Feature article on John Estes

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

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

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

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

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

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

Warrior Quotes 4/20/10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KOHD = KOHD News
OR = The Oregonian

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://kohd.com/page/170614

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brashton Satele was denied his request for a 6th year

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feature on Aaron Brown

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UH is focusing on getting their secondary to make more turnovers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feature article on Jordan Gomes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PFT = Pro Football Talk

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

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

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

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

Quotes after Wednesday's spring practice

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feature article on Rodney Bradley and his recovery status

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UH coaches close to finalizing their spring depth chart

HNN = Hawaii News Now

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shawn Withy-Allen was called the "Brett Favre of Arena Football"

About serving as the backup QB for the Fayetteville Guard last season, behind Shawn Withy-Allen, Nick Gildersleeve said:
"He was like the Brett Favre of arena football. When he was in college, he was the backup to (Timmy) Chang at Hawaii. I learned a lot from him.'' (Monroe News)

http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100412/SPORTS/704129977

Warrior Quotes 4/12/10

About the instability at their QB position during his 2+ years as QB coach, including the Moniz suspension this year, Rolo said:
"That's football, I guess. It is a game where the ball bounces funny." (HA)

About Bryant Moniz not being at practice today, Mack said:
"Bryant Moniz is taking care of some personal issues and he'll be back on the team when he gets those taken care of." (HSB)

HSB Note: "In the meantime, Shane Austin remained first in the quarterback rotation."

About OT Kainoa LaCount carted off the practice field with ice on his left knee, resulting in his ending practice about 10 minutes early, Mack said:
"He told me he's OK." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The injury occurred in an 11-on-11 period in which players were instructed to "stay up" after the initial contact and McMackin became concerned with the number of players going to the turf. Sophomore Levi Legay moved into LaCount's spot at right tackle for the last few plays of the practice."

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100412/COLUMNISTS06/4120344/Rolovich+must+turn++to+backup+plan+again

http://blogs.starbulletin.com/uhsportsextra/back-on-campus-for-day-7/

Warrior Quotes 4/11/10 (Moniz left team for "personal business" and Kauai scrimmage reports)

About Moniz being on leave from the team, Mack said:
"All I'm going to say is he is taking care of personal business." (HSB)

"He has to take care of some personal things." (HA)

HSB Note: "The reason for Moniz's absence is very personal. But the fact that he's not with the team has to be addressed, because he's the UH quarterback, and the reason could have long-term implications for the Warriors. The "personal business" is not about grades, injury, illness or lawbreaking. It is, however, definitely not something McMackin and offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich or anyone on the team wanted to have to deal with while preparing for the 2010 season."

About how things were going well with Moniz before this, Rolo shook his head and said:
"And things were going so good." (HSB)

About being the #1 QB with Bryant Moniz away from the team, Shane Austin said:
"It's just like the season. You never know when your opportunity's going to come, so you have to be ready to jump in there and you always have to have that mentality." (HSB)

About how their QBs want to be on top of the leaderboard in the meeting room for QBs, Austin said:
"You want to get on that." (HA)

HA Note: "Entering yesterday's practice — which featured warmups, drills and a 68-play scrimmage — the quarterback order was this: Austin, David Graves, Brent Rausch, Cayman Shutter and Corey Nielsen."

About being #1 for now, Austin said:
"I'm just thankful and blessed. I'm taking it day by day." (HA)

About how his start at SJSU has made things easier for him, Austin said:
"Once you get (a start) under your belt, you have that comfort level. It makes it a little easier You're going to have a little more patience. Things seem a lot more wide open. They're not so narrow." (HA)

Rolo said that Austin:
"throws a very catchable ball. He's pretty disciplined about his reads, and he's very accurate. He has a good knowledge of the offense." (HA)

Praising Graves, Rolo said:
"He's very competitive. I like his personality. He enjoys being out there. He does things naturally, like moving through his progressions." (HA)

About how he needs to be able to make his reads better, Graves said:
"I feel on paper, I have it down. But getting out there and reading coverages and knowing exactly where the ball is going, I'm not there yet. But it will come with time. I want to make the right reads and do what I've been doing and just keep working and fighting and competing." (HA)

About how he is focusing on remaining healthy and improving, Rausch said:
"I'm not looking ahead or behind me. I'm trying to do my thing." (HA)

About Moniz missing the scrimmage, Mack said:
"He had to take care of some personal business so we just go the next guy. We're used to that, One guy goes down, you go to the next guy." (HSB)

"We'll just move on." (HA)

HSB Note: "Austin began last season fourth among the quarterbacks, but appeared in four games and started in place of Moniz in an overtime win at San Jose State. He worked with the first unit yesterday and went 5-for-7 in an 11-play drive to open the scrimmage. He returned for an overtime drill toward the end of the day and fired a 6-yard touchdown pass to slotback Ryan Henry."

