I'm excited. Everyone's telling me (Washington is) a great place, and I've heard the fans are great." (HSB)

About Washington, Colt said:
"They're bringing me in to develop me and that's fine with me. I'm going to compete to move up the depth chart. I know that Jason Campbell's a great quarterback. I'm going to be ready for whatever the team needs me to do. I'm ready to work." (HSB)

About how the situation is Washington is ideal for Colt, Washington VP Vinny Cerrato said:
"I think he's coming into a perfect situation for him. There's no pressure. We've got a quarterback (Jason Campbell). We've got an outstanding backup quarterback in Todd Collins. And he's got time to learn. He's got time to develop. We said in the draft we were going to look for a guy we can develop, and I think this is a guy that Jim (Zorn) will enjoy developing, and we wanted to develop." (HA)

"We've got an outstanding person to coach him and teach him. Jim Zorn will be just what the doctor ordered for him. There's no pressure -- he's got time to learn and develop. He's done a ton of things. He's had a lot of success. You can't discount all the victories and all the touchdowns." (HSB)

HA Note: "Zorn knows something of Brennan's situation. He came from an off-the-marquee school (Cal Poly Pomona) as an undrafted free agent with less than eye-popping "measurables" (6 feet 2 and 200 pounds) 30 years ago and carved out a remarkable 12-year playing career in the NFL that has led to a marquee head coaching job. Less than three months into his Washington tenure, Zorn has sized up and taken a flier on Brennan who is, for the time being, "his" quarterback to mold. Somebody the Redskins have the luxury of developing while not having to rush into action."

About the importance of accuracy by a QB in his offense, Zorn said:
"The thing that I look for, one of the strong suits of a QB, is can he hit what he's throwing at? Colt has done that. He's been a 70 percent passer. Whatever level and whatever type of defense you're going against, to throw 70-plus percent, there's some accuracy there. And he's got the ability to move around. His lateral movement, his ability to get himself in a position to throw the ball after a play breaks down, is tremendous, I think. Hopefully, he'll be able to come in here and do that." (HSB)

Proud of his son, Terry Brennan said:
"We're very happy for Colt." (HA)

About the opportunity he has in Miami, Bess said:
"It's a good situation for me. The punt return and slotback spots are open." (HSB)

HA Note: "In the fifth round, the Dolphins called Bess, saying they would offer him a free-agent deal if he went undrafted. Minutes after the draft ended, Bess' agent was finalizing a pact."

Not regretting his choice to skip his senior season, Bess said:
"I'm good. No regrets at all. One year wouldn't have made a difference." (HA)

Bess said that getting a shot to compete in an NFL camp:
"that's the main thing. I've jumped over 100 hurdles my whole life. What's one more? This is the profession I chose to go into. It's a business. I have to put the hard work in." (HA)

HA Note: "Bess said he will have a chance to compete at inside receiver and punt returner."

About his disappointment at not being drafted, RGM said:
"Definitely. Everyone wants to get drafted, and that's what I expected. But I'm not sulking. The way I look at it, even if you get drafted, you still have to make the team." (HSB)

RGM said that he had:
"no regrets. I made the right decision. You never know with the draft. It's all over, and now I'm ready to go on the field and do what I do." (HA)

Not minding having to go the free-agent route, RGM said:
"When we all came to Hawai'i, nobody knew us. We had to prove ourselves, and make a name for ourselves. We don't stop now. We can't shy away from competing. We know nothing is handed to you — from high school to college to this. It's just another thing." (HA)

About not getting drafted, Rivers said:
"Everything in my life has been hard. I've had to work for it. This is no different. It's kind of silly to think it would be given to me, handed on a silver platter. Even if I were drafted, I'd still have to work for it. This is kind of humbling, and it puts things into perspective." (HA)

Rivers said that the Titans are:
"the best fit for me." (HA)

About how he wasn't expecting to be drafted, Hercules said:
"I wasn't expecting anything. What happens, happens." (HA)

Hercules said that he is:
"excited to play at the next level." (HA)

About Matt Leinart, Colt's former high school teammate and now Hercules' new teammate in Arizona, Hercules said:
"Hopefully, I get the chance to play with another Mater Dei guy." (HA)

HA Note about Bess, RGM, Rivers, and Hercules: "The four leave Thursday for their respective mini camps. Each will receive a signing bonus of up to $10,000."

HA Note: "Meanwhile, right guard Larry Sauafea said he has received inquiries from three teams. He said he expects to receive an offer today. Hawthorne has been in talks with Minnesota and Philadelphia. An offer should come today. Defensive tackle Michael Lafaele and defensive end Amani Purcell still were awaiting word on free-agent offers."

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Quotes from the Warrior Bowl

About how he was relaxed before the Warrior Bowl, Mack said:
"This is the most fun I've had in coaching. I got to watch both Ron Lee and Cal Lee. I was relaxed all day. I took a little swim in the morning. I took a hot tub. I wore my slippers (during the game). It was great." (HA)

"Too bad it isn't like this all the time." (HA)

HA Note: "The tough decisions will come soon enough for the Warriors' first-year head coach and he can thank Inoke Funaki for the biggest one, selecting a No. 1 quarterback. Funaki's two-touchdown passing performance in the Black Team's 24-20 victory assures there will be a big call coming in deciding the starting QB spot for the Aug. 30 season opener at Florida. Funaki completed 12 of 18 passes for 145 yards, galloped 45 yards on two runs and took the Black Team to scores in all three series he worked in the first half to slap an exclamation point on an eye-opening spring. Over the course of the month-long spring session the junior-to-be from Kahuku closed what had been a significant gap with fifth-year senior Tyler Graunke, the heir apparent to Colt Brennan. So much so that they will likely open fall practice even, awaiting the arrival of two junior college transfers."

About how Inoke caught up to Tyler this offseason, Ron Lee said:
"He definitely did (close the gap). He moved around, showed some athleticism and made some plays." (HA)

About how the battle between Tyler and Inoke is close, Rolo said:
"They are tight ... pretty tight." (HA)

HA Note; "That it will be close is testament to the way Funaki took advantage of the opportunities presented this spring. Odd man out last year when Brennan and Graunke got most of the work in the fall, Funaki grew with the expanded workload."

About Inoke's increased reps helped him improve, Rolo said:
"He got over 300 (repetitions) in the spring and I think that really helped." (HA)

HA Note: "Graunke was 10 of 14 for 108 yards and one touchdown but had the the game's lone turnover, an interception."

Praising both Inoke and Tyler, Ron Lee said:
"I thought they both did well." (HA)

About Tyler and Inoke, Mack said:
"Tyler came back (from the interception) to drive us down the field. I'm really happy both of the quarters have come around and Jake (Santos) also showed some things." (HA)

About how Inoke is pressing for the starting QB job, Tyler said:
"I feel like, over the spring, I haven't shown my best. I got to pick up my game and keep improving. I've got to get in the weight room and then get out on the field and have a better chemistry with the guys," he added. "A lot of guys are stepping up." (HA)

About how their winning team in the Warrior Bowl will get steak dinners, Inoke said:
"Yes, steak was on our menu. It was nice to come up with a win." (HA)

HA Note; "The first UH spring game in 10 years matched the Lee brothers — offensive coordinator Ron Lee, who was head coach of the Black, and defensive coordinator Cal Lee, who led the Green."

Asked about the Lee brothers, Inoke joked:
"My favorite Lee? Bruce Lee. Nah. I love 'em both. They're cool guys." (HA)

About how they avoided injury in the game, Ron Lee said:
"We got out of it with nobody getting hurt. To me, that was the plus." (HA)

About how he secretly preferred the green team, Dan Kelly said:
"I like their uniforms better. They had the throwback look I was looking for." (HA)

HA Note: "Everything else was fair game, which explained the game's final scoring play. With the ball at the Black 13, on the right hashmark, Green offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich called for T-Corner. The wideouts aligned on the line of scrimmage, and left tackle Aaron Kia stepped back a yard, making him an eligible receiver. The 280-pound Kia, running at the speed of huff and puff, ran an out pattern. He then hauled in Bryce Kalauokaaea's pass for a touchdown, closing the Green to 24-20 with 5:25 to play. Kia then turned to the more than 9,000 fans on the near sideline — only sportscaster Artie Wilson and team security officer Manny Rezentes sat on the far-sideline stands — and struck an American Gladiator pose. Soon after, Kia became the center of a Green mosh pit."

About how he had never caught a pass or scored a TD before, Kia said:
"Never in my life. Did (the celebration) look good? It was no dance. It was a pose." (HA)

About how he made the play up on Friday night, Rolo (who played in the Arena league) said:
"You see that in arena sometimes. We needed it. It was perfect timing. We told (Kia), when we got off the bus, we were going to use it. He was fired up. It was fun for him. It was a memory he'll always have." (HA)

About the trick play for their final TD, Kalauokaaea said:
"Just a little something up the coaches' sleeve for the Green. Coach Rolo came up with it. We never practiced it. It was a game call. It was good because (Kia) is such a big target." (HA)

About the 27-yard TD pass he caught for the first score in the game, Lane said:
"I went through my reads. I ran a choice route. I either had the out or the post. (The cornerback) gave me the post, so I hit it." (HA)

HA Note: "After the Green closed to 10-7 on Michael Washington's 8-yard pass from Tyler Graunke, the Black upped the cushion to 17-7 on Daniel Lofton's 6-yard touchdown catch. Lofton, the son of Hall of Fame receiver James Lofton, last played at California in 2006. He transferred to UH last summer. While his transcripts were reviewed, he was withheld from practicing most of last season, during which he had to redshirt in accordance with NCAA transfer rules."

About how he hadn't played in game-like conditions for a long time, Daniel Lofton said:
"It was weird to play under the lights. I hadn't done it in a long time." (HA)

About his TD on a shovel pass, where he bounced off two tacklers, Heun said:
"I learned from all of those linebacker days. Give credit to the o-line. They blocked away." (HA)

About the big hit he put on Nasca after Nasca's first catch, Desmond Thomas said:
"It was a cover-3 (defense), and I tried to disguise it a little bit." (HA)

About Thomas' hit, Nasca said:
"I didn't feel him coming at all. I just held on to it." (HA)

About the big hit he took from Dowling after his season catch, Nasca said:
"I knew I was going to get hit, so I figured I might as well catch it. I hope (the catches) help me. We'll see in the next couple of weeks how it goes." (HA)

About eating steak instead of hot dogs (the meal the losers got), Mack said with a smile:
"I'm going on the winning team. I get to pick." (HA)

About the difference between the two meals, Heun said:
"There was a little bit of a wager out there. In the end, we're all one team." (HA)

Praising Dowling, Mack said:
"He's a great player and I'm excited to have him. He's had a great spring and he's going to be a big-time factor for us." (HA)

HA Note: "At 6-foot-3 and 205 spring-loaded pounds, Dowling has the sort of length and athleticism UH has rarely seen at the cornerback position. Playing for the Green Team, Dowling finished with a game-high 3.5 tackles, including two solo tackles and a tackle assist in the first quarter. McMackin pulled his starting defensive units and some of his offensive line starters after the first six plays to give other players time to be evaluated. Dowling added another solo tackle in the final period, bringing down wide receiver Nathaniel Nasca after a 17-yard reception."

