Spring Practice Quotes from the local papers

About how he's been waiting for his shot at getting playing time, Dylan Linkner said:
"This is my fifth year here; I'm the only receiver left who was here when Timmy Chang and Chad Owens were playing. So you could say I put in my time." (HA)

HA Note: "Linkner worked with the first team offense during yesterday's spring drills as a right wideout. Malcolm Lane was the projected starter at that spot, but he has missed the last few practices due to an ankle injury. Lane returned to practice yesterday, but he did not run pass patterns with the first or second teams."

About how Linkner has earned his spot on the first team, Ron Lee said:
"Malcolm is not ready yet, and when guys get banged up and miss practice, it's a chance for other guys to step up. That's what Dylan has done. I like what he's been doing, and that's why he was out there today." (HA)

HA Note: "Linkner — who is a 6-foot, 205-pound senior from Kailua — has been a scout team player for four seasons with the Warriors. He saw action in just three games last season, but did not record any receptions. During his sophomore season, Linkner was working with the second team as a backup to Ross Dickerson. But the week before the season opener at Alabama, Linkner pulled a hamstring and didn't travel with the team. He has been working his way back up the depth chart ever since."

About how he's hoping to get playing time during his Senior seasion, Linkner said:
"I'll support the team any way I can — I'll do kickoff coverage, punt returns, anything. But if I don't get on the field this year, it's going to be a disappointment. This is my last year, and I've been working hard every day." (HA)


"It's my last year. I have to get on the field somehow." (HSB)

About how this is Linkner's chance to earn playing time, Ron Lee said:
"They have an opportunity to step up and Dylan and Royce have been doing a good job. (Linkner's) always been steady. He has to work on his speed, but I think he has a good understanding of the offense. This is his chance." (HSB)

About how Jason Rivers taught him a lot, Linkner said:
"I really owe a big thanks to Jason Rivers. He would always tell me, 'Let's go watch film.' He would always try to teach me the offense. He was really a big mentor of mine. You could ask him anything about a play and he would know it. He knows this playbook front to back and I really believe him teaching me got me to know it front to back." (HSB)

About waiting so long for playing time, Linkner said:
"I played in the USC game, I went to Michigan State (in 2005), I know how big those games are, I know how exciting they are. I've been craving that field time all five years." (HSB)

HSB Note: "With all four starting receivers closing their UH careers last season, Linkner prepared for his opportunity by training with slot receivers Aaron Bain and Mike Washington. He also picked up some tips on improving his speed by listening in at the Hawaii Speed and Quickness clinics run by UH associate coach Rich Miano and strength coach Mel DeLaura on weekends."

About learning from the Speed and Quickness clinics, Linkner said:
"I took what they did and tried to do it on my own. Their program's great. I encourage any athlete from kindergarten even to college to do that. That will get you better for any sport." (HSB)

About how he has been watching practices for his son Dylan's 4+ years at UH, Jim Linkner (multiple Na Hoku Hanohano award winner as a producer and engineer who worked with Kealiii Reichel, Gabby Pahinui and Olomana) said:
"I love it. Especially with Coach (Greg McMackin), he's brought a lot of new energy so I think everybody loves it." (HSB)

Dylan, a communications major, talked about his dream job after his playing days:
"It would be kind of awesome to try to do some sportscasting, maybe have a chance at ESPN." (HSB)

About how Lane will be healthy soon, Linkner said:
"It's not something you wish for — to see your teammate get hurt. As soon as Malcolm's ankle is healthy, I'm sure he'll be right back in the competition." (HA)

About how freshmen Royce Pollard and sophomore Daniel Lofton have been impressive this spring, Ron Lee said:
"There's a lot of competition, and it's forcing guys to step up. That's something you like to see." (HA)

About working with the first team while Blaze is out with a shoulder injury, R.J. Kiessel-Kauhane said:
"I know Blaze is going to be ready when it's time to play. But this is giving me an opportunity to play and show the coaches what I can do. The more I get in, the better I know the defense, and the faster I can react. It's kind of like my chance to shine." (HA)

HA Note: "Kiesel-Kauhane and Soares are cousins, so they don't necessarily have a bitter competition waging for playing time."

Wishing that he and Blaze could play together, R.J. said:
"I would love it if we could be on the field at the same time. We'll see. Blaze is one of the best guys out there, so if I have to back him up, that's fine." (HA)

About working with the first team at LG with AhSoon out with an injured calf, Brysen Ginlack said:
"I'm nervous every day, but even more nervous working with the first team. I'm just trying to do what the coaches tell me." (HA)

About how he was a backup RG last season, Ginlack said:
"There's a little bit of difference (between right and left), but it's a chance for me to play and get better. Even when Keith comes back, hopefully I can be a better backup for him because of this." (HA)

About having so many OL miss practice due to injury, OL coach Brian Smith said:
"It's frustrating because you want the guys to work together as a unit. But at the same time, it's a great opportunity for some of our younger guys to develop." (HA)

About how he thought his injury was a minor one, Rocky Savaiigaea said:
"I thought, ice it up, massage, and I'll be back in a couple days. When the doctor told me six weeks, I thought no way." (HA)

About having to miss practice, Savaiigaea said:
"I'm disappointed. To me, spring is when you open up eyes, and I really wanted to show the coaches what I could do." (HA)

"Injuries happen, that's part of football. I still have all summer to train again and be ready for the season." (HA)