Happy with his performance in the scrimmage, Austin said:
"Very comfortable in there today. I went through my reads patiently, guys were getting open, both sides of the ball looked good. It was a good day." (HSB)

About how he had already been to Kauai before, Austin said:
"I've been to Kauai a bunch of times. I love this island, it's gorgeous. I love any opportunity to come back here, so this is definitely a fun experience." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Brent Rausch and Cayman Shutter both completed deep passes for touchdowns before a crowd of about 500. Rausch hit newcomer Darius Bright in stride down the left sideline for a 47-yard score. Shutter later connected with fellow freshman Billy Ray Stutzmann on a 40-yard touchdown."

Unhappy with his 8-11 for 130 yards performance, Rausch said:
"I threw a touchdown pass, but I felt I could have done better. It definitely felt good to get that one (touchdown) in so clean like that." (HSB)

About his 47-yard TD reception from Rausch, Darius Bright said:
"It was a 'go' route, and I just had to go. (The pass) kind of hung up. I had to adjust to it." (HA)

About his TD pass to Bright, Rausch said:
"I used the wind a little bit. I threw it on the inside, and it kind of carried out there. It was a nice read by Darius." (HA)

Praising Rausch's play, Rolo said:
"I think Brent helped himself now and then. He needs to get more consistent. But he did a lot of good things." (HA)

About his 40-yard TD pass to Billy Ray Stutzmann (who redshirted last year like he did) on a "nine" route, Shutter said:
"We always try to get a lot of routes in the offseason to work our timing. We've probably thrown that route over a hundred times. When we get on the field, it's more memory." (HA)

About how he's worked out a lot with Shutter, Billy Ray said:
"We've been working a lot (together) ever since we found out we were both going to UH." (HA)

About his 6-yard TD reception from Austin, Ryan Henry said:
"He came back to me." (HA)

Asked the name of the play where Henry scored the TD, Salas said:
"It's called 'Ryan Scored a Touchdown.' " (HA)

Told that Mack complimented his playmaking ability, David Graves said:
"Perfect. That feels great that Coach Mack would say that. There's great competition every day, and I'm just trying to get better." (HSB)

Asked if having their starting QB out is a distraction or opportunity to them, Graves said:
"Opportunity, for sure. I honestly don't know (why Moniz was gone). Rolo just told me Moniz isn't coming today. In the long run, it can bring us together. It hurts to lose a starter. He was the guy. Now someone else has to step up, and I want to be that guy." (HSB)

UH Note: "A crowd of nearly 1,000 fans greeted the Warriors on picture-perfect day in Lihue. The Warriors responded with an energetic practice and intrasquad scrimmage, giving the Kaua`i fans an up-close look at the 2010 squad. It was the second year UH visited the neighbor islands. Last year the Warriors practice at War Memorial Stadium on Maui."

Happy with how they were received by the Kauai fans, Mack said:
"The fans here gave us such an outstanding welcome. And our players really enjoyed themselves. We fed off their energy on the field and it was great getting to meet and greet everybody during the autograph session. The entire team had an incredible time." (UH)

UH Note: "After 45 minutes of warm-ups and drills, the Warriors used the second hour of their practice to entertain the crowd with an intrasquad scrimmage. The scrimmage was highlighted by three touchdowns. Brent Rausch hit Darius Bright on a long pass for the first score, while Cayman Shutter connected with a streaking Billy Ray Stutzmann on another long touchdown. Shane Austin found Ryan Henry in the back of the end zone for the final score of the day. Despite the controlled scrimmage with limited tackling, there were also a fair share of highlights on defense, including a series of hard hits by defensive backs Jordan Gomes and Parker Paredes."

