The Offense and Defense Prepare to Compete in the Warrior Bowl Today

About the competition between the offense and defense in the Warrior Bowl, Shane Austin said:
"There'll be some smack-talking. There's definitely guys who are competitive on both sides of the ball. It'll be fun, there'll be some sparks flying." (HSB)

HSB Note: "An autograph session is scheduled for 5-6 p.m. Practice starts at 7 and the evening will feature a situational scrimmage. The Warriors will work on various down-and-distance situations as well as overtime and 2-minute drill scenarios."

About how they will need to cut about 31 out of their current 116 players on their spring roster to make space for the 25 players joining their team for the fall, Mack said:
"To these guys it's all competition and a lot of them are competing for jobs, competing to make the 105 to go to fall, competing for their own positions. I think that's why we've had a good attitude out there, everyone's competing for their job." (HSB)

About how they are ahead of where they were last year, Dave Aranda said:
"There's been a lot of emotion in our scrimmages both offensively and defensively, so it's fun. I look back to last spring and we were struggling to keep up ... and it kind of leaked into the season. I like where we're at now with the confidence level and the swagger is starting to come back." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100430_warriors_wrap_it_up_with_spring_game.html

Feature article on Darius Bright

About how they aren't sure if they should redshirt Darius Bright or play him, Ron Lee said:
"He's made it tough on us. No doubt about that." (HA)

HA Note: "And, that's at the heart of the "problem" for UH coaches. They'd like to redshirt Bright and start his two-year eligibility clock in 2011 when they will be without Kealoha Pilares and Greg Salas, among other receivers. But Bright is 6 feet, 5 inches and blessed with good hands and speed, a package the Warriors haven't exactly had in abundance on the outside."

About how teams have been able to play man defense on their outside receivers and make it hard for their offense to move the ball, something that Bright might be able to prevent, Ron Lee said:
"A lot of teams started playing us man on the outside and a guy like him out there makes it tough to do that." (HA)

Rolo praised Bright and said that:
"the way he's played is going to force us to make some decisions." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100430/COLUMNISTS06/4300370/1142&template=UHSports

New Wing Dedicated for Warrior Football (new offices for the coaches, 2 conference rooms, video room, and reception area)

UH Note: "University of Hawai'i officials along with the Warrior football staff, state legislators and other dignitaries were in attendance Thursday morning for the dedication of the new football wing on the third floor of the athletics complex."

UH Note: "The facility includes 12 new offices for coaches and staff, two conference rooms, one video room and reception area adorned with an "H" logo. The new offices will include state-of-the-art equipment, including SMART boards in both the offensive and defensive conference rooms. Each office, meanwhile, will be equipped with presentation boards and 40-inch flat-screen televisions. The football staff will begin its move into the new facility after the conclusion of spring practice on Friday, April 30."

Excited about the new wing for the football program, Mack said:
"This is a great day for our football program. This new wing is going to provide a great environment for our coaches and players. It's just first-class. This, along with the T.C. Ching Field is going to be a great place for coaching, teaching and learning and is going to be an outstanding recruiting tool. It shows that the University of Hawai'i is serious about having a first-class football program. You can just see it by walking through here and the people of Hawai'i have created this. We are just really excited." (UH)

UH Note: "The facility was funded by a $1.3 million appropriation from the State Legislature and construction began in January 2010. The renovation was designed by WCIT Architecture and completed by Paramount Builders."

About how the new wing will help UH recruit and help the football coaches to be a lot more efficient, JD said:
"This new wing is just absolutely beautiful and this is going to help us in recruiting and it helps us to be a lot more efficient too. There are so many people who contributed to this incredible addition. The State Legislature in particular has just been phenomenal in their support of us, both UH-Manoa and UH Athletics." (UH)

http://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2010/4/29/FB_0429102214.aspx?path=football

Warrior Quotes 4/29/10 (focus on the OL position battles, DBs focus on turnovers)

When a DB creates a fumble during UH's practices, the DBs immediately yell:
"Cheeseburger! Cheeseburger! Cheeseburger!" (HA)

One DB chooses to instead yell:
"Chicken!" (HA)

About how it doesn't matter if they yell chicken or cheeseburger, Spencer Smith said:
"We aren't getting chicken. Or, any cheeseburgers, either." (HA)

HA Note: "Rather the references, assistant coach Chris Tormey's innovation, are food for thought for a defensive secondary hungry to create turnovers and make big plays this season."

About how the NFL can reward creating turnovers with money but in college they cannot even give the players a cheeseburger as a reward, Rich Miano said:
"In the pros they might give you $5,000 for creating a turnover (in a game), but we can't even give cheeseburgers. So we use food as a reminder. Instead of trying to strip the ball as an after-thought we want to make it a conditioned action every play, every practice. When the bell rings it is time to eat, just like Pavlov's dog." (HA)

About how their DBs play with an attitude, Spencer Smith said:
"We have an attitude. We're coming after people, we're going to hit you and we're going to play together. We keep doing all that, we're going to be a pretty good defense." (HA)

About how their experienced secondary (4 returning starters and 3 others returning with a lot of experience) looks to be one of the team's strengths, Smith said:
"We've spent more time together and are building a chemistry. This spring has helped." (HA)

Smith said that cheeseburgers would be nice after a long day's practice, but:
"it is like in the movie 'Hook' — I guess — we have to eat with our minds." (HA)

About how Austin Hansen has earned their starting LT spot, Gordy Shaw said:
"Nobody's going to knock out Austin." (HA)

Shaw praised Hansen's:
"experience and knowledge of the game. He just doesn't mess up fundamentally. He doesn't beat himself by doing the wrong step." (HA)

About the praise he received from Shaw, Hansen said:
"That's high praise considering all of the talented guys we have. I've been here with Gordy for two years. I know his system." (HA)

About how their defense has challenged them during practice, Hansen said:
"Our defense shows so many different looks. They have a real diverse package. It's good. It puts a mental strain on us." (HA)

About how he has the edge at center over Bronson Tiwanak, Matagisila Lefiti said:
"I know my calls. I've had chemistry with the first unit." (HA)

HA Note: "Shaw said Lefiti is ahead physically, but both Lefiti and Tiwanak are relatively even in their knowledge of the offense. Lefiti is capable of bench pressing 440 pounds and squat lifting 545 pounds. Shaw said London Sapolu, who transferred from a junior college in January, should challenge for second-team reps during training camp."

HA Note: "With the return of right tackle Laupepa Letuli, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility, Adrian Thomas moves back to right guard, where he will compete against Brysen Ginlack."

About the position battles (Thomas vs. Ginlack at RG, Leonard vs. Faamu at LG), Shaw said:
"The more the better. They know if they take a day off this summer, the other guy who didn't take a day off might do enough to move ahead. They all know they have to work their butt off this summer." (HA)

About how the Warrior Bowl will be an important evaluation day, especially for Warriors on the bubble of getting cut, Mack said:
"It's going to be a big evaluation day. It's the toughest thing about coaching. These are all good players. There's not a non-athlete out there. Letting them go is tough on everybody. We've given them a shot. But we have to be realistic. It's a numbers game." (HA)

About how he is on the bubble, Fesootai Papali'i said:
"I'm giving it my best. Whatever happens, happens. I'm sure all of the other walk-ons gave it their best, too. I'm ready for anything." (HA)

HA Note: "This is his second spring with the Warriors after transferring from Foothill College. Because of a low grade-point average, he acknowledged, he did not compete during the 2009 season. He had to go through the walk-on tryout to earn another berth on the spring roster."

About how it is hard to cut players, Rich Miano said:
"You don't want to take away someone's dream. Their dream is to play for the University of Hawai'i. They've worked so, so hard. The best part is that no matter what happens, they will always be part of our family. Just because you don't make it, you still have our respect and you'll always be in the Warrior ohana." (HA)

About how their OL preparation will not stop with tomorrow's Warrior Bowl, Austin Hansen said:
"It'll start up again on Monday. Spring ball is over and now we have to get ready to play the season and get into fall camp." (HSB)

About being moved from RT to LT this offseason, Hansen said:
"There have been some good tackles since I've been here, so I want to respect the position and play as hard as I can to show them I respect the legacy they set up." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Shaw said Brett Leonard and Andrew Faaumu remain close at left guard. The race at center could be a three-man battle between Sila Lefiti, Bronson Tiwanak and junior college transfer London Sapolu. Thomas and Brysen Ginlack are both proven at right guard. Letuli was granted a sixth year of eligibility and aims to shed about 20 pounds over the summer and will be pushed at right tackle by Kainoa LaCount, who missed about half of the spring with a knee injury."

About how there is a lot of competition for all 4 OL spots outside of the LT spot, Shaw said:
"It's a photo finish at this point in those four spots. That's not all bad because if a guy decides to take a day off in May, June or July and the other guy doesn't, that might be just enough to put the other guy ahead of him." (HSB)

About how the chemistry of their OL is coming together, Hansen said:
"I think it's getting there, there's better communication, but it's not where it needs to be for sure. I think a summer together is really going to help us out." (HSB)

About how their OL is communicating properly, Shaw said:
"The communication is there within those first two units. I don't think there's anybody in the room who doesn't understand the offense, whereas last year it was all so new to them." (HSB)

About how most of their players will stay around for the first session of summer school so the workouts and drills will continue through the summer, Hansen said:
"There's going to be workouts every day, position-specific drills every day and guys will be running, getting in shape. We're going to be on the field working techniques and hopefully we'll go into fall camp ready to go." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100429_fierce_competition_for_4_uh_oline_spots.html

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100429/SPORTS0201/4290362&template=UHsports

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100429/COLUMNISTS06/4290360/1142&template=UHSports

Mack said today that Bryant Moniz will return in time for Fall Practice

HSB Note: "As Jason Kaneshiro reported Monday, Bryant Moniz will be back soon to compete for the Hawaii starting quarterback job that was his at the end of last season. Coach Greg McMackin narrowed the timeline down further today, saying Moniz will return from personal leave in time for "fall practice," meaning the start of fall camp."

