Quotes from training camp

About the competition for starting spots at safety, Patek said:
"The biggest thing is we know everybody has a chance to be a starter. I know my job's not sealed just because I was a starter last year and was through spring. Whoever's better will be out there. If Keao and Des are better than me, they'll be out there. It adds to a sense of competition, and pushes everybody to be better." (HA)


about the competition at safety between Desmond Thomas and him, Monteilh said:
"We're all getting reps, so nobody is going to complain. The thing is, if Desmond is to start, I'll back him up. If I start, the same thing. It's not like we hold grudges against each other. We help each other out." (HA)


About the competition at safety, Desmond said:
"Leonard's gone. We have a new DC. Everything is fresh. Everyone is working hard. Everything will fall into place."

HA Note: "Miano acknowledged that Patek "is the leader back there." Patek has the speed to cover an inside receiver and the strength to sneak into the tackle box as a surrogate linebacker. It is because of those qualities that Patek is the partial answer to this puzzle. When the Warriors align in a nickel defense involving five defensive backs, Patek can play nickelback while Thomas and Monteilh are used as safeties. Monteilh also can play nickelback."


About how they are training at a variety of positions, Monteilh said:
"We're learning all of the positions. If we need to blitz, we'll know what to do. If we have to rock and roll, we're ready for that." (HA)


About how their interchangeable safety positions helps them counter offenses, Desmond said:
"We always look at the strength of the (offensive) formation. If the play is coming to my side, I have to know my responsibilities. If the play is going to the other side, I have to know the back-side responsibility. It's pretty intense, but coach Mac is a real organized person. He makes sure we're in the correct position." (HA)


About how he's playing with more confidence and aggression, Desmond said:
"I'm trying to step up. The main thing is to work hard and not take anything for granted. I know tomorrow is not promised. We're all living for today." (HA)


About his knee's recovery status, Adam Leonard said:
"No matter what I did this summer, it didn't prepare me for three hours of practice. There's nothing wrong with the knee. If we had to play today, I would be out there. It was one of those things that I felt I needed to rest. It's better to be safe than sorry. I'm ready to go on Monday." (HA)


About missing 5 straight days of practice because of summer-session classes, Chris Leatigaga said:
"Summer school is so tight because it's only five weeks. At the end, they hit us with a lot of work." (HA)

HA Note: "Before the start of defensive-line drills, assistant coach Jeff Reinebold said: "Everyone, this is Chris." Leatigaga and his teammates have been living together in the dance studios for the entire training camp."


About how they did the haka before practice started yesterday, Timo Paepule said:
"We didn't want to do the haka until everybody knew it. A lot of people are still not up to it. A lot of people forgot it." (HA)

HA Note: "Paepule emphasized that "the haka is not for entertainment." "


About how they have to perform the haka well, Paepule said:
"Something like this is sacred. We don't mean any disrespect to the Maori people. We love what they stand for. Our team doesn't want to disrespect them.

We do (the haka) because we're part of Polynesia. We're trying to pay our respect, plus this gets us together. This is unity. Hawai'i is cool because we have so many different cultures." (HA)