Happy with the play by their defense, Mack said:
"We saw a lot of great things from all three phases of the game today. But the defense was what really impressed me. We did a great job of tackling and stripping the ball." (UH)

Praising the defense's performance in the scrimmage, Mack said:
"I thought overall the defense, for the first scrimmage, really tackled well. I'm impressed with that and how they run to the football. This whole scrimmage was for personnel, because we have to go back and evaluate our personnel and then we've got to move on. The next two weeks we'll get into scout teams and get the first and second units shaken out and really get down to getting ready to win games." (HSB)

Feeling that their defense was mentally ready for the scrimmage during their flight to Kauai, Dave Aranda said:
"I thought there was good focus on the plane ride over. Everyone had their game face on. I thought they were prepared." (HA)

HA Note: "For the defense, the emphasis of the 68-play scrimmage — for all 15 practices of spring training, in fact — was to establish a pass rush. In 2009, the Warriors amassed 19 sacks and 30 hurries, meaning they pressured the opposing quarterback only once every 7.2 pass plays. As a result, opponents completed 64.07 percent of their passes, a ratio that was 15th-worst among 120 Division I-A teams. But yesterday, they were able to produce seven sacks in 48 pass plays. Because most of the pressure came from the front four — led by left end Kamalu Umu and defensive tackles Vaughn Meatoga, Haku Correa and Kaniela Tuipulotu — the linebackers rarely blitzed."

Happy with their pass rush by their DL, Aranda said:
"I was really impressed with the D-line as a unit. I thought they were able to create a pass rush with four guys. That was a problem last year. I know that (defensive line coaches) Tony (Tuioti) and Cal Lee really worked hard on it. I'm glad to see those guys play well." (HA)

About how he got extended playing time in their scrimmage, Meatoga said:
"Last year (on Maui), I didn't get to play at all. Coach (Aranda) told me he was going to let me play." (HA)

About scrimmaging in Kauai, Umu (who was raised on Kauai) said:
"It was good to play in front of everybody." (HA)

Happy to get a chance to play again after redshirting last year due to a severe hamstring injury, Aaron Brown (2 sacks and a fumble recovery yesterday) said:
"It was nice to hit people and get some live action. Our defensive line put the pressure on the quarterback, which we were somewhat emphasizing this year." (HA)

About playing LB, Brown said:
"it's feeling like second nature." (HA)

About how he was involved in 2 plays that were whistled as sacks, Umu said:
"The first series I was all nervous, my first time live in a while. It took a while to get into a groove, but it's good be home." (HSB)

UH Note: "The appearance also marked a homecoming for several Warriors who were born and raised on the Garden Isle—junior defensive back Kenny Estes (Waimea High School); junior defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga (Kalaheo, Kaua'i); junior wide receiver Jett Jasper (Kaua'i High School); and senior defensive lineman Kamalu Umu (Kapa'a, Kaua`i)."

Happy that his family got to attend their scrimmage, Jasper said:
"It was a great appearance. My whole family was here (today)…it's hard for them sometimes to come to watch me on O`ahu. There were tons of fans and I was so blessed to be here." (UH)

"It felt great. My whole family's here. I talked to a bunch of Kauai High players before practice and they were excited to just come out here and watch because they all have aspirations of playing at the next level. I'm the only guy from Kauai High, so I try to give them as many pointers as I can on how to take yourself to the next level, in school and athletics." (HSB)

About getting UH to go to Kauai this year, Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho (who played OL for UH in the early 1980s) said:
"I told my good friend Jim Donovan to just get the team here and we'd take care of everything else." (HSB)

"I told him, 'Just get here and once you touch down it's our kuleana.' From the buses to the water, to the tents, to the food, to the field, the officials, everything." (HSB)

Asked what he said when Mack asked him to address the team before yesterday's scrimmage, Carvalho said:
"I was telling them how I want them to understand how their presence here is so important for Kauai and the example they're setting. And then I said, 'I want you guys to know all the things I learned in football I apply as mayor.' The challenges, the obstacles, the different things that happen, it all applies. The big thing is being prepared, be ready." (HSB)

About how having their youth being able to see the Warriors in person serves as motivation for those who aspire to play in college, Carvalho said:
"I look forward to more -- volleyball, basketball, softball, any other sports. We should get a rotation of sports to the neighbor islands. It's critical for all." (HSB)

About how he wants to give UH control of Aloha Stadium if he is elected Governor, Neil Abercrombie said:
"If you're going to be Division I, be Division I." (HSB)

About making several big hits in the scrimmage as he tries to make the team as a walk-on, Parker Paredes said:
"It feels good, it's just a blessing to be out here and be part of the team." (HSB)

About how he didn't wear pads and didn't participate in the scrimmage but he played at MLB for a few snaps during 7-on-7s, Brashton Satele said:
"It was nice to watch, but it was kind of hard. I really wanted to get out there. I haven't hit anybody in over a year already." (HSB)

http://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2010/4/10/FB_0410105409.aspx?path=football

http://www.starbulletin.com/columnists/furtherreview/20100411_kauai_gets_everything_but_the_starting_qb.html

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100411_carvalho_steps_back_into_a_hawaii_huddle.html

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100411_uh_qb_spotlight_drifts_to_austin.html

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100411/SPORTS0201/4110383&template=UHsports

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100411/SPORTS0201/4110384&template=UHsports

Homecoming today for the Warriors from Kauai

HSB Note: "Meatoga and fellow Kauai products Kenny Estes, Jett Jasper and Kamalu Umu will be among the Warriors' travel party of about 150 (including players, coaches and support staff) heading to the Garden Isle this morning. The practice and scrimmage are set to start at 11 a.m. at Vidinha Stadium with an autograph session to follow. Admission is free."