About planning for how they will insert Moniz into their QB rotation when Fall Practice begins, Rolo said:
"We'll have to talk about where we insert him. It gives us a much better problem than not having him would be." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Shane Austin and David Graves have been taking most of the first-team reps in the spring and have been impressive at times, as have Brent Rausch and Cayman Shutter. But no one has moved clearly to the head of the class, Rolovich said."

http://blogs.starbulletin.com/quickreads/?p=812

Brashton Satele is getting a tryout with the Jets after Oakland withdrew their offer

HA Note: "After the Oakland Raiders withdrew an offer with the former University of Hawai'i middle linebacker, the New York Jets called, offering Satele a tryout."

About Brashton's tryout with the Jets, his agent Kenny Zuckerman said:
"We'll see how it goes." (HA)

HA Note: "Satele probably faces a more favorable situation with the Jets than the Raiders. Mike Smith, who was a graduate assistant helping with the Warrior linebackers in 2009, is now an assistant with the Jets."

HA Note: "The Jets did sign two undrafted free agent linebackers — Kevin Basped of Nevada and Broderick Stewart of Vanderbilt — who will participate in this weekend's mini-camp for rookies and free agents. A couple of hours after the NFL's three-day, seven-round draft ended Saturday, Satele reached agreement on a standard free-agent contract with the Raiders. He was to receive a signing bonus. Satele received a faxed copy of the contract, which he signed and then sent back to the Raiders. But the Raiders did "not execute" the contract, according to Zuckerman, making Satele free to look elsewhere. It is not known if he still will receive a signing bonus from the Raiders."

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100428/SPORTS04/4280360/sportsfront/Ex-Warrior+Satele+gets+tryout+with+N.Y.+Jets

Warrior Quotes 4/27/10 (Graves praise, Bradley continues comeback, power cleans)

HSB Note: "Graves initially committed to Nevada while at Folsom (Calif.) High School, his nimble feet making him a fit for the option phase of the Wolf Pack's Pistol offense. But when Hawaii started showing interest during his senior season, Graves found himself drawn to the run-and-shoot and eventually signed with the Warriors." (HSB)

About choosing UH due to its offensive system, David Graves said:
"I've always considered myself a passer, and Hawaii's offense is a passing offense. Hawaii football is very explosive, the ball flying through the air, that gets people on their feet." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Graves continued to back up Shane Austin with the first unit during yesterday's no-pads practice at Ching Field, while Brent Rausch and Cayman Shutter operated the second unit in a still fluid quarterback race."

Praising their freshmen's performance in practice yesterday, Rolo said:
"David's taken advantage of the reps, Cayman had a good day today. You talk about two kids in their first spring and they're doing good things." (HSB)

Graves said that after the reps he go over the 13 practices this spring he is:
"a completely different person from the beginning of spring to now. In the fall, I would go into film and take mental reps, but it's completely different when you get to the line and have to run it against a defense." (HSB)

Noting the improvement in Graves, Mack said:
"I see a big jump in David Graves. The way he took that first unit down and scored, he showed he's really come a long way. He's going through his progressions better and he's always a weapon running the football. He's really helped himself this spring." (HSB)

About how he ran too quickly on one of his runs on Saturday, Graves said:
"I took off a little prematurely. I could have stayed in there and gotten it to one of our athletes. But it'll come with time. I'm still getting the system down and getting backside reads is part of the growing in the system." (HSB)

About how they plan to choose their starter with about 2 weeks left before the USC game, Mack said:
"We've got quite a while left. Mo's going to be back and he'll be in the mix, so we've got five or six good quarterbacks we're going to have to decide on and see how they work in the offseason." (HSB)

About how he was able to run routes and participate in the 7-on-7 period for the first time this spring, Rodney Bradley said:
"My leg felt a lot better, so I just tried to test it out and see what I could do. It felt good, most of it is mental. I'm favoring one side, but my leg feels fine." (HSB)

Bradley said that he still needs to build strength in his leg, but:
"it feels real good to have a helmet back on and catching passes with the team." (HSB)

About how they will not split the team up for the Warrior Bowl this year, instead working on situations between the offense and defense, Mack said:
"We want to solidify our first and second team with reps and we're still evaluating our third and fourth group." (HSB)

About how a significant portion of every weight-lifting session they have under strength coach Tommy Heffernan has been spent on power cleans (the weight is pulled from the floor to a racked position across the deltoids), Alex Green said:
"The power clean is good for us. It's an explosive lift. We're lifting weights while actually doing active movements." (HA)

HA Note: "Heffernan, who took over the Warriors' strength and conditioning program this year, said cleans are more football-specific workouts than bench presses. Heffernan said cleans, as well as squat lifts, develop hip and lower-body strength."

About why they focus on power cleans and squat lifts, Heffernan said:
"As far as playing and running, the stronger your legs and hips are, the faster you run, and the better player you'll be." (HA)

HA Note: "Heffernan said every offensive lineman can power clean at least 300 pounds."

About how he has benefited from the power clean, kicker Scott Enos said:
"I'm definitely getting stronger." (HA)

HA Note: "The most improved is right slotback Kealoha Pilares, who did not have a weight-lifting schedule in high school. Pilares, now a UH'senior, can power clean a team-best 365 pounds"

About power cleans, Kealoha Pilares said:
"To do it, you need good form. Tommy took a lot of time to teach the proper mechanics. Power cleans are different from the bench press. You have to generate force and movement." (HA)

About wanting to cut down on his fumbles, Alex Green said:
"I'm working on my ball security." (HA)

About how he has developed a running style this spring where he holds the football close to his body, Green said:
"When (defenders) reach, they won't knock the ball out. I feel more powerful when I run with the ball close to me. It keeps my pads low. It keeps me leaning forward." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100427/SPORTS0201/4270366&template=UHsports

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100427_QB_Graves_progresses.html

Aaron Kia got a tryout with the 49ers this weekend, Blaze Soares tries out with Chicago this weekend

About his tryout with the 49ers this weekend, which could lead to a free-agent offer if things go well, Aaron Kia said:
"I have to go there and be ready and be strong." (HA)

About how the LT Kia is being asked to tryout at G and C, Gordy Shaw said:
"They like his height and his arm reach and his athletic ability. He plays tremendously hard. He's a very aggressive football player . All of those things were positive." (HA)

Shaw said that Kia's one-on-one blocking skills will be helpful in playing center, so he can use the tryout to show:
"he can snap the ball, and (make the) snap-and-step (move)." (HA)

About how he has to do well this weekend, Kia said:
"I have to do my part right now." (HA)

About how his tryout is "a do-or-die situation", Kia said:
"I'm happy to get an opportunity. It's going to be challenging, but I'm just going to give it my best shot." (HA)

About his tryout with the Bears this weekend, Blaze Soares said:
"I've got to shine and show this team what I can do." (HSB)

About trying to make the same team that has Pisa Tinoisamoa, Blaze said:
"Growing up he was one of the guys who I tried to mimic. Since high school I tried to play like him, and getting to meet him, it's going to be awesome." (HSB)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100427/SPORTS0201/4270366&template=UHsports

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100427_Soares_and_Kia_get_NFL_tryouts.html

Warrior Quotes 4/25/10 (Graves practiced as #1 QB)

About how David Graves practiced as their #1 QB yesterday, Rolo said:
"We threw Dave in there with the (first team) because we wanted to see how he responded. He has a great on-field personality. He's got some real good characteristics. He brings some life to the guys." (HA)

Praising the way that Graves acts on the field, Rolo said:
"I like the way he acts on the football field. That's probably his strongest characteristic. It means a lot to him, very vocal, he's positive, competitive." (HSB)

About how no QB has earned the starting spot yet, Rolo said:
"I don't know if have a No. 1 yet. We feel Shane is competing and doing some good things. Again with Brent, it's consistency. .... I don't think Dave is scared of anybody on the field. ... I thought he did well. He moved the ball." (HA)

HA Note: "With Graves at the controls, the offense "tied" the score in yesterday's scrimmage before a few hundred spectators at Ching Athletic Complex. In the overtime, the two left-side receivers ran post patterns, pulling the defense to the middle of the field."

About running for a TD in overtime, Graves said:
"I ran to the (left) pylon. I was taught that at a young age. If there's nobody there, run to the pylon. It was a touchdown." (HA)

HA Note: "Or it should have been ruled a score. Head coach Greg McMackin called to replay the down."

About how Mack called for a replay of the down, Graves smiled and said:
"I counted it." (HA)

About how he'll never be satisfied with how well he's doing, Graves said:
"Things are going good. But I have to do better. I'm going to say that until the end of this. Five years from now, if we go undefeated or something, I'll say, 'I need to keep getting better.' " (HA)

About being driven to the turf by Lametrius Davis after catching a simple bubble screen, Chizzy Dimude said:
"I don't know what to say about that one. I ate it up." (HA)

About running for a long gain on the next play, Chizzy said:
"We're competing, man. It's all about putting in 100 percent." (HA)

About how he had surgery after last season because of a labrum tear in his left shoulder and now is slowed by a groin injury, Chizzy said:
"When the fall comes, I'll be all right." (HA)

About how Chizzy gives them a nice contrast with RB Alex Green, Mack said:
"(Dimude) gives a different dimension. Alex is a powerful fast guy. (Dimude) is a quick fast guy. He brings a change-up to the package. I like the change-up. It sure makes it a lot tougher for the defense." (HA)

HA Note: "Dimude said he will work on improving his leg strength this summer. Because of the shoulder surgery he could not power clean the past few months."