About how Dowling has earned a starting spot (big news!), Mack said:
"He's earned a starting spot. He plays low. He does what he's been taught. I think he's a player, and I'm really proud of him." (HA)

Not happy with his performance in the Warrior Bowl, Dowling said:
"I think I could have done better. I think I did good with my technique but I know I can be a lot better. We also had some miscommunication out there." (HA)

"We'll do better in the off-season." (HA)

HA Note: "Dowling was particularly irked at the defensive lapse that resulted in a 13-yard touchdown hookup between Bryce Kalauokaaea and Aaron Kia."


Praising Dowling, Rich Miano said:
"I looked over on the other side and it looked like he was making some plays. It's good to get him in a game situation because he sat out all of last year. He's looked great in practice." (HA)


About how he would have appreciated if they had stopped the clock in the last 2 minutes instead of having the clock run all of the time, Cal Lee said:
"It was fine. The only problem was in the last two minutes. That to me would have been perfect, if it was running time up until the last two minutes. It would have been exciting to have the opportunity to move the ball and use the clock in those situations. That's good practice, not just for the offense but the defense as well." (HA)

Glad that his first Spring Game was over, Sol said:
"It feels like the world is spinning and the lights are blurry and your heart is just beating like crazy. It's really exciting but it's also really nerve-wracking." (HA)


About his INT of a Tyler pass, Kenny Estes said with a laugh:
"I don't know what to say. I think I read the ball, but I was in the right place at the right time, too. All I know is I got a lot of work to do in the offseason." (HSB)

Happy that Dizon was drafted so high, Estes said:
"My brother called me. I was pretty stoked he made it in the second round. Yeah, I did (think he would go that fast). Ever since high school I envisioned him going quick." (HSB)


Not happy with his punting in the Warrior Bowl, Dan Kelly said:
"My punting, on a scale of 1 to 10, was probably a 4." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Grasso, who lurked nearby after observing the game, butted in with a "2!" "

About his missed extra point after the final TD of the game, Kelly said:
"We're going to go 'no comment' on that one. Tonight was just kind of fun, get the kicking involved, because it will be a big part of the team this year." (HSB)

Kelly said that his performance made Grasso look:
"more amazing than he already is." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Right wideout Malcolm Lane boosted the Black squad early with a 27-yard touchdown from Inoke Funaki on the game's opening drive. But he couldn't connect with Funaki again on a deep ball while he was wide open, dropping the pass at about the 10-yard line as the Aloha Stadium crowd groaned. Funaki made up the slack with an eventual 6-yard TD to Daniel Lofton on the same drive."

Declining to talk about his performance in the game, Lane said:
"I don't want to talk about just myself. I'm more happy about the team. There were a lot of questions coming in about our team, how we were going to be. I think we really stepped up to the plate and we showed what we have. And we showed that we're ready to go down to Florida, and we're ready to play, ready to compete." (HSB)

HSB Note: "After being newly inserted in the game, freshman receiver Troy Lauduski hauled in a 55-yard bomb on the run from Kalauokaaea in the final quarter. It was easily the Carlsbad, Calif., native's most impressive play of spring practice, and allowed the Green team to make the score more respectable late."

About how he took advantage of his opportunity in the Warrior Bowl, Troy Lauduski said:
"Every ball that's thrown to you, you gotta catch. Hopefully (after that) they give me a good look. I still got a lot of eligibility, so maybe end up redshirting this year. A lot of time here." (HSB)

Happy with how things went this Spring, Mack said:
"We've had a whirlwind few months, but it's been great. The base has been built, Everybody has been so supportive. It was a great turnout tonight that these guys appreciate. They've worked hard this spring to improve. I'm the appreciative one because this has been a blessing to me." (HSB)

About the difference in the meals between winning and losing teams, Inoke said:
"We get to eat steak, they get hot dogs." (HSB)

About how the rules of the game made it easier for his offense, Ron Lee said:
"The defenses made it kind of easy on us. They didn't blitz and were playing base." (HSB)

About the effect of the crowd on the players, Mack said:
"It's amazing how that affects players. When we come home from Florida (after the Aug. 30 season opener), it's important we have 50,000 people here. The players play for the fans." (HSB)

HSB Note: "In the here and now of it, junior quarterback Inoke Funaki upped his stock in the competition to be the starter for UH. The historical part is that he did it by beating a defense coached by the same man who led the opposition nearly eight years ago during Funaki's brightest athletic moment. In 2000, Funaki quarterbacked Kahuku past Saint Louis 26-20 in a landmark game that ended the Crusaders' stranglehold on Hawaii high school football's championship hardware. The opposing coach? Current UH defensive coordinator Cal Lee, who coached the Green team last night."

About how he's never forgotten Inoke's play in the state championship game, Cal Lee said:
"I always remember him in that game. How can I not remember? He killed me." (HSB)

About that State title, Inoke said:
"Good memories for me." (HSB)

HSB Note: "After senior season at Kahuku, two years on a religious mission and three more years on the UH bench, Funaki is on the cusp of creating memories at Aloha Stadium again. The 10,000 on hand last night may have gotten a preview. Granted, Cal Lee's defense would've been harder to beat last night with linebackers Adam Leonard and Blaze Soares in the game and blitzing and sacking allowed. But Funaki displayed the skills that made June Jones recruit him all those years ago -- and then some."

Praising Inoke, Cal Lee said:
"He's a threat, but you can't touch him, so you don't have anybody on him. But he looks like he hasn't missed a beat (running the ball). Man, he looked good taking off. He still runs as good as I've seen him and now he's more polished (as a passer)." (HSB)

Praising Inoke when asked if Inoke had pulled ahead of Tyler, Ron Lee said:
"I like what Funaki has done. He had a good spring. But there's a lot of time. We're not there yet." (HSB)

About how he made some mistakes on reads in the game, Inoke said:
"There's some good positive things I know I did. Unfortunately, the ones that stick in my head are the errors that I made. Hopefully I can just work to try to improve it." (HSB)

About how his main concern was to avoid injuries in the game, Cal Lee said:
"My goal was making sure everyone comes out healthy and they did. Hawaii won, that's the main thing. When you put it all together, the guys that can play together, you've got a pretty good group I'd face anybody with." (HSB)

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Spring Quotes from the local papers

About he came up with the idea to have the Lee brothers face off in the Warrior Bowl, Mack said:
"It seemed like a natural to me. They're both coordinators. They're both well known in the state. I thought it would build more interest, and get more people excited." (HA)

About how he cannot remember the last time he had a fight with his brother, Ron Lee said:
"If we had any disagreements, it was probably about football. But nothing big." (HA)


About his friendship with his brother, Cal Lee said:
"We're close. We're best-friend-kind-of stuff. I want the best for him. He wants the best for me." (HA)

HA Note: "Both attended the same college, and they coached together at Kaiser High School and then Saint Louis School. They built Saint Louis into the most dominant football program in Hawai'i history. During the 1990s, they also worked together at the Outrigger Hotel's Main Showroom."

About how he's worked with his brother for so long, Cal Lee said:
"I probably see him more than I see my wife." (HA)

Their father Thomas Lee said about Cal and Ron:
"I don't want to show any favoritism. I love them both. They're both good boys. No black sheep in the family." (HA)

About how he and his wife spent most of their time cheering on their 3 sons (Tommy Lee Jr. recently retired as Montana Western's head coach), Thomas Lee said:
"I never had a social life. All of my life was with my boys. Take one there. Pick one up. Back and forth. My life was running around. But I'm not sorry. I love it. We give the TV a rest. We go to football." (HA)

HA Note: "Thomas Lee has attended UH football games for several decades. He remembered paying 80 cents for an end-zone seat at Honolulu Stadium."

Thomas said that he and his group of friends are:
"regulars at Aloha Stadium. We go early and stay late. We avoid the traffic. I enjoy that. I have a good life. I'm so blessed. I thank the Lord every day to be blessed with three good boys." (HA)

Asked how long the Black team's QB will be in the shotgun, Ron Lee aid:
"It depends on how long (Green pass-rusher) John Fonoti plays. Our plan is to run away from John." (HA)

Praising Brashton Satele's performance this Spring, Ron Lee said:
"He's going to be outstanding. "Looking at our (video) cutups, what he's doing against (the offense), wow, he might be having the best spring of them all." (HA)

HA Note: "Lee said that Kiesel-Kauhane, who benches a team-high 455 pounds, and C.J. Allen-Jones, who moved from outside linebacker, are quick off-the-perimeter rushers."

Praising the progress Tyler has made, Rolo said:
"Tyler has bought in the last few days. He's made a lot of improvements. He ended the spring with his two best practices." (HA)

About how he's learned a lot this Spring Practice, Tyler said:
"It's been a good spring. There's been a lot of learning, and a lot of changes, obviously. We want to end it good, end it right. It doesn't matter who wins — even though the Green is going to win — we're going to have fun out there." (HA)

About Dowling, George Lumpkin said:
"He's going to be a corner. He's a big corner, but he has the ability to stay low. I don't think we've had a guy that tall who can do what he can do. He has great feet." (HA)

About Lolotai, Lumpkin said:
"He's our only middle [LB]. He's all we need." (HA)

About how he doesn't have a backup on his team, Lolotai said:
"I actually don't have any backup, so I'll be digging deep. It should be good, but it will be tough. There's a lot of guys without backups." (HSB)

HA Note: "Kelly will finally get to show off his full menu of skills. He doubles as the punter. He has been receiving tips from Tim Grasso, last year's punter, who is visiting this week. Grasso has earned enough credits to spend the spring semester in his native Utah, where he is a junior-varsity baseball coach. Grasso reports to training camp in August."

About how Inoke and Tyler are close in their battle for the #1 spot, Rolo said:
"They're very close. Both could probably use a little of each other. Tyler's the gunslinger, a little reckless sometimes. Inoke's conservative on his reads." (HSB)


HSB Note: "Walk-on cornerback MacArthur Cheek probably needs a monster game to avoid being cut, but the effervescent sophomore from New Haven, Conn., has the right attitude."