About being able to play in front of all of his family in Kauai, Vaughn Meatoga said:
"My dad tries to make a couple spring practices (on Oahu) and whenever he comes I get real nervous, I want to do good in front of him. It feels good to get the nerves, it reminds me I haven't made anything yet. I'm still learning every day." (HSB)

HSB Note: "While Meatoga and Umu grew up on Kauai, their last memories of Vidinha Stadium involve Pop Warner games. They moved to Oahu before high school, Meatoga enrolling at Kamehameha and Umu at Saint Louis."

About playing in front of his family in Kauai, Umu said:
"It's my first time I get to play back home and in front of my family. They always had to fly to Oahu. Never thought I'd be playing back there. This is Hawaii's team so it's exciting." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Jasper owns quite a bit more history in - and around - Vidinha Stadium. The Jasper family business, JJ's Broiler, is about "2 minutes away," and having his grandparents at today's practice adds flavor to the spring for the junior receiver."

About having his grandparents at today's practice, Jett Jasper said:
"It's going to mean a lot. I played pee wee, Pop Warner, JV and varsity ball there and to go back in college is going to be awesome." (HSB)

Laughing while talking about playing in Kauai, Estes said:
"I would be more stoked if we were at Hanapepe Stadium. That's my home stadium. But it's cool." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The Warriors will hold a normal practice for the first hour before starting the scrimmage. Where last year's initial scrimmage of the spring on Maui marked the team's first shot at full-speed tackling, the Warriors have already ramped up the contact in their last three sessions on campus."

About how Kauai fans will get to see some physical play, Mack said:
"We've had a pretty physical practice so far. They'll be ready for it, and (the Kauai fans) will get to see a lot of action over there." (HSB)

About how the scrimmage will focus on their less established players, Mack said:
"It's almost like a first preseason game. All of our players will play, but we're going to focus on the newcomers." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100410_Busy_homecoming_for_Kauai_Warriors.html

Feature on the Warriors in the (Kauai) Garden Island

KGI = Kauai Garden Island

About how going to Kauai allows them to connect with their Kauai fans, Mack said:
"We're coming over because we play for Hawai'i and we wear Hawai'i on our jerseys. It allows our players to see the neighboring islands and our fans to see the players, it allows our fans to come meet the team and it allows our program to know who we're playing for." (KGI)

KGI Note: "McMackin said he is always a little surprised to realize how few members of the team have been to the various outer islands, though there are four who have definitely gotten to experience Kaua'i — Kenny Estes, Jett Jasper, Vaughn Meatoga and Kamalu Umu — who all hail from the island."

About his excitement when he found out that the Warriors were going to Kauai, Meatoga said:
"When I found out, I was really excited. I haven't played in that stadium since Pop Warner, so it's going to be really fun playing there, having that grass under my feet." (KGI)

Excited to have the Warriors go to Kauai, Jasper said:
"I'm definitely excited, it's great to come back to where I was born and raised. That's my home stadium. That's where I played Pop Warner, JV and varsity." (KGI)

Praising their players from Kauai, Mack said:
"Vaughn's been one of the leaders of our football team. He's been the best tackle we've had since I've been here." (KGI)

About how Umu is fighting for a starting DE spot, Mack said:
"He'll get a lot of playing time at defensive end. He's got great speed." (KGI)

KGI Note: "Having only just begun practice, McMackin said the team is doing "a lot of teaching and a lot of learning." "

About how they could have qualified for a bowl game last season before the Wisconsin finale, Mack said:
"There were several games where if a few plays went the other way, we would have been in a bowl game already." (KGI)

About how their team is more experienced now and is communicating better this season, Mack said:
"Last year they were inexperienced and didn't communicate. But you're going to see so much more communication because they've got confidence." (KGI)

About how their defensive unit is preparing for the season, Meatoga said:
"We're out to work. Everybody is shutting their mouth and doing what the coaches say. We should be ready to go once the season starts." (KGI)

