Quotes from training camp

About why he pulled up short on a potential big hit of Bess, Tyson Kafentzis said this while giving the throat-slash sign.
"I saw 7 (Davone Bess), and if I ever lay a finger on him." (HSB)


When freshman Alasi Toilolo almost hit Colt after beating his man, JR said:
"I know what you want to do. But don't ever get that close to him again." (HSB)


About the big collision he had with Erik Pedersen, Erik Robinson said:
"That's just me, man. I bring the wood, man. A little contact, that's what I bring to the team. But everything was just cool. You know, get the boys fired up." (HSB)


About how it was fun to have their first day of contact in camp, Pedersen said:
"First day of pads is a fun day. We just want to show we can hit and have some fun." (HSB)


About the 5 passes Bess caught and the tackles he evaded, JJ said:
"Davone showed up today." (HSB)


About Greg Salas, who made a nice tipped catch yesterday, Colt said:
"We like Greg a lot. He did a lot of great things on the scout team last year. We think he can make some plays for us." (HSB)


Hoping for playing time despite being behind Jason Rivers, Salas said:
"I think I can get some playing time this year because of the way our offense is." (HSB)


About how he has to pass the classes (3rd semester calculus and geography) he's taking in UH's 2nd summer session, Francis Maka said:
"There's pressure because, like my mom and my coach said, I have no room for error. I kind of let everything slip up last semester, so my window of opportunity is closing." (HSB)


About how he missed Friday's conditioning test because it conflicted with his class schedule, Maka said:
"Coach said school takes priority, so if I have to miss some I'll miss it." (HSB)


About cutting his hair, Colt said:
"I had photo shoots with Sports Illustrated and CSTV, and it was the worst hair ever." (HSB)


Pleased with both their offense and defense at the practice, JJ said:
"That is good, everybody's hustling." (HSB)


About how the defense is ahead of the offense as expected at this point, JJ said:
"Well you know it's a long season. But the guys are excited to have 'em on. We've got a long way to go but there were some good things out there. Hopefully we'll just keep getting better every day." (HSB)


About how he was tired at the end of the practice, Eric Robinson said:
"It was a little tiring because I'd been out. But everything's getting better." (HSB)


About having a chance to start at DE and carry on the legacy of the past Warriors, Karl Noa said:
"It's just a great opportunity now. The guys who left a legacy here and we want to try to raise the bar for next year. Those guys, like Mel and Ikaika, even the guys way back, they really set the bar high every single year." (HSB)


About how Noa didn't really fit the 3-4 defense, but fits the 4-3 DE position, JR said:
"His challenge has not been one of ability, it's been one of just finding a home. It was frustrating I'm sure for him because he really didn't have a place. Now that we're in a different structure and he's in a position where he's doing a lot of the same things he did in the other defense, but I think we're taking better advantage of his innate abilities as a pass rusher." (HSB)


About playing focusing only on DE in the 4-3 instead of playing both DE and OLB in the 3-4, Noa said:
"I've embraced it, it's just a great opportunity and I just want to seize it. Looking back I'm grateful I got to (play linebacker) and I'm glad I got that experience. Now I'm back to my natural position, I'm happy here, especially in this defense." (HSB)


About how Noa benefitted when GM changed the defense in the spring, JR said:
"I think last spring when Greg came in and he was put in a position to be the first-team guy for 15 straight days, it wasn't very long before the light came on that 'Hey, this is something I can really excel at.' " (HSB)

HSB Note: "At 6-foot-4, Noa's range has long been among his assets and he's added a bit more bulk in anticipation of playing on the line in his final season, checking in for fall camp at a solid 250 pounds after entering the program at 209 and playing at 238 last year. According to the figures in this season's media guide, he's also the fastest of the UH defensive linemen at 4.55 seconds in the 40-yard dash."


About the weight that he gained, Noa said:
"It really doesn't matter how big you are, if you've got the technique down, and the fundamental things, you should be OK. But it helps me a lot, strength-wise. Now it's transferring that from the weight room out here." (HSB)


About how Noa is a more than just his impressive measurables, JR said:
"If you say he's a gifted athlete, that's true. He can run, he can jump, he can do all the things you want guys to be able to do. He's a great competitor, on top of it, he's a great character person. That's the bonus, the extra special thing that you had with Mel and Ikaika and luckily we've got it with him and we've got it with so many guys." (HSB)


About serving as an example to their new guys, Noa said:
"It's just the simple things like showing up for (offseason) workouts. When I was a freshman or a sophomore, those older guys really did a good job of coming out. And this year we had the biggest turnout as a defensive unit. So it's not just the older guys now, it's bringing the new guys up to speed so everybody can play." (HSB)