Looking forward to his chance to play in the Warrior Bowl, MacArthur Cheek said:
"I came out here last year, wanted to do something different, a new experience. This game is an opportunity to shine and show I can play. I've had the chance to learn some technique this spring. High school football was just run around and play." (HSB)

Asked what he will do if he gets cut, Cheek said:
"Just dust yourself off and try again. I'll have 10 months to work hard and give it a go again." (HSB)

Colt update from before the draft

About how he will be playing golf today during the draft, Colt said:
"I'll get up and play golf." (HA)

Not bothered by the uncertainty over his draft prospects, Colt said:
"We're preparing for the worst. Even if I don't get picked, and same with my receivers, we're still going to be in NFL uniforms this summer, with the opportunity to live out what we've been dreaming about our whole lives." (HSB)

About how he's used to being an underdog, Colt said:
"There's always parity in life. Guys get drafted early, they get a lot of money and all that, but sometimes they lose their intensity and their motivation and passion. For me, I've always been that underdog and in a funny way that's comforting for me. Because I know I'll always have something to prove and always have that passion." (HSB)

HA Note: "His family has rented a beach house on Balboa Island. He said his weekend plans include fishing and, most likely, a barbecue. Chicken, steak. fresh corn. "My dad loves corn," Brennan said. After amassing the best statistical season by a quarterback in NCAA history in 2006 — a formula that factors yards, touchdown passes, interceptions and accuracy — it was projected that Brennan, if he applied for the 2007 draft, might be a top-10 selection. More than a year later — and after finishing third in the 2007 Heisman voting — Brennan's stock has fallen dramatically. Where he will be selected has drawn diverse opinions."

Colt said that the Sugar Bowl loss was:
"devastating, in a sense. I remember people telling me, 'the most important thing right now is to win this game. This will be the first big step.' We didn't win the game." (HA)

"Our goal was 12-0. And I think, looking back on it, we forgot about our last game." (HSB)

"Peyton Manning's last college game, he got destroyed by Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, with career lows in all his stats. But he still was the No. 1 pick in the draft." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The difference is Manning was on national TV many previous times, playing for Tennessee."

HA Note: "A week before the Senior Bowl, Brennan suffered flu-like symptoms. He lost several pounds, and weighed in at 185 pounds. At nearly 6 feet 3, Brennan, the scouts had hoped, would have weighed at least 200. He also suffered a small tear in the labrum near his right hip, an injury that eventually would require surgery. And, for many, that is where the story ended. Two months later, some self-styled draft experts still reported that Brennan weighed 185."

About how his critics came out after the Senior Bowl weigh-in, Colt said:
"People wanted to get on the bandwagon that 'Colt isn't that good.' " (HA)

Colt said that the criticism:
"could easily be dispelled and looked in a truthful perception." (HA)

HA Note: "For instance, Brennan played well enough in the Senior Bowl practices to be voted, by his teammates, as a game captain. He was named a starter. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he was the only quarterback credited with a perfect score — 21 of 21 — in the passing drills. Three of his completions were for more than 40 yards. In his three-year UH career, in fact, Brennan completed better than 50 percent of his deep passes (that traveled more than 20 yards in the air from the line of scrimmage). Because he took at least a three-step drop out of the shotgun, his deep passes traveled at least 27 yards. The UH goal is to complete a third of those passes. Brennan weighed 207 at the combine and 218 at the April 1 Pro Day workout. Brennan underwent successful labrum surgery March 6. Before the procedure, he had difficulty sitting for long periods. After the surgery, those symptoms were gone."

About the criticism that he cannot play in bad weather, Colt said:
"They look at me as a kid from Southern California who played in Hawaii. But in many ways I have the best resume of any quarterback. I've been all over the country, played in snow in Boston (at prep school) and Colorado, been in all kinds of offenses against all kinds of competition. The bottom line always turned out at the end that we won a lot of games and I ended the season one of the top quarterbacks." (HSB)

Colt said that his post-rehab plan is:
"to work my butt off. ... I'll be an absolute animal. If they want a big ol' quarterback who can bring it, that's what they'll get." (HA)

About his future plans, Colt said:
"All I can do, is go on the field and have success." (HA)

HA Note: "Not since Larry Arnold in 1969 has a UH player been drafted to specifically play quarterback in the NFL. That his selection came in the 12th round by the Los Angeles Rams hints at how long ago that was."

HA Note: "A program that has been at or near the top in passing statistics for nearly a decade shouldn't require that kind of validation. But it does. UH needs a living, breathing symbol of its passing game in the NFL. It needs one people can see front and center on Sundays. Somebody, who, when they do those Monday Night Football lineups, can say, "quarterback ... the University of Hawai'i." Somebody, for example, that can catch the eye of prospective recruits. A "name" that confers the stamp of recognition and authentication."


Hoping that he and his WRs will prove themselves in the NFL, Colt said:
"Time will tell. Five years from now, hopefully Jason, Ryan, Davone and I will all be doing our thing in the NFL and everything that we did at Hawaii will be confirmed. That's a big motivation for us." (HSB)

Friday, April 25, 2008

Spring Practice Quotes from the local papers

Hoping to get the crowd involved with the ha'a, Mack said:
"We're working to get the band and cheerleaders involved,. We want to get a chant for the fans to do. We want to get as many people involved." (HA)

HA Note: "In 2006 the Warriors began performing the haka, a Maori chant, at the end of pre-game warm-ups. Last year, defensive tackle Keala Watson, linebacker Brad Kalilimoku and nickelback Guyton Galdeira created their version of the ha'a, which is chanted in Hawaiian. McMackin, who was hired as June Jones' successor in January, decided the ha'a was a practice he wanted to continue."

About continuing the ha'a, Mack said:
"There's no reason to change something that's known all over the country. It's a cultural thing. It shows passion. It shows togetherness. And it gets (the players) jacked up for the game. It's the culture of our state." (HA)

HA Note: "At the end of yesterday's final practice before the intrasquad Warrior Bowl tomorrow, the Black and Green teams dueled in a chant-off. The Black team, led by Watson, performed the ha'a, concluding with several players leaping toward the Green team. The Green team then tried to perform the haka, but they were repeatedly heckled. Members of the Black team yelled that the Green players did not know the words to the haka. "He's Filipino!" they yelled at defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea, who served as the Green team's conductor. Savaiigaea is of Samoan, Filipino, Chinese, Spanish and German ancestry."

About the Green team, Black team safety Keao Monteilh said:
"They were making up their own words. The guy leading the haka wasn't even Maori. He's Samoan/Filipino. That doesn't make Maori, not even if you blend it a little. I'm not going to say No. 92's name." (HA)

Laughing, Mouton added:
"That's Rocky. I'll say his name." (HA)

About the heckling from the Black team, Rocky said:
"They tried to mess us up. We've got something for them on Saturday." (HA)

About how they will do the ha'a before the Florida game, Mack said:
"Absolutely. No doubt." (HA)

About how he turned down his nomination to be one of the leaders of the ha'a, Monteilh said:
"My voice cracks when I try to call the defense." (HA)

About how 3 players from the Mainland (Salas, Pollard, LWJ) has asked to be considered to be one of the leaders of the ha'a, Keala Watson said:
"We have a lot of guys who are excited about trying to lead it. One of the main objectives of doing the ha'a is to spread the language. I can say everybody who does the ha'a can speak the Hawaiian language. We want to spread the culture and to honor those who have passed away, and bring back the aloha spirit." (HA)

HA Note: "Quarterback coach Nick Rolovich created a competition in which the quarterbacks had to throw a football into a trash can from various distances and under various conditions. The Black team (Inoke Funaki, Shane Austin and Kiran Kepo'o) outpointed the Green (Tyler Graunke, Jake Santos and Bryce Kalauokaaea), 19-13."

About the competition to throw a football into a trash can, Inoke said:
"It was a good workout." (HA)

About how the drill reminded him of how he worked has as a little kid, Inoke said:
"My father tried to instill in us the importance of hard work. He took us to the farm to dig holes and plant taro and yams. Being a kid, it wasn't the most fun thing to do on a Saturday. I'd rather be at the beach with my friends. Being a kid, I'd slip away. I would look for rocks or make mud balls, and entertain myself by throwing at coconut trees or any target I could find. I liked throwing at objects." (HA)

About how he never killed the pigs on the farm, Inoke said:
"We had pigs (on the farm). I've been told a couple of times to (kill a pig), but I couldn't do it. I held the back legs, maybe. If I grew up in (Tonga), I definitely would do it. My cousins were like, 'Noke, do it.' I'm like, 'No, not yet.' That takes a little more courage for me to do. I can't kill a pig yet. But I'm there to help the others." (HA)

About how game-type conditions like the Warrior Bowl will show them something about their players, Mack said:
"Receivers, for example, can catch it when they know they're not going to get hit, but you want to see who can catch it in a game like this where they know they are gonna get blasted." (HA)

About how Royce Pollard has a shot at the starting job, Ron Lee said:
"I think Royce is competing for a starting spot. Guys like Royce had a great spring. You tell him something once, he gets it done, makes the corrections. Expect him to come back (in the fall) and compete. Last year, he hardly got any reps. He's really stepped up." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The Warrior freshman wideout was born in Hawaii but raised in various places on the mainland because of his parents' military background. Now, he relishes the opportunity he's been granted as a walk-on to make an impact in the overhauled Warrior receiver corps. Pollard was on the scout team last fall and entered spring camp a long shot to compete for playing time against the more experienced Malcolm Lane and Dylan Linkner at "Z" (right-side) receiver."

HSB Note: "Small surprise Pollard ended up on Lee's side of the field; it was Lee, then the receivers coach, who extended an invitation to fall camp Pollard's way last year after noticing him "wandering around campus." "

About what Ron Lee said when he approached him, Pollard said:
"He told me, 'You got some really big hands.' (HSB)

HSB Note: "Moving to the islands was an easy choice to make because of a burning desire to learn more about his Hawaiian heritage. He'd visited briefly in the past, but never stayed long enough to get comfortable. Now, he's making up for lost time. Since enrolling in the fall, Pollard has taken a course in (Hawaiian history). Pollard's mother, Verli-Ann, raised her part-Hawaiian son with local customs in mind. He called myriad places home until Pollard went to live with his dad after finishing the seventh grade. He remained with his African-American father, Anthony, throughout high school, losing touch with that side of the family to a certain extent. That is, until rediscovering his mother's ways with a host of Polynesian Warrior teammates in Manoa."

Enjoying learning about his Hawaiian roots, Pollard said:
"I see how they act, I enjoy it. I see a lot of the Hawaiian attributes I portrayed, even though I wasn't here. Up until seventh grade, I was really living like that, the Hawaiian passion." (HSB)

About how Pollard meshed quickly with the rest of the Warriors, Inoke said:
"His first summer, he'd be out here with his playbook already, running his routes. They say attitude determines altitude. The coaches like the guys who know their plays. I think for him, he's going up from here." (HSB)

About his large extended family in Hawaii, Pollard said:
"Some people probably still don't know I'm their nephew or cousin." (HSB)

About the Black team's gameplan for the Warrior Bowl, Monteilh said:
"Don't say anything but we got a little plan going on. If you see a guy in black on the Green team, something's going on. He's a spy for us." (HSB)

HSB Note: "That would be Inoke Funaki. He's the starting quarterback for the Black in tomorrow's Hawaii spring game at Aloha Stadium. But he's also the holder for both teams. Black coach Ron Lee confirmed Funaki is under orders to botch a potentially decisive Green kick. Call it Operation Tony Romo."

