Feature article on Mana Lolotai

About how the defense has to work together within the system, defensive coordinator Dave Aranda said:
"We can't have 11 solo assassins." (HSB)

About the importance of having the right technique in college, unlike high school, Mana Lolotai said:
"In college there's so much technique, technical stuff. Can't just be an athlete." (HSB)

HSB Note: "So he went to work, spending long hours studying schemes and watching tape. The dedication -- coupled with the graduation of four-year starter Solomon Elimimian and an injury to Brashton Satele -- earned Lolotai the start in the middle in last year's season opener against Central Arkansas. But after years of awaiting his chance, he was back on the sideline the next game; he'd made just one tackle against UCA. Lolotai was fast and strong and had worked hard, so what was the problem?"

About how his problem might have been overthinking things on the field, Lototai was asked if spending 5 hours a day on tape and schemes was too much and said:
"I think so. If I just do little chunks it's better. And get plenty of reps (in practice). Now just a couple of times a day, a half-hour here and there." (HSB)

About how they did their responsibilities better as the scrimmage went on, Aranda said:
"A couple of runs popped out. One guy was not doing what he was supposed to do and 10 guys were doing what they were supposed to be doing. That's a theme from last year we want to stop. The first three plays, guys were lined up wrong. But the longer it went on, the better the defense got." (HSB)

About his goals for this spring, Lolotai said:
"I have to have my plays down and the plays for the whole defense. I have to know what's happening not just next to me, (but) in front of me and behind of me, too." (HSB)

About how they will need Lolotai to be able to play within their system, Aranda said:
"Mana is a very instinctive player. We need to get him to understand where his help is. It's a fine line between playing as an individual and playing as one, but playing instinctively. We want 11 guys working as a unit, understanding the big picture." (HSB)

About how he wakes up at 5:30am for practice and returns home to his wife (Shaela) and daughter (Zaiah) after 6pm each day, Lolotai said:
"That doesn't leave a lot of quality time, so you make the best of it." (HSB)

About balancing his responsibilities, Lolotai said:
"I have to find that balance." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/columnists/furtherreview/20100404_lolotai_learns_technique_talent_go_hand_in_hand.html

Feature article on Aaron Brown

About how playing in only 3 games last year has made him hungry, Aaron Brown said:
"Starving. I could eat a horse, let's put it that way." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Brown played through a nagging hamstring injury early last season. But when the pain persisted, it was decided he would redshirt and take another shot at his junior season this year."

About how they lost their starting outside LBs from last season and need others to step up at those positions, Corey Paredes said:
"Blaze and R.J. were awesome and I think they were the heart of the defense last year, but we have to step up. We have to focus in and be physical and hopefully we can fill those shoes." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Sorting out the competition at linebacker was among the reasons the Hawaii coaches scripted more full-speed contact into spring practice. The Warriors got their first dose yesterday morning, with the offense and defense meeting up after spending the first two practices on opposite ends of the field. The heaviest contact came in the 9-on-7 period, a session dedicated to executing and defending the running game."

About having full-speed contact yesterday, Paredes said:
"It felt good, I missed this a lot. The emotions you get when you're in competition, you don't experience it any other place. Everyone's trying to find their role on the team, and we're trying to find leaders ... so the intensity is a lot higher." (HSB)

About having to just watch instead of play last season, Brown said:
"It was a little tough. (The field is) like my second home, so it's tough to watch all your brothers come out here and perform and that's all you want to do, come out and compete." (HSB)

About their LBs this spring, Brown said:
"We're working on our communication, so we're on the same page and we're going to know our assignments and where our help is." (HSB)

Hoping that Brashton Satele will get his 6th year of eligibility granted so that he can start at MLB this season, Mack said:
"I'm really anxious to see what the NCAA does with Brashton. If Brashton comes back, we're really a solid corps." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100404_brown_feels_ravenous.html

Feature article on JC transfers London Sapolu and Darius Bright

About how London Sapolu and Darius Bright will benefit from being able to join them in the spring, Mack said:
"It's tremendous because they get not only an introduction to the academics, but they get spring ball so they learn our package. Like I told (Sapolu), you don't have to come out here and be a superstar, just learn what we're doing." (HSB)

About learning the offense this spring, London Sapolu said:
"My goal right now is knowing the plays like the back of my hand, not having to think about it, but when I hear it, bam, I should know what to do. You know, technically-wise, I know I have the ability to play. It's just getting the stuff down is the hard part." (HSB)

Asked about his father Jesse, London said that his Dad calls him:
"about 10 times a day. He asks me how my body feels, not so much the pressure of 'are you playing?' He just wants to know how I'm feeling and make sure I'm safe." (HSB)

About how they wouldn't recruit any JC OL who couldn't arrive in the spring, Gordy Shaw said:
"It was the ONLY thing. To try to bring a junior college guy in in August, and expect them to learn all (the plays) and be a contributing factor, it wouldn't happen. By then, other guys in the program would have passed him. ... So it was a non-issue. We were looking for one mid-year JC guy, and that's what we got." (HSB)

HSB Note: "In the 6-5, 225-pound Bright, UH has a receiver with both size and speed. Though he was already familiar with spread offenses from his time at City College of San Francisco, he is grateful for the jump-start on the Warriors' complex run-and-shoot attack."

Happy that he can go through Spring Practice, Darius Bright said:
"Oh, I feel like I did (make) a good decision to come here in the spring, to learn the offense, to get a feel for the field. And go farther from there. I just want to be on top of it. Natural. I don't want to think about where to go or zone coverages or anything. I just want to know off the top of my head," -- he snapped his fingers twice -- "and that's the thing, right now it's a process. Oh, if I was to come in the fall and do that, I'd have been like, 'Whoa.' " (HSB)

About how Bright can be a weapon for their offense, Ron Lee said:
"Once he gets what we're doing ... it's only been three days. By the end of spring he's going to be a force to be reckoned with." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100404_sapolu_and_bright_make_the_transition.html

Notes from yesterday's practice (James-Boyd Kaanapu made a big catch, Enos made FGs)

HSB Note: "Walk-on James-Boyd Kaanapu made an electrifying touchdown catch to cap the first week of Hawaii spring football. It was the only TD of the scrimmage period, as the Warriors defense otherwise held firm playing in the overtime format. The first and third offensive units managed field goals, and defensive end Earvin Sione ended the second unit's drive by recovering a fumbled snap. Kaanapu's breakout moment happened in just his third practice with the team. The 2008 Kalaheo graduate cut back near the left pylon and reached around a defensive back to secure the throw from Brent Rausch. For that, he got a full spring season's worth of chest-bumps from his offensive teammates."

Wanting to show that his TD catch wasn't a fluke, James-Boyd Kaanapu (6'4", 200-pounds) said:
"I mean, I still got a lot of hard work to do. I enjoyed practicing today with the team and look forward to learning more stuff ... and growing as a family. I hope to accomplish getting to know the team better and just making the team as a walk-on too, 'cause we got cuts left. But bonding with the players, Mike Tinoco and a lot of people, they've been helping me pick up the routes and stuff. It's been fun." (HSB)

About Enos making both of his FGs in their scrimmage, from 42 and 44 yards (Enos went 2-6 on FGs over 40 yards or longer last season), Chris Tormey said:
"He's a lot more comfortable with his surroundings now. He's worked real hard in the offseason. He's following through better on his kicks. His alignment's better and it's good to see him go out in a team situation and go 3-for-3." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Enos, the only kicker on the roster to open the spring, will get some company in practice this week. Kaiser graduate Kyle Niiro will be added to the roster after a one-day tryout when the Warriors opened practice last Wednesday."

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100404_walk_on_kaanapu_makes_spectacular_grab.html

Notes on Paipai Falemalu and the competition between Pollard and Stutzmann

Dave Aranda said that right end Paipai Falemalu is:
"our best pass rusher, and he's probably our best run defender, too." (HA)

About how he spent the offseason developing the strength to stop the run, Paipai said:
"The coaches knew I could pass rush, but they wanted to see me do better against the run." (HA)

About how teammates joke about Paipai's strength, Meatoga said:
"He always throws people to the side. We always joke he has gorilla strength." (HA)

HA Note: "Falemalu is finally at full strength. He underwent shoulder surgery in 2008. Last year, he endured a painful high-ankle sprain."

About how he cut off his long hair, Paipai said:
"I got sick of it. I wanted a new look." (HA)

HA Note: "One of the most competitive battles is between right wideouts Royce Pollard and Billy Ray Stutzmann. The position was vacated when Jovonte Taylor's eligibility expired and Malcolm Lane was suspended for poor grades during the 2009 fall semester."

About how Joe Avery and he often use the Juge machine for up to 90 minutes, Royce Pollard said:
"I have a bag filled with junky balls; old balls we used in 2006. They have the worst grip ever." (HA)

HA Note: "Pollard said he sets the machine to throw passes traveling up to 42 miles per hour. He is positioned eight yards away. He does not wear gloves."

About not using gloves to catch footballs, Pollard said:
"It's good to catch passes bare-handed. You don't have the comfort of gloves." (HA)

About how he studies hours of videos, Billy Ray Stutzmann said that his older brother Craig made:
"me watch (videos) since I was old enough to understand football. He was always there for me, giving me pointers." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100404/SPORTS0201/4040384&template=UHsports

Feature Article on Haku Correa

HA Note: "The eldest son, La'anui, used to wear a dark green Hawai'i football helmet while doing house work. The youngest, Kamalei, received a UH football offer last summer — when he was 15 years old. And the middle son, Haku, is now listed as the Warriors' No. 1 defensive right tackle.

Asked where her boys got their football talent, their mother Lani Correa said:
"They got it from me." (HA)

HA Note: "As a staff member at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex, Lani raised her sons to respect others and love UH. She used football as the carrot to keep them in line."