About how he looks forward to the live scrimmages every Saturday, Haku Correa said:
"I love Saturdays because during the week (in scrimmage periods) all we do is take our five steps and then we stop. On Saturdays I get to go all out and hit people, that's what I like. After Wednesday's practice I'm bummed out because we have nothing to do for two days. All we do is lift, and I'm just getting anxious for Saturday." (HSB)

About how Correa slightly ahead of Kaniela Tuipulotu for the starting DT spot, Dave Aranda said:
"It's still ongoing. Every day they come out and battle for that thing. Haku's really consistent making plays. Kaniela's an explosive player. It's a contest and it's every day and that's the way you want it." (HSB)

About how Tuipulotu is pushing him to get better, Correa said:
"Kani's always right there to push me. I want to get to the top and he wants to get to the top, so it's good competition." (HSB)

HSB Note: "{Correa earned a prominent role in the tackle rotation as a redshirt freshman, backing up Tuika Tufaga, and entered the spring atop the depth chart. He saw action in all 13 games and made two tackles for losses in his introduction to Division I."

About how he is much better than last year because he can play faster than he could as a freshman, Correa said:
"Last year I was learning my plays; now it's all second nature for me. I know what I have to do — everything's better, everything's faster." (HSB)

Haku said that his brother Laanui (who played for UH between 2000 and 2002) drills into him the importance of:
"staying low and consistency." (HSB)

About trying to help his brother Haku, Laanui said:
"I just try to give him any knowledge I've learned through the years. It's not really any secrets, just try to guide him the right way and he works hard himself." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The Warriors took full advantage of their weekly dose of live hitting yesterday. Early in the scrimmage linebacker Corey Paredes flattened running back Chizzy Dimude, who later took a big hit from cornerback Lametrius Davis. Dimude bounced back with a 25-yard gain on a swing pass to help set up a touchdown. The drive, directed by freshman quarterback David Graves, ended in another big blow, this one delivered by slotback Kealoha Pilares as he crossed the goal line on a 4-yard run."

About Pilares blasting his way into the end zone for a TD, Graves said:
"When you lower the shoulder and you want the end zone, that's having heart." HSB)

HSB Note: "Brent Rausch had a brief turn at quarterback in the overtime period. He hit slotback Dustin Blount across the middle for a touchdown on his lone snap."

Pleased with how they have been progressing during the spring, Mack said:
"I'm pleased with how we're coming along. We only have two more practices and a scrimmage, so we have to get the most out of this next week. We have to try to come out of this spring better than we were when we ended last year, and we're gaining on it." (HSB)

About how he did not win his campaign to be ASUH President, Jett Jasper said:
"I was upset (Friday), but a day later you think about it and me and my sister (running mate Jori Jasper) ran a really good campaign. We broke records in voter turnout. I feel like the athletic department really came together and we just came about a couple hundred votes short." (HSB)

About how all of their home games (except for the USC game that starts at 5pm) will kick off at 5:30pm, compromising between how season ticket holders preferred a 5pm start and individual ticket purchasers preferred a 6pm start, JD said:
"Hopefully, this strikes a balance and will work for all of our fans." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100425/SPORTS0201/4250388&template=UHsports

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100425/SPORTS0201/4250391&template=UHsports

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100425_Correa_relishes_Saturdays.html

Feature on how the NFL has finally caught up with Mouse Davis' offense

About how football purists hated the run-and-shoot offense he was creating, Mouse Davis laughed and said:
"They called us communists. Now they're all communists." (HSB)

About how the NFL has validated what Mouse Davis was criticized for 30 years ago, Steve Bartkowski said:
"It's funny, because everybody is doing now what Mouse and June were doing 30 years ago." (HSB)

About how NFL teams are running 4-WR run-and-shoot type of systems, Mouse said:
"Indianapolis and New England use them a lot. I haven't scouted New Orleans that much, but I'm told they do, too. Of course, they can do it because they have good quarterbacks." (HSB)

About believing in Mouse's offense and asking him to speak at UH's high school coaches clinic yesterday, Mack said:
"Mouse has been running it since I was at Aloha (Oregon) High School and he was at Sunset." (HSB)

Asked why it took so long for Mouse's system to catch on with the NFL, Mack said:
"I think they were afraid of the quarterback getting hurt. And you know how it is, everybody runs the same offense. So it took some guts. Everybody uses parts of it, mostly on third down. Now Indy does it on first down. In my mind, as a defensive coach, it can't be defended if (the offense) is executing." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/columnists/furtherreview/20100425_NFL_offenses_finally_catch_up_to_Mouse.html

Four undrafted Warriors get free agent deals with the NFL

HA Note: "Shortly after the conclusion of the three-day, seven-round NFL draft, pro dreams were extended to:

• Center John Estes, who will join the Jacksonville Jaguars.

• Linebacker Brashton Satele, who has signed with the Oakland Raiders.

• Offensive lineman Ray Hisatake, who signed with the Carolina Panthers.

• Linebacker Blaze Soares, in a text message to The Advertiser, said he will sign with the Chicago Bears."

About how Estes will not let his not being drafted stop him, his agent Kenny Zuckerman said:
"At the end of the day, you have to make the roster, and John is in a great situation." (HA)

HA Note: "Estes had hoped to land on a team with an older center who could serve as a mentor. The Jaguars' starting center, Brad Meester, 33, will be entering his 11th season in 2010. Most NFL teams have eight active offensive linemen for each game, and prefer the backup linemen to be able to play multiple positions. But the Jaguars were willing to sign Estes as primarily a backup center."

About how the Jaguars were a good fit for Estes, Zuckerman said:
"This is a team with an older center that has no problem playing tougher under-sized guys in the past." (HA)

HA Note: "Estes started each of the 54 games of his UH career. He also played well in the East-West Shrine Game, where he caught the attention of the Jaguars. Estes was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, and a tweaked left hamstring cut short his workout at UH's Pro Day. But the Jaguars remained in contact, and it was believed that if Estes were not drafted, he would be a high-priority free agent."

Zuckerman said that Estes signed the standard three-year contract with a five-figure signing bonus that:
"is one of the larger signing bonuses given to an undrafted player." (HA)

Glad to know where he will be playing, Estes said:
"I knew I would play football somewhere. It worked out. Jacksonville is the best situation. I like their style." (HA)

About being denied a 6th season by the NCAA last week, Brashton Satele said:
"That was tough." (HA)

"Just the other week I found out I'm not playing for the Warriors and now I'm finding out I'm going to the Raiders.I sat out long enough, and the time I sat out showed me how much I love the game and how much I missed it and I appreciate it more now." (HSB)

HA Note: "Satele had received several inquiries before the draft, but it was decided that the Raiders, who place a high value on speedy defenders, would be the best match. Satele ran the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds at UH's Pro Day. One scout clocked him at 4.59 seconds."

About signing the standard 3-year deal with Oakland, joining his cousin Samson who is on that team, Brashton said:
"This is the best situation for me. I have to prove myself, but I'm ready to go." (HA)

About how Brashton knew that he would not be drafted, Zuckerman said:
"Brashton knew he wasn't getting drafted. He told me, 'find me a team that will give me a chance.' He's getting a chance." (HA)

HA Note: "Hisatake's ascent has been remarkable. He attended a California high school that did not field a football team. After playing at College of San Mateo, he joined the Warriors as a defensive lineman. He switched to the offensive line in 2008, and broke into the starting lineup, as a guard, last year."

Excited about his chance with the NFL, Hisatake said:
"I'm really excited. I'm a one-year starter, and I've only been playing on the o-line for two years." (HA)

"I'm real excited they're going to give me a chance to show what I can do. Especially with the road I took, didn't play in high school, only played O-line for two years." (HSB)

HA Note: "Agent Leo Goeas said the Panthers were impressed with Hisatake's reach (34 inches), footwork and ability to play both guard and tackle."

Goeas pointed out that Carolina did not draft any OL, so even if they sign other free-agent lineman, then Hisatake:
"will be on equal ground with them." (HA)

HA Note: "Hisatake received a $10,000 signing bonus. In all free-agent contracts, only the signing bonus is guaranteed. The first-year salary is $320,000."

HSB Note: "Hisatake said he's been training with Chad Ikei in Arizona and has dropped 42 pounds since the end of the season to prepare for his shot. Former tackle Aaron Kia is hoping to hear from an NFL team, possibly by tomorrow."

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100425_3_Warriors_get_NFL_shot.html

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100425/SPORTS04/4250378/NFL+deals+for+ex-Warriors

UH will continue to play 13 games instead of getting a second bye week

About how a new NCAA rule would allow the Hawaii Bowl to take a 6-6 UH even if other 7-5 teams did not have a bowl game yet, Hawaii Bowl Executive Director David Matlin said:
"Six and six teams are in the mix now whereas, in the past, we'd have had to take a 7-5 team first." (HA)

JD said that UH has considered playing just 12 games to get an extra bye week, but:
"we will continue to utilize (the Hawai'i Exemption) as long as it makes sense for us. Right now, in football, it allows us an extra home game and we can really use the money." (HA)

HA Note: "UH nets approximately $250,000 to $500,000 for each of its home games against Football Championship Subdivision teams (formerly known as Division I-AA), which would be the most likely trimmed in the event the schedule was reduced to 12 games."

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100424/SPORTS04/4240334/sportsfront/Warriors+will+get+in+with+6-6+record

Hawaii News Now article about Letuli's 6th year

HNN = Hawaii News Now

Happy to have another season with the Warriors, Laupepa Letuli said:
"It's good to be with my teammates and (I've) got another year coming, so I'll just put in my all this semester." (HNN)

About how Letuli and he were excited to hear that Letuli would be able to play this season, Gordy Shaw said:
"He was very excited and I kind of was doing some back flips in my apartment. It was a good." (HNN)

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12354131

Warrior Quotes 4/22/10 (Laupepa Letuli got his 6th year!)