About possibly messing up for the Green team during a kick, Inoke said:
"My hands might get really slippery and the ball might slip out of my hands. Possibly." (HSB)

About how Cal Lee said that if he messed up the hold that Dan Kelly would need to pick up the ball and run, Inoke said:
"That's OK, I'll tackle Kelly. He's pretty fast. But I think I can chase him down. I'll do it for my Black team." (HSB)

Saying that his said will win in a blow out, Monteilh said:
"Just going by our little mock practice, we scored about seven times here just fooling around, so we'll get about 70." (HSB)

Trash talking a little, Cal Lee said:
"The spread? Seventeen." (HSB)

HSB Note: "There was plenty of light-hearted bravado at yesterday's dress rehearsal for Warrior Bowl I: Brother vs. Brother. And the fun and games won't be limited to the kiddie rides at Aloha Stadium's south concourse tomorrow. But there will be some serious stuff, too, since many players will be competing for depth chart position -- or their roster survival.

With the condusion of spring practice, coach Greg McMackin and his staff will evaluate players on the bubble and cut around two dozen to make room for incoming recruits. Some will be brought back once school starts, but McMackin said it is like "cutting their hearts." "

About how they agreed to move their game with Navy from 9/5 to 11/21, JD said:
"We received a request from their athletic director and we made an accommodation for them. It's in our best interest." (HSB)

About filling the last opening in their schedule, JD said:
"We're in discussions about the open dates. The good thing is the first and last games of the season are the easiest to book. But we are getting to the 11th hour to fill the 2009 schedule." (HSB)

About how his comfort level is at an 8 out of 10 for their new offense, Tyler said:
"I'm getting more comfortable every single day. There's no cheap payoff for hard work. There were a lot of new guys to form chemistry with, but we bought into a new system and we're rolling with it." (HSB)

Looking forward to the Warrior Bowl, Tyler said:
"I'm getting ready for a game right now where we're gonna be throwing live bullets. Florida's spring game was on ESPN. we're not at that level, but we're getting there." (HSB)

About how Heun is trying to learn the ha'a and haka, Keala Watson said:
"Jake (Heun) said the only dance he knows is the river dance, but he's picking it up." (HSB)

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Quotes about the new uniforms

About the new uniforms, David Veikune said:
"It looks good. When you feel like you look good, it helps you out a little." (HA)

HA Note: "The uniforms were custom-tailored as part of the eight-year, $4.1 million apparel and marketing deal between UH and Maryland-based Under Armour. The deal goes into effect July 1, although polo shirts will be available for sale at Saturday's Warrior Bowl at Aloha Stadium. The jersey tops are black (home) and white (road) with green short sleeves made with a tapa design and dark-green trim. The pants are black to match the black jerseys and green to go with the white tops. UH head coach Greg McMackin said the pants and jerseys can be mixed and matched."

About how Under Armour will make changes if they want them, Mack said:
"If we want changes, like putting tapa (bands) on the (pants) leg, they're willing to do it. They're going out of their way to help us." (HA)

About his insistence on having "our style of green" (dark forest shade, green #34 and #35) in the uniforms, Mack said:
"There are a lot of different greens. It will be nice to focus on the school's green." (HA)

About how the feel of the uniform is a benefit to them, Mack said:
"Under Armour makes a very comfortable uniform." (HA)

HA Note: "Under Armour, which was founded in 1996, originally created a line of merchandise that was to be used under shirts. The unique material served as both a wind-breaker and sweat absorbing, providing warmth on cold evenings or cooling a sweaty player. Under Armour decided to expand, and now provides uniforms for a handful of college teams. Kevin Haley, senior vice president/sports marketing for Under Armour, said UH's uniforms are expensive because of the blend of materials, and the cut-and-sew process of adding the tapa design."

Haley said that UH's pants will have the:
"cool-smooth feel like the original Under Armour undershirt." (HA)

Asked about "the secret sauce", the fabrics used for the players, Haley said:
"It's not the secret ingredients, but how you put it together, and what the finishes are." (HA)

HA Note: "He said there are several types of liquid finishes, but what matters most is the number of times the fabric is treated."

About the liquid finish of the uniform, Haley said:
"You can dip a fabric one time or five times. At five times, it is much more comfortable against your skin. It depends on what you're trying to achieve. If you're trying to achieve water repellency, it's very different than a cool hand or a wicking that will pull the sweat away from your skin and help it evaporate faster." (HA)

HA Note: "McMackin said he also is pleased with Under Armour's shoes, which are lighter than the Nike cleats the Warriors used last season. Haley said Under Armour has the technology to custom-fit shoes."

About fitting shoes to hard-to-fit player's feet, Haley said:
"Some people have foot problems. We'll take a computer scan of their foot, and build the shoe to that specification." (HA)

About how their new uniforms will give them a competitive advantage, Mack said:
"It's going to help us win games. It keeps you cool when it's warm and warm when it's cool." (HSB)

Praising the new uniforms, Mike Washington said:
"It's like they kept the tradition of the Hawaiian print but they jazzed it up. It's tight." (HSB)

About how the light Under Armour shoes are good for the speed guys like him, Washington said:
"For skill position guys, receivers, DBs, definitely good." (HSB)

About how they targeted UH, Haley said:
"There's a select few programs we have a relationship with. With Hawaii, I think it's a perfect fit. It's a program with a rich heritage, but also with a lot of youth and passion and appeal to the next generation. We didn't find out Hawaii was available until late January. It was not our plan. We didn't think it was available. It was not in our plans or our budget, but it was a once in a lifetime. We reached out from a number of different angles. We're very excited about the opportunity and the partnership." (HSB)

About the Under Amour deal, Associate AD John McNamara said:
"Hawaii and Under Armour were on parallel tracks, moving forward." (HSB)

Spring Practice Quotes from the local papers

About how his hands have to be close together at the start of a block, Ray Hisatake said:
"You've got to keep it tight. You look at Aaron (Kia) and Steiny (Keoni Steinhoff) and they keep their hands really tight in the cradle on their chest. Before, when I'd come out, I'd be out here." (HA)

HA Note: "It was Hisatake's tightening grasp of such technical essentials that made the battle for the starting left tackle spot one of the most intriguing of spring training. With Laupepa Letuli out with a hamstring injury and Raphael Ieru sidelined with a bum ankle, Hisatake made the push for No. 1 a two-man race between himself and fourth-year junior Kia. Both saw significant time with the starting units before Kia emerged as the top option at the position. Still, the palms-close competition proved beneficial to both players."

About Kia beating him out for #1 LT in the Spring, Hisatake said:
"I'm fine with it. Aaron is a great utility guy. He's played all positions, so being behind him is actually a good thing because I get to learn. It's a battle and I work hard every day to try and keep up with him." (HA)

Expecting the competition in the Fall to be tough, Hisatake said:
"Everything is open so I'm still going to battle Kia and no matter where Pepa steps in, I'll battle him, too." (HA)

HA Note: "Despite not playing football in high school — he was a three-time league champion in the shot put — Hisatake proved an intriguing collegiate prospect coming out of the College of San Mateo in California, where he earned second team all-conference honors After biding his time as a redshirt last season, Hisatake quickly made his imposing 6-foot-3, 315-pound presence felt on the UH practice field. Hisatake, who has shown the greatest improvement on his front-side sets, says he'll spend the summer refining the position and use of his head and hands coming off the line."

Comparing football to track and field, Hisatake said:
"Football is a bit easier than track and field. In track, there's a individual mentality. It's completely on you. In football, you're always surrounded by your teammates and you can count on them to have your back." (HA)

HA Note: "Hisatake competed in the Terry Albritton Invitation track and field competition in February, placing first in shot put and second in discus."

Praising Hisatake, Kia said:
"Ray is a good player and he has a lot of talent. He's learned a lot since he's been here and it wasn't easy (to earn the starting spot). It's still not over." (HA)

HA Note: "Kia had expected to compete with Steinhoff for the right tackle position, but says he's happy to remain on the left side, where he has more experience. He says his ability to play both sides is a "win-lose" situation."

About the disadvantage of being able to play multiple positions, Kia said:
"There's a downside because if you're able to play both sides, you're more likely to play both sides instead of staying in one spot. I just want to play hard and not lose this spot. I want to start this year." (HA)

HA Note: "Kia said refining his technique is a perpetual process. Kia said he learned much of what he knows from watching former Warrior tackle Tala Esera and listening carefully to assistant coaches Brian Smith and Alex Gerke."

About how he's still refining his technique, Kia said:
"I don't have it down pat. It's going to take a lot of reps. You can never get too many reps. I'm in no ways sound, but nobody is ever sound. Nobody is ever perfect. I just have to keep working hard at it." (HA)

About how one bad play can ruin an OL's practice or game, Kia said:
"All it takes is one sack and everybody looks at it as a horrible practice or a horrible game, and I look at it the same way, too. I give up one sack and it blows my mind. If I'm the one who gave up the sack, my heart drops and I get pissed off at myself. But when that happens, you have to focus, relax, and concentrate on the next play." (HA)

HA Note: "Kia said the highlight of his spring practice experience was the shuffle play he and his offensive teammates executed to perfection during Saturday's scrimmage. Reacting to the blitz, quarterback Inoke Funake shovel passed the ball forward to Leon Wright-Jackson, who followed his blockers upfield for a big gain."

About that big gain on a shovel pass, Kia said:
"Hell yeah. I didn't get the perfect block on the linebacker, but I got a block and it helped bust it for a good amount of yards. On offense, everybody has to work as one to make something happen. When you do your job and everybody else does their job, it's like 'Yeah, we accomplished something.' " (HA)

About how JJ told him to stay for his senior year if Mack got the UH job, Adam Leonard said:
"Coach Jones had advised me to leave if coach Mac didn't get the job." (HA)

About Adam Leonard deciding to return for his senior year, Cal Lee said:
"I had some sleepless nights (before the decision). But when I heard he was coming back, oh, boy, I'll tell you I slept like a baby." (HA)

About how he can have a great senior year and enhance his draft status, Adam said:
"I know that as good as last year was, this could be so much better. This could be the best year of my career yet." (HA)

About how they have been getting much more coaching attention now that Brian Kajiyama is assigned to work with the special teams specialists, Dan Kelly said:
"Coach Mouse (Davis), he'd be with us, but he never really devoted the entire time to us like Brian. We never had an actual piece of paper charting what we've done. It helps us improve. He gives us the daily workout and we go by it. Jake's velocity and accuracy is improving. And my accuracy is better, too. Today I only missed three (of 32 field goals) from 45 yards. On the first day I missed nine." (HSB)

About how Brian K is a knowledgeable special teams coach, Ingram said:
"He knows what a good get-off time is, what a good snap time is. He's legit. His recording of the times and locations of the snaps really reassures me that they're there. Sometimes when the punter gets the ball, they don't even remember. So with Brian watching I can just look at the paper after and know what I need to work on." (HSB)

About how both Jake Ingram and Dan Kelly have NFL potential and he likes working with them, Brian K said:
"Jake has been doing great. His snaps have been averaging .66 seconds for punts and the NFL average is .67, so he's right there. Kickers are a unique breed, so it's interesting to listen to Kelly talk throughout his workout. He's having a great spring. I still have lots to learn, but it's been neat, and Dan's been teaching me as he's been kicking about what is good form or not." (HSB)

HSB Note: "They practice apart from the rest of the team on the soccer field adjacent to the football field, amid scattered footballs. The three enjoy each other's company."