About how they knew that they had to follow their mother's rules if they wanted to play football, La'anui said:
"We knew our priorities and what we had to do if we wanted to play football." (HA)

Praising Haku Correa's attitude, Dave Aranda said:
"There's always been a playfulness about him that's really turned into a sinister, aggressive attitude. That's good. That's what we needed. I'll take all of those type of guys on defense." (HA)

About how he worked hard with weights during the offseason, Haku said:
"I hit the weight room every day. Even when it wasn't mandatory to be there, I was in there, pushing it, doing my best." (HA)

HA Note: "Correa, who weighs 295, can power-clean nearly 300 pounds and squat-lift 500."

Praising Haku's work ethic, Vaughn Meatoga said:
"Haku has been working really hard. He's really hard on himself, and that's good. He's never comfortable. He has this fire. Before, I used to push him. Now it's back and forth. We push each other." (HA)

Praising Haku's low pad level and technique, Aranda said:
"Haku pays with great pad level. He uses his hands really well. He has a good knack for getting underneath (the block)." (HA)

Meatoga said that the key to Haku's success is:
"that big butt of his, that lower-body strength. That's his anchor." (HA)

About he often gets advice from La'anui, Haku said:
"He told me to always do more than what the coaches expect of you. He's my role model. He was nuts, cleaning house (while) wearing his helmet. But I look up to him. I want to be kind of like him, but better." (HA)

Praising his brother Haku, La'anui said:
"He's his own man. He does everything on his own. He knows what needs to be done, and what he has to work for." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100404/SPORTS0201/4040384&template=UHsports

Quotes from UH's first day of Spring Practice (3/31)

Sorry this was late...I had major work deadlines and somehow this slipped through the cracks.

Happy about the communication between coaches and players, Mack said:
"I just think we have a bunch of guys that want to learn and a bunch of coaches that want to coach and they're communicating with each other and really working hard at it. There's a freshness about it, we're young, but we're experienced and I'm just excited about this season." (UH)

Happy that they are making progress, Mack said:
"We're glad to be making progress, we've got a ways to go and we're working at it, but we're making progress." (UH)

Praising new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, Mack said:
"He's just a student of the game, he's a hard working guy, he's very organized and very detailed. He's just an excellent teacher. He studies with everybody in the country, he stays up to date on all the new things in the game and he knows my package. He's been with me longer than anybody and we're not going to change anything in our package; we're going to try and make it look a little different, but he knows what he's doing and I've got a lot of confidence in him." (UH)

Praising new offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich, Mack said:
"I knew he had a heart, I knew he had a brain for the game, I knew his passion and I watched him over the years. I wanted somebody who had played the position and he was the first guy I thought of as a position coach at quarterback, but he's shown leadership. Dave and Rolo are a similar type of guy; they are guys who have a great passion for the game and great knowledge for the game and...they're great teachers." (UH)

About what he wants from his players on offense, Rolo said:
"I just really want them to play fast, I want them to play together and to grow the bond between the players because they're the ones who really run the show." (UH)

Asked about junior QB Bryant Moniz, Rolo said:
"He [Moniz] wanted this and now he's got a complete year to get ready for it. A lot of things have come up for him, bonding with guys, making time to really get to know your teammates, a lot of things like that. There's never a question of his work ethic in the weight room, the film room, all those things are what make a great quarterback." (UH)

Asked about new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, Spencer Smith said:
"He [Aranda] did a lot of play-calling last year and he's a real smart coach. He knows the defense and he knows our team and what we need to do and he presents it well to the team. He brought a new intensity to the practice because Coach Mack had to concentrate on both the offense and the defense and now Coach Aranda can focus on just the defense." (UH)

About the competition for starting spots, Smith said:
"As Coach Mack says, its competition that makes everyone better. I think [competition is] good because to be number one, you've got to train like you're number two so that's the attitude that everyone is coming in with." (UH)

About how he has a full year to work on the offense this year as opposed to just starting with fall camp, Bryant Moniz said:
"We did so much last year with just that short time that we had so I can only imagine what will happen with a whole year of preparation." (UH)

Asked about new offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich, Moniz said:
"The run and shoot is still going to be the run and shoot, it's going to be the same thing. We still have the same coaches out there, it's just going to have a little bit of Rolo's flavor on it, so it will be exciting, it will be fun." (UH)

About how he was just trying to get noticed last year in camp, Moniz said:
"Last year I was just trying to make the team and this year I'm trying to lead the team. I remember playing scout, playing safety, just playing anywhere trying to catch one of the coach's eyes. Now I just got to keep that work ethic going and compete with the other quarterbacks." (UH)

About all of the competitors for the starting QB spot, Moniz said:
"Competition just makes us greater. There's always competition I feel. I don't think anybody's job is ever secure, even if they say it is. That really helps me out just having that in the back of my mind, pushing me to do good." (UH)

Happy that Spring Practice has begun, Vaughn Meatoga said:
"It just felt good to be back here, it's like home out on this field." (UH)

Praising new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, Meatoga said:
"Coach Aranda is really smart so he's going to get us into position to make plays. He's broken everything down for us and he has a lot more time than Coach Mack had because Coach Mack had to manage the whole team. He must be one of the hardest workers here; he's always here before us and here after us." (UH)

Happy that Spring Practice has begun, Greg Salas said:
"It's nice to get back out here. Everybody is excited this week coming back from spring break knowing we have to play football." (UH)

Asked about new offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich, Salas said:
"It's still the same stuff, just a different person calling the shots this year and it's the same." (UH)

Asked about QB Moniz, Salas said:
"He's [Moniz] definitely grown a lot and we're looking forward to him leading us this year." (UH)

About what he worked on this offseason, Salas said:
"I tried to work out my legs a lot more and put on a little bit of weight, but not too much, and just work out really hard and try to get a little bit fast and quicker." (UH)

http://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2010/3/31/FB_0331101126.aspx?path=football

Feature article on Jeramy Bryant

About changing his number to 8 from 18, Jeramy Bryant said:
"It's a biblical meaning, that's why I changed it. In the Bible, there are a lot of key things (the number eight) represents as being a new beginning. So for me, it's my senior year, my last year, and I wanted it to be a new beginning from last year. You know, we didn't make a bowl, and we want to step up to a new level, a new beginning." (HA)

About Bryant changing his number, Rich Miano said:
"Jeramy is a guy who deserves a single digit. He's waited his time, he's a senior. I didn't know it was a biblical reference, but that's even better. It's a great reason to want the number, and he would have gotten it anyways, but he would have gotten it faster if he told me that." (HA)

About how it is a "comfort factor" for some players to have certain numbers, Bryant said:
"Back in the day, Deion Sanders said, 'If you look good, you play good.' And I think that's what it is. Just feeling good and knowing you have everything you need out there with you." (HA)

About how the #8 reminds him to continually improve, Bryant said:
"A play I took off last year at practice, don't take that play off this year." (HA)

About how he wore #18 because that was the number his former pastor (Winston Phillips, of Spirit of Truth Baptist Church in LA) wore, Bryant said:
"That was his number in college. Before he died, I told him I would wear 18. It was hard for me to let that number go. He mentored me a lot back home and got me to be a man. Coming from that type of area and the things that go on around there, it's hard sometimes for the youth, but God guided me to him. The day I got out here was the day he passed away. It was hard, I lost a lot of weight at first. I believe I came out here at 177 and I went down to 165, because I was just stressing out. I regrouped, got my weight back, and now it's a fresh start." (HA)

About how facing USC in the opener is a motivating force for the team, Bryant said:
"Beat USC. Period. It's on everybody's mind, from our head coach to the trainers. You can tell. From the way we worked this offseason to the way we're communicating, the camaraderie in the locker room, a lot of things have changed, and I believe it's because of the preparation for that game." (HA)

About how Bryant is a leader for the DBs, Miano said:
"He's a leader. He's first in line, he's first out to practice, he's going to spend the most time watching videos, he's going to take videos home with him. He's a consummate professional. He's married (to Keshauna) , he has children (daughters Keyana and Kennedy), he's just mature. He's made that commitment to being a good football player, a family man, a good student, and a good leader for the defensive backs. You rarely come across a guy that you don't have to worry about in the classroom, off the field, on the field. He's going to work, work, work." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100403/SPORTS0201/4030357&template=UHsports

Feature article on UH's DL

Happy to be playing for UH after playing for Arizona for 2 years, Kaniela Tuipulotu said:
"I'm just happy to be out here with the boys, people I know, people I grew up playing against. Just love the feeling of competing with them at this level." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Tuipulotu, Josh Manupuna (Portland State) and Kamalu Umu (Charleston Southern) enrolled at UH last year and sat out the season due to transfer rules. Kapono Rawlins-Crivello (Boise State) moved back following the 2007 season to be closer to his family as his mother battled cancer, and had to wait until this spring to join the Warriors."

About the players on their DL who transferred to UH, DL coach Tony Tuioti said:
"Everybody comes in with a different story, everybody has different experiences, and those experiences are what we'll draw on. For guys like Kamalu and Kaniela, remember how frustrating it was when you had to sit back and not play, so when you're starting to feel tired and sorry for yourself, those are the things you go back to. To put you back in focus as far as the big picture." (HSB)

About transferring back to UH and sitting out this season, Ryan Eastman said:
"I played against them two years ago, now I want to be the one playing at Aloha Stadium defending it." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Tuipulotu spent most of the fall recovering from shoulder surgery, and Wednesday's start of spring practice marked his first on-field action since his final game of the 2008 season with Arizona. An all-state pick from Kahuku in 2006, Tuipulotu broke into the Wildcats' line rotation as a true freshman and started seven games as a sophomore."