About how he has to lose some weight, Laupepa Letuli patted his hips and said:
"I have to lose some." (HA)

About how Letuli found out Tuesday night, about 3 months after he filed his appeal, Gordy Shaw said:
"It's been a long few months for Laupepa from a stress standpoint." (HA)

About how he was about to go to sleep for the night when OL coach Gordy Shaw called him with the good news, Letuli said:
"I was just going to knock out and he called me. I didn't answer at first, so I called him back. He said, 'I've got some news for you. You've got your year back buddy.' " (HSB)

About the importance of getting his 6th season with the Warriors, Letuli said:
"It's a pivotal point in my life, it's a fork in the road right now, so I just wanted an answer. It's great, I'm happy I am (coming back). If I didn't, still I'd have an answer and I'd know what to do. In the waiting period I wasn't sure, couldn't make any moves." (HSB)

About how waiting for the ruling was stressing Letuli, Shaw said:
"I could see he was stressed out. Particularly as we approached the end of this week with no word." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Letuli, who will graduate this semester, was granted the sixth year after providing documentation that injuries kept him out of action as a freshman in 2005 and again last fall, when he started three games at right tackle before suffering a torn tendon in his knee while working out the week following a loss at UNLV."

About his injury last season, Letuli said:
"It was just a freak accident." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Letuli said his knee is back to 90-95 percent and has been participating in spring practice since being granted a waiver allowing him to work with the Warriors while his appeal was under consideration."

About how Letuli will be held out of their 11-on-11 periods, Shaw said:
"He'll take no live snaps the rest of spring because he's not in playing shape right now. I wouldn't risk him getting nicked up in that stuff." (HSB)

In their 1-on-1 drills with the OL, Shaw said that Letuli (despite Letuli's hopes to drop 20 pounds before Fall camp):
"looks really good. It's good to see a big guy like that moving that quick." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Letuli's return figures to add to the depth — and therefore the competition — on the right side of the line in fall camp. Kainoa LaCount opened the spring at right tackle with the top unit, but hasn't practiced since hurting his knee. Adrian Thomas will continue to work with the first line at tackle with Brysen Ginlack at right guard. Thomas began the spring at right guard and could move back there when Letuli and LaCount return to duty. The left side of tackle Austin Hansen and guard Brett Leonard and center Sila Lefiti have maintained their spots through 11 practices this spring."

About how Letuli's return increases the competition they have at OL, Shaw said:
"It's all about competition." (HSB)

About how he still participated in one-on-one drills yesterday, but not full-contact team workouts, just like before he heard the result of his appeal, Letuli said:
"I'm still involved in only one-on-ones." (HA)

Happy that the stress of waiting for his appeal ruling is gone, Letuli said:
"I'm relieved. I'm not stressed anymore. It was very stressful waiting." (HA)

HA Note: "Letuli felt confident that he met the precedent of proving that injuries forced him to miss nearly two full seasons. He suffered torn ligaments in his right shoulder in 2005 and a torn tendon in his left knee in 2009. He said his mother and UH head trainer Eric Okazaki provided contemporaneous documents — notes written in the years he was injured."

Letuli said that his mother:
"is very organized. She gave a lot of information." (HA)

Happy that they will have Letuli for another season, Shaw said:
"The biggest winner in all of this is the Warrior football program. We get a good player back for another year." (HA)

"He lends a lot of maturity to the group now and we've got another guy who can be a leader, knowing he'll be here in the fall. It was hard for him to really take charge because he didn't know if he'd be here or not." (HSB)

HA Note: "During UH's Pro Day, an event Letuli attended earlier this month in Carson, Calif., Shaw told National Football League scouts that Letuli was one of the best tackles he ever coached. Shaw repeated that claim yesterday."

Explaining why Letuli was one of the best tackles he ever coached, Shaw said:
"He has the rare combination of power and strength along with physical size, athleticism and quickness. He has all of the skills, like no one else I've ever been associated with on the offensive line. He's a very smart football player. He understands the game very well. It's just an awesome tribute to the NCAA to give a guy like that another year on the field." (HA)

About being able to run pass routes without discomfort, giving him hope that he will be ready for this summer's training camp, Rodney Bradley said:
"I'm about 90 percent, there's a little pain in the area." (HA)

About how he's sitting out of Spring Practice because he does not want to risk a setback in his recovery, Bradley said:
"Somebody could roll up on my leg." (HA)

About running routes after practice with QBs Cayman Shutter and Corey Nielsen throwing passes, Bradley said:
"I'll definitely be ready this summer." (HA)

About how Mack missed practice yesterday to be with his wife Heather, who suffered a fractured arm when she was hit by a car Sunday, Spencer Smith said:
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. McMackin." (HA)

HA Note: "Cornerback Tank Hopkins, who is recovering from a pelvic injury, said he is contemplating redshirting this coming season. Hopkins, who will be a senior, has never used a redshirt year."

HA Note: "The grass practice field has been renamed Cooke Field, according to a small plaque. What used to be Cooke Field — the complex featuring a track and football field with an artificial surface — is now Ching field."

About how Austin and Rausch took reps with the first unity yesterday, moving Rausch ahead of Graves, Rolo said:
"We're trying to get them all some reps. Brent's done some nice things, he's made a lot of progress in the middle of spring. Shane, on the whole, has been the best performer. Dave's had his good days. He still has stuff to learn, it's a tough offense to get in the spring. Brent's been up and down, and we think he's on one of the ups right now." (HSB)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100422/SPORTS0201/4220368&template=UHsports

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/20100422_Letuli_cleared_to_play_1_more_season.html

Laupepa Letuli was granted a 6th season by the NCAA!

Happy to be able to play for the Warriors this season, Letuli (UH's #1 RT) said:
"I'm very happy to be coming back. I'm happy for my family, too." (HA)

About how the NFL draft starts tomorrow and he needed to notify the NFL if he was available for free-agent offers, Letuli said:
"It was getting frustrating when I didn't hear anything (from the NCAA). I got the answer I wanted." (HA)

HA Note: "During the 2005 training camp, when Letuli was a true freshman, he suffered ligament damage to his right shoulder. He did not play a down that season. In 2009, he suffered a tendon injury in his left knee. The injury prevented him from running. He even underwent a blood-spinning procedure in which his blood was drawn, treated, and then injected into the damaged tendon. Letuli provided what the NCAA calls contemporaneous documents — notes written in the year he was injured."

About how he provided contemporaneous documentation to the NCAA, Letuli said:
"My mom really helped me out. Plus, Eric (Okazaki, UH's head athletic trainer). They documented everything." (HA)

Ready to resume full workouts with the Warriors starting today, Letuli said:
"I wouldn't say I'm in the best shape right now, but I'm in the direction of losing weight." (HA)

About how he'd like to report to training camp weighing about 305 pounds, Letuli said:
"It's good to be back." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100421/SPORTS0201/4210371&template=UHsports

Feature article on John Estes

HA Note: "Through years of study, it has been found that the most successful National Football League centers have arm reaches of at least 30 inches. The significance, it has been argued, is that a long reach is needed to fight off nose tackles as more NFL teams go with 3-4 defensive schemes. On several scouting reports, Estes' reach is listed at 29 inches. A scout told Advertiser NFL draft analyst Curtis Murayama that Estes is "a tough guy, plays hard, but has short arms." Thing is, the source of the measurement is a mystery. Estes' reach has been measured twice by NFL scouts — at UH's Junior Pro Day last year and at UH's Pro Day earlier this month. Both times, Estes' reach exceeded 30 inches — 30 1/4 inches at Junior Pro Day, 30 1/2 at Pro Day. Perhaps a mixup occurred because during Junior Day, cornerback Chris Black's reach of 29 inches was listed just above Estes' 30 1/4 measurement."

About how he's recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered while running the 40-yard dash during UH's Pro Day, John Estes said:
"Everything is OK now. I'm ready." (HA)

Estes' agent Kenny Zuckerman says that critics have wondered if Estes is:
"big enough to do it game in and game out. It's a lot different than playing against big sloppy guys. The NFL is different. (Nose tackles are) 350 pounds of beef." (HA)

HA Note: "Zuckerman said Estes' body of work — at UH and in the East-West Shrine Game — prove he is capable. But unlike college, NFL teams usually activate only eight offensive linemen for games. The reserves are usually combination players, such as guard/tackle or guard/center. Because Estes is a pure snapper, he probably would need to go to a team with an older center. Likely matches are the St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears."

About how he will work hard for whatever team drafts him, Estes said:
"Whatever team I go to will get a solid football player who will work hard every play. The guy who played 54 straight games, that was me." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100421/SPORTS0201/4210362&template=UHsports

Warrior Quotes 4/20/10

About giving him new duties in his role as their #1 right slotback, lining up wide, in the slot, in the backfield, and in motion, to help get one of their playmakers to make plays, Kealoha Pilares said:
"We've been talking about it for years. Finally, we're getting around to installing it." (HA)

Asked about being more disciplined in the weight room and more assertive on the field, Pilares said:
"I'm taking it one day at a time. That's what I've been thinking about. It's my last year. You never know if you'll be playing football again. I'm just living it up, having fun, and taking it day by day." (HA)

HA Note: "As a slotback in 2009, Pilares caught 71.4 percent of the passes in which he was the primary target. As a wideout, his completion efficiency dropped to 47.8 percent."

About how he understood their offense better after he was moved to wideout, Pilares said:
"Moving to wideout made everything more understandable. Now, you're not just running a route, you're running a concept. Now I understand why I was running the route, and how it would affect the other receivers." (HA)

HA Note: "Pilares also said he understands the benefits of the offseason conditioning program. As a Damien Memorial student, Pilares hardly lifted weights. Now he can bench press a maximum 330 pounds. This spring, he had the best power clean among the Warriors, lifting
365 pounds."

About how he gained confidence from working hard in the weight room, Pilares said:
"Getting in the weight room gives you a little more confidence. You don't feel scared or anything. You can imagine my freshman year how scared I was going against (linebacker) Blaze (Soares) and (rush end David) Veikune in practice. I was this little guy. It was hard." (HA)

HA Note: "Pilares, who is 5 feet 10, has gained about 25 pounds during his UH career, and now weighs 200."