About Brian K, Dan Kelly said:
"He always has wisecracks, so you have to watch yourself. He listens more than he talks and he'll call you on it if you say something stupid. He can't let it go. He'll give you a look." (HSB)

Inspired by what Brian K does just to get to practice by 7am, Ingram said:
"He wakes up at 4:30 in the morning to be with us. He's unbelievable. Anybody who has anything to complain about, like they're too tired or whatever, turn around and look at him." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Kajiyama said he has read about Doug Blevins, a man with cerebral palsy who coached kickers for the Miami Dolphins for six years. UH coach Greg McMackin said he's very pleased with Kajiyama's work, which also includes running the team's computer center."

Praising Brian K, Mack said:
"He's a gold mine in my estimation. He's an inspiration to everybody and he's been there every morning and late at night. He's dedicated and really making the transition to being a coach." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Kajiyama began appearing at UH football practices as an undergraduate student several years ago. In 2006, UH assistant coach Jeff Reinebold suggested to defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville and head coach June Jones that they put Kajiyama's extensive computer abilities and passion for the game to use. Kajiyama became a volunteer assistant, preparing tape of opposing teams for Warrior players and coaches as a scouting tool. He earned a game ball for helping UH start a nine-game winning streak. Jones promoted him to graduate assistant last spring, and Kajiyama was nominated for the Football Writers Association of America's annual Courage Award."

About how Brian K is helping to improve their team, Mack said:
"This is him helping me prepare these players and doing a great job at it." (HSB)

About the 6'5" Joe Avery, Ron Lee said:
"Size is not the problem. He has got to work on his hands a little more." (HSB)

About how he's trying to improve himself, Avery said:
"Every day I try to find things that I was at flaw at last practice or during the fall. I'm just trying to find ways to (make things perfect)." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Avery is a perfectionist, which is why he's not satisfied with his spring performance. His biggest struggle has been an inconsistency catching the ball, something that hampers a lot of freshman receivers."

About Avery's dropped balls, Ron Lee said:
"Everybody goes through this process where they're learning the routes and have too much on their mind, and (when) the ball comes they drop it. For a redshirt freshman, he has come a long way. What he does in the summer is going to be critical to where he ends up on the depth chart." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Teammate Greg Salas was in the same situation a year ago, and is now one of the guys at the head of the receiving pack. It's one reason Avery looks up to Salas."

About Salas, Avery said:
"He has great hands and that's an aspect about him that I'm going to eventually have to get, too. His athleticism and route-running is almost perfect. I set my standards based off of him because he's obviously a good athlete." (HSB)

About how today's practice will prepare them for the Warrior Bowl, with the Green and Black teams facing each other, Mack said:
"We'll do our individual, 7 on 7, and then we'll split it up and have a mock game and we'll close it with the ha'a." (HSB)

About how he'll have surgery on his injured shoulder and will not practice anymore this Spring, Korey Reynolds said:
"I'm just trying to be careful. Trying to get ready for fall now." (HSB)

About returning to practice after missing several practices due to a tight hamstring, Mike Washington said:
"It's doing better, but I can't sprint on it yet. I tried to plant on it and the pain shot up. I'd say it's about 90 percent." (HSB)

HSB Note: "A reception for all former UH football players is scheduled for today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Lettermen's Club building on lower campus. Refreshments will be served."

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

JJ's contract goes to arbitration

About how the issue of the $400k termination clause is headed for arbitration, JJ's agent Leigh Steinberg said:
"the matter is in the first stages of being submitted to an arbitrator." (HA)

HA Note: "The school is asking Jones to pay liquidated damages of $400,008 — half his annual UH paycheck — for terminating their five-year agreement before its contracted June 30, 2008 expiration date. Jones left UH six days after the Warriors' Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl loss to Georgia to become head coach at Southern Methodist University, where he reportedly more than doubled his annual UH pay of $800,016. A clause in his last UH contract, signed in 2003, provides for $400,008 in liquidated damages "if he terminates this agreement prior to June 30, 2008." Though Jones received $800,016 per year from UH, the school said half of it was paid by donations."

About how they had an agreement with HF to release JJ from his termination clause, Steinberg said:
"We had an explicit agreement with Herman Frazier that, after three years, there would be no penalty if coach Jones were to leave the university. If that were not the case, coach Jones would always honor a contractual obligation." (HA)

HA Note; "UH has claimed that the original contract is unchanged with no record on file allowing an early exit without liquidated damages. Frazier was terminated a day after Jones' departure for SMU and has not been available for comment. Two local attorneys who have reviewed a file copy of the contract but who were not privy to negotiations said that, based upon the contract, they believe UH has a claim on the money.

The contract said Jones was prohibited from accepting employment "under any circumstances as a men's football coach at any institution of higher education which is a member of the NCAA, or for any men's football team participating in any professional league or conference in the United States ..." prior "to the expiration date of the term of this agreement ... without first obtaining a written release or a negotiated settlement."

The contract states that "in the event the university releases coach of his obligations under this agreement, coach shall be responsible for paying to the university liquidated damages ..." "

About how Chancellor Hinshaw turned the matter over to UH's general counsel, the communication director for the Chancellor's Office, Gregg Takayama, said:
"It is out of the chancellor's hands." (HA)

About the contract, Michael F. Nauyokas, Honolulu attorney specializing in mediation, arbitration, and employment and labor law, said:
"it looks like he (Jones) promised to pay the money, now owes it and is past the 60 days due date for payment and is, therefore, in breach." (HA)

About the situation, Jeff Portnoy, Honolulu attorney/radio call-in sports host/Advertiser blogger, said:
"Based upon the contract alone, Jones owes the University $400,008 in liquidated damages for taking another head college coaching job prior to the expiration of his contract on June 30, 2008. The contract does also provide that he could not accept another college coaching job without first receiving a written release from UH, or a negotiated settlement in writing ... But even with a release, he owes the $400,008." (HA)

HA Note: "The issue goes to arbitration because a clause in the contract notes: "Any disputes between (the) university and (the) coach shall be decided in a final and binding arbitration. The parties shall mutually agree to an arbitrator. If no agreement on an arbitrator can be reached, then either party may apply to the first circuit court of the State of Hawai'i for the appointment of an arbitrator. The arbitrator's fee shall be split equally between the parties. Each party shall bear their own attorney's fees and costs." "

Ferd wrote in HA: "What isn't there in the file copy — but Jones' agent Leigh Steinberg maintains was "explicitly" agreed to by Frazier and reaffirmed on several occasions — was a provision whereby if the coach completed the third year of the five-year deal then he could leave without penalty. But because it isn't in the file copy, UH wants the money it says it is has been due since March 7. Steinberg maintains there was an agreement and that such "handshake" deals are common practice in sports."

Ferd wrote in HA: "Ultimately, arbitration will likely decide where the buck stops. But the former administration may have already set both parties up as losers."

Colt is ready for the draft

Asked when he would be selected and by which team, Colt said:
"You really don't know." (HA)

HA Note: "He said his close friend, Matt Leinart, never interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals, who selected the former USC quarterback in the first round. Another friend, Trent Edwards, was drafted by the Buffalo Bills without receiving a personal workout."

About how predictions for him range from the 2nd round to not being drafted at all, Colt said:
"I'm probably more prepared to not be drafted than anyone else. Maybe I have to walk on to an NFL team. If that's what it takes, so be it. It only makes me stronger. Basically, it makes my story that much better down the road." (HA)

About his draft status, Colt said:
"I'm not anxious or anything. I think I'd be way more anxious if I were one of those Matt Ryan-top-15 picks. I know after this weekend, I get to play football. That's always the easiest part." (HA)

About his discomfort the day after his surgery, Colt said:
"If I sat down for a certain time, my leg would get uncomfortable."

Colt said that a few days after that:
"the ailments were gone. Each week, I'm getting better and better." (HA)

HA Note: "He said he rides an exercise bike and does light weight-lifting. He said if all goes well, he hopes to be able to participate in one of the later mini camps. He expects to be 100 percent by July."

About how his family will spend the weekend at a rented beach house, Colt said:
"We'll do some family stuff. Me and my dad will hang out. I won't be one of those guys posted up to the TV, waiting and waiting. I'll take is as a somewhat normal weekend." (HA)

Spring Practice Quotes from the Local Papers

About the benefit that UH got from their Sugar Bowl season, Chancellor Hinshaw said:
"Our successful football season and Sugar Bowl experience created tremendous pride and positive exposure for the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Our challenge is to make this a trend and not just a momentary spike." (HA)

"For example, interest in attending UH-Manoa may be up but we still have far to go to impress potential students and their families who visit our campus because our facilities are suffering from decades of neglected repairs and maintenance. We're working to sustain our 'Manoa Moment' and we'll need our community to help do so." (HA)

HA Note: "When quarterback Doug Flutie led Boston College to an improbable 1984 season, the school reaped a wide array of off-the-field benefits in what became known as the "Flutie Factor." At the University of Hawai'i, the Colt Brennan-led magical 2007 march to the Sugar Bowl is already showing signs of resulting in something of a Brennan Boom, officials say. Fall semester applications are up eight percent, UH Alumni Association memberships have risen 21 percent and football season ticket sales, which are on-going, have climbed steadily, according to the school. In addition, fundraising is rising significantly although, because it coincides with the school's $250 million centennial fundraising campaign, a spokesman said it is difficult to put a precise number on football's contribution to the effort. But there has been no doubting that a 12-1 season that was the school's most successful and earned a No. 17 finish in the USA Today coaches' poll, gave UH an enhanced awareness, not only in the state among alumni and fans, but nationally."

HA Note: "While the student application process for the fall semester is ongoing, Manoa reported 9,872 applications compared with 9,153 last year. It said alumni memberships have risen by 1,354 to 6,770."