About playing for Arizona, Tuipulotu said:
"It was a great experience, being up there and being away from home again. I had to grow up real fast. Mom and dad weren't going to be there and I had to be accountable for everything." (HSB)

Tuipulotu said that since his injuries required him to use a redshirt year:
"it was time to pack up and start all over." (HSB)

About playing for Boise State when UH beat BSU in 2007, Kapono Rawlins-Crivello said:
"It was an interesting situation. On the field, it's all business, and off the field I still have all my friends, now who I play with and back then I was playing against." (HSB)

About moving back to Hawaii after his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, Rawlins-Crivello said:
"My family has always been an important factor in my life, and I've always based a lot of things around my family." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Because he transferred within the conference, he had to sit out two years before being eligible and enters this season as a senior. With his mother's cancer now in remission, Rawlins-Crivello's spring focus is centered on moving up the charts at defensive end. Umu also joins the Warriors as a senior defensive end and took the most meandering path to arrive back home. After graduating from Saint Louis, he attended Arizona Western for two years, then signed with Charleston Southern, due in part to a family housing program that would allow his wife and newborn child to accompany him. But after playing the 2008 season with the Buccaneers, he too decided to continue his journey back to Hawaii."

About how things are different this year compared to last year when he had to sit out and only could play on the scout team, Kamalu Umu said:
"It's way different. You can feel the adrenaline running; now you know you have a chance to play. Happy to be home and be part of this team." (HSB)

About how they will practice in pads today for the first time this spring, Tuioti said:
"It'll give us a chance to see where we're at on both sides of the ball. The first day, pad level's going to be high, people are going to be anxious. The best case you can ask for is that you get what you want out of it without getting anyone hurt." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Defensive end Elliott Purcell hopes to make his spring debut next week. Purcell sat out the first two practices while recovering from a sprained ankle. He started eight games last season and began the spring atop the depth chart at left defensive end."

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100403_Defensive_line_gets_together.html

Articles about UH's Pro Day (Blaze and Estes suffered hamstring injuries)

About suffering his hamstring injury while running the 40-yard dash, Blaze Soares said:
"I trained this hard, and something like this happens." (HA)

About suffering his hamstring injury while running the 40-yard-dash, John Estes said:
"I'm very disappointed." (HA)

HA Note: "Of the 22 former Warriors who participated in yesterday's Pro Day, Estes, a center who started every game during his four-year UH career, and Soares, a hard-hitting linebacker, were the most highly regarded pro prospects. Both believed they could use the combine-like event — in which prospects go through a series of disciplines testing strength and speed — to fill the voids in their portfolios. Once considered a lock to be drafted, Estes had drawn concerns since the end of the Warriors' disappointing 6-7 season. Although he played both guard and center at UH, National Football League analysts believe Estes is suitable only for snapper. In the NFL, where teams often only have eight offensive linemen on their game-day rosters, a one-position blocker has less value."

About wanting to show what he could do at Pro Day since he wasn't one of the 5 centers invited to the NFL combine, Estes said:
"I wanted to show I could run, and I wanted to do the (position) drills." (HA)

About how the NFL has set a reach of 30 inches to be the minimum for a center, with Estes' reach measures at 29.5 inches last year, Estes' agent Kenny Zuckerman said:
"They feel there's some merit to it." (HA)

HA Note: "The belief, Zuckerman said, is that a center's long reach is needed to fight off bigger nose tackles attacking out of a 3-4 defensive scheme. Estes appeared to be somewhat tense when his arm reach was being measured yesterday. But he showed a slight smile when his reach was announced at 30fi inches."

About the importance of that extra inch of reach to Estes, Zuckerman said:
"That inch plus (from the previous measurement), in the grand scheme of things, probably means more than what John runs in the 40. That was an important inch." (HA)

HA Note: "But Soares believed he needed to prove he was fast enough to play at the next level. He spent the past three months training in Arizona. His goal was to run the 40 in under 4.6 seconds. A few days earlier, a contingency plan was finalized in which the running portions — 40-yard dash, pro-agility drill and L-test — would be moved to an indoor facility in Redondo if rain forecasts were accurate. As it turned out, the mercury, which was at 49 degrees in the early morning, had gone up to the high 70s when the field testing began. There was no rain, so the event remained on the Home Depot property. Maybe it was the rush to go through each event, or maybe it was the change in weather, but several former Warriors were concerned they were not properly warmed up."

HA Note: "Estes had an impressive start in the 40-yard dash. He covered the first 10 yards in 1.80 seconds, and was at 3.06 at the halfway point. But in the final 10 yards, he felt pain in his left hamstring, the one he injured two years ago."

About his hamstring injury, Estes said:
"I tweaked it. I'm disappointed because I wanted to do the next two events." (HA)

About feeling a "pop" in his right hamstring at the 10-yard mark, Blaze Soares said:
"I don't know what happened. Luck of the draw, I guess. I did everything possible to get ready for this day. I felt my strength was all for the running events. For this to happen, this really sucks." (HA)

HA Note: "Two scouts, who requested anonymity because of their teams' policy on commenting publicly about a prospect, said Estes and Soares will be hurt by not having 40-yard times."

About how his injury hurt his NFL chances, Blaze said:
"To be honest, it probably will hurt me." (HA)

HA Note: "Estes might be able to absorb the setback better because he has a larger body of work for scouts to access. Before suffering the hamstring injury, Estes bench-pressed 225 pounds 25 times, also a benchmark for prospects."

About the importance of the bench-press reps for OL in the draft, Zuckerman said:
"It's really a pass-fail test (for offensive linemen). If you're 25-plus, you can play right now. If you're under 25, they don't think you can play right away." (HA)

Feeling that the bench press gets too much attention from scouts, Zuckerman said:
"the bench is not necessarily a functional strength. John has great functional strength on the field. He has great athleticism and balance, and good body lean, which enables him to use his hands in a powerful way." (HA)

About how he'll arrange for a retired NFL scout to coordinate a 40-yard dash in Hawaii if Estes or Blaze want to run it before the NFL draft, Mack said:
"We're here to help them any way we can." (HA)

About Estes and Blaze suffering hamstring injuries, Rich Miano said:
"They were both doing real well. I don't think they hurt themselves, but they didn't help themselves as much as they could have if they had finished." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Miano said about 50 scouts attended the annual event allowing former UH players to work out for NFL personnel in advance of the draft, set this year for April 22-24. Soares, a linebacker, posted a vertical jump of 34 1/2 inches and a broad jump of 9-7 and bench-pressed 225 pounds 26 times. But he pulled up as he ran the 40."

About Blaze's injury, his agent Wynn Silberman said:
"It was a minor setback. The teams that I talked to liked what they saw. His vertical and broad jump showed his explosiveness." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Silberman said he heard from six teams interested in taking another look at Soares prior to the draft, depending on how his hamstring recovers. Estes, a three-time All-Western Athletic Conference offensive lineman, started every game in his four-year career. While the center's 40 time likely wasn't going to factor into his draft status, the injury prevented him from taking part in the position drills. Estes wasn't invited to the NFL Combine, and not completing the drills at pro day could hurt his stock, but his agent is confident he'll get a shot to play in the league."

About how Estes will get a chance in the NFL, Zuckerman said:
"He's coming from behind the pack. (But) John's a good football player and he's going to find a home." (HSB)

About benching the most reps during UH's Pro Day (36 reps of 225 pounds), R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane said:
"Between 36 and 40 is a good number, but I'm disappointed. I've done more in the past." (HA)

About how the NFL does not like that he's just 5'11" and 226 pounds, RJ said:
"I'm under-sized, underweight (for a linebacker). I have to make up for things by jumping higher and running faster. There has to be something outstanding in my performance." (HA)

HA Note: "Running back Daniel Libre did especially well, leading the way in the vertical jump (36 1/2 inches), broad jump (10 feet 7) and pro-agility drill (4.01 seconds). The 5-foot-7 3/4, 197-pounder also had 22 bench reps. Wideout Jovonte Taylor had the fastest time in the 40-yard dash (4.34 seconds). Most remarkable, he ran it with a tight left hamstring."

About the tightness in his left hamstring, Jovonte Taylor said:
"It could be that I didn't drink enough water. That could have had a lot to do with it." (HA)

About how he had difficultly with his grip while running the pro-agility drill and L-test, Taylor said:
"It's like a different kind of turf. I don't usually slip. I'm used to running on turf. But for some reason, I couldn't plant." (HA)

HA Note: "And offensive linemen Aaron Kia, Raphael Ieru and Ray Hisatake impressed scouts during the position drills."

About getting permission from his wife to try out at UH's Pro Day, Nate Ilaoa said:
"That was tough. But I'm trying to do this for both of us, and the kid." (HA)

HA Note: "Ilaoa completed his UH eligibility in December 2006, and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2007 draft."

About being cut by the Eagles, Ilaoa said:
"I got a fair shot. I thought I did OK. Obviously, I wasn't good enough." (HA)

HA Note: "A year later, Ilaoa signed with an Arena Football League team. But his season was cut short because of a shoulder injury, and at the end of the season, the AFL shut down operations."

About not playing last year, Ilaoa said:
"I got married and had a kid. I put everything on pause to get it situated." (HA)

About how he did not retire from football, Ilaoa said:
"I can't retire unless I'm in, and I was never in." (HA)

About training Nate to prepare for the draft, Chad Ikei said:
"I knew Nate could play. It was him getting mentally ready." (HA)

HA Note: "Ilaoa, who is 5 feet 8 1/2, weighed 272 when he reported to Ikei's facilities."

About how Nate had to work hard during his time with him, Ikei said:
"It was a lot of hard work, a lot of diet, and him being disciplined. He went through some good Warrior workouts." (HA)

HA Note: "Ilaoa weighed 245 yesterday. He had 32-inch vertical jump and bench-pressed 225 pounds 23 times."