About how their expectations are high for this season, Jasper said:
"Expectations are higher than ever. We want to win a bowl game, but like Coach Mac says, we have to take it one game at a time." (KGI)

Happy that his family can see him play, Meatoga said:
"It gives my family who can't come over to O'ahu for games a chance to see me at practice." (KGI)

About his love for Kauai, Mack said:
"We have so many fans over there who might not get to come over to the games. They show me their garages with their big TVs. They will get to meet the players and get to shake their hands. It's just a good ohana." (KGI)

About the shuffling of their coaching staff, Mack said:
"I felt like I had good coaches or I would have let guys go. But I want to get guys in the best position to succeed." (KGI)

Praising his new coordinators, Mack said:
"Rolovich really has the offense moving. Aranda has been with me since Texas Tech and knows the package." (KGI)

http://thegardenisland.com/sports/football/article_4f181cbc-43b9-11df-83b6-001cc4c03286.html?mode=story

Quotes from the local papers 4/8/10

HA Note: "Iosefa made a strong first impression in his debut at running back during the Warriors' fifth practice of spring training. He made a few knock-back blocks and gained yards with tough runs."

About Joey Iosefa's first practice as a RB, Rolo said:
"He's physical. He put in hard work in the weight room. He loves being here. He's a great teammate. We're happy to have him on the offensive side of the ball." (HA)

HA Note: "Iosefa was a quarterback/safety at Fagaitua High in American Sāmoa."

About being contacted by UH coaches 2 years ago, Iosefa said:
"It was like a dream. I wanted to play college ball." (HA)

HA Note: "The Warriors made him a grayshirt offer, meaning he would sign his letter of intent February 2009, but not join the Warriors until January 2010. Under grayshirt rules, Iosefa was allowed to attend UH as a part-time student in the 2009 fall semester. The stipulations were that he could not receive a football scholarship that semester nor practice with the team."

About attending UH part-time last fall, Iosefa said:
"I paid my own way, from my pocket." (HA)

About how Iosefa trained with the LBs in their offseason conditioning program and practiced at LB for their first 4 spring practices, Rolo said:
"He gave it a shot. The history of him having the ball in his hands made it a natural move." (HA)

About moving Iosefa to RB, Mack said:
"He's 245 pounds, runs fast, strong as a bull and has a great attitude, so we have to find a place for him to fit in so he has a chance to contribute." (HSB)

HA Note: "Iosefa, who is 6 feet 1, said he has gained 40 pounds since September, and now weighs 230. He can bench press 300 pounds."

About how their top 2 RBs are seniors (Green and Chizzy) so they were looking for freshman RBs like Lister and Iosefa, Rolo said:
"We were looking for some young guys (to develop. They're going to give us that 1-2 punch as far as young guys. They will be contributing this year." (HA)

About his offseason workouts, John Lister said:
"I do a lot of running up hills." (HA)

HA Note: "Lister has run up Koko Crater, and hills near the UH campus."

About running uphill like how Walter Payton used to, Lister said:
"A lot of (Payton's) workouts were everyday functional things. There was a hill he used to run up in Mississippi. That's the same things I try to apply: leg strength, drive." (HA)

About wearing Payton's #34, Lister said:
"He's like my idol, my role model." (HA)

About attending UH while being a grayshirt this past fall, Lister said:
"My mom was really adamant that I come out here. It was good to be around everyone. It was a lot easier to transition." (HA)

HA Note: "Lister took 10 credits in the fall. He also used that semester to reshape his body. He replaced fat with muscle."

About how Lister benefited from his work in the weight room while he was grayshirting, RB coach Brian Smith said:
"He came in real young; he just turned 18 in November. Getting him into the weight room was good. He lost weight, but gained muscle. The next step over the summer is gaining more of that good weight." (HA)

HA Note: "Lister, who is 6 feet 2, now weighs about 210."

About Lister's slashing running style, Smith said:
"He has the ability to make some people miss." (HA)

About gaining 20 pounds to help with his blocking, Alex Green said:
"I know it's a blocking system, so I had to put on more weight to block linebackers and defensive ends. Being at 210 wasn't really cutting it for me. Being 230 now, I'm feeling pretty good about it." (HSB)

About how Green has done a good job of setting an example for their RBs, Smith said:
"I think he's doing a good job of not necessarily being a big talker but being a leader by just showing a lot of confidence. I think that really lifts the offense a lot, having a guy back there that's got a lot of confidence and knows he can get it done." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Some of that confidence springs from a conditioning regimen Green adhered to between the end of the season and the start of spring ball. Along with working in the weight room in the Warriors' strength program, he had regular sessions with Dimude and cornerback Lametrius Davis doing ladder drills to keep his feet nimble."