About how online fundraising inquiries and contacts increased sharply, UH Director of Communications Gregg Takayama said:
"we just don't have any hard numbers to the degree that they were stimulated by (football)." (HA)

About how he doesn't talk much, Jameel Dowling said:
"I'm here for really two things, that's to get my degree and try to play football to get to the next level. To me, it's more of a business thing, understanding probably because I'm a little older, too. I've been around, and I just basically know why I'm here and what I gotta do. I think that's probably why I'm quiet -- I don't worry about it that much." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Dowling's actions have spoken for him with spring practice in its stretch drive. While splitting time with JoPierre Davis and Calvin Roberts at right corner, he's amassed six interceptions during team drills. His play caught the eye of coach Greg McMackin, who is high on Dowling's amazingly low posture."

Praising Dowling, Mack said:
"Oh yeah, he's gotta play somewhere. He's too good to have on the bench. He's so coachable, and it impresses me that he plays so low, being so tall. The thing is, too, his height takes so much away from people -- they can't get the ball over him. Plus, he's got the speed to run with them (4.4- to 4.5-second 40-yard dash)." (HSB)

Praising Dowling, Monteilh said:
"He gets so low in his back pedal, it's amazing. His technique is so good, and it surprises us because he's so tall." (HSB)

About how Dowling is much quieter than their other DBs, Monteilh said:
"We got me and (Ryan) Mouton; I think Mouton's part Portagee he talks so much. Then we have Jameel, who's mute, he doesn't talk. So I make a call (on the field) and he just nods at me, and I'm like, 'Did you get the call, Dog?'" (HSB)

HSB Note: "A good time for Dowling, a Tacoma, Wash., native, is "going to Fun Factory" or spending quality time with his girlfriend, Melissa. After two all-conference years at Butte (Calif.) College and playing in 11 games in his junior season at Oregon, he transferred out because he felt pressure from the Ducks' coaches to return from a severe ankle injury before it fully healed; Dowling thought it could have damaged his long-term prospects for pro football."

About why he transferred from Oregon, Dowling said:
"Me not being 100 percent, my stay (there) wouldn't really help me. Fall camp was already coming around, and I'm still in a boot and still in crutches. There's no way I was going to be ready." (HSB)

About his 4-year-old daughter Jalaina (who lives in Washington), who visited him during Halloween, Dowling said:
"She liked it a lot. The beach, the water, some things she'd never seen." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The versatile corner -- he can also play free safety if called upon -- could see some extensive play in the Warriors' dime and nickel packages, even if he doesn't lock up a full-time starting job. Two junior college DBs arrive in the summer, adding to an already deep field at the position."

About how they are deep at CB, Mack said:
"We've solidified. Both times I've been here (1999 and 2007) we've been really shallow at corner. But (now) we have some physical, fast corners that can hit you. So we've really helped ourselves out there." (HSB)

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Spring Quotes from the local papers

About returning to Spring Practice, Keith AhSoon said
"It's the best feeling ever. Sitting out was the most depressing feeling. They told me I would be out four to six weeks, but I was doing extra rehab and I guess it worked." (HA)

About returning to practice, AhSoon said:
"Man, it feels good being back. Last week, I was hella depressed on the sidelines and stuff like that. Waking up this morning, I was looking forward to it. It's my last spring, and I can't just let it go like that." (HSB)

HSB Note: "AhSoon was first told he'd miss the remainder of spring ball with the first real injury of his career, but extensive rehab allowed an early comeback."

HA Note: "In addition to normal treatment from the UH training staff, AhSoon said he would spend his afternoons walking in the sand and also in waist-deep water at the beach."

About his rehab at Ala Moana Beach, AhSoon said:
"The ocean is a magic cure for anything, I'm telling you." (HA)

About how he'd go to the beach when injured when he was growing up in American Samoa, AhSoon said:
"When ever we got a cut or felt banged up, we'd just jump in the water. It's like it gets your body all relaxed, and a couple days later, you're all better." (HA)

About how Bulla Ginlack replaced his as #1 LG in practice the pas 2 weeks, AhSoon said:
"I was actually happy for him when he was filling in for me. I think Bulla is the most improved guy on the whole O-line." (HA)

About elevating AhSoon to the #1 LG spot after he was healthy, Mack said:
"Keith is a veteran. When you get all those guys healthy in there, that's going to be a strength." (HA)

About adjusting to LG after starting at LT last year, AhSoon said:
"Moving from tackle to guard is only one spot over, but it's a whole different look. This spring was supposed to introduce me to it, that's why I was so depressed when I got hurt. I'm still learning all the angles from the guard spot." (HA)

HA Note: "Laupepa Letuli, who is expected to compete for a starting tackle spot, has been out all spring with a pulled hamstring. Raphael Ieru, a key reserve at guard, did not practice yesterday due to an ankle injury."

About the injuries on the OL, AhSoon said:
"We're banged up, but we're getting better every day." (HA)

"Seriously, this spring I think the most O-line got hurt (of any year). But at the same time it's a good thing for the young guys to step in, take some reps and get some experience." (HSB)


About their Spring Game, Mack said:
"We're calling it the Warrior Bow." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Kickoff would be at 8 p.m., except there will be no kickoffs. There will be punts, but no returns. Field goals and extra points, but no rushing them. The clock will run normally in the first half, but running time will be used in the second half."

About how Tyler and Inoke will play a lot during the Warrior Bowl, Mack said:
"The quarterbacks aren't going to be live (targets for tackling), but they're going to play (a lot). And the good receivers are gonna play. We want to get a lot of looks at (Funaki and Graunke). They've been battling, they've been real close all spring. There'll be live bullets out there because the secondary will be going full speed." (HSB)

About how the atmosphere will be like a real game, Mack said:
"We'll have officials, 90 members of the band, cheerleaders. And what I'm hoping -- we have the greatest fans in the world, that was proven at the Sugar Bowl -- we'll get 30,000 people there. The Gators had 60,000." (HSB)

About how they divided the team for the Warrior Bowl, Mack said:
"We had a draft, but we went position by position so that the teams will be fairly even." (HA)

HA Note: "For example, Tyler Graunke is the starting quarterback for the Green, and Inoke Funaki is the starter for the Black. They are considered the co-No. 1 contenders this spring. Also, All-Western Athletic Conference linebackers Solomon Elimimian (Black) and Adam Leonard (Green) were separated. The other projected starting linebacker, Blaze Soares, will not play Saturday because of a shoulder injury."

About how many of the starters will not play for very long, Mack said:
"Everybody's going to play. But the defensive starters will probably play a couple of series and then sit out. Some of the key (offensive) linemen who have been hurt, I don't want them out there too long either." (HA)

HA Note: "McMackin said the first two quarters will be run like a regular game, with the clock stopping for incomplete passes and out-of-bounds plays. But the third and fourth quarters will feature a running clock. He also said the defenses will not be allowed to hit the quarterbacks. Defensive coordinator Cal Lee will be in charge of the Green squad, and offensive coordinator Ron Lee will be in charge of the Black squad. The event will start with fan activities (including an autograph session) at 5:15 p.m., with the scrimmage to start around 7 p.m. Admission is free."

About how they have to cut some players to make room for the recruits coming in the Fall, Mack said:
"The problem is we have 25 recruits coming in this fall, and you can only have 105 total (players) in camp. It's a tough situation. In the pros, when you cut a guy, you're cutting his livelihood. Here, you're cutting their heart because they really want to make this team." (HA)

HA Note: "One walk-on who impressed the coaches yesterday was senior receiver Nathaniel Nasca. He caught two deep passes during the 11-on-11 drills. Nasca has been getting more practice time as an inside receiver recently because projected starter Michael Washington is out with a hamstring injury."


About his speed, Nasca said:
"I'm actually more of a football player than a track guy. Growing up I was always smaller than everybody, so I started doing track to develop my speed so I wouldn't get killed out there." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Nasca's speed did the killing yesterday at spring practice. He slipped behind the safeties two plays in a row during the team period for big gains. The second catch was a tough one where he held on despite hard contact with the ground."

About how Nasca can use his speed on the field, Craig Stutzmann said:
"Some guys, when you put them on the football field, they slow down. This guy doesn't. He works hard and he's quick as a cat out there. He's very coachable." (HSB)

About how Nasca is learning the offense, Ron Lee said:
"He's starting to get an understanding of what we're doing. You really can tell. He's new to this, it's his first year, but he's got speed. He's starting to understand the reads and he had a helluva day today. He caught everything, in the individual drills, too." (HSB)

About how the 5'8", 165-pound Nasca is tough enough to play at the D-IA level, Ron Lee said:
"He has football speed, and he has that savvy. You can't jam him. He's making them miss on the jam. "He's going to help us." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Nasca helped his own cause with yesterday's performance, as well as with a couple of receptions in Saturday's scrimmage. On one, he bolted for 20 extra yards after the catch on a day when voracious Hawaii defenders were closing in fast and exacting a high toll for catches."

About how he talked with Nasca after Saturday's scrimmage, Stutzmann said:
"I talked to him after. He said, 'Coach, I don't want to get hit that hard, I'm running.' But don't let that fool you. He's a tough kid, a competitor. I don't know if he's running scared out there, but sometimes that's the best way to play. That's how I played. It seems like he's coming along. He knows the routes a lot more." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Nasca led Pearl City to a state track and field championship in 2004, and was a three-way standout in football at receiver, cornerback and kick returner. He then went to Azusa Pacific -- the alma mater of decathlon Olympic silver medalist Bryan Clay -- to pursue both sports. Nasca, whose father, Phil, played football at UH, transferred to Manoa last year. He was bothered by hamstring injuries while at Azusa, and since he missed the 2004 season due to injuries, he might get an additional year of eligibility with the Warriors. Otherwise, it's one and done."

About how his increased reps have helped him learn the offense, Nasca said:
"Getting more repetitions the past couple of weeks helps. Mike and (Aaron) Bain and Jon (Medeiros) have been helping me out, reading defenses and stuff. I think just getting more reps, we've got a lot of guys banged up." (HSB)

Praising Nasca, Mack said:
"He's got excellent speed. Bob Hayes was a track guy. Speed, besides character, is the thing that we look for. That obviously helps him, as long as he can catch the ball. If you can't catch the ball, speed doesn't help you. But he's been catching the ball pretty well, he had a big play today. Two back-to-back. He used his speed to get the ball, so that kind of thing we're excited about. He's jumped out there and done some good things." (HSB)

About how he has been taking advantage of his opportunity to get reps due to Washington's injury, Nate Nasca said:
"It's unfortunate that other guys get hurt, but it's an opportunity for me to show what I can do." (HA)

About how he's trying to make the team as a walk-on this year, Nasca said:
"My goal is just to make the team. I know there's no guarantees, so I'm just trying to go out and work hard every day." (HA)

About how he'd like to get a chance at WR in addition to his starting CB spot, Mouton said:
"I think I can catch passes. I really would like to talk to the coaches about playing offense, too. Some receiver, I don't see why not?" (HA)

About how he's currently their top kick/punt returner, Mouton said:
"It's another opportunity to get the ball and make a play. I don't mind returning (punts) at all. I'd love to be on the field all game if the coaches let me." (HA)

HA Note: "Fans, though, will have to find Mouton with a new jersey number this season. He was 27 last season, but switched to No. 2 this season in tribute to a friend. Mouton said a former high school teammate named Matt Halton was killed during a stabbing incident in Texas in January. Halton wore No. 2 at Katy High."