HA Note: "Not only is he an efficient blitzer, but he is an aggressive run-stopper and, even, a capable pass defender. Paredes remains on the field when the Warriors shift from their base 4-3 alignment to a 4-2-5 nickel defense."

About his fierce play on the field, weakside LB Corey Paredes said:
"The coaches gave a talk that some leaders have to step up. I want to be a leader, so I changed my demeanor a little bit." (HA)

About his on-field emotions, Paredes said:
"It's hard to have friends on (the other team) on the field. You have to work with your teammates as a battle unit. If it takes having a serious attitude, that's what I'll do." (HA)

About how some players lose their edge after earning a scholarship like he did, Paredes said:
"We see it sometimes. I'm thankful for (the scholarship). I'm grateful to the coaches. But having a scholarship is not going to change how hard I work. I'm working just as hard." (HA)

About the big hits he has been taking during Spring Practice, Ryan Henry said:
"That's part of the game. I'm trying to show the coaches I can take hits, that I'm ready to play at this level." (HA)

HA Note: "Last spring, Henry was uneven, mixing spectacular catches with untimely drops. He entered training camp behind Pilares and Dustin Blount at right slotback. Eventually, Blount would slip on the depth chart because of a severe hamstring injury, and Pilares would move to left slotback. But it was Medeiros, not Henry, who would elevate to No. 1 right slotback."

About not being able to earn a starting spot, Henry said:
"It gets frustrating. I came in with big expectations." (HA)

Working hard and waiting for his chance, Henry said:
"I'm waiting on my opportunity. All I can do is play hard and not show any bad body language. ... I had dreams. I want to continue to play after this. I don't want this to be the end of it. I have to keep working hard. That's all I can control." (HA)

About how his main goal is a team goal, Henry said:
"The main thing is I want to go to a bowl game. That matters the most." (HA)

HSB Note: "Pollard has been working with the first unit on the right side (Z receiver) and is being pushed by redshirt freshman Billy Ray Stutzmann. The left side (X receiver) — where Bradley lined up last year before his injury — is led by Joe Avery, Mike Tinoco and newcomer Darius Bright."

Not letting the competition for their starting wideout spots bother him, Joe Avery said:
"I don't try to add any extra pressure on myself. I just take a day at a time." (HSB)

Coming back strong from his injury, Pollard said:
"I feel real comfortable out there, just getting back on track. I got hurt it was a downer. The main thing is you come back strong and keep pushing like I always was." (HSB)

About the chemistry between their receivers, Pollard said:
"We've got a good feel for how each other works. The first three days of spring I felt like when we came off the line we were all in unison when we watched on film. We've all got each other's back and we're all working to get the other person open." (HSB)

About needing to be consistent, Joe Avery said:
"One thing that makes a receiver great is consistency. The saying goes 'consistently good is better than occasionally great.' ... Once I nail down those little things, then the big plays will come eventually." (HSB)

About how they are using their scrimmages to test their receivers, Ron Lee said:
"What's good is we're giving them a lot of situations, third and 8, third and 10. And what they need to understand is it's not like 7-on-7. Giving them these situations, now we lose the ball if we drop the ball on the third down. We've got a lot of stuff in, now we're going to spend a lot of time going back and working on all that stuff." (HSB)

About how their wideouts help make space for their slots to operate, Avery said:
"What makes our offense work is if all four of us work together. Everybody has to be on point with their assignment and running for each other and not just for ourselves. We know Greg and Kealoha proved themselves over the past few years, so it's our job to play more together and make the offense work." (HSB)

Happy with the rul outlawing more than 2 players to form a wedge for blocking on kickoffs, Chris Tormey said:
"I think it's a good rule. When you look at the concussions and shoulder injuries over the years in college football, it was something that needed to be done. We'll just make an adjustment. It might call for a little more scheming. We might have to give more varied looks back there, but we'll adjust." (HSB)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100420/SPORTS0201/4200346/1035/sportsfront&template=UHSports/Pilares+is+starring+in+playmaker+role

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/20100420_Receiver_jobs_wide_open.html

David Pa'aluhi received his release from Oregon State to play for UH

KOHD = KOHD News
OR = The Oregonian

KOHD Note: "February 25th, Mike Riley announced starting linebacker David Pa'aluhi had withdrawn from school to join the United States Armed Forces, but Monday Riley confirmed Pa'aluhi had asked for his release from Oregon State to play for Hawai'i."

About granting Pa'aluhi's release from his Oregon State scholarship so that he can join the Warriors, Oregon State head coach Mike Riley said:
"In order to do that, he had to ask for a release from us. That's why we know about it. We were kind of surprised by that, but after talking to his father, we agreed to allow him that release." (KOHD)

KOHD Note: "Pa'aluhi started all 13 games at middle linebacker in 2009, was second on the Beavers in total tackles with 77, and earned Pac-10 Honorable Mention. Pa'aluhi would not be able to play for Hawai'i until the 2011 season. Oregon State is scheduled to play at Hawa'i that season."

OR Note: "Pa'aluhi left school in February, telling Riley it was because of personal issues and his desire to join the military."

About Pa'aluhi's decision to leave Oregon State to join the military, Oregon State OLB Keith Pankey said:
"it was like losing a brother.'' (OR)

Pankey said that if Pa'aluhi played against Oregon State:
"I would take that personally." (OR)

OR Note: "Apparently, playing closer to home- he is from Waianae, Hawaii – will allow Pa'aluhi to better handle a situation where he has a girlfriend and child but still wants to continue with football and make progress towards his political science degree. Riley said after several conversations with Pa'aluhi's father, who did not want his son to join the Army, he decided to grant Pa'aluhi his release to play for Hawaii."

About his disappointment in the situation, Riley said:
"With his immediate family situation pretty much overwhelming for him (in Corvallis) maybe it's best this way with more family around to help with the baby. You want to ask him, 'why couldn't we have researched this earlier, and tried to make it work here' but I eventually said OK (to the release)." (OR)

About Pa'aluhi's possible transfer to UH, Pankey said:
"He's my friend until the day I die, but he does play (again) I wish he was playing for us. As long as he's happy and doing better, it's hard to have malice for your friend even though he's not doing what you want him to do." (OR)

OR Note: "OSU teammates thought Pa'aluhi was giving up football to be in the military. Pankey said he corresponded with Pa'aluhi, "a few days ago'' and Pa'aluhi didn't mention plans to play for Hawaii."

About giving Pa'aluhi a call, Pankey said:
"I'll probably call him tonight to see what's going on." (OR)

OR Note: "Pa'aluhi was a wrestler at Kamehameha High School in Honolulu who kickboxed on the side and dabbled in mixed martial arts when his dad suggested he give football a try at Waianae High. Pa'aluhi, then a senior, fell in love with football, and hit the OSU campus like a force of nature, taking over the middle linebacker position last season. The player everyone at OSU called "Bubba'' has the kind of ability that translates to the next level."

About how Pa'aluhi could make it to the NFL, Pankey said:
"Let's put it this way. Our of anybody on our defense last year – besides Stephen Paea – I don't think there's anybody that had NFL written on their back like he does. He's got speed, he's got quickness, he's smart. He's a beast." (OR)

About how it isn't sure that Pa'aluhi will join UH, his father David Pa'aluhi Sr. said:
"He doesn't know what he's going to do right now, but I want him to finish school, somehow, somewhere." (OR)

http://kohd.com/page/170614

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindbeaversbeat/2010/04/oregon_state_football_at_least.html

Warrior Quotes from the Advertiser (Moniz will be allowed to rejoin the Warriors!)

About how Bryant Moniz wil be allowed to rejoin the Warriors, Mack said:
"He's going to work it out. He's going to be back on our football team. It's between he and myself when he comes back." (HA)

About how Austin and Graves are at the top of their QB depth chart and Shutter/Nielsen/Rausch are in the next tier, Mack said:
"At this point, (Austin and Graves) have separated themselves (from the others) a little bit." (HA)

About Austin's INT yesterday, Rolo said:
"Shane did a lot of good things, but you can't throw the ball up in the middle of the field, especially on third-and-5. He knows that read." (HA)

About his INT, Austin said:
"I should have gone with the shorter route." (HA)

About trying to force the ball to Salas, Austin said:
"You like to give your play-maker some opportunities, but that's not an opportunity when you throw into coverage." (HA)

About Graves made the right read on his INT but executed it incorrectly so Lewis Walker made the INT, Rolo said:
"He has to lead (the receiver). If he does, he has a touchdown." (HA)

About his INT, Graves said:
"I tried to be too careful, and didn't put the ball out as much as I should have. I kind of weak-armed it." (HA)

About being their #1 QB, Austin said:
"I'm starting to get used to (being No. 1), and building that chemistry and bond with the offense. We're starting to click." (HA)

About how he can scramble after he looks for his 4 passing options, Graves said:
"It's the fifth progression. If nothing is going on, I like to run and make things happen on the run." (HA)

About how they aren't working on scrambling much now, Rolo said:
"(Graves') strength is his athleticism and creativeness. A lot of that pops out at game time." (HA)

Hoping for a decision soon by the NCAA on his petition for a 6th season, Letuli said:
"I want (the NCAA) to give me something. I don't care what the answer is. I want an answer so I know what to do." (HA)

About wearing his brother's #13 jersey yesterday, Liko Satele (who is going back to his #98) said:
"I took it from his locker." (HA)

About missing the rest of spring practice due to a torn MCL in his left knee, Kainoa LaCount said:
"It's all right. As long as I'm coming back, that's the main thing." (HA)

About losing 25 pounds since July, the 6'6", 320-pound LaCount said:
"Rice and soda were killers. I was a junk-food eater. I cut out rice and cut out the sweets." (HA)

About trying to earn the gunner spot on the right side of their punt team, Darius Bright said:
"It was my first day there. I'll keep working at it. But I don't mind hitting somebody. I'll give it all that I've got." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100418/SPORTS0201/4180379&template=UHsports

Warrior Quotes from the Star-Bulletin (Brashton Satele says goodbye)

About Brashton Satele addressing the team, George Daily-Lyles said:
"He told the whole team to take it a play at a time because you never know when it'll be your last. He just summed it up right there. His whole career gone in a flash. You've got to enjoy it while you can, just make plays, do your job and win games." (HSB)

About the competition for their starting MLB spot, Dave Aranda said:
"Everyone's had their days and their positives, but we need a guy that can be consistent day in and day out. They all have their strengths. That's such a crucial part of the defense -- that's the quarterback of the defense, so we're still looking for that guy." (HSB)

About the daily evaluation of each MLB's performance, Heun said:
"They put up a board they update after practice. If you were loafing you get called out. Nobody wants to be on that." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Experience favors the returnees, as Lolotai opened last season as the starting MAC backer against Central Arkansas and Heun finished there against Wisconsin. Daily-Lyles, meanwhile, is eagerly awaiting his Division I debut this fall."