"I thought it was just a sprain because I've had worse stuff before. Since I could put pressure on it on Saturday I thought it would be a couple days or whatever. But when I went to see the trainer he was like, 'I've got some bad news for you.' Coach (Greg McMackin) told me to take the time I needed and not get hurt again and it's lucky it's not in camp or the regular season." (HSB)

About how they is a chance that Savaiigaea could return before the end of spring practice, Mack said:
"There's a chance. Whichever way, he's shown us that he's a starting-type rotation player. If he just keeps working like he's working and stays in great shape, he's going to have an outstanding career here." (HSB)

About how Tyler and Inoke are co-#1 QBs now, Ron Lee said:
"They're getting equal reps. But I thought Tyler deserved to get some work with the first group of receivers. He's been looking good so far." (HA)

About how he's familiar with a lot of their 1st team WRs now because he worked with them on the 2nd team last year, Tyler said:
"I was getting a lot of reps in practice last year with Mike (Washington) and Aaron (Bain), so I know what they can do. I feel like I'm progressing every day, but I'm more hard on myself than anybody. Hopefully, I'll feel comfortable with where I am by the end of spring." (HA)

About Tyler being elevated to co-#1 with him, Inoke said:
"It's cool. You have to trust the coaches and just be ready when your opportunity does come." (HA)

Not worried about working from the shotgun, Ron Lee said:
"The shotgun is easy — we can put that in on game day if we wanted. We need to get better under center. By the time we get out of spring, I think our quarterbacks won't like the shotgun. They can read coverages a lot faster under center. In shotgun, you have to take your eyes off the defense for a second to get the ball, and that's when the defenses adjust." (HA)

About how he prefers the shotgun, Tyler said:
"I thought we were going to do shotgun today, but we didn't. I can't wait until we do. I'm sure I'll start to feel more comfortable under center by the end of spring, but right now, I'm still getting used to it." (HA)

About trying to earn the starting QB job, Tyler said:
"I'm just trying to get better and get everyone else better. I have a lot more goals -- earn everyone's respect back, that's my first goal -- and be a team player. Not trying to do too much, and just doing my thing. I feel like that's going pretty well." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Senior safety Keao Monteilh intercepted Graunke on the first play of both head-to-head segments of practice. Still, coach Greg McMackin liked what he saw. He said he planned to integrate the shotgun snap starting tomorrow, after pushing its debut back from yesterday. The practice did mark a thinning of offensive rotations, especially at quarterback; Shane Austin and Jake Santos were held to a handful of looks late in drills."

About how the third and fourth teams on offense will get only limited reps now, Mack said:
"We're at a point where we have to start recognizing, especially on offense, who's going to be in the ballgames. We're going to get more specific and prep the first two (offensive) units more. Get the timing down for the rest of spring, and probably play the top three teams on the defensive side." (HSB)

About returning to spring practice, John Estes said:
"Just working out the rust and adjusting to the speed again. Today's my first day (back), so it's pretty tough." (HSB)

About giving Ginlack time with the first team the past 2 practices and possibly giving Ieru time there with Estes out with injury, Brian Smith said:
"With (Estes) being out it gave us a chance to give lots of reps to two redshirt freshmen and really try to develop them. So putting a veteran back in there makes a big difference and it brings the group up just because he's kind of the leader of that group." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Le'Marcus Gibson continues to make strides in his recovery from knee surgery. The freshman safety was in contention for playing time early last season before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament during a practice in Houston prior to UH's game at Louisiana Tech. The school is applying for a medical hardship for Gibson. Though he's limited to non-contact drills this spring, Gibson is relishing the chance to put the pads on again and worked his way into the seven-on-seven period yesterday."

Happy he got to participate in 7-on-7 drills yesterday, Le'Marcus Gibson said:
"I told (the coaches) I wanted to get in today, I felt like I'm ready for it, so they threw me in and I felt good. My thing was I just wanted to get back into going against the offense instead of just doing drills." (HSB)

About how he's going to try to come back early from his injury, Blaze said:
"I'm going to try to come back (tomorrow), run around. Felt kind of out of place (on the sidelines), naked without my pads on. Maybe do some seven-on-sevens, some drills, but I think no contact." (HSB)

About offering help to his teammates while watching them go through drills, Blaze said:
"I try to have a positive set of mind. It's hard, but I really want to be out there. I love hitting people. This is the time you usually get your cracks in, you know what I mean. But this spring I'm taking a break." (HSB)


About looking to reduce ticket prices for specific seating areas for the 2008-2009 season, JD said:
"We're looking at it, viewing where our pricing's at." (HSB)

HSB Note: "He said the specific new prices will be released in "early or mid-summer." For football games at Aloha Stadium, the upper level of the south end zone and all levels of the north end zone are earmarked for lower prices, he said. Donovan also said plans call for lower prices at the upper level of the on-campus Stan Sheriff Center and the red level of Les Murakami Stadium for baseball.

These were the prices for individual tickets for the just-completed seasons in the designated areas: Football north end zone -- $24-27 adults, $19-22 seniors and ages 4-18, $5 UH students; football south end zone -- $29-32; Women's volleyball upper level -- $16 adults, $10 seniors, $6 ages 4-18, $3 UH students; Men's basketball upper level -- $18-22 adults, $14-16 seniors, $5 ages 4-18, $3 UH students; Women's basketball (all general admission) -- $8 adults, $6 ages 4-18, UH students free; Men's volleyball upper level -- $11 adults, $9 seniors, $3 ages 4-18 and UH students; Baseball red section -- $7 adults, $5 seniors, $3 ages 4-18 and UH students."