About the improved confidence that comes with increased strength, Green said:
"I figured out the stronger you are the more confident you are. I don't know why it took me this long to figure it out, but I I'm glad I got it now rather than during the season. ... I can really work on it, get stronger and go into the season really confident and ready to go against USC (UH's opening opponent)." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Green said he now feels faster with the added strength and having a season in the system also allows him to react with greater decisiveness both as a runner and in his blocking assignments."

About how Green's experience in their system has made him a lot better than when he started at UH, Smith said:
"He's light years away from when he came in here. He's buying into playing a lot more physical, he's buying into the technique and he's seeing results." (HSB)

About blocking Aaron Brown in their 11-on-11 drills, Green said:
"We always joke about who's going to hit who harder. So when we come up, we always have a little glint before the snap. He tries to bring it, I try to bring it to him and it just makes us better." (HSB)

About how freshmen RBs Hogan Rosehill and John Lister have also had good starts to spring practice, Smith said:
"(Rosehill has) become a lot more physical, got bigger and stronger, and that shows. John Lister's showing some good things running the football and picking up what we're doing in just a couple days." (HSB)

About going to Charleston Southern was his best choice for him and his pregnant wife when he transferred from a JC in 2008, Kamalu Umu said:
"It was a family deal I couldn't turn down." (HA)

HA Note: "But living that far away from family members was difficult for his wife. At the end of the 2008 season, Umu requested a release from his football scholarship. In accordance with NCAA transfer rules, he had to sit out the 2009 season."

About how he's being counted on to compete at left DE this spring after playing well on scout teams last year, Umu said:
"They expect a lot, and they haven't seen anything yet." (HA)

"I'm happy to just have a chance." (HA)

HA Note: "To watch 6-foot, 5-inch, 225-pound Darius Bright preying on diminutive defenders in spring practice these days is to understand that not only have the Warriors gotten the license number of the heavy equipment that has frequently run them over, they've gone out and acquired their own cherry picker."

HA Note: "With a basketball background and only three years of football — and just 14 junior college games — behind him, the player they call "Stilts" remains something of a project to be sure. But with size, 4.5 speed, good hands and a can-do attitude, one the Warriors relish seeing through to completion over the next two to three years."

Offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich says that Bright has:
"a very high ceiling ... as high as he wants to take it." (HA)

About Bright's height and speed, Rolo said:
"Nobody is going to sleep on his speed because he has good, long, strides and is physical enough not to get jammed up. He has a lot of weapons." (HA)

HA Note: "Enough that he caught Rolovich's eye when they crossed paths for a few months three years ago at City College of San Francisco, where Rolovich was the quarterbacks coach and Bright was a raw, grayshirt receiver from North Carolina."

About going through spring practice to learn new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda's system before he starts his 2-year Mormon mission this summer, Mike Wadsworth said:
"I'm just trying to understand the concepts so when I come back it'll be easier so I don't start from scratch." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Wadsworth is eagerly anticipating serving his mission in Leeds, England, and is scheduled to depart June 18, shortly after his older brother completes his mission in Washington."

About not playing football during his 2-year Mission, Wadsworth said:
"I've played ever since I was 7- or 8-years-old. It was hard when we played Wisconsin knowing that if we didn't win that would be the last game I'd play for two years. It hasn't hit me yet, but I just have to stay focused." (HSB)

About how they want to give Letuli reps but still prep their other players while they wait to hear if Letuli and Brashton Satele will get their 6th years, OL coach Gordy Shaw said:
"We don't want to take reps away from anyone, but (he) has to stay in the fold." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100408_Wadsworth_takes_in_new_system_before_leaving_on_mission.html

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100408_Green_a_heavier_heavy-hitting_back.html

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100408/COLUMNISTS06/4080349/1142&template=UHSports

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100408/SPORTS0201/4080346&template=UHsports

Warrior Notes (Brashton Satele and Laupepa Letuli received permission to practice)

About Satele and Letuli being allowed to practice, Mack said:
"They can practice, but hopefully we'll find out something pretty soon." (HSB)

HSB Note: "While they wait for a ruling, Letuli and Satele are dealing with the uncertainty of whether they'll have another year of college ball or look to pursue professional careers."

HA Note: "Linebacker Brashton Satele and offensive tackle Laupepa Letuli have received exemptions that will allow them to participate in the University of Hawai'i's spring football practices."