About redshirting last season, Daily-Lyles said:
"I wanted to play with all my heart, but I guess it wasn't in the cards and redshirting was probably the best thing that could happen to me." (HSB)

HSB Note: "When he last played, Daily-Lyles was the hub of the defense for Southern California prep power Long Beach Poly, where he helped the Jackrabbits reach the CIF state championship game as a senior and earned league MVP honors with 159 tackles, including 42 for losses."

Praising Daily-Lyles, Aranda said:
"I'm very impressed with George. Je has all the natural instincts, probably the most instinctive guy (of the group). He's very smart, picks up things very easily, good quickness and burst to the ball." (HSB)

About moving up to the Varsity in high school as a Freshman, Daily-Lyles said:
"All these guys are staring at me, all these D-I prospects, and you've got to find your own or they'll eat you alive. Step up and make plays and they'll respect you." (HSB)

About his ribbing with Justin Clapp (who went to De La Salle), Daily-Lyles said:
"(Clapp's) locker is right across from mine and we jaw all the time. Fun and games." (HSB)

HSB Note: "With many of the approximately 150 high school prospects who attended "junior day" sticking around to watch practice, some of the starters who sat out the Warriors' first scrimmage of the spring --such as receiver Greg Salas and running back Alex Green -- saw full-speed action yesterday as the Warriors went full speed in third-down, red-zone and 2-minute drill periods."

Happy with their scrimmage, Mack said:
"I'm very happy (with the progress). We held some of the ones out on Kauai, but they got 30 to 40 reps today. And I'm always pleased when no one gets hurt. We still have some guys on the bubble. That's why we scrimmaged the 3s and 4s, too. We want to see some more of some guys; some are possible special teamers." (HSB)

Agreeing that creating a 5-to-play-5 rule would be good for college football, Mack said:
"I think it'd be great, really. Anybody that can help us as a freshman, we want to play them. I'm thinking it would be good." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100418_satele_sadly_says_goodbye.html

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/20100418_5_to_play_5_would_bring_sanity_to_college_sports.html

Brashton Satele was shocked to learn that his Warrior career is over

HA Note: "Minutes after completing what would be his last workout as a University of Hawai'i football player, middle linebacker Brashton Satele yesterday received the shocking news."

About hearing the bad news from his Mom, Brashton Satele said:
"My mom called, and she said: 'Are you ready for the NFL?' " (HA)

Shocked that his Warrior career is over, Brashton said:
"I'm shocked. I thought I was coming back (to UH) for sure. I thought it was a sure thing." (HA)

"It kind of shocked me; I thought I'd come back, but it's all right. Now I can focus and put my efforts into one thing." (HSB)

HA Note: "Indeed, the UH coaches were so confident that they set aside a new scholarship to count Satele toward the 2010 recruiting class. Satele earned a bachelor's degree in December, and was taking on-line classes this semester to remain academically eligible. In sixth-year cases, the NCAA usually requires an applicant to prove that he missed two football seasons because of medical reasons. Satele did not play as a fifth-year senior in 2009 because of a shoulder injury that required preseason surgery. He argued that he redshirted in 2005, as a true freshman, because of an arm injury.

Satele provided affidavits about the 2005 injury. But in its ruling, the NCAA determined that Satele did not have enough "contemporaneous documentation" — notes written in 2005 by doctors and physical therapists. The affidavits, it was found, were post-dated and not actually written in 2005, according to the ruling sent to Lee Ann Satele, Brashton's mother."

Lee Ann Satele said that documents were not collected in 2005 because:
"nobody saw it would put us in this situation." (HA)

About how the NCAA needed more information to give Brashton his 6th year, Lee Ann said:
"We're all bummed. We gave it our best shot. But they wanted more information." (HA)

About being disappointed in the result, UH compliance officer Amanda Paterson said:
"I thought we put on a strong case." (HA)

About how a lack of contemporaneous documentation hurt their case, Paterson said:
"It's not the end he wanted, but at least now he has an answer." (HA)

HA Note: "Satele and offensive tackle Laupepa Letuli, who is still awaiting a ruling on his appeal, were frustrated at the delay. Satele began working on his appeal in September, and he turned in preliminary papers in December."

HA Note: "Satele, who performed well at this month's Pro Day in Carson, Calif., has received several inquiries from the Oakland Raiders the past two weeks."

Hoping for his shot in the NFL, Brashton said:
"All I'm looking forward to is a chance. I'll go through walls for anybody." (HA)

"I'm just looking for an opportunity, it doesn't matter where. I thank everybody for all their prayers and everyone who helped me." (HSB)

HA Note: "Paterson, who was hired as interim compliance offer in 2008, said there now is an emphasis on players collecting documentation of their injuries and rehabilitation programs. Each player is reminded of that during orientation sessions."

About how their players now understand that they need to document their injuries, Paterson said:
"The awareness is better, although it doesn't do much for Brashton." (HA)

Grateful for the support that he got from UH, Brashton said:
"I thank everyone who helped me — the doctors, (athletic director) Jim (Donovan), Amanda, my coaches. I thank everyone for praying for me, especially my parents, who were always there when times got hard. I'll always be a Warrior. I thank all of the fans for their support." (HA)

HSB Note: "Satele last played in a game in UH's loss to Notre Dame in the 2008 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. He was slated to start at middle linebacker entering fall camp last year, but suffered a shoulder injury in practice and had season-ending surgery."

Disappointed about losing Brashton, Mack said:
"It's very disappointing. Brashton was our best leader and an outstanding player and I wish him the best." (HSB)

HSB Note: "With Satele's status finalized, the Warriors continue the competition at middle linebacker, where freshman George Daily-Lyles has moved into contention along with Mana Lolotai."

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100417/SPORTS0201/4170348&template=UHsports

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100417_Sateles_appeal_denied.html

Brashton Satele was denied his request for a 6th year

About having his request for a medical exemption for a 6th year denied by the NCAA, ending his Warrior career, Brashton Satele said:
"I'm shocked. I thought I was coming back (to UH) for sure." (HA)

HA Note: "The NCAA ruled that Satele needed to prove he missed two seasons because of injuries. Satele had enough documentation for the 2009 season, but not enough for the 2005 season. Lee Ann Satele said the NCAA told them while they had documentation, it was postdated, and not actually from 2005. She said data was not collected at the time in 2005 because "nobody saw it would put us in this situation" several years later."

About Brashton's Warrior career being over, Lee Ann Satele said:
"We're all bummed. We gave it our best shot. But they wanted more information." (HA)

About being disappointed in the NCAA's decision, UH compliance officer Amanda Paterson said:
"I thought we put on a strong case." (HA)

HA Note: "But the lack of "contemporaneous documentation" — notes written in 2005 from doctors and physical therapists — hurt the appeal."

HA Note: "Paterson, who was named interim compliance officer in 2008, said that, during orientation meetings, student-athletes are instructed to collect contemporaneous documentation whenever they suffer an injury."

http://warriorbeat.honadvblogs.com/2010/04/16/5262

UH is unsure if Rodney Bradley or Darius Bright will redshirt this season

HSB Note: "I've seen too many great football players over the years — including receivers — under 6 feet to get overly excited just because a guy is tall. But with Greg Salas (6-foot-2), Darius Bright (6-5) and Joe Avery (6-5), the Warriors should never lose a jump ball in the end zone this fall — and that would go a long way toward solving last season's red zone woes. UH has six other receivers in spring camp listed at 6-2 or taller, including newcomers Westley LeClay and Alika Kaanapu, who are both at 6-4."

About how Darius Bright might be redshirted if Rodney Bradley's broken leg is recovered in time for this season, Mack said:
"That's a decision that could come down to the day before the season starts. Rodney has a redshirt year available, too, and we don't want to waste either of them." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/columnists/furtherreview/20100416_UHs_receivers_give_new_meaning_to_high_hands.html

Feature on Aaron Brown

About Aaron Brown's intensity on the field, Jake Heun said:
"He's a beast. He's jacked out of his mind (on the field). I think he's going to be good. He's going to kill some people this year. He runs around. He's like a heat-seeking missile out there." (HA)

HA Note: "Brown, who transferred from Saddleback Community College last July, was a seemingly quiet-spoken strong safety when he arrived on the Mānoa campus. He then moved to linebacker, although his time there was short-circuited after he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury before the start of the 2009 season."

About how Brown (at strongside LB) is on the first unit in all of their defensive schemes, Dave Aranda said:
"He makes plays. He's still learning the defense, and he's learning his role within the defense." (HA)

Praising Brown, Aranda said:
"He's a real good blitzer, and he's good in pass coverage. He's getting better versus the run." (HA)

Aranda said that the 6'1", 205-pound Brown was moved from SS to LB because of a lack of LB depth and because:
"of his instincts. He's physical. He can strike. He has the skills." (HA)

About being frustrated by the injury to his right hamstring, Brown said:
"Especially the way I play. I play full speed, balls to the wall. You really can't do that when you have a hindering hamstring injury." (HA)

HA Note: "While recovering, he focused on improving his overall strength. Brown now can bench press 340 pounds and power clean 265 pounds. He also kept in shape with early-morning hikes. He regularly climbs Stairway to Heaven and Koko Crater. The reward is the top-of-paradise view."

