Spring Practice Quotes from the local papers

About his glass-bowl theory of the fragile composition of success, Mack said:
"In football, you're in a glass bowl. If something goes good for you, be humble and hungry. Because the next time, those other guys will be ready to roll. There's somebody different in that glass bowl every time." (HA)

Mack said that the offense (despite 5 fumbles, 3 on snap exchanges):
"is getting better. I think this is a learning situation." (HA)

HA Note "The Warriors are seeking to replace the so-called "Fab Five" — quarterback Colt Brennan and four starting receivers. What's more, new offensive coordinator Ron Lee implemented his version of the four-wide offense in which the receivers are required to do more reading of defenses and on-the-fly adjustments. Through yesterday's practice, the quarterbacks received the snap from under center. In the previous eight years, UH quarterbacks received shot-gun snaps. McMackin said there were "no snap problems" in the first six practices of spring training. While the Warriors staged 11-on-11 drills in those practices, yesterday was the first time they staged a controlled scrimmage. McMackin traced the problems to a lack of continuity. Most of the fumbled snaps came when the lower-depth-chart players were on the field. McMackin noted that three top-tier linemen — center John Estes (tight hamstring), left guard Keith AhSoon (strained left calf) and left tackle Laupepa Letuli (tight hamstring) — were not available to practice."

About the players that were missing from the OL, Mack said:
"Those are some pretty good guys." (HA)

HA Note: "The original plan called for a 32-play controlled scrimmage. But because the 11-on-11 team drills were extended to work on two specific defensive schemes, the scrimmage was abbreviated to 23 plays. During the scrimmage, safety Erik Pedersen and cornerback Richard Torres produced the biggest defensive plays. During Thursday's practice, 240-pound running back Jake Heun flattened safety Khevin Peoples. This time, Pedersen sped into the backfield and made an ankle tackle on Heun for a 3-yard loss. On another play, wideout Greg Salas caught a pass in the left flat. Torres raced over and hit Salas. Salas then was hit by two more players before fumbling. Safety Spencer Smith recovered."

About the play he made during the scrimmage, Richard Torres said:
"I saw Greg, and I hit him. The next thing I know I'm out of bounds. It was like, 'whoa.' At least everybody got to him, and the ball came out." (HA)

HA Note: "It was a rare turnover for Salas, who has emerged as one of the most efficient receivers this spring. Salas, who is 6 feet 2, gained more than 10 pounds the past two months and now weighs 205. His added strength enables him to run more inside slants. While Salas is all but assured the starting job at left wideout, Torres, a non-scholarship player, is trying to gain notice in what has become a crowded cornerback competition. At Kahuku High, Torres was a champion wrestler at 145 pounds. He weighed 155 during Kahuku's graduation ceremony last June. Torres was a part-time student in the fall, joining the Warriors in January. He now weighs 170."

The 5'7" Torres said that over the summer:
"I want to pick up some more weight." (HA)

HA Note: "Three cornerbacks, including starters Myron Newberry and Gerard Lewis, completed their UH eligibility at the end of the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl. But an area of concern has turned into a position of depth. Ryan Mouton, the secondary's best athlete, has locked down the left cornerback's job. JoPierre Davis is having a strong spring as the No. 1 right cornerback. McMackin said backup cornerbacks Calvin Roberts and Jameel Dowling, a transfer from Oregon, have been impressive."

About how they have depth at CB, Mack said:
"We're getting deep at corner. They're playing physical and fast." (HA)

Praising Mouton, Mack said:
"Mouton is smart, and a great athlete. He can play at all spots. Just like the game against Washington, it really showed last year. He played safety without even practicing there. He's a great athlete and he gives us flexibility. He can cover. He can blitz. He's probably the quickest athlete we have on our team." (HA)

About how he requested to be used at nickelback, where he has LB-like duties, Mouton said:
"You get to line up in the (tackle) box and go after it." (HA)

HA Note: "McMackin also said a defensive front is being established. He said David Veikune and John Fonoti will receive most of the work at defensive end. McMackin said he has four "No. 1" defensive tackles — Keala Watson, Fale Laeli, Josh Leonard and Rocky Savaiigaea — for the two interior line positions. Laeli is not participating in contact drills this spring because of tendinitis in his left knee. He said he has successfully recovered from offseason arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee."