About receiving an exemption from the NCAA that allows them to practice, Brashton Satele (who remained on the mainland after UH's Pro Day) said:
"That's good news." (HA)

HA Note: "The Warriors' next practice is tomorrow morning. Satele was exploring whether he could book an affordable flight in time to make that practice."

About his jam sessions, David Graves said:
"We have a weekly quota we try to hit." (HA)

David Graves said that he plays guitar with offensive tackle Levi Legay's acoustic bass:
"anywhere we can find good acoustics." (HA)

About their jam sessions, Legay said:
"We try to get together at least once a week and jam. Whoever has an instrument can join us." (HA)

About how they find the time for their music, Graves said:
"We have busy schedules, but we try to make time to play." (HA)

About redshirting last season, Graves said:
"I understand how it all works." (HA)

HA Note: "The biggest adjustment was the quarterback dropbacks. In UH's offense, the quarterback, aligned with his heels 4 1/2 yards from the line of scrimmage, takes the shotgun snap. While slowing dropping back, the quarterback must scan the pass routes — and defenders — without tipping off which area he will target. Savvy safeties often look for "tells," observing body posture and eye movements to decode a quarterback's intentions."

About how their QBs need to learn proper dropback technique, Rolo said:
"The drop really discourages some (quarterbacks). As a quarterback, you have a lot to concentrate on. You can get stuck on one read." (HA)

About how the QBs try to look to the sides to practice trying to trick safeties while throwing to each other, Graves said:
"We're eye-battling all of the time." (HA)

About how Rolo organized a Madden football video game tournament for the QBs to develop camaraderie and eye disclipline, Graves said:
"I play Madden as much as I can. It makes me a better quarterback. It's such a realistic game. These days, I'm reading defenses right off the bat. 'I've seen this before on film.' 'I've seen that before on film.' " (HA)

About how technology will help QBs train in the future, Rolo said:
"In the future, you'll see full simulated rooms where you can go in and get your reps. I don't think that's too far off." (HA)

About enjoying the chance to compete for the QB position, Graves said:
"I'm so blessed to have this opportunity to play football and get a free education." (HA)

Asked about living in Hawaii, Graves said:
"I love it. I love it." (HA)

About returning to Hawaii after going home to California for Christmas Break, Graves said:
"When I came back, and all of the boys were here, and I had all kinds of friends, I was right back into the swing of things. I knew this was my home away from home. It was my new home. It's a little slower life (than in California), but it's for me. I love it." (HA)

About being back at practice after sitting out the fall to focus on school, Bulla Ginlack said:
"I'm still kind of rusty, but it's good to be back." (HA)

HA Note: "Although he remained in good academic standing under UH's guidelines, his grades slipped into the "warning" area."

About how he hadn't been focused enough on school, Ginlack said:
"I guess I wasn't focusing enough on academics." (HA)

HA Note: "For the 2009 fall semester, he agreed to an arrangement in which he would practice only when it did not conflict with his school schedule. After this semester, Ginlack needs to pass two classes to earn a bachelor's degree."

About how he ended practice early and gathered the team in a circle at midfield for a "pride drill", where an offensive and defensive player faced off in the middle and tried to knock each other off of Ching Field's "H" logo, Mack said:
"Basically it's defending our house. It gets practice going and lets them compete." (HSB)

About suffering an injury that will force him to be unable to compete in their Kauai scrimmage, Kauai native Kenny Estes said:
"I've been waiting for it, the whole spring break I was thinking about it. It's kind of a bummer." (HSB)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100406/SPORTS0201/4060336&template=UHSports/Satele++Letuli+OK+d+to+practice

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100406_Warriors_Letuli_Satele_wait_for_NCAA_to_rule.html

Feature on UH's FG kicker competition

HA Note: "But Enos' quiet, solitudinarian existence and lack of competition could end as soon as tomorrow when Kyle Niiro, a walk-on from Kaiser High, is expected to join the roster. Come two-a-day practices in August, Tyler Hadden, a highly regarded freshman from Whittier, Calif., is scheduled to plunge into the mix. On a team that has necessarily endorsed the "every-job-is-up-for-grabs" mantra, plackekicker is one of the last frontiers to finally be thrown open."

Asked if he's worried about all of the competition for their FG kicker spot, Scott Enos said:
"No. I'm trying to focus on what I have to do. (But) I like kicking with someone rather than just by myself. When the new guy gets here it will be fun because we'll be able to make each other better." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Enos made good on 12 of 19 field-goal attempts and all 34 extra-point kicks last season, respectable numbers to be sure. But the Warriors, in looking to boost the point production of an offense that ranked 89th in scoring at 22.8 points per game, are looking for more. Specifically, more consistency and accuracy of range this season. They would like, assistant coach Chris Tormey said, an 80 percent success rate on field goals compared with last year's 63 percent."