About enjoying the views at the end of his hikes, Brown said:
"I'm in Hawai'i, I want to enjoy Hawai'i." (HA)

About moving from SS to LB, Brown said:
"You definitely have to have a different mentality going into linebacker. It's in everybody. I found my inner beast." (HA)

Asked about his improved play, Brown said:
"It's all from vision. You see your key, you get your read steps. Everything just falls into place after that." (HA)

Praising Brown's play at LB, Heun said:
"Because he was a safety before, he has a good feel for timing it out. Now that he's all yoked out, he's throwing his weight around." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100415/SPORTS0201/4150356&template=UHsports

Brysen Ginlack worked at #1 RG yesterday with Adrian Thomas moving from RG to RT

HA Note: "The switch was necessitated because right tackle Kainoa LaCount, whose left knee was in a medical brace, did not practice yesterday. LaCount had been taking reps in place of Laupepa Letuli, who is on light duty while awaiting word on his appeal for a medical hardship that will allow him to play as a sixth-year senior in 2010."

About moving from RG to RT yesterday, Adrian Thomas (who started 2 games at RT last season) said:
"The technique and setting is different (at tackle)." (HA)

HA Note: "Thomas suffered from painful back spasms in the final four weeks of the 2009 season. He said he regained his health through a vigorous rehabilitation program that relied largely on core and stretching exercises."

Thomas said that his disk problem:
"caused numbness and stuff (last year). It feels pretty good so far." (HA)

About getting used to practicing with the first team OL, Ginlack said:
"Little bit of rust. I have to work through it, get my sets down and get up to speed again working with the ones." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Ginlack, classified as a senior, started five games in the 2008 season, then sat out last year to concentrate on academics. He continued to practice, working primarily with the scout team."

About practicing with the scout team last year, Ginlack said:
"Whatever I could do to help the team. I was just glad to be on the team with my brothers. Sitting out last year, I had to dig deep, but it was what I had to do so I could come back this year." (HSB)

About being on track to graduate with a sociology degree in the fall, Ginlack said:
"It's been a long time and to know that there's only one more semester of school left, my family is so happy for me." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100415_Lineman_Ginlack_fills_in_with_first_unit.html

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100415/SPORTS0201/4150356&template=UHsports

David Graves served as an option QB yesterday to help prepare the defense

HSB Note: "Graves, who has been running second in the quarterback lineup this week, was a prolific runner and passer at Folsom (Calif.) High while operating a spread offense. Graves was the team's leading rusher while throwing for 2,771 yards and 40 touchdowns as a senior."

About how he's supposed to look for WRs first before running the ball at UH while in high school he ran the ball more at QB, David Graves said:
"It's definitely a different game. A lot of times (in high school), I was downhill running or option running. I know I have the option to run, but I need to stay disciplined and get through all my progressions and get the ball to our athletes." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Graves said he worked with his coach in California in the offseason, concentrating on his footwork to keep his balance centered while dropping back, allowing him to quicken his release while putting more power behind the ball."

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100415_Lineman_Ginlack_fills_in_with_first_unit.html

Kamalu Umu was moved from left DE to right DE yesterday during team drills

About being limited due to a "little ding" to his right shoulder and being held out of contact drills, #1 right DE Paipai Falemalu said:
"It's nothing major." (HA)

About moving Kamalu Umu from left DE to Paipai's right DE spot during team drills, Dave Aranda said:
"Umu is really playing well. He's making plays. He's very conscientious, like an Aaron Brown. We'll try to create one-on-one (situations) for him." (HA)

About being more comfortable on the left side where his right hand is down in a 3-point stance, instead of the right side where his left hand is down, Umu said:
"I'm more explosive out of my stance (on the left side). But I'll be able to adjust." (HA)

About a condition in his right shoulder that makes it uncomfortable to thrust his right arm upward, making it difficult to bench press but not limiting his on-field play, Umu said:
"I can do everything I need to do." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100415/SPORTS0201/4150356&template=UHsports

UH is focusing on getting their secondary to make more turnovers

Yelling at a DB who dropped a possible INT during practice, Chris Tormey said:
"Catch the ball!" (HA)

About how dropped INTs cost the UNLV game last year, Tormey said:
"If we catch the ball, we beat UNLV." (HA)

HA Note: "After the fewest interceptions (12) and take-aways (22) by a UH defense in four years contributed to a 6-7 record and bowl-less season, the Warriors have put a premium on raising those numbers. And the game at Nevada-Las Vegas that UH lost, 34-33, makes for a vivid reminder. The Rebels took the game, scoring with 36 seconds left, on a 67-yard drive during which the Warriors twice had opportunities to short-circuit with interceptions."

About what they want from their DBs, Rich Miano said:
"We don't want our DBs just to be receivers with no hands. We want them to be receivers that like to hit, tackle and cover people." (HA)

HA Note: "With that, the defense is constantly reminded to, as Miano puts it, "strip, scoop, punch, rake..." the ball away from the offense. So, with each takeaway, such as defensive back Jordan Gomes' sticky-fingered interception yesterday, the defense raises a group cheer and the offense shudders a little in the on-going, one-upmanship competition."

About how their offense gave up 33 turnovers last season, resulting in UH having the #113th (out of 120) turnover margin in the country, last in the WAC, Miano pointed out that:
"in 2007 Colt (Brennan) threw five interceptions in one game against Idaho. But our defense came up with six, so we still won the game. That's the way we have to look at it." (HA)

HA Note: "And, if their attention wanders, Miano bellows, "you guys can't get enough of this work, trust me." Not this spring, anyway."

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100415/COLUMNISTS06/4150354/1142&template=UHSports

Feature article on Jordan Gomes

About the first time he entered a game for UH, during his freshman year against SJSU, Jordan Gomes said:
"Running in, didn't really know what to do, staring back at Coach asking for the play, and I ended up making the wrong call the first play. But as the game went on it got better." (HSB)

HSB Note: "From that "wide-eyed" moment last fall, Gomes put up some eye-popping numbers in the offseason in his efforts to earn more field time as a sophomore. Gomes walked on at a relatively slight 160 pounds in 2008, and still isn't the biggest safety around at 185. Yet he ranks among the strongest defensive backs in the program, pushing senior Spencer Smith for that distinction. In team testing, Gomes bench pressed 405 pounds and pounded out 29 repetitions at 225 pounds. The top score among the safeties at last month's NFL Combine was 28 reps. His 34-inch vertical leap is also second among the UH defensive backs."

Praising Gomes' work ethic, strength coach Tommy Heffernan said:
"He works hard and sets a good example." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Taking his weight-room work ethic to the field, Gomes has quietly strung together eight practices that have drawn raves from the coaches so far this spring. The sophomore made several big hits in last Saturday's scrimmage on Kauai and came down with a nifty interception of a pass over the middle during yesterday's practice."

Praising Gomes, Rich Miano said:
"He's playing as well as any of our DBs right now." (HSB)

About the importance of doing well during his reps with the #2 defense at safety and nickel back, Gomes said:
"You have to make plays, don't make mistakes, and be consistent. That's what they're looking for." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Miano started tracking Gomes — an All-State selection as a senior at Kamehameha — when he received a call from Mike Akiu, Gomes' uncle and a former UH and NFL receiver. Gomes was invited to walk on and redshirted in 2008. He progressed enough to earn playing time in 10 games last fall, and saw his first significant action in the secondary against San Jose State. The Warriors implemented packages using six or more defensive backs in the second half of the season to defend third-and-long situations, giving freshmen such as Gomes and cornerback Lewis Walker a chance to get onto the field."

About earning playing time during his freshman year, Gomes said:
"I had to study (the playbook) a lot last year just to get some playing time, get good scores on the tests. We had a shot to play more dime and I wanted to try to prove myself and make sure I knew my assignments." (HSB)

About UH's tradition of developing safeties who walk on and become productive players, Miano said:
"They may not be the tallest guys, but they make up for it with explosiveness and toughness." (HSB)

About trying to maintain the bulk he gained during the offseason with the demands of his classes, meetings, and practices, Gomes said:
"Trying to eat with this college schedule is kind of hard. I don't get a lot of breakfast, but I try to eat as much as I can." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/20100415_UH_sophomore_Gomes_makes_strides_at_safety.html

Davone Bess does not plan to give his #15 jersey number to Brandon Marshall

PFT = Pro Football Talk

PFT Note: "Brandon Marshall was just made a $50 million man, but the agent for Dolphins wideout Davone Bess says all the money in the world couldn't take away Bess' number 15."

About how Bess is not planning to sell his #15 jersey number to Marshall, Bess' agent Kenny Zuckerman said:
"His No. 15 jersey is not for sale. Davone entered the league with it and will finish with it." (PFT)

About how Bess could make a lot of money if he sold his jersey number, Zuckerman said:
"I told Davone we can probably name our price, especially with the contract Brandon just signed. If I had anything to do with it, bidding would have opened at $500,000." (PFT)

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/04/14/bess-says-his-jersey-number-isnt-for-sale/

Quotes after Wednesday's spring practice

HSB Note: "Shane Austin has the experience (limited as it is), Brent Rausch has the rocket arm and David Graves has the playmaking ability. But Shutter is a proven winner, albeit at the high school level, where he led Punahou to a state championship two years ago."

