Quotes from the local papers

HA Note: "In the scouting equivalent of the PSAT, 22 soon-to-be Hawai'i football seniors participated in a condensed Pro Day at the UH athletic complex. Two scouts representing 26 NFL teams gave the players the Wonderlic — 12-minute, 50-question IQ test — and recorded their weights, heights, reaches and hand spans. Because the Warriors are in spring training, head coach Greg McMackin requested that 40-yard dashes and bench presses not be administered. That was fine with the scouts, who have attended two practices and watched hours of UH videos."

Praising the Warriors, Dave Petett (Pittsburgh Steelers' West Coach scouting coordinator) said:
"There's a lot of talent here. It's nice to see them in person." (HA)

HA Note: "Left guard Keith "Bear" AhSoon lived up to his nickname. His 11-inch hand span was the widest. Cornerback Ryan Mouton unsuccessfully tried to poof up his hair to appear taller. But Ray Biggs, who represents National Scouting, pressed the carpenter's square — an L-shaped device — to Mouton's scalp. "Five-oh-nine-two," Biggs said, which translates to 5 feet 9 1/4. It shouldn't impact Mouton, who has a vertical jump of 39 inches."

About the Wonderlic, David Veikune said that he did well except for the math questions:
"I needed a calculator." (HA)

HA Note: "Defensive tackle Keala Watson said the vocabulary questions were the trickiest. For example, he said: " 'Aloof' is to 'alleviate' as what is to what?" But defensive end Francis Maka, who said he answered 35 of 37 questions correctly, showed he could excel in logic. The players were told they would be graded on the percentage of questions answered correctly. He drew laughs when he asked if he could answer only four."

About asking about their grading the Wonderlic on percentage of correct answers, Maka said:
"It makes sense if they're going based on percentage. If you answer one, and you get it right, you aced the Wonderlic." (HA)

About how this session with the scouts was just a starting point, Keala Watson said:
"Everything we did today doesn't matter if you can't perform on the field. They said they'll be coming back." (HA)

About how the return of Estes has really helped their offense in practice, Mack said:
"We've had him out there the last two days and it's the best we've looked. He really solidifies things with his leadership and his abilities." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Estes' abilities haven't gone unnoticed on the national scene. Yesterday, the junior from Stockton, Calif., was named to the watch list for the Outland Trophy, which goes to the best interior lineman in college football. Two Hawaii prep products were also named to the 70-player list: Oregon senior center Max Unger (Hawaii Prep '04) and Oregon State senior guard Jeremy Perry (Kahuku '04)."

Happy that Estes was named to the Outland Trophy watch list, Mack said:
"We're really excited about John being on the Outland list -- it's well deserved. We've been very happy to have him back in practice, but we're being careful with him because of that tweaked hamstring." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Estes and other potential starters will see limited action in today's practice, which begins at 3:30 p.m. at the UH practice field. Following the first 45 minutes, there will be a controlled scrimmage where McMackin said he would hold out most of the starters on defense while he and his staff evaluate other players. The event is free and open to the public, as is next week's spring game at Aloha Stadium. Hawaii will practice Monday, Wednesday and Thursday leading up to next Saturday's Ohana Festival. Today's agenda includes a coaches clinic open to youth and high school coaches. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the clinic going from 9 a.m. until practice begins."

About the coaches clinic today, Mack said:
"We're expecting a good turnout. It's a chance for us to share and exchange ideas. Yes, it will be a long day, but I'm really excited about interacting with coaches from around the state." (HSB)