Hoping for another shot at football, Ilaoa said:
"I'm hoping somebody gives me an opportunity." (HA)

About running the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds (one scout had him at 4.59 seconds), Brashton Satele said:
"I wanted to do a lot better." (HA)

HA Note: "One of the surprise participants was cornerback JoPierre Davis, who was suspended for the 2009 season after facing seven criminal charges. Davis said he accepted an agreement in January in which pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault charges in exchange for a year's probation. The sentence will be reduced if he stays out of trouble for the first six months."

About how he behaved well since his suspension, JoPierre Davis said:
"I kept it solid the whole time. I kept my head in the books." (HA)

HA Note: "Davis said he trained on his own. He is taking 18 credits this semester, and is expected to earn his bachelor's degree next month."

About Taylor's fast 40-yard time, Miano said:
"(The scouts) were asking, 'Who's this guy?' and we talked about him and showed them the tape and he backed it up." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Running back Leon Wright-Jackson and offensive lineman Aaron Kia also had solid days. Wright-Jackson ran the 40 in 4.56 seconds and covered 9-11 in the broad jump."

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100402/SPORTS0201/4020394/sportsfront&template=UHSports/Pair+hamstrung+due+to+leg+injuries

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100402_soares_estes_tripped_up_at_pro_day.html

Tommy Heffernan received praise for his offseason conditioning program for the Warriors

Praising the job that Heffernan did during the offseason workouts, Mack said:
"I knew Tommy and his staff did a great job, but it shows when they come out here and they're in good condition." (HSB)

About how Heffernan worked the players hard all offseason, Vaughn Meatoga said:
"He worked us hard. It was really organized. There were no excuses for missing. You could miss, but you still have to do the punishments, so he kept everyone honest. He brings the best out of everybody." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100402_soares_estes_tripped_up_at_pro_day.html

Ryan Mouton has a chance to win a starting CB job with the Titans

TR = Titans Radio

TR Note: "The Titans have addressed its defensive back issues by signing two veteran free agents this offseason, but 2009 third round draft pick Ryan Mouton may have the best opportunity to win the starting job opposite Cortland Finnegan once training camp begins in four months. The Titans recently re-signed veteran cornerback Rod Hood to another one-year deal and agreed to terms with Tye Hill earlier this week, adding a much-needed veteran presence to the back end of the roster, something the team lacked for the first half of the 2009 season. As it stands now, Hood and Hall will compete with Mouton and fellow 2009 draft pick Jason McCourty throughout the summer for the starting job."

About how he thinks that Ryan Mouton will have a great chance to win a starting spot since the Titans let starting CB Nick Harper go, CB Cortland Finnegan said:
''They have high expectations for Ryan Mouton. Rod Hood has been there and done that. He's definitely a great veteran guy. I like Jason McCourty, too. He is a hard working guy. It's going to be a great battle.'' (TR)

TR Note: "Mouton struggled throughout his rookie season after being thrown into the starting lineup early on and battled preseason injuries. As the season progressed, however, coaches said he settled down and showed improvements in his technique. The upcoming preseason battle should also benefit the younger players, Finnegan said."

About the battle in preseason for the starting spot, Finnegan said:
''That competition in that place always breeds for better guys to step up. It'll be interesting. I know they like Mouton. He's got a lot of upside and so does McCourty so it'll be an interesting battle in training camp.'' (TR)

http://www.titansradio.com/Article.asp?id=1755333&spid=27572

Good Reviews for UH's First Spring Practice

HNN = Hawaii News Now

About how they are ahead of where they were last year, Mack said:
"We're in good condition. The attitude is outstanding. The effort. The quickness. I just think we have a bunch of guys who want to learn and a bunch of coaches who want to coach. and they're communicating with each other and working hard at it and there's a freshness about it." (HNN)

About how the players were looking forward to the start of Spring Practice, Greg Salas said:
"It's nice to get back out here. Everybody is excited this week coming back from spring break knowing we have to play football this week." (HNN)

About how he enjoyed their first spring practice, Vaughn Meatoga said:
"It felt real good. We got to get the butterflies out. Break the news guys in. I can't wait to get the pads on." (HNN)

HA Note: "The players wore helmets Wednesday, but will not put on the shoulder pads until the team's third practice Saturday."

Giving a positive review after watching the practice, Dick Tomey said:
"They have the kind of athletes, you can tell from watching them practice, they work hard. They love to be out here." (HNN)

Asked if he is giving Mack any advice, Tomey said:
"No. He doesn't need any advice from me. Mack's a terrific coach. I learned a lot from him when I worked with him with the 49ers, and I'm just out here enjoying watching these coaches work and watching the great job they do and I'm just a fan at this point." (HNN)

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12239190

Feature articles on today's Pro Day for UH

About how he went from 230 pounds in January to 200 pounds for UH's Pro Day, cutting his body fat from 20% to 9%, Jayson Rego said:
"I want to be the best I can be." (HA)

HA Note: "Each Division I-A school is entitled to a combine-like event that serves as an audition in front of National Football League scouts, general managers and personnel directors. Because of Hawai'i's isolation, UH is allowed to stage its Pro Day on the West Coast. UH associate head coach Rich Miano, who is the Warriors' pro liaison, tries to schedule the event the day after Southern California's Pro Day, which usually draws scores of scouts. Pro Day is supposed to be limited to a school's draft-eligible players. But Miano has worked out exemptions to allow some former Warriors to make hana-hou appearances, such as running back Nate Ilaoa, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007. Center John Estes, left tackle Aaron Kia and linebacker Blaze Soares are widely regarded as the former Warriors with the best chances to be drafted or receive free-agent contracts."

About working out with trainer Chad Ikei in Arizona for the past 2 months, Rego said:
"I'm going to leave it all out there and see what happens." (HA)

About his great disappointment that John Estes was not invited to the NFL combine, Rich Miano said:
"In the 12 years I've been here, I've never been as disappointed as John Estes not being invited to the combine. So I think for him, it's a huge day, which is going to bring attention, and more scouts and more personnel people for the rest of our Warriors." (HSB)

About how they have been preparing for the Pro Day ever since their season ended, Blaze Soares said:
"It's what we've been fighting for since our last game. My dream was always to be an NFL player and it boils down to this one shot." (HSB)

About how John Estes is a great NFL prospect, his agent Kenny Zuckerman said:
"He's going to be a great get for a team. There's been a lot of interest. He had a great East-West week. I think he showed he is able to handle 320, 340-pound guys. He has such great technique, great hands and balance. He's rarely on the ground." (HSB)

About having Elliott Purcell and Tank Hopkins sit out spring practice as they recover from offseason surgery, Mack said:
"We just don't want to take any chances. We're not going to push anyone that's injured." (HSB)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100401/SPORTS0201/4010375&template=UHsports

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100401_big_day_today_for_latest_alumni.html

Feature on UH's new #1 center, Matagisila Lefiti

About replacing John Estes as their starting center, Matagisila Lefiti said:
"I have to live up to the hype. You know, people have been putting me on the spot. I have to work with that. It's tough filling those shoes. I have to go with it and do what I can. I'm here to win, and that's it." (HA)

HA Note: "Lefiti is slightly under-sized, at 6 feet and 292 pounds, but he makes up for it with his quickness, agility, strength and, what teammates claim, nastiness."

About Lefiti, LT Austin Hansen said:
"He has a mean streak." (HA)

HA Note: "Tommy Heffernan, who is coordinating the Warriors' strength program, gave Lefiti an offseason schedule that balanced lifting, stretching and rest. As a result, Lefiti surpassed most of his weight-room goals. His maximum bench press was 435 pounds. He benched 225 pounds 33 times. He recorded a 330-pound lift in the clean, and a 505-pound squat lift."

Praising strength and conditioning coach Tommy Heffernan said:
"Tommy is a great coach. He really helped everyone, in general, exceed their goals." (HA)

About how he learned a lot from serving as Estes' backup the past 2 seasons, Lefiti said:
"I'm trying to take in the offense, and get everything crisp, and just follow the lead." (HA)

Confident that Lefiti can handle the starting center job, Hansen said:
"I've got nothing but respect for Sila. No player is another player. He's not John Estes, but John Estes isn't him. They play differently. Sila is going to do his job. Sila plays tough, and he is going to expect that out of us. He's going to be a great leader for us." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100401/SPORTS0201/4010376&template=UHsports

Kealoha Pilares had UH's best power-clean since 1996

HA Note: "Slotback Kealoha Pilares has now earned the title of Mr. Clean. During team testing, Pilares power-cleaned 356 points, the best lift by a Warrior since linebacker Stephen Gonzales' 395-pound clean in 1996. In the clean, a lifter pulls the weights from the floor to a racked position across the deltoids."

About the power-clean, Tommy Heffernan said:
"It's an explosive lift. It shows lower body strength and hip strength. It's an overall body movement." (HA)

About his goal of breaking former UH RB Daniel Libre's personal best of 352, Pilares said:
"You have to pull it with all of your weight." (HA)

HA Note: "Pilares received tips from Libre on form and technique."