About wearing #2 to honor his friend, Mouton said:
"Every day I come out here, I represent him." (HA)

About switching from #39 to #23, Calvin Roberts said:
"My good friend, Evan Roman, wore No. 23 at College of San Mateo, and he gave up football last year for some personal reasons. So I took it upon myself to wear his number and keep his spirits up." (HA)

About how he is between "75 and 85 percent" due to his ankle injury and will not fully recover until the summer, David Farmer talked about practicing despite the pain:
"I had to kind of grit my teeth all throughout practice, but no good player has never done that. That's how it goes -- it's football." (HSB)

About how he's struggling right now, Farmer said:
"I'm sure it's funny for (running backs coach Alex Gerke), when we do individuals, my footwork is all bad. Messing up, tripping. I'd rather be the laugher than the laughee. But I like playing football so I'll take it how it comes." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Receiver Malcolm Lane silenced the critics -- namely, the Warriors defense -- with a nice grab across the middle halfway through team drills yesterday. The reason the green shirts were on his case? Earlier in the drill, a wide-open Lane was hit dead center with a deep ball from Tyler Graunke, but Lane couldn't get a handle on the ball for a would-be touchdown. In unison, members of the defense came up with a derisive chant. But Lane redeemed himself with a nice catch against several defenders, earning some kudos from the same sideline."

About how they are getting nearly 3 INTs each day in practice in 7-on-7 and team drills, Monteilh said:
"We do ball drills maybe once a week. We got Coach (Rich) Miano throwing us the ball, and he ain't that great. Maybe it gives us a better look because he throws ducks and the quarterbacks throw better balls to catch." (HSB)

About how they do not pitch the balls after INTs like they did when Glanville was the defensive coordinator, Monteilh said:
"It's always fun to pitch the ball. But we don't want to pitch it and fumble." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Camron Carmona missed last Thursday's practice with a stiff back but has returned to practice. Fellow running backs Alonzo Chopp and Korey Reynolds were not in pads. ... Walk-on slotback Ben Noy is out for the spring and probably beyond with what is likely a torn ACL. ... Defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea said he "feels like a new man" after having the cast removed from his right foot. He still needs a few weeks for his fractured tibia to fully heal, though."

About how people have been surprised when he told them that he plays for UH, Greg Salas said:
"I don't look like a football player, especially if you see me in street clothes." (HA)

HA Note: 'So, when people would ask Salas what he did at UH and he'd say "receiver" the response was often along the lines of, " 'like you play?' I got that a lot." he said."

About how he needs to take advantage of his chances to stand out now, Salas said:
"I don't think anybody knows who I am right now. So I have to take advantage of opportunities to make a name for myself." (HA)

Expecting big things from Salas, Tyler said:
"He's known that as soon as Jason Rivers left he was going to be the guy (at left wideout). And, he's made himself a really good receiver. He's worked hard to make himself one. You'll see. He's worked on what he needs to — strength and speed — and doesn't make the same mistake twice." (HA)

About how Salas can make the spectacular plays, Ron Lee said:
"Best one-handed catches I've seen." (HA)

Ron Lee wants to see Salas doing it in game conditions:
"when the lights go on. That's where the big players make plays." (HA)

Looking forward to his chance to shine, Salas said:
"the last (two) years I had to wait ... and wait. Finally, I feel like it is my time." (HA)

Monday, April 21, 2008

Rivals feature article on the Warriors

About the status of the Warriors, Adam Leonard said:
"I look around and see it's not the same program, but we can be a better program than it was last year. In college, personnel changes all the time. We're going through what every college goes through." (Rivals)

About how their team was unsettled early in the Sugar Bowl, Mack said:
"Early in the game, we were a little big-eyed. Hawaii has played a lot of big games, but this was a Super Bowl-type of situation." (Rivals)

About how Ron Lee plans to use the QB under center and emphasizing the run game more, Inoke said:
"He plans on adding a dimension. He can add to it and help us to be more versatile." (Rivals)

About going back to basics because they do not have the vets they had last season, Mack said:
"We're going to set up the run with the pass. With the veterans (last year), they were able to take off to another level. We lost some players, so we're probably going to be more basic." (Rivals)

Rivals Note: "Before spring practice started, McMackin sent a clear message to the offense and the rest of the team. Graunke, who appeared to be the heir to the quarterback position, was suspended for 40 days. Graunke told reporters the suspension was because of academics. He returned in time for spring practice, but he had lost ground to Funaki. With the spring game less than two weeks away, Graunke and Funaki are neck and neck."

About Mack's policy on discipline, Adam Leonard said:
"He told us he's going to be fair in his rules. It doesn't matter if you're one of best players or one of the not-so-great players. He has a certain standard he wants everybody to live by. Nobody gets an exception from the rules." (Rivals)

Rivals Note: "The biggest impact on the program likely won't be the new quarterback or even the new coach. This season is expected to bring some long-overdue renovations to Hawaii's facilities. Hawaii lagged behind many other programs in locker room, practice field and coaching-office facilities, and the lack of improvements was a factor in Jones' departure and Frazier's firing. Now, Hawaii expects to make headway by adding an artificial surface to the practice field and completing work on coaches' offices. The school is hopeful both will be ready before this season."

About the work towards facility improvements, Mack said:
"They're working to make it a great situation. I want to keep the journey going." (Rivals)

Spring Practice Quotes from the local papers

About their plan for their final week of Spring Practice, Mack said:
"We'll finalize some repetitions and we might add a few more things. And we're going to work on some Florida and we're going to work on some Weber State." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The team will be split in two for Thursday's practice, McMackin said, but probably not by offense and defense as usual. Offensive coordinator Ron Lee and defensive coordinator Cal Lee have already drafted their teams for the spring encounter, which will be in a regular-game format rather than offense against defense. McMackin is considering using the practice to let the teams prepare for Saturday."

About splitting the team for Thursday's practice, Mack said:
"We'll split the field in half like we do for offense and defense." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The Warriors have been hit by injuries, particularly at defensive tackle, with Fale Laeli and Rocky Savaiigaea out for the rest of the spring and Josh Leonard dealing with a stomach ailment. But that has allowed more repetitions for New Mexico Highlands transfer Tuika Tufaga."

Praising the 6'3", 285-pound Kahuku graduate Tuika Tufaga, Mack said:
"He's a real pleasant addition. "Physical, strong, competitive. He's had a good spring. With the way we roll in our tackles, it's important for us to have depth there." (HSB)

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Spring Practice Quotes from the local papers

About the shovel pass, Rolo said:
"That's been a good play for us through the years." (HA)

HA Note: "The Warriors worked it to perfection on the first of a 35-play controlled scrimmage, with running back Leon Wright-Jackson breaking away for a long gain. While the defense continues to be ahead entering the final week of spring training, the improving offense is showing that, if nothing else, it has a play that is a great equalizer.vTo be precise, it is a "shuffle" play, although the pass is called a "shovel." It is a play that is a counter-attack to a blitzing defense. The offense waits for the pass-rushers to storm into the backfield. Then the quarterback pitches forward the ball to an on-the-move running back, who follows a wall of blockers into the open field. Last year, the Warriors had a yards-after-catch average of 14.52 on shovel passes."

About their D in the scrimmage (which sat our the first-team defenders), LWJ said:
"I knew our defense was coming at full speed. That's how our defense is. It's a defense that is very hungry." (HA)

HA Note: "Quarterback Inoke Funaki started behind the center, then stepped back to take the shotgun snap. Funaki rolled to his left and pitched ahead to Wright-Jackson, who was set free by left tackle Aaron Kia's block."

About opening the scrimmage with a shovel pass, Inoke said:
"I was really excited about that first play. It works better when you're in the shotgun, and (the defense is) shooting upfield. We executed it really well, from the blocking to Leon's position. Sometimes it's difficult to get the ball right on the money. (The pass) hit (Wright-Jackson) right on the inside shoulder so he could turn and get up field. It was nice. Hopefully, we can get to that level where we can execute every play that good." (HA)

HA Note: "After that, it was an even battle. The defense still made big plays — safety Kenny Estes intercepted a Tyler Graunke pass and broke up what should have been a sure completion to Jon Medeiros — and fueled the pressure, blitzing on every down."

Rolo said that the constant blitzing by the D:
"is a little tough on the quarterback, but they have to handle it. They did a good job." (HA)

HA Note: "The co-No. 1 quarterbacks, Funaki and Graunke, shared about a fourth of the snaps. Jake Santos, the No. 3 quarterback, Shane Austin, Bryce Kalauokaaea and Kiran Kepo'o also played. It was the first significant appearance for Kepo'o, who spent most of last season recovering from head injuries suffered in an accident. Kepo'o completed one of two passes for 21 yards. Greg Salas, who is the No. 1 left wideout, and right slotback Kealoha Pilares, who moved from running back, also played well. Salas had a 30-yard play in which he bounced off three would-be tacklers. Salas has gained more than a dozen pounds since the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl, and at 205 pounds, he has the strength — and confidence — to run slant patterns into the teeth of the defense."

About running slant patterns, Salas said:
"If you're afraid to go across the middle, you're not going to catch too many balls. You can't be scared out there." (HA)

Praising Salas, Rolo said:
"I'm impressed with Salas. People look up to him. He's doing the right things. He's not a real vocal guy, but people look up to him and learn from him. He's tough. He's strong. He has strong hands. He's tough to bring down." (HA)

About how he still has a lot to learn about playing the slotback position, Pilares said:
"I feel I didn't make the right moves after the catch. I have standards. I could have had bigger plays. I'll get better as the days go by." (HA)

Unhappy with his run after he caught an out route, Pilares said:
"I was heading upfield. I had the (defender) stopped, and I tried to cut back in. I have to trust in my little speed that I've got to try and out-run him. I could have done it." (HA)

About how he's bulked up to 193 and hopes to play at that weight, Pilares said:
"It's a good weight. I'm building up my legs more than anything. I go into the weight room, and all I'll do is legs. I'm trying to emphasize getting my legs stronger so I can break more tackles." (HA)

HA Note: "After the scrimmage, head coach Greg McMackin praised the development of the offense. Except for the opening shovel pass, the quarterback was under center for all but two of the remaining plays."


