Spring Quotes from the local papers

About how his girlfriend from California was amazed at how many people recognized him during her visit to Hawaii last month, Dan Kelly said:
"She was like, 'Wow, I can't believe this is happening.' " (HA)

When their cab driver in San Francisco knew who he was, Kelly said:
"She looked at me with this you've-got-to-be-kidding look. It was super funny." (HA)

HA Note: "Meet Kelly, that rarest of college football players: a celebrity kicker. Most places the quarterback and, maybe a running back or wide receiver, gain a measure of community-wide fame. But Kelly rode a flair for the dramatic and the Warriors' remarkable 12-1 2007 season to a new level for his position. Even at a school that produced likely Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Elam, Kelly has managed to carve a niche and identity. If there was anybody who had a clutch touch in the Warriors' magical 2007 season outside of quarterback Colt Brennan, it was Kelly, who earned the nickname "Iceman" along the way. With a 49-yard field goal, he got UH to overtime and an eventual 45-44 win against Louisiana Tech. Then, with Nevada trying to freeze him on national TV, Kelly nailed a 45-yarder to beat the Wolf Pack, 28-26, with 11 seconds remaining."

About how this season will be crucial for his NFL hopes, Kelly said:
"The scouts aren't going to care about what happened last season. They are only going to look at this season. So, right now, I'm treating it like my rookie season and am going to go out there and play my best, like I'm playing for a job. That's essentially what I'm doing." (HA)

HA Note: "When promoters of the Pan Pacific Championships held a press conference to introduce David Beckham, Kelly, a high school and club soccer player, showed up for a glimpse. His presence quickly attracted its own media assembly, prompting a foreign reporter to ask if Kelly was somebody famous. "In Hawai'i he is," came the response."

HA Note: "They've played shoulder-to-shoulder for most of their young-adult lives, so it's only appropriate that former Castle High teammates Blaze Soares and Victor Clore rehab their way through spring practice much the same way — albeit with just two good shoulders between them."

Happy to be able to practice yesterday, Blaze said:
"I was so excited to get back out there, I was up at 5:30. I'm a little out of shape because I haven't been running too much, but it's hard to stay off the field when your boys are out there practicing. I'd rather be in the hospital than watching from the sidelines." (HA)

About the increased reps he got yesterday, Clore said while laughing:
"I was pretty good at first. But from the lack of reps so far this spring, it started catching up with me at the end." (HA)

About how he and Bloze ran and lifted weights together last offseason, Clore said:
"We'd get up at 4 in the morning and run. Sometimes, we'd drag tires on the beach." (HA)

HA Note: "Clore said that his recovery is progressing on schedule and that he's regained much of the range of motion in his injured shoulder. Clore, who was able to bench press 405 pounds last season, has still not been cleared to resume regular weight training, but has been working out with light weights."

Hoping to earn some playing time, Clore said:
"I just want to be able to help out wherever I can and get some playing time, either on special teams or at defensive end." (HA)

About how the defense will be the focus of the team now that Mack is the head coach, Blaze said:
"I love it. It's about the defense now. Last year, we ran to them (the offense). This year, they run to us." (HA)

About how the offense played better yesterday, Mack said:
"I think a lot of lights went on today. We're in system (on offense). The defense continues to play well, too, and today was our best practice of the spring." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The Warriors quarterbacks continued to work under center and some shotgun was mixed in. For the first time the prime contenders for starting quarterback posted more touchdown passes (two) than botched exchanges from center (none). Interceptions and sacks are still another matter, but at least the offense isn't inflicting wounds on itself before the play even really starts."

About how Estes' return really helped the offense, Mack said:
"He brings a lot of confidence to the offense." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Quarterbacks Tyler Graunke and Inoke Funaki are finding their rhythm. Funaki completed his first nine passes in team session yesterday, including a touchdown to Greg Salas that Salas ended with a flourish, dunking the ball over the goal-post crossbar. Graunke was intercepted by Jameel Dowling and Keao Monteilh, but finished 8-for-11 on the day with what probably would've been a touchdown to Jon Medeiros."

Asked about Salas' TD, Ron Lee said:
"Maybe the first (touchdown) since we started spring. I'm just glad we got one in the end zone. We've dropped all the other ones. But they're all getting better. The next few practices they'll be sharpening up." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Monteilh's interception was his third in two practices. Defensive end John Fonoti (mid-air fumble recovery for a likely touchdown) and linebacker Brashton Satele (sack) also showed well on defense."

HSB Note: "Senior running back Camron Carmona, all of 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds, has earned a reputation as one of the scrappiest Warriors. Sometimes, knowing when to quit on a play takes a backseat to his desire to improve his standing in the Hawaii backfield. He isn't listed among the top few backs in the depth chart, something he hopes to change through sheer effort."