About improving his bench press to 23 reps of 225, Pilares said:
"I did seven (reps) when I first came here (in 2007). I never lifted in high school. I started from ground zero." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100401/SPORTS0201/4010376&template=UHsports

Feature on UH's first day of Spring Practice

About visiting with Mack during the early portion of yesterday's practice, Dick Tomey (who coached at UH for 10 years and coached the last 5 years at SJSU), said:
"There's a lot of wonderful memories here. It's fun to be back. We're enjoying living here now and we're trying to get settled." (HSB)

About how Spring Practice provides the foundation of their team, Mack said:
"This is the foundation. If things ever start going bad, you go back to your fundamentals, you go back to your base packages because you know it like the back of your hand." (HSB)

About going over the fundamentals of their offense in yesterday's practice, Greg Salas said:
"We're going over all the old plays, making sure everybody knows what they're doing, making sure everything's crisp. As the week goes on we'll get into more technical plays, but right now we're practicing our bread and butter." (HSB)

About stepping up into a leadership role, Vaughn Meatoga said:
"I've been learning ever since guys like (former UH lineman) Mike Lafaele were here. They taught me how to be a good leader. So I have to step up, can't stand in the background any more." (HSB)

About how they are already preparing for the start of their season, Rich Miano said:
"We're working to next year already. We're acting like this is an extension of summer camp. The seriousness, the approach, everything. There's nothing casual about this." (HSB)

About getting blown out by Wisconsin to end last season, Salas said:
"It's never fun to lose, and to lose in that fashion is the worst. We have a little chip on our shoulder. That's the first time since I've been here we didn't make a bowl game, so hopefully this year we can get things back to the way they should be." (HSB)

About how he's enjoying retirement, Tomey said:
"I love coaching; I coached for 48 years. But I'm enjoying doing what I'm doing right now." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/20100401_spring_practice_is_here_but_warriors_thinking_fall.html

Feature on UH's inexperienced OL

HSB Note: "The old way to measure experience was returning starters. UH has only one on the O-line: Austin Hansen, who gets the first look at left tackle. The new way -- and perhaps more relevant -- is total games started by all returnees. Hawaii has 10: Hansen has opened eight games and Adrian Thomas two. That's it, just 10. John Estes by himself had started more than four times that many himself headed into 2009, his senior season."

About their inexperienced OL, OL coach Gordy Shaw said:
"All of the (starting contenders) in the meeting room have been through this. Last year they were learning through their ears. Now they've got to show it through their feet." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Shaw's goal this spring is to determine the five with the best fundamentals and technique, agility and strength. Then, in the summer, they are to bond as one."

About people who compare him to past UH OL coach Mike Cavanaugh, Shaw said:
"Mike and I are good friends. Hey, we're all different. I've got long hair, he's bald. I'm tall, he's short." (HSB)

About their coaching staff changes, Shaw said:
"It takes me back to my days at Michigan with Bo Schembechle. One spring he put all the offensive coaches on defense and all the defensive coaches on offense." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/columnists/furtherreview/20100401_warriors_new_look_o_line_must_grow_up_quickly.html

UH hopes to find out soon if Brashton Satele can play this season

HNN = Hawaii News Now

HNN Note: "Satele missed all of the 2009 season with a shoulder injury. He has applied for a medical redshirt that would allow him to play again in 2010, but Satele redshirted in 2005 and there are no guarantees he will be granted a 6th year of eligibility."

Hoping that Brashton can play this season, Mack said:
"I'm really anxious to find out from the NCAA if Brashton can come back. If he comes back, we're sitting good at linebacker. He's an outstanding middle linebacker. He's a leader. He bring it all to the table." (HNN)

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12231996

Article on how the Warriors are prepared for Spring Practice

About preparing for the spring practice to begin, Shane Austin said while eating on the way to class:
"I've got my PB and J. I'm good to go." (HA)

About how he will be limited this spring due to his recovery from a fractured fibia and tibia in his left leg, Rodney Bradley said:
"I'll be able to catch. I won't be running." (HA)

HA Note: "Brett Leonard, who was recruited as an offensive tackle in 2009, will open as the top left guard. Leonard, a junior-college transfer, was on the active roster and made the first three road trips last year. But he did not get into a game, and was available on a need-to-play basis. At mid-season, it was decided it would be best for Leonard to redshirt. Facing the Warriors' first-team defense every day in practice, Leonard was used at both tackle and guard. In preparing for the Idaho game, Leonard portrayed Vandal guard Mike Iupati in practices."

About moving him from tackle to guard, Brett Leonard said:
"I think that's where they got the idea." (HA)

About telling OL coach Gordy Shaw during his exit interview last season that he was interested in competing at LG this year, Leonard said:
"It just helps me out with my future, if I want to make one after my two (seasons) here." (HA)

Brett Leonard said that knowing how to play both guard and tackle:
"makes me a more valuable asset to the team and makes it more valuable to me." (HA)

About weighing 320 pounds, the 6'5" Leonard said:
"It's all good weight." (HA)

About how they have excellent 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 workouts and using the weight room in the mornings on their own, Spencer Smith said:
"We've had great workouts, the best since I've been here." (HA)

About how the disappointment of not making a bowl game has motivated them this offseason, Smith said:
"I think everyone realizes how serious it is and how hard we have to work. We didn't make a bowl game, so I think that really slapped the taste of winning out of our mouths. It made us realize you can't show up and make it to a bowl game. You have to work hard every day." (HA)

About how their focus after the Wisonsin game has been on getting ready for spring practice, Shane Austin said:
"It's something you look forward to all season. It's a little miniature season. It's fun. It's always exciting. We try to live ahead, not live in the past. (The Wisconsin game) is something to build on, learn from, and really grow as a team. It's time to put that in the past and get better and go from here." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100331/SPORTS0201/3310366&template=UHsports

Feature article on #1 QB Bryant Moniz

HSB Note: "Moniz joined the Warriors last year as a walk-on aiming to make the roster, seemingly miles away from seeing significant playing time. Injuries to the quarterbacks above him on the depth chart elevated Moniz to the starter by October. He enters spring practice today as the incumbent at one of the program's most visible positions."

About how he just hoped to catch someone's attention in last year's training camp, Bryant Moniz said:
"Last year I was all over the field just trying to catch somebody's eye, whether it was on scout or playing safety. I was just trying to do something. This year it's more concentrated on my role as a quarterback and a leader." (HSB)

About grading the QBs each day in spring practice in his "king of the mountain" competition, Offensive Coordinator and QB coach Nick Rolovich said:
"Each quarterback will be judged each day and we'll rank them." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Once the Warriors start facing a defense in practice, Rolovich plans to have the offense run in two huddles. The top two quarterbacks will lead one group, the rest will be in the other huddle."

About how QBs can move up and down in the competition, Rolo said:
"They can swap, they could fall, they can move. Their grades will be posted and you have to be able to keep your spot." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Along with Moniz, the Warriors also return junior Shane Austin, who led the Warriors to an overtime win at San Jose State last season. Brent Rausch is back after a hand injury sidetracked his season. Freshmen David Graves, Corey Neilsen and Cayman Shutter join the competition following redshirt years."

About how he will have to compete for his job every day, Moniz said:
"Every day I have to fight for it. I don't think anybody's job is ever secured. Just have to mess up one time or somebody else is starting to do better than you. It's all about getting the best person on the field." (HSB)

About how Moniz had to adjust to being at UH during Fall camp last year, Rolo said:
"There was some 'wow' factor. He was a teammate last year, but he was more of a fan at this point last year. He knew what he wanted to be a part of, but there was still some disbelief he was here and it went very quickly for him." (HSB)

About how they can take advantage of having so many returning players on offense, Rolo said:
"It's not starting from scratch, you're building on a solid foundation of experience and knowledge. We can get more detail oriented, we can spend time on route running, there's not going to be a lot of swimming in their mind. Sometimes (last season) we seemed unsure, which decelerates you, and this offense doesn't work without aggressiveness." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100331_QB_Moniz_ready_for_year_2.html

Feature article about Blaze Soares preparing for UH's Pro Day

About preparing Blaze for the NFL, trainer Ethan Banning said:
"The first thing we did was teach him how to eat." (HA)

HA Note: "Soares sought help in preparing for a National Football League audition. Soares will participate in tomorrow's Pro Day in Carson, Calif. — a one-day event attended by scouts and personnel directors from every NFL team. Each participant goes through a series of disciplines, such as the 40-yard dash and bench-presses. Soares was recommended to Triple Threat Performance, a training program that has helped scores of pro prospects."

About having 12 weeks to help train Blaze for Pro Day, Banning said:
"you have to do a lot of things simultaneously. You have to work on running mechanics and skills of speed, in addition to strength development and conditioning for speed. And you need the proper muscle balance. You have a small amount of time to fix some bad habits." (HA)

About working with Blaze on nutrition, as he reported to their Arizona facility at 237 pounds with 14% body fat on his 6'2" frame, Banning said:
"Generally speaking, the young men don't eat the best. They eat when it's convenient." (HA)

HA Note: "Triple Threat has its own chefs and nutritionists. The recommendation was to place Soares on a six-meals-a-day program that was high in protein and low in fat. Water replaced soda."

About having Blaze eat 6 meals each day, Banning said:
"We wanted to make sure he had adequate calories and adequate hydration." (HA)

HA Note: "Banning said protein came from small portions of chicken, lean pork, fish and beans. He also had 15 eggs a day. Soares ate brown rice twice a day, and four meals of green vegetables. Soares did conditioning drills and weight training twice day, for a total of about six hours. Those were followed by body-recovery sessions, such as massages and ice treatments."

About how they enable athletes to train all day, Banning said:
"You need to make the body health, so you can train day in and day out." (HA)

About getting 6-pack abs, Blaze said:
"Maybe a month or two into my training, I started to get abs." (HA)

About how Blaze responded well to their training regimen, Banning said:
"The nice thing about Blaze is that he's what I can say is an 'easy responder.' An easy responder is a guy who, once you get him adequate calories and appropriate training, loses fat and develops muscles very quickly. Blaze is one of those guys who works very hard, and is committed to everything we do. He's had pretty dramatic results." (HA)

HA Note: "Soares has gained nine pounds, and now weighs 246, but dropped his body fat to 8.4 percent. He also is capable of bench pressing 225 pounds 30 times, a 50-percent increase from January."