About his injured right ankle, Rocky Savaiigaea said:
"I think it's more of a sprain than anything. It's painful, but I'm going to try and come back on Monday." (HA)

After having what Mack said was his best practice, Tyler said:
"I felt good. I feel better every day. ... It was really tough (during the suspension), but I'm just doing what I can to catch up. There are a bunch of new guys, on offense, especially. Getting on the same page with those guys is crucial." (HA)

Hoping to return to practice as soon as possible, Savaiigaea said:
"I want to try to come back on Monday. The way this spring has been going has been good for me." (HSB)

About how Savaiigaea doesn't have to play anymore this Spring to earn his spot in the rotation, Mack said:
"He's been playing great, but I'm not concerned. Honestly, if he didn't play again (this spring) he's shown me what he can do these first two weeks. But he'll be out here ready to go next week. He's a tough kid." (HSB)

About how coming back from his injury is important for him to set an example for the younger players, Savaiigaea said:
"We've got six practices from here to the 26th, and I feel like I need to be out here every day. To be a leader you've got to be out here every day to set an example for the young ones to follow. I don't want to be one of those that coach from the sideline, I'd rather be the one lining up, do it, and then they can follow from that." (HSB)

About Savaiigaea's frustration with his injury, DT coach Ikaika Malloe said:
"He's been having a great spring, and there's a lot of competition on the defensive line. There are jobs to be won and Rocky's trying to take full advantage of it. At the same time, Josh (Leonard) and Keala (Watson) are trying to make sure they're on top as well." (HSB)

Praising JP Davis, Mack said:
"He's a tough physical corner who can run. He could be our most improved player." (HSB)

About his excellent play in spring practice, including an INT of Tyler yesterday, Davis said:
"It's just concentration. I'm just trying to stay focused out here. With this team around me, I just never want to let them down. I know we've got the best front seven in the nation, or one of the best front sevens, and I just want to keep up with them, make plays like they make plays." (HSB)

About how he changed his lifestyle because staying out late didn't work with the early morning practices, Davis said:
"Last year was the first time I stopped going out. I was going out during spring. It's not even an option anymore. I'm not the type that can get up easy if I've been out at night. I've got to sleep to get up easy. I've got people calling me telling me to go out. I tell them I can't. It's just not possible." (HSB)

About how Davis has been better lately, Adam Leonard said:
"It's about minimizing mental mistakes and doing what the coaches want you to do. He's doing a great job with his athletic ability. I always knew he could play. It's just a matter of working the scheme and technique the coaches are teaching him. He's doing a great job of putting the work in the offseason." (HSB)

About Pilares, Mack said:
"He's learning the offense. I think he'll be just like one of our starters. He's going to play a lot, we're going to use him a lot in different situations." (HSB)

About how they had 3 OL sit out of practice due to injury, Mack said:
"We're going to start getting them back next week and that will make a difference. We had a good practice, just the second, third and fourth teams had problems with the snaps and dropped the balls." (HSB)

About how things will be easier for them when they work from the shotgun next week, Tyler said:
"It's just getting timing with different centers. Guys want to get out quick (from under center) and to their thing. Everyone's rushing a little bit, trying to impress people. It's just a timing thing. The defense is looking really good. I think they got us today." (HSB)

HSB Note: "None of the quarterbacks were very impressive yesterday, during team or the scrimmage. Graunke completed five of 11 passes, Inoke Funaki two of six, Santos one of four, Shane Austin one of three and Bryce Kalauoka'aea one of one."

About their struggles on offense, Inoke said:
"It's not something we like to see. But I'm glad we have such a solid defense. They really come at us and give us different looks. We have a lot of tough teams coming up and they're really going to prepare us." (HSB)

About Richard Torres, Keao Monteilh said:
"We call him, 'The Technician,' because his technique is by far one of the best out of all of our DBs. He does everything right." (HSB)

About how he has to compensate for his lack of size and speed, Torres said:
"I'm not that fast, so I have to do as much as I can to make me faster. Whatever technique can do to make me better, I have to try to perfect that." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Torres, the son of Red Raiders coach Reggie Torres, checked in for spring practice at 5-foot-7 and 170 pounds but has impressed his teammates and coaches with his execution and delivered one of the big plays of a scrimmage controlled by the defense yesterday morning at the UH practice field. With the Warriors defense rolling in the second, third and fourth units for the full-contact period to close practice, Torres, playing with the third team, found himself opposite 6-foot-2 receiver Greg Salas on a play early in the scrimmage. Torres wrapped up Salas after a short completion along the sideline and knocked the ball free as his teammates came over to help out. Safety Spencer Smith then came along to scoop it up for the defense."