About trying to earn playing time, Carmona said:
"I'm excited. It's going to have its ups and downs, but you gotta keep fighting the good fight. It's always nice to get out and bang. It's fun to compete. I think that's what drives a lot of these guys. A lot of the chances you get is when it comes with contact. While we're just doing drills, it's techniques and stuff like that, but when 11 and 11 line up, it's time to go." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Before the Warriors' first scrimmage of the spring last week, Carmona and defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga grappled to the ground at the end of a physical blocking drill, well after the coaches called out the end of the play. Meatoga tried to kick the pesky Carmona in the heat of the moment, causing the coaches to yell at the lineman to get off the field. When Meatoga got to the gate of the UH grass practice field, he was called back and allowed to stay."

About how he and Meatoga are friends, Carmona said:
"He's been watching too much UFC. Nah, me and Vaughn are good buddies. After, he's like 'Aww, man, I'm sorry -- didn't know that was you.' I was like, 'Well, I don't want you kickin' anybody else!' But I mean, it's all good fun -- stuff like that happens all the time. Emotions and adrenaline starts pumping, and that kind of stuff happens. Kind of part of the game -- some would say no, but it really is." (HSB)

HSB Note: "It wasn't the first time Carmona mixed it up with a teammate. A couple of days earlier that week, Carmona got into it a bit with fellow running back Jake Heun -- but he said they're also on good terms."

About how Carmona's confrontations shows his passion for the game, Alex Gerke (who cites burst and heart as Carmona's best assets) said:
"Camron's got a little personality to him ... I tell you what, I think everybody needs to have it. I don't care what position you play. You need to have a little personality to play this game. ... I think it should be that way every day." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Last fall, Carmona and linebacker Tyson Kafentzis scuffled during a kickoff coverage drill. It resulted in a two-game suspension for Kafentzis, who now considers Carmona a kindred spirit on the other side of the ball. They both go to New Hope Diamond Head church on a regular basis."

About Carmona, Tyson Kafentzis said:
"We're good. Camron's a good guy, man. He works real hard and he's kind of like me but he's a running back. We just butted heads. It's just a physical sport and sometimes it gets crazy. That one got a little out of hand, but as soon as practice was over, it was over. I never carry anything off the field." (HSB)

About how Carmona is a different person on the field, Jayson Rego said:
"Overall, Cam's a good kid. He's a pretty laid-back guy, but when it's time to do work, it's time to do work." (HSB)

About how he is missing the golf clubs that were at the apartment he shared with Colt, Carmona said with a smile:
"We gotta get together on that, because I'm missing my golf practice." (HSB)

HSB Note: "A three-way battle continues at Hawaii spring football practice for the starting job at right cornerback. Junior JoPierre Davis entered camp atop the list, and hasn't done anything to lose his spot. But seniors Jameel Dowling and Calvin Roberts are working hard to try to wrest it away."

About elevating Roberts to first team CB yesterday, Rich Miano said:
"We wanted to reward him because he's been so consistent. But it easily could've been Jameel in there. Those three are very close right now." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Senior Ryan Mouton has the left cornerback spot locked up, but the runner-up on the other side could get the fifth DB job Mouton held last season; that player sees extensive action in pass defense packages."

About how he didn't get to play much in his first year at UH, similar to his first year in JC, Roberts said:
"It was a little like deja vu from my freshman year (at College of San Mateo). I only played in a couple of games and had to wait my turn. I worked hard in the offseason and did the same this year. I talk to my old coaches, and they say stick to hard work and fundamentals. Fundamentals will take you up." (HSB)


About how Salas has always attracted attention, childhood friend Warriors sophomore guard Joey Lipp said:
"I've known him since second grade, and he's exactly the same now as he was then. Loud and obnoxious, but everybody loves him. No one takes him seriously. It's all in good fun." (HSB)

About taking RGM's #1 number for this season, Salas said:
"I want to have that attitude, that I'm No. 1." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Grice-Mullins was on hand yesterday to see his numbersake make a fine play. Salas grabbed a long pass from Inoke Funaki, sprinted into the end zone and dunked the ball over the 10-foot-high goal-post crossbar."

About Salas' TD yesterday, RGM said:
"Not bad. But it took him long enough to get downfield to catch the ball." (HSB)

Salas laughed and said:
"I was so open I had to slow up for the ball." (HSB)

About how he dunked a practice TD during his freshmen year, Salas said:
"I heard Coach (defensive coordinator Jerry) Glanville liked it. He played it over and over in the defense meeting." (HSB)

About how Salas needs to be more consistent, Ron Lee said:
"Greg Salas has a chance to be really special. He's tall, he can jump, he can run and he has good hands. He has all the attributes. He needs to put in a big effort. He's working hard, but he can work harder." (HSB)

About Mana Silva being elevated to first team for the practice that the high school coaches from Kamehameha-Hawaii attended, Rich Miano said:
"That was pretty cool, but believe me, it wasn't planned. Mana moved up to the first group today because he could be the starter when the season starts." (HSB)

About the extensive reps he got at LG yesterday, Lipp said:
"I'm starting to get confidence anywhere inside, guard or center." (HSB)