About how he wants to run the 40 in 4.6 seconds or faster, Blaze said:
"That's my goal. The NFL is based on speed, and I wanted to get faster. I've been working on this for three months. I'm ready to show what I can do." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100331/SPORTS0201/3310364&template=UHsports

Dave Aranda and Nick Rolovich are the new UH coordinators after UH's coaching shuffle

HA Note: "Under the pay ranges set by the Board of Regents, Rolovich and Aranda will earn undisclosed raises that are expected to boost their annual salaries to the low six-figures. The changes actually have been in place for several months. Rolovich took over the play-calling duties, from Ron Lee, for the final 12 games last season. In 2008, McMackin made all of the defensive calls. Last year, he began yielding play-calling duties to Aranda."

Praising new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, Vaughn Meatoga said:
"He's a genius. He knows his football. It's ridiculous. You put a pen and a pad in his hands, he can draw up every single formation and defensive scheme in the world." (HA)

About how he loves coaching, Aranda said:
"I love the work. My wife will probably say I love it too much." (HA)

About how he believes in "Mack's system" that blitzes from all points, Aranda said:
"I'm a believer in a defense that attacks and dictates, rather than sits back and defends. We want to build two things: schemes that are easy for us and hard for them, with 'them' being the other team." (HA)

HA Note: "Aranda coached the defensive ends in 2008 and the defensive tackles last season. He said working with the linebackers is a natural fit for a coordinator because it allows him to see the back end (defensive secondary) and front end (defensive line)."

About how there is a "sense of urgency" to establish their defense this offseason, Aranda said
"I see a lot of gray that needs to be worked out to black and white. We're in the process of doing that. This has been the best offseason, in terms of coaches working together to get the gray out." (HA)

About how he is committed to UH's four-wide offense, new offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich said:
"You can win throwing the ball. We're not going to change the offense or the mindset." (HA)

About how they can attack through the air with their offense, Rolo said:
"We need a killer instinct. We need a knockout-blow attitude as far as throwing the ball. ... What we need to do is instill the confidence into the players. I think when everybody feels the way I do about the offense, fear goes out the window." (HA)

HA Note: "Last season, the Warriors were dead last nationally — 120th — in red-zone offense, converting 61 percent of the drives inside an opponent's 20. Rolovich said the solution can be found in fewer turnovers, sticking with schemes that "worked for a decade," and avoiding poor down-and-distance situations."

About needing to avoid bad down-and-distance situations, Rolo said:
"Fourth-and-16 is not a real successful down." (HA)

Rolo added that their red-zone problems:
"can be cleaned up." (HA)

Asked about his aggressive approach, Rolo said:
"I'm a pirate 200 years too late." (HA)

About becoming the offensive coordinator at UH, Rolo said:
"If I was going to have this position, the one place I'd want to have it would be here. Especially after playing here, being part of the program, understanding the success that's been here and what this offense can do. I'm going to keep that at the front of my mind. I am very fortunate and I have a responsibility to carry this on." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Rolovich was given the play-calling responsibilities in the second week of the Warriors' 6-7 season, while Aranda was gradually given a greater voice in calling the plays as the season progressed."

About the responsibility that Mack has given him, Aranda said:
"(McMackin has) put a lot of faith and trust in me, so I feel that and I take the responsibility very seriously." (HSB)

About how he will have more time to focus on the WRs now, Ron Lee said:
"Everybody is on the same page; now I can really focus on the receivers." (HSB)

About how he isn't going to change even though he has new responsibilities now, Rolo said:
"I'm going to be the same guy. I'm going to coach the same way, be positive, spontaneous, being open to different ways to get points across. I just have responsibility over more guys now." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Likewise, Aranda isn't planning on overhauling the defensive scheme. He spent part of the offseason visiting with the staff of the Philadelphia Eagles, who run the same defensive system the Warriors have used during McMackin's tenure."

About how he isn't going to change their defensive scheme, Aranda said:
"This particular scheme has been an attacking, aggressive scheme, and I see our defense as that way. Coach Mack is an aggressive defensive coach and I believe the same way. I believe you don't play defense to defend. I really believe you play defense to attack. There is talent coming back. ... The No. 1 thing we can do is play together. If we do that, along with playing with great effort, then the defense we're talking about is going to come to fruition." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Aranda first worked with McMackin as a graduate assistant at Texas Tech in 2000 and '01. He spent two seasons coaching linebackers at Houston and was defensive coordinator at California Lutheran and Delta State before joining McMackin at UH."

About how he has confidence in Aranda, Mack said:
"(Aranda) knows the package and can teach the package and I've got complete confidence." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Tuioti, a former UH defensive tackle, is a former head coach at Kalaheo and served as defensive coordinator at Silverado High School in Las Vegas in his last on-field coaching stint."

About being able to coach on the field now, new DT coach Tony Tuioti said:
"Whether I was going to be on the field or not, I was really excited about this season just because of the depth and the quality of guys that we have coming back. On and off the field we have class guys, that's the important thing. I had an opportunity to watch it all from a distance and to actually get your hands dirty with the guys is going to be fun." (HSB)

HSB Note: "After yesterday's announcement of revised assistant coach assignments, McMackin said that in addition to getting the titles and higher pay, offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda would be the ones calling the plays this season. That wasn't the case with the former DC, Cal Lee. McMackin called the defenses in 2008, and at the beginning of 2009, with Aranda gradually taking on the role. Former offensive coordinator Ron Lee called the plays in 2008, but quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich took over that job in the second game of the 2009 season."

About letting Aranda and Rolo call the plays, Mack said:
"When you have good coaches you have to let them coach. I believe in these guys and I'm going to let them do their work." (HSB)

HSB Note: "That makes me wonder if UH's record the past two seasons would be better than 13-14 if McMackin had embraced that philosophy from the beginning. If Cal Lee had been allowed to pick the defenses in 2008, it would've given McMackin more time to work on overall game management."

My Note: Does this imply that Mack did not think that Cal Lee and Ron Lee were good coaches?

UH FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
Greg McMackin: head coach
Cal Lee: assistant head coach/defensive ends
Rich Miano: associate head coach/defensive backs
Dave Aranda: defensive coordinator/linebackers
Nick Rolovich: offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
Ron Lee: assistant offensive coordinator/receivers
Chris Tormey: special teams coordinator/safeties
Tony Tuioti: defensive line
Gordy Shaw: offensive line
Brian Smith: running backs
George Lumpkin: director of player personnel
Inoke Funaki: graduate assistant (quarterbacks/receivers)
Ryan Biesemeyer: graduate assistant (linebackers)
Chris Williams: video coordinator
Tommy Heffernan: strength and conditioning

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100330/SPORTS0201/3300356&template=UHsports

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100330_Aranda_Rolo_officially_named_coordinators.html

http://www.starbulletin.com/columnists/furtherreview/20100330_UH_coach_realignment_frees_Mack_to_manage.html

Warrior Football Spring Preview

About how people in Hawaii do not recognize him, Bryant Moniz said:
"I'm still under the radar. Nobody knows me." (HA)

About at least he doesn't have to worry about being cut like he worried about last year, Moniz said:
"That thought was in my mind (last spring)." (HA)

About how he has gained 17 pounds since the end of last season (he's now at 202), Moniz said:
"Weight training, proteins ... more pizza. I feel quick. We'll see." (HA)

Moniz said that after the 2 months they spent in their conditioning program:
"there's a good vibe in the locker room. The workouts have been good. There's good team chemistry. Everybody is excited to put on some pads." (HA)

Even though Moniz enters the spring as the #1 QB, QB coach Nick Rolovich said that he would:
"mix it around." (HA)

About how they will have "king of the mountain" competitions, with the highest point earners getting to be in the first group (2 QBs) and the other 5 QBs in the second huddle, Rolo said:
"We'll run two huddles. The key is to be in the first huddle." (HA)

HA Note: "Moniz, who will go on scholarship this summer, has kept to a strict program to improve his arm strength. Moniz suffered from arm fatigue in 2009 as he tried to adapt to the increased workload in practices and games. Although Moniz is capable of making all of the throws in the four-wide offense, he is seeking to improve on his deep throws on streak patterns. Last year, there were 15 incompletions that were each within six inches of being 30-yard-plus plays."

About how they have great potential to improve on offense, Rolo said:
"We were a top-five passing offense, but we still left a lot of yards on the field. We haven't reached the ceiling yet. There's great potential." (HA)

About fracturing his pinkie when hitting a teammate's helmet on a follow-through, Brent Rausch said:
"(Stuff) happens." (HA)

Asked if he was discouraged by having just 14 pass attempts in his first 2 UH seasons, Rausch said:
"I'm cool. I'm trying to take it play by play. I'm not worrying about the other stuff." (HA)

About the struggles that Rausch has had with injuries at UH, Rolo said:
"He's had a difficult career, but he's really matured since he's come to Hawai'i. He understands the offense, and he puts in a lot of hard work." (HA)

HA Note: "Key absences have opened the competition at the outside spots. On the left side, Bradley continues to recover from surgery to repair a broken fibia and tibia in his left leg. Right wideout Malcolm Lane said he is on suspension because of poor grades during the fall semester. Right wideout Jovonte Taylor's eligibility expired after an unsuccessful attempt to appeal for a medical hardship."