Praising Torres, Rich Miano said:
"His technique is impeccable. I wish all the guys had that kind of technique, and he has the wrestling background, so he's tough. He understands work ethic. He's the first one out here at 6 o'clock in the morning and then he's the last one to leave." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Torres, a standout in wrestling and judo at Kahuku, joined the UH program this spring as a grayshirt and hadn't been in a live contact setting since closing out his senior season with the Red Raiders."

About adjusting to the contact at their practices, Torres said:
"I was a little nervous I was going to get run over or something, but after the first hit you just relax." (HSB)

About how he can use the film on Torres to show his other DBs the proper technique, Miano said:
"I can use that in my films for these guys who are maybe a little taller, maybe a little faster. Why is (Torres) successful? If you get the technique that this kid has, that's a perfect combination." (HSB)

About shaving his long hair, Torres said:
"I just wanted to. After practice I shaved my head and I came back to the meeting and everyone was like 'whoa.' It's a lot cooler." (HSB)

HSB Note: "While Torres has taken a place with the third unit two weeks into his first spring, other members of the secondary have moved up the depth chart as well. Sophomore Mana Silva, a quarterback and receiver at Oregon State as a freshman, has been elevated to the second unit at safety alongside Dane Porlas."

Praising Mana Silva, Miano said:
"Mana's showing if he knows what he's doing -- and he's learning more and more -- he can make a lot of plays for us. And he's got the body type of a prototype strong safety." (HSB)

HSB Note: "While senior Ryan Mouton has one cornerback spot locked up so far, the other side is shaping up to be a tight three-way battle. JoPierre Davis has been starting opposite Mouton with the first team, but Jameel Dowling and senior Calvin Roberts are closing fast. When the Warriors put in their nickel package, Mouton moved inside with Dowling, a 6-foot-3 senior transfer from Oregon, replacing him at corner. Mouton and Davis both came down with interceptions during the team period yesterday and Roberts broke up a pass."

About the battle for the 2nd starting CB spot, Miano said:
"Those three guys (Davis, Dowling and Roberts) are all very good and it's going to come back to who's the most consistent and right now Calvin's the most consistent." (HSB)

About how their offense struggled yesterday, Brian Smith said:
"It was a great day for the defense. We struggled at times, but we just gotta keep going as an offense. Part of being young and doing some new things at the same time is there's some growing pains that go with it. We're going to keep coaching those kids hard, staying after them, and they're going to keep getting better." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Several young faces were tested in the team's first scrimmage of the spring, including freshman Sila Lefiti, who played center for about the first half of the repetitions. Talk about on-the-job training. The 6-foot 290-pounder from Santa Ana, Calif., had never played that position before as a lifelong guard out of Mater Dei High."

About the reps he got at center, Sila Lefiti said:
"The coaches, they showed me some love, told me that I'm doing good and holding it down right now as a freshman, getting used to the offense. Just play by my high school motto: Pride, Poise and Courage. I just fight it off like that, remember all the tough times I've gone through." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Daniel Johnson (left) and Raphael Ieru (right) flanked him at the guards and Ray Hisatake (left) and Adrian Thomas (right) manned the tackle positions. Halfway through, Austin Hansen took over at center, with Johnson and Nathan McKay as the guards and Clayton Laurel and veteran Aaron Kia at the tackles. Sophomore Joey Lipp provided spot duty to both guard positions."

About what he told his OL after practice, Smith said:
"Mostly what we talked about after practice were our standards as an offensive line, and playing to that standard. What we tell them a lot is, they really have to play the game with a passion at the offensive line. Right now there's only a few guys that are, the one that I pointed out to them was Lafu (Tuioti-Mariner), who really played his butt off today." (HSB)

HSB Note: "As one defensive reserve after another burst through the line, it was difficult to stay positive. Hisatake reminded himself that it was beneficial in the long run as he and his teammates learn from their mistakes."

About how their struggles now will help them learn in the long run, Hisatake said:
"It's kind of depressing at times, frustrating, but these guys are only making us better. We force ourselves to keep our heads up." (HSB)