HSB Note: "The transition from running back to slot receiver continues for Kealoha Pilares. The sophomore had five receptions for approximately 50 yards in the team period and the scrimmage, catching passes from four different quarterbacks. He made a nice grab of a pass thrown behind him from Tyler Graunke and turned upfield for a sizable gain and later connected with Kiran Kepo'o on a 20-yard completion."

About their offense this spring, Pilares said:
"The offense is just trying to find the chemistry between the receivers and the quarterbacks. Once we do that we'll be fine. Last week we didn't come out that strong. This week we have a feeling for what we're going to do and just getting more comfortable. All the guys are reacting more than just thinking about what they're doing." (HSB)

Praising the offense in the scrimmage, Mack said:
"The offense made a lot of good plays. The receivers ran good routes. (The quarterbacks) are throwing it so much better. We were blitzing the whole time. I'm really pleased. I have a lot of faith in Ron Lee and the offensive staff. There's a lot of coaching going on, and you can see the progression. It's a matter of getting more and more reps. I can see in the last week we made a giant leap on offense. Defensively, we've continued to improve. We're making plays on both sides of the ball." (HA)

About how he considered quitting football last year due to family problems, Elliott Purcell said:
"I didn't want it to be an open thing. Coach (June) Jones didn't know what was going on with me. He thought I was slacking. I was having family problems." (HA)

About how everything improved when his son Taimane (now 6 months old) was born, Elliott said:
"(The birth) helped me become more focused. I'm more dedicated. I don't go out anymore. It's strictly family, school and football." (HA)

HA Note: "The former Saint Louis School standout has emerged as the No. 2 defensive right end. He has developed into a skilled pass-rusher. What's more, he is playing with more emotion, as evidenced by his scuffle with Kia yesterday."

About his confrontation with Kia yesterday, Elliott said:
"I got upset. I let my emotions take over. I'm sorry about that. We're good friends. We're best friends off the field. Whatever happens on the field, stays on the field." (HA)

Happy with Mack's policy allowing contact in their scrimmages, Erik Pederson said:
"Any time we have scrimmages it feels real easy for me, just run full speed and hit the runner. Other practices we just have to touch off, (in scrimmages) we actually finish the play off, so my instincts come through more." (HSB)

HSB Note: "With the starters out for most of the heavy contact, the scrimmages represent a chance for Pedersen to make some noise while playing with the second unit at outside linebacker. Pedersen is entering his fourth year in the program and hopes he's finally found a home. He joined the Warriors as a defensive back and has changed positions five times since then, shuffling between linebacker and safety, and spending one season as a running back. He began last season in the secondary, but requested to move back to linebacker early in the season."

About moving to LB, Pedersen said:
"I feel much more comfortable. I'm more of a guy who likes to go up instead of backwards. The (coaches) were cool with it. (McMackin) said, 'If you feel more comfortable there, go for it.' " (HSB)

About his increased reps (he's taken a lot of the reps made available by Blaze's injury), Pedersen said:
"It's really awesome for the coaches to give me an opportunity like that. Especially on Saturdays." (HSB)

About Calvin Roberts, who is now #1 on the depth chart, Mack said:
"Calvin Roberts has really come a long way now. He's No. 1 at the right corner. Jameel Dowling's jumping out. Dowling's pushing for No. 1 and JoPierre's still in the mix. There's not much separating them." (HSB)

About the UH coaching clinic, which more than 400 youth and high school coaches attended, Roosevelt WR coach Alex Miguel (who noted that the $10 fee included lunch) said:
"It was really a good deal for $10. It was very good overall and all you have to do is learn one thing and it makes it worth it." (HSB)

About how having a coaching clinic benefits UH, Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said:
"I used to come when (Dick) Tomey used to run it. It's good they're doing this again and trying to make a relationship with the high school coaches and McMackin is making a strong push to try to get local kids and help the local coaches. I learned a lot of things. All my coaches did. We're excited, we want to get on the field already." (HSB)

HSB Note: "They knew Adrian Thomas was athletic enough. Mike Cavanaugh raved about his agile feet. They knew he was strong enough. Brian Smith gets a laugh when he recalls Thomas' recruiting tape, which features a segment of Thomas running up a sand hill, carrying his trainer. Now, more than two years after his arrival from Australia, the Hawaii coaching staff wants to know if Thomas is ready to play meaningful downs on its offensive line. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound sophomore got the majority of the plays at right tackle in yesterday's scrimmage. Senior Keoni Steinhoff is a returning starter at the position, but Greg McMackin wants to see everyone under fire."

About trying out Adrian Thomas at #1 RT, Mack said:
"I wanted the ones to work out, but I wanted the guys we've got to make decisions on, let those guys play." (HSB)

About trying Thomas at #1 RT, Brian Smith said:
"This was a tool for us to evaluate. Adrian's had a real good spring so far. He's big, strong and fairly athletic. So I think he's still a little bit away. But if he keeps improving, keeps getting better he's going to push some of these guys. Football's pretty new to him. He's still learning the fundamentals, but he's a competitor, he's strong and he really wants to be good so he's working hard at it. He's got a real good future here." (HSB)

HBS Note; "Not counting Cavanaugh, Smith is Thomas' third position coach, following Wes Suan and Dennis McKnight. He said that has helped rather than hindered his development."

About how he's learned from his 3 OL coaches at UH, Thomas said:
"I just try to take what I can learn from each of them. It's been a good experience. In some ways it's similar to back home. I'm glad I came to Hawaii to play football." (HSB)

About how he did in the scrimmage, Thomas said:
"I did OK, just working on my technique, the extension of my hands, punching. I've just watched the other guys, see what they do and follow them." (HSB)

Praising Thomas, Steinhoff said:
"Adrian, he's doing good. He's going to be really good if he keeps getting the amount of reps like he got today." (HSB)

About how the offense struggled yesterday, partly due to holding out Estes and Steinhoff, Brian Smith said:
"It shows fast. Communication. There were some holes here and there. But the good thing is the kids were competing and fighting. We exchange scripts, so we know what's coming. We struggled a little bit today. I think we took a step back." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Still, head coach Greg McMackin lauded Smith's work with the offensive line's technique, and said it may be the team's most improved unit. The top of the chart players at quarterback, receiver and running back saw plenty of action, as McMackin wants them to develop timing. But backups got most of the repetitions on defense. Cornerback Calvin Roberts continued to impress, and McMackin said he has officially taken the lead in the three-way competition for the starting spot on the right. Despite a ferocious rush, quarterback Inoke Funaki competed 10 of 12 passes in the scrimmage and the earlier blitz period -- but the last one was to himself, after linebacker Tyson Kafentzis tipped the ball. Kafentzis had two sacks earlier in the session."

Asked if he ever caught his own pass before, Inoke said:
"Never, never. I just didn't want Tyson to get that ball. I know I wouldn't hear the end of it the rest of the year." (HSB)

About their offense, Inoke said:
"We're slowly progressing. I think Wednesday and Thursday we made some strides. There's a lot more things we can do to improve, especially me." (HSB)

About how Vaughn Meatoga was supported by his teammates and girlfriend after the death of his mother, Vaughn's father Kenny Meatoga said:
"That was good for Vaughn because at least he didn't have to go through it by himself." (HSB)

Praising Meatoga's progress, DL coach Ikaika Malloe said:
"He's coming into his own. He's definitely grown a lot from the first time I met him to now. In just a few months, he's come a long way." (HSB)

About his Mom, Meatoga said:
"I want everybody to know her, because she fought. ... I think of my mom all the time."

HSB Note: "It's been nearly four months since Lynette Meatoga finally succumbed in her lengthy battle with breast cancer, but "it feels like a whole lot longer," the oldest of her three children says. Though the emotions remain hard to contain, Vaughn doesn't shy away from talking about his mother, instead wanting to relate the strength she showed through the ordeal."

About how his Mom, Meatoga said:
"She wasn't scared when she passed away, she was at peace. It was a whole lot easier on me and my family. It could have been harder on us, but she was strong." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Buoyed by support from his teammates and motivated by the memory of a mother who found joy in watching him play, the promising freshman is back on the field this spring, recently elevated to the second unit following an injury to junior Rocky Savaiiagaea. If the Kamehameha graduate continues his progress since breaking into the program as a redshirt last fall, he'll be in contention for a spot in UH's defensive line rotation when the season rolls around in August."

Praising Meatoga, Malloe said:
"Vaughn is one of the most improved defensive tackles in terms of picking up the techniques and then executing them on the field. He's been impressing us day by day." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Malloe lists Meatoga's quickness at the line of scrimmage and improving technique among the attributes that have him ascending the depth chart. For his part, Meatoga credits a season spent adjusting to the speed of the college game for his progress this spring."

About his improvement, Meatoga said:
"Since I've been getting more reps, everything's more natural now. Last year when I'd get reps during team (periods) I'd feel like I couldn't keep up, everything felt a lot faster. This year, everything seems to slow down and I can read my keys." (HSB)

HSB Note: "As he develops on the field, Meatoga also brings a maturity fostered during his youth after his mother was first diagnosed with cancer when he was a seventh-grader. His father, Kenneth, started working with Aloha Airlines -- which made it easier for Lynette to get to Oahu for treatments -- and Vaughn was often responsible for the household at night, looking after his younger siblings, Kelly (now 11) and Kaleomana (9), while also caring for his mom at their Kalaheo home."

About how Meatoga had to grow up quickly, his father Kenneth said:
"He had to grow up fast. He's a good boy. When there's a job to do he's going to do it. He understands. (HSB)

About how he set an example for his younger siblings, Meatoga said:
"I try to set an example for my little brother and my litter sister. I see my dad working hard to support the family and it makes me work harder to do my part. Since I'm on scholarship, I've got the easy job. He has to hold down the house. I just have to go to class and get good grades and practice hard." (HSB)

HBS Note: "Though weakened by the illness, Lynette looked forward to the family's weekend trips to Honolulu for his high school games as Vaughn earned second-team All-State honors as a senior. They also attended a few practices when Vaughn joined the Warriors last fall. The day before she died, Vaughn recalled his mom scolding him for thinking about not attending the Sugar Bowl following the Warriors' 12-0 regular season."

About how Vaughn's Mom supported him, Vaughn's Father Kenneth said:
"Even when she was going through the chemo and stuff, she made it a point to make it to every game. She would tell him to pretend the guy on the other side was the cancer to fire him up. He's just waiting to let loose on somebody and I wouldn't want to be that guy." (HSB)

HSB Note: "When doctors informed the family that Lynette didn't have much time left, Vaughn found support from his Warrior teammates, who came down to the hospital to spend time with her. And their backing helped Vaughn through the period after her death."

About how his teammates helped him after his Mom's passing, Meatoga said:
"They helped a lot. I just called Keala (Watson) and they came down and prayed for her. They've kind of been through it with me, they've been by my side and I know they have my back." (HSB)