About how Royce Pollard has a part-time job selling cutlery, his father Anthony Pollard said:
"He needs gas money," (A)

About how OL coach Gordy Shaw told them during exit meetings that there were 12 potential starters among the players returning, Austin Hansen said:
"And the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th guys are working just as hard." (HA)

About moving Brett Leonard to guard, Shaw said:
"He's a very physical player." (HA)

About how Kainoa LaCount will get first shot at starting at LT if Laupepa Letuli's medical exemption petition to play a 6th year is turned down, Shaw said:
"A lot of things hinge on Pepa's ruling." (HA)

About how the OL worked hard during the offseason, projected LT starter Austin Hansen said:
"We're all working together." (HA)

About his happy personality, Hansen (who first met his wife Rachel in Elementary school) said:
"I like to have a good time. "(HA)

About how he was accepted by the people of Hawaii, Hansen said:
"People in Hawai'i are more loving and accepting than anywhere else I've experienced. It's been easy to fit in. I don't know if I fit in as much as they accept me." (HA)

Praising Paipai Falemalu's pass-rushing ability, Dave Aranda said:
"Paipai has developed into a marque player. He's very athletic. As physical as he is, his footwork and athleticism make a good combination."(HA)

About how Marcus Umu (who redshirted last season after transferring from Charleston Southern and has just *1* season of UH eligibility) is expected to start at the other DE spot, Aranda said:
"He did a lot of good things for us on scout team last year.He is very light on his feet. He's very explosive with his hands." (HA)

Praising Vaughn Meatoga, Aranda said:
"He's a technician. He understands football. And there's a nastiness to him." (HA)

About how he relies on massages, Tuipulotu said:
"It helps me relax." (HA)

About his aggressiveness on the field, Tuipulotu said:
"I can't be a big softy in the middle. I do what I need to do to get the job done." (HA)

About accepting a scholarship to Arizona, Tuipulotu said:
"I got caught up in the hype. I wasn't really recruited by UH. I saw more Mainland coaches in one week than UH coaches during the whole recruiting season." (HA)

About how he climbed Stairway to Heaven, George Daily-Lyles said:
"That was pretty scary. It was straight vertical in some spots." (HA)

About how he didn't play last season due to redshirting, Daily Lyles said it:
"was a pain in the butt, actually. But it was a blessing in disguise, too." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100328/SPORTS0201/3280400&template=UHSports/Springing+forward

UH hopes to avoid injuries during Spring Practice

About the importance of avoiding injuries during the spring, Mack said:
"We've got to come out of there healthy. I've seen teams come out of spring just beat to heck and they never survive. I'm very sensitive to that, but I know for our first three ballgames we have to be physical. We can't be learning how to play the run and be playing 7-on-7 in spring ball. People are going to see a lot more contact." (HSB)

About how their defense has more experience returning this season, Mack said:
"Last year we were a little young and we got better as time went by. But I feel we have a jump on that because they've had a year to learn it." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100328_good_health_a_perfect_prescription_at_camp.html

Interviews with Coach McMackin about Spring Practice

About how all starting positions are open for competition, Mack said:
"Everything is open." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The Warriors are scheduled to practice on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, with the spring culminating under the Friday-night lights with the annual Warrior Bowl April 30 at Ching Field."

About how they have scheduled every minute of spring practice, Mack said:
"We have every single minute planned out, offensively, defensively, special teams. We're ready to go." (HSB)

About having the Warrior Bowl at Ching field, Mack said:
"It'll make it easier. The kids will be here, the coaches, everybody will be here." (HSB)

HSB Note: "He said this year's spring will include more full-speed contact to better prepare to defend the run and a scrimmage situation at the end of each practice with the offense and defense matched up in an overtime scenario, which also allows them to work on red-zone
situations.

While the Warriors' 116 players gear up for the spring, the wait continues for offensive lineman Laupepa Letuli and linebacker Brashton Satele. Both are awaiting word on their appeals to the NCAA for another year of eligibility after injuries cut short their seasons last fall. McMackin said the seniors are planning to attend UH's pro day next Thursday in Carson, Calif., and would remain eligible as long as they don't speak to agents.

Offensive lineman Clayton Laurel, a backup tackle last season, will not be in spring drills due to a broken wrist."

HSB Note: "Rodney Bradley continues his comeback from a gruesome broken leg he suffered in a loss at Idaho. McMackin said redshirting is a possibility, depending on Bradley's progress in fall camp. Malcolm Lane sat out last season to concentrate on academics and will not participate in spring practice. McMackin said he will remain on scholarship and the coach will decide in the summer whether the senior will rejoin the team."

About how they will have live tackling during spring practice, but the tackling will be limited, Mack said:
"We're gonna take 'em down. More physical things this spring." (HSB)

"Shots of full-speed (tackling). But we have to be smart about it and we want to stay healthy." (HSB)

About the need for more contact this spring, Mack said:
"We have to find out who our linebackers are. We have Brashton (Satele) and everyone else is pretty new." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The run-and-shoot is being tweaked. McMackin has always been a believer in the four-receiver sets. But now he says it's going to be a little different ... his magic formula is 75 percent run-and-shoot, 25 percent "Colts, Patriots and some of what Cincinnati does.""

About their changing responsibilities for their coaches, Mack said that he will announce them after he tells the players on Monday, but:
"be ready for anything." (HSB)

HSB Note: "I'm pretty sure "anything" might mean quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich — who took over play-calling duties last year — becoming at least a co-offensive coordinator with Ron Lee."

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/20100325_Whats_crackin_with_McMackin.html

http://www.starbulletin.com/columnists/furtherreview/20100325_Hawaiis_focus_on_hitting_surely_a_sick_proposition.html

The Warrior Bowl will be at Ching Field

About how they will have the Warrior Bowl at Ching Field (Aloha Stadium is not available due to renovations), Mack said:
"It will be held right here. This is actually better for our players." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff on April 30 and admission is free."

About how every starting position is up for competition, Mack said:
"Everything's open. Every position's open." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/breaking/89063082.html

2010 UH Football Schedule Released, Only 1 ESPN Game

About how only one UH game has been chosen for ESPN so far, possibly leaving the other 12 games for their PPV package, UH associate AD John McNamara said:
"The more games for pay per view, the better." (HA)

HA Note: "Last year sales of the pay-per-view package, which is largely made up of football games, dropped approximately 16 percent from the $4.1 million in sales in 2008, according to UH. Because of a restructured payment schedule, UH's share of the revenues dropped approximately 4 percent to about $2.5 million. UH's partners, Oceanic and KFVE, share in the revenue. UH has averaged three regular-season ESPN appearances per season since 2002 and had a high of five in 2007. It had one in 2006, plus the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl."

About how they might get more national TV games if the football team is having a good season, JD said:
"I think if we play well we may get additional games." (HA)

HA Note: "UH's Nov. 6 game at Boise State and Dec. 4 home finale with Nevada-Las Vegas were said to have previously been under consideration. Defending WAC champion Boise State already has six games scheduled for ESPN. Under the terms of its contract with the WAC, ESPN is obligated to show at least 10 games involving WAC members on its primary outlets, ESPN and ESPN2. It announced nine yesterday plus the Boise State-Virginia Tech game, which does not fall under the WAC contract."

About how ESPN could chose still more games to televise (1 more ESPN or ESPN 2 game must be televised and 6 games can be shown on ESPNU, half with just 12 days notice), McNamara said:
"We have to be mindful of the window for ESPN to add late games." (HA)

HSB Note: "The Warriors' 2010 schedule was released yesterday, with the Warriors playing 10 games before getting a week off in November. Still, compared to last year's schedule, UH's upcoming slate appears relatively straightforward while providing a tough stretch right from
the start."

Saying that they have a challenging schedule this year, Mack said:
"It's a very challenging schedule, especially the first part playing USC at home and traveling to New York and Colorado. Every team in the WAC is returning a lot of players, so it'll be a very competitive conference. We're working hard and look forward to the challenge." (HSB)

2010 Warrior Football Schedule
Sept. 2: USC (ESPN)
Sept. 11: at Army
Sept. 18: at Colorado
Sept. 25: Charleston Southern
Oct. 2: Louisiana Tech
Oct. 9: at Fresno State
Oct. 16: Nevada
Oct. 23: at Utah State
Oct. 30: Idaho
Nov. 6: at Boise State
Nov. 20: San Jose State
Nov. 27: at New Mexico State
Dec. 4: UNLV

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100316/SPORTS0201/3160362&template=UHsports

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100316_UH_football_teams_first_bye_in_November.html

Tokai University (Japan) football players and coaches are spending this week with UH's players and coaches

HA Note: "Tokai University players are training this week on the University of Hawai'i's Lower Campus. Their day begins early. At 6:30 a.m., the Tritons watch the UH football players go through weight-training exercises. The Tritons then practice on UH's grass football field from 9:30 a.m. to noon. At 1 p.m., the Tokai coaches watch videos of football plays with the UH coaches. A question-and-answer session follows. At 4:30 p.m., the Tritons watch the Warriors go through on-field conditioning drills."

About how NCAA rules forbid their coaches from providing on-field instructions to the Tokai players, Mack said:
"We can coach the coaches. Their coaches can come up to our offices and watch films and ask questions." (HA)

HA Note: "Tokai's visit, which has been in the works for about a year, is part of UH's plan to build relations with athletic programs in Japan. The hope, according to McMackin, is to one day use Japan as a recruiting base. In turn, that would help UH develop marketing and merchandising efforts."

About being a featured speaker at a football clinic in Japan last week, Mack said:
"They asked good questions, like how to defend the spread offense." (HA)

About how there are about 70 high schools in Japan that play football, with Tokai comparable to a D III football program, and how UH football telecasts are showed on a delayed basis in Japan, Mack said:
"It's getting to be a pretty big deal over there. We're doing this not just for football. We think there's a potential for all of our sports." (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100311/SPORTS0201/3110355&template=UHsports

Q&A with Coach Reinebold including a discussion about Davone Bess

SFSS = South Florida Sun-Sentinel

I'm just putting the Warriors related quotes here. For the full article, please go to the link below.

SFSS Note: "Jeff Reinebold is the current wide receivers coach of the SMU Mustangs. Before that he was with June Jones at Hawaii and has spent more than 25 years coaching at the college level, in the CFL and NFL Europe. It was in Europe where I first became aware of Jeff as his special teams units were outstanding and he appears as a semi regular studio analyst for the NFL coverage here in Britain, where he never wastes a single word, often making his analysis more fulfilling than the game itself.