About how he's gaining confidence in their offense, Cayman Shutter said:
"I redshirted last year so I didn't really run the offense. So I'm a rookie this year, but I'm getting confidence." (HSB)

About how the QBs play video games and board games in Rolo's office, Shutter said:
"We have a little quarterback clubhouse in Rolo's (offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich) office. We have board games, Wi, XBox, well, until someone stole my XBox. Even in high school, my coach said, I heard playing Madden makes you better. We have contests where you play for reps, and you get to call your own play." (HSB)

About not playing last year, Shutter said:
"You can't get down on yourself. A quarterback without confidence isn't going to do anything." (HSB)

HSB Note: "He said there is no change in the status of Bryant Moniz, who ended last season as the incumbent QB starter, but has missed the last three practices while on leave attending to what McMackin terms "personal business." "

Happy about their spring practice today, Mack said:
"We had our best practice of the spring today." (HSB)

http://blogs.starbulletin.com/quickreads/?p=786

Feature article on Rodney Bradley and his recovery status

About being in the 6th month of recovering from a broken left leg and having to sit out of spring practice, Rodney Bradley said:
"I'm itchin' to go, to get out there and do some more. I know I can't ... yet. I have to be patient." (HA)

About how it pains him to not be able to participate in practice, Bradley said:
"I want to jump in (on drills) out there, that's second nature. But I can't." (HA)

About the status of his rehab, Bradley said
"I'm about 85 percent now but it is gonna take a while to get back to 100 percent and getting the leg in condition again." (HA)

HA Note: "He was a premium breakaway threat from the outside, someone whose acceleration regularly turned 8-yard catches into 20- and 30-yard gains last season. At the time, Bradley was averaging 18.55 yards per catch — putting him third in the nation in the category. He was averaging six catches a game and many of them were of the highlight reel variety. And, if you can believe it, he was just starting to get the hang of the Warriors' offense. Then came the season-ending injury that head coach Greg McMackin called "devastating." "

About the play in which he suffered his injury, Bradley said:
"I've seen the hit (on video) a couple of times. The guy was trying to make a play and bring me down. I don't think he was deliberately trying to hurt me or break my leg. It was just that I had made a move and he tried to get me down." (HA)

Remaining positive about his situation, Bradley said:
"I'm determined to stay positive. Everything happens for a reason and I'm going to keep going. I'm going to be back." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100414/COLUMNISTS06/4140362/1142&template=UHSports

UH coaches close to finalizing their spring depth chart

HNN = Hawaii News Now

About how they are getting ready to create their spring depth chart, Mack said:
"I've been pleased with a lot of players -- with all the practices and the scrimmage. All the coaches have looked at it. Wednesday is when we will have a better idea. We are evaluating what we have and decide on the ones and twos because that's what we have to get to." (HNN)

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12307353

Warrior Quotes 4/13/10 (features on Lumpkin, Legay, Rausch)

Sent via e-mail from the Phoenix airport...please forgive any typos.

About not being on the field for the first time in his 38-year career (2 years as a player, 36 years as an on-field coach) with the UH football program, George Lumpkin said:
"It's been difficult, but not hard. I've been a coach for a long time." (HA)

HA Note: "At the urging of head coach Greg McMackin, Lumpkin moved from assistant head coach to director of player personnel. In his new position, Lumpkin serves as recruiting coordinator and academic liaison. Na Koa, UH's booster club, pays for the director of player personnel's salary and benefits."

About taking the non-coaching position, Lumpkin said:
"Mack talked to me about it. He thought this was the best deal (for the team). I'm all supportive of Mack. What he said is what I want to do." (HA)

About being able to work with recruits and their families, with his job letting him guide players from when they are being recruited all the way through graduation, Lumpkin said:
"Any time I can continuously work with people, that's my main objective. I enjoy helping the young guys mature and grow. That's the best part: helping to mentor the young people, and deal with the challenges they have in life, and helping overcome those challenges." (HA)

HA Note: "Lumpkin and his predecessor, Tony Tuioti, who now coaches the defensive tackles, have crafted a five-year outline for recruiting. Lumpkin said the Warriors will expand their recruiting reach to Western Samoa, Australia and New Zealand. The Warriors also are going to increase their letter-writing and e-mail contacts with recruits."

About how they will write more letters and send more e-mails to recruits, Lumpkin said:
"(Recruits) need to know you're interested in them. It's not enough to offer a scholarship and say, 'We're interested because we offered a scholarship.' You have to show a little love by the mailings that go out on a continual basis so they know there's interest. We'll intensify that." (HA)

About being the #1 QB now (Graves is #2, Rausch is #3), Shane Austin said:
"It's still the middle of spring. We're at the halfway point. It's how you finish. We have to keep trucking through this spring. We've got the second half of the game, basically." (HA)

About how all of their QBs are trying to become the starter, Graves said:
"Even if Bryant (were) here, I'm still going for the prize. I still want the No. 1 spot. I'm going to do what it takes to get that. Every day is a new opportunity." (HA)

About how all of their QBs need to strive to be the starter, Austin said:
"Everybody should have that mentality. If you're not striving to be the best, I don't know why you'd be out there. Everybody wants to be the best. Everybody pushes everybody to be the best." (HA)

About his familiarity with UH's plays on offense, Austin said:
"We've been around the block. We know how things are going to develop, and how they'll open up. It makes our reads quicker. I'm feeling confident, but I know I can do things every day to get better." (HA)

About how he had no notice when he became their #1 QB, Austin said:
"Nobody told me anything. It was: 'Where's Mo?' I went on with practice. You have to go with it." (HA)

About how the fractured right pinkie on his throwing hand is completely healed, Rausch said:
"It's ugly, but it's healed." (HA)

HA Note: "While he had an uneven performance in the offense-only passing drills, Rausch made accurate throws in team and blitz drills. Graves had some difficulties when the defense unveiled new looks and blitzes."

About how he cannot get frustrated when he struggles, Graves said:
"If things aren't going your way, you have to have a short memory, and keep moving on. The next play is the next opportunity." (HA)

About how last year Shutter, Nielsen, and he ran their opponent's offense instead of UH's offense, Graves said:
"It's great to run our system. Last year, on scout, I was running the other team's system the whole time. This semester, I'm picking up our system." (HA)

HA Note: "Middle linebacker Brashton Satele and offensive right tackle Laupepa Letuli yesterday participated in light workouts. Both have been cleared to practice while they await a ruling on their appeal for medical hardships that would allow them to play as sixth-year seniors in 2010. They have been restricted to individual drills as a precaution if their appeals are rejected. The National Football League draft is next week, and teams may sign free agents after that. The UH coaches want to keep Satele and Letuli healthy in the possibility they might need to audition for NFL teams."

About the uncertainty over whether or not he can play this season, Brashton Satele said:
"I've been waiting since December (for the NCAA to rule)." (HA)

About taking over at RT after Kainoa LaCount was hit on his right knee during drills yesterday, Levi Legay said:
"I had to step up to the plate." (HA)

OL coach Gordy Shaw said that Legay has:
"good workout habits and fundamental techniques. He's smart, and he knows what we're doing, and he doesn't make mistakes." (HA)

About being asked to grayshirt and join UH in January 2008, Legay said:
"I guess the coaches felt I needed a little more time to mature physically. I gained a considerable amount of weight since then. I got stronger. I still have a way to go." (HA)

HA Note: "Legay, a sophomore, is listed at 6 feet 3 and 280 pounds. Shaw said another option is to give Adrian Thomas some reps at right tackle, where he started two games last season. Thomas is now the No. 1 right guard."

Asked who their #1 QB is now, Mack said:
"We haven't made any decisions yet. Shane (Austin) just happens to be the first to go in some of our drills." (HSB)

About how it would be better for the team if Moniz was practicing, Rolo said:
"It'd be much better if (Moniz) was here to get the reps. But we're getting the depth, you gotta look at it that way." (HSB)

HSB Note: "When asked about other positions, Rolovich said veteran inside receivers Greg Salas and Kealoha Pilares have pretty much secured their starting spots. No surprise there. He said wideout Rodney Bradley, coming back from a broken leg, remains "a big question.""

About Moniz not practicing, Greg Salas said:
"We miss him a little bit but one player doesn't make our team. We're way ahead of where we were at the end of last year." (HSB)

About the struggles he has gone through during his Warrior career, Brent Rausch said:
"It definitely made me a better person, a stronger person and it's good for me. I'm just waiting for God's plan." (HSB)

About throwing 14 passes in 2 seasons, sitting out all of last season due to a broken bone in his throwing hand, Rausch said:
"It was hard to keep my head up. But I'm still here." (HSB)

About Moniz's situation, Mack said:
"Bryant Moniz is taking care of some personal issues and he'll be back on the team when he gets those taken care of. We just move on like we would if anybody goes down and it just gives the other quarterbacks more reps." (HSB)

HSB Note: "So far this spring, Rolovich has split the offense into two huddles, with the units alternating plays. Yesterday, junior Shane Austin and freshman David Graves led the first huddle, which included the more experienced receivers and linemen. Rausch and freshmen Cayman Shutter and Corey Neilsen rotated in the other huddle. The order can change with each practice, depending on performance."

About the competition at QB, Austin said:
"It's fun, it makes it competitive. Everybody wants to be that top dog. It makes us better and in the end it helps the offense as a whole. One day you can be in the first huddle, and the second day you can be the No. 4 guy in the second huddle. It gives you a goal to shoot for." (HSB)

About how they have to get a lot of QBs ready to play due to their unstable QB situation, Rolo said:
"Any time your number one is not here it's going to have some kind of effect, we've got to minimize that effect. We haven't had the most consistent quarterback stability in the first couple years I've been here so we have to have guys ready. This is football, things like this happen and you have to move forward." (HSB)

About how he is getting familiar with UH's offense, Graves said:
"I feel like I have it down on paper, but I just have to get out there and get reps and get timing down, see coverages quicker. It's all going to come with time." (HSB)

About Rausch, Rolo said:
"We just need consistency. I think he's taking it like this is his chance to do everything he can to get better and improve himself." (HSB)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100413/SPORTS0201/4130344&template=UHsports

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100413/SPORTS0201/4130351&template=UHsports

http://blogs.starbulletin.com/quickreads/?p=782

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/20100413_Rauschs_wait_continues.html