What comes across immediately on television is a passion and a knowledge for the game that is unrivalled. Ranked as one of the top 20 recruiters in all of college football and the only non BCS coach to make the list, he has worked with a pair of current Dolphins in Ikaika Alama-Francis and Davone Bess."

Asked about SMU WR Emmanuel Sanders, who the Dolphins are interested in, Jeff Reinebold (JR) said:
"He's very quick, with good hands, he runs solid routes, is in and out of his breaks well, he's a very fine downfield blocker who'll track the ball in the air. I can't work out why he's getting a lower grade than some others out there because he does it all. Obviously the knock is size (5'10, 186) but he's not badly sized. Of course it may be that he comes from a June Jones offense." (SFSS)

Asked if it irritates him that JJ's players are branded in a particular way by the NFL, JR said:
"Yeah but there's not a lot we can do about it. We just have to keep getting guys into the NFL and they keep having to be successful. Sanders should be the next one. He's a great kid, he's an intelligent guy. And how many top college receivers were rodeo cowboys? This kid comes from a small ranch town, Bellville in Texas where he was a QB, but he has this swagger, this attitude and toughness of someone who should be playing defense; he's a tough kid. He played hurt for me. Every Saturday he'd line up there and play football even if he was hurting. Often times you hear of kids who won't play but you never hear that with him. Tough kid, loves to compete, he's fearless and like the best ones, he wants the ball in his hands. But he does that in a positive way, not a destructive way." (SFSS)

About how the NFL scouts and coaches are comparing Davone Bess to Sanders, JR said:
"I've had 50 NFL guys in my office talking to me about him. Their biggest concern is that he's very narrow in the lower body. But they also say that he has a lot of similarities to Davone, although physically they're different in that Davone is very thick in the lower body. Emmanuel is a big guy up top but he has skinny legs. So the question I'm asked is how well will he hold up on that frame, especially given how physical he is? I think he'll be fine. He's going to run very well when tested (4.39 at the Combine). I'd put him somewhere in the 4.48 area, maybe a little quicker, but if you look at Davone, Davone ran a 4.6. But both have a good understanding of the
position. Davone overcame his lack of speed because of that and because of his great hands. Emmanuel has the speed that Davone doesn't have. Both of them understand how to get a DB turned." (SFSS)

Asked why Davone Bess was not drafted by the NFL, JR said:
"I think because of something I mentioned earlier on; that GM's and front office people have these parameters for receivers and if a guy doesn't match up size wise and then runs slow, then regardless of how good his hands are or how well he runs routes or how productive he's been, that's going to get overlooked a little. What was critical for Davone was that he was never going to be outworked. Ever. And when you have that mindset, you can destroy a few of those parameters pretty quickly. People miss in this process. How fast a guy is, how tall he is, what he bench presses, those numbers become more important sometimes than the numbers recorded out on the field and Davone was one of those guys. Davone is also mentally strong. He knew he faced an uphill battle but once he got into a camp in Miami he had a clear focus and an ability to concentrate on the job at hand which was making the team and he got through the daily grind of training camp and came out of it with a job. It also helped that regardless of his test scores, he has the talent to play in the NFL. He quickly worked out not only how to compete every single down but also to assume, however small, a leadership role and all these things help to make up
a bigger picture." (SFSS)

About how the Dolphins are interested in Sanders because of his similarities to Bess, JR was asked how interested Miami is and said:
"Hard to say. But Miami has been through the campus here to find out more about him and watch some tape on him. The pro day (Thursday April 1st) will be critical for him as will the private workouts. But there's a lot of interest. I had three more teams through here this week, with high up members of each organisation coming to town. Typically they all want information and they want to know the things that the film won't show, about his personality, those sorts of things. The Dolphins do a good job. They have some very good evaluators. That's why they chose Davone. They look at Davone and they see similar things in Emmanuel; tremendous college production and both of them are quarterback friendly." (JR)

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports/columnists/hyde/blog/2010/03/analyzing_the_dolphins_draft_w.html

Feature interview with Colt Brennan in the Advertiser

HA Note: "For several hours yesterday, it was 2007, as Colt Brennan put a Sharpie autograph to hundreds of T-shirts, photographs, caps, mini-helmets, paper scraps — basically, anything with a surface, including skin."

Interviewed while serving as a guest instructor at the Field of Legends Football Clinic at Aloha Stadium yesterday, Colt Brennan said:
"I love being in Hawai'i, meeting people, having fun." (HA)

About how he's healthy for the first time since September 2007 (he's had 3 surgeries in the last 21 months), Colt said:
"There are no problems anymore." (HA)

HA Note: "The first was to repair a torn labrum in his right hip. After his rookie season, in 2008, he underwent surgery for a partially torn meniscus in his left knee. Then a week before the start of the 2009 season, he suffered a torn left hamstring. It was later learned that all of the injuries were related: the left knee was worn down by over-compensating for the right-hip ailment; the torn hamstring was a byproduct of a torn labrum in his left hip. Brennan underwent surgery
on his left hip that involved shaving down cartilage to make it a more comfortable fit. He also underwent a blood-spinning procedure in which his blood was drawn, treated, and then reintroduced to strengthen his left hamstring."

About the surgeries, Colt said:
"Technically. I should be stronger, faster, more agile and more powerful in my hip than I was before I got hurt." (HA)

About how he increased his weight to 218 while lowering his body fat to 10% by training in Arizona for the past 2 months, Colt said:
"I've been running and training. I don't have any serious aches or pains. I feel great." (HA)

About how Washington's offense will change to Mike Shanahan's spread offense, Colt said:
"They love to create a lot of opportunities with play-action. They like to move the quarterback. .... As long as they need a guy (who) can move and sling it, that's exactly what I'll do." (HA)

About his chances to earn a spot in the new offense, Colt said:
"Hopefully, it's a great opportunity to show up and showcase what I've got and make them realize there's a reason they drafted me, there's a reason why they kept me, and there's a reason I'm in D.C. now." (HA)

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100307/SPORTS04/3070352/1049/sportsfront/Good+sign+Brennan+healthy+again

The Aloha Stadium Authority needs over $200 million for their projects to keep Aloha Stadium usable for the next 20 years

PBN = Pacific Business News

PSN Note: "Work currently is under way on two capital improvement projects totaling more than $25 million. One involves replacing the stadium's upper roof in the L-S and LL-QQ sections, work that should be finished by July. Visitors to the swap meet and drivers-by already have noticed the new dark-green paint job. They also may have seen a giant silver tarp hanging on the stadium's mauka or Halawa side this week, helping shield paint recoating and waterproofing.

On the makai or Pearl Harbor side, meanwhile, a giant crane was being used to install scaffolding. The roofing work, to be finished in July 2011, is part of a second CIP task on structural and health and safety projects. Repairs also are under way on five "orange" seat sections, from LL to QQ and FF to KK, and the patching of cracks in asphalt and concrete walkways."

About how they will try to keep maintaining Aloha Stadium so that it can be used for at least 20 more years, provided they can raise the over $200 million for the projects that want to do by 2016, Aloha Stadium engineer Ming-Yang Tan said:
"The work we've planned should make it last at minimum another 20 years." (PBN)

PBN Note: "Funding, of course, is no guarantee. Like almost every government agency, the Aloha Stadium Authority, the stadium's governing body, is being asked to do more with less as lawmakers debate tax increases to meet a billion-dollar budget shortfall."

About how they are looking to secure funding and renovation projects that are budgeted for about $19 million, State Comptroller Russ Saito said:
"The funded projects will keep us busy for the next work season — January and February to August of 2011 — but we can accelerate the complete refurbishment if more funding becomes available." (PBN)

Appreciating any support they get from the State, Aloha Stadium manager Scott Chan said:
"We greatly appreciate the support the state comptroller and the Legislature has given us. We want to make it safe and enjoyable for everyone to continue coming here." (PBN)

PBN Note: "Perhaps the most visible will be a new LED screen that will replace the JumboTron in time for August games. But this project will not cost taxpayers. The stadium has a 10-year contract with CBS Collegiate Sports Properties to sell advertising and partnership platforms. CBS Collegiate Sports Properties is a division of CBS Outdoor Group (part of CBS television) and is doing business locally as Aloha Sports Properties.

Garrick Dorn, the company's west regional sales manager in Scottsdale, Ariz., said CBS Collegiate has similar contracts with other sports facilities such as Louisiana State University and the Air Force Academy. Last year, CBS Collegiate installed 80 new flat-screen TVs throughout Aloha Stadium, in concession and hospitality areas and outside the ticket office. Serving as an in-house video feed, the screens show the games on the field. They are funded by corporate clients such as Bank of Hawaii, Geico, Heineken and Pepsi. Dorn said similar corporate sponsorships, possibly local, will support the 60-foot-by-19-foot screen that will be called Aloha Vision."

About their investment in "state of the art" screens at Aloha Stadium, CBS Collegiate Sports Properties regional sales manager Garrick Dorn said:
"We would not have chosen to invest in Aloha Stadium if we didn't believe in it. Our corporate partners support the investment because we believe in the fan base and the events that can be held there." (PBN)

Happy with people looking into additional ideas to bring business to Aloha Stadium, including drive-in movies and a farmers' market, Chan said:
"We've got to look for ways to enhance the experience." (PBN)

About how they are not likely to build a new stadium on Oahu anytime soon and instead will try to keep Aloha Stadium usable, Kevin Chong Kee (chairman of the Aloha Stadium Authority) said:
"It was the right decision to repair what we had, especially facing the economic situation we have. It would have been a mistake, for example, to move it out to Kalaeloa. We're centrally located — all roads go to the stadium." (PBN)

http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2010/03/01/story9.html