About how he's improved since last season, Enos said:
"I feel stronger, more flexible, more experienced, more confident." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Niiro, who emerged from the campus tryouts, could provide a test. Hadden, the prize in a wide-ranging recruiting dragnet, was ranked the No. 11 placekicker at a national event last summer and should provide an additional push when he arrives for fall camp."

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100406/COLUMNISTS06/4060334/1142&template=UHSports

Feature article on Brett Leonard

HSB Note: "Leonard entered the program at tackle and was the backup on the left side for much of last season behind Aaron Kia. While he stayed ready to jump into the mix if needed, Leonard ended up redshirting and preserving his junior season. After getting a look at guard on the scout team during the season, he's adjusting to the rugged life of an interior lineman while working with the first unit at left guard so far in spring practice."

About moving from tackle to guard, Brett Leonard said:
"It's more nasty. You can be a good tackle just having patience and good feet. At guard you have to be a brawler. You get to pull more, you get to hit more." (HSB)

About having Leonard portray Idaho's All-WAC guard for the scout team, Gordy Shaw said:
"He moved inside depending on the opponent and wherever their best player was we'd put Brett there. After two or three times playing inside that week he came up to me and said, 'Have you ever thought of me as a guard?' ... He said he'd like to give it a shot this spring and he's getting his opportunity right now. The guard position in our offense is much more complicated, much more detail oriented to learn. He's done a very good job with his assignments so far." (HSB)

About how he benefited from playing against the starting OL when he was on the scout team, Leonard said:
"I couldn't take sitting around watching people, and I'm glad I did that because I went against (former UH defensive end Fetaiagogo) Fonoti every day and guys like Tuika (Tufaga) and Rocky (Savaiigaea). (Fonoti) was probably the best D-end I've ever played, and I played some good ones in JC. But he had a motor like no one else." (HSB)

Praising Leonard's work ethic, Vaughn Meatoga said:
"He's one of the hardest working guys I've ever seen. When we run, he's in the front. When we lift he gives his all in whatever he does. He's real humble and when it's time to work he works above and beyond." (HSB)

HSB Note: "With the Warriors replacing four starters, Leonard and senior Adrian Thomas have been the first guards in the offensive line, with senior Kainoa LaCount and junior Austin Hansen, the lone returning starter, at the tackles. Junior Sila Lefiti has been the top center, but sat out yesterday's practice with a bruised thigh and Bronson Tiwanak took the first-unit snaps. Lefiti expects to be back for tomorrow's practice."

About their new starting OL, Leonard said:
"It's all new blood, but it's pretty much the second team from last year, so we have that cohesion going." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100406_UHs_Leonard_new_to_top_unit.html

Updates from the Star Bulletin (Rodney Bradley's recovery, Billy Ray is healthy)

About the major things he has to do to try to come back from his injury, Rodney Bradley said:
"From little things like learning how to walk again." (HSB)

About the rehab process, Bradley said:
"It's intense. It's my senior year and I have to get back. Time is passing by fast, so I'm trying to work as hard as I can." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Bradley said he's started some jogging and striding while working with a physical therapist to rebuild the muscles in his leg that went unused during his recovery. He hopes to start running in another month and a half."

About needing to strengthen his leg, Bradley said:
"My leg strength is probably about 85 percent. So once I get that back to 100 percent, I can start running and build up to where I can run full speed. Through the summer I'm going to try to get back to where I was, cutting in and out, the explosiveness." (HSB)

About having to watch the practices instead of participating, Bradley said:
"It's a little frustrating at times. You want to be out there." (HSB)

Happy to be healthy now (he had an ankle injury for much of the fall while he was redshirting), Billy Ray Stutzmann said:
"I'm running the routes I want to run, making all the cuts, just feel good. That's the best feeling in the world knowing you can get there. It's good to have that extra gear." (HSB)

Remaining in contact with his brother Craig (who recently got a coaching job at Memphis), Billy Ray said:
"We usually text each other from time to time. We just talk about life in general." (HSB)

Happy with how their QBs went 27-35 during the 7-on-7 on Saturday, Rolo said:
"I thought 7s was very good, a lot of good reads. Bryant and Shane (Austin) are holding their own right now at the top of the list, but I feel very good about the production of the quarterback group. They know they can move up and down the initial depth chart by their performance in practice. We're having a little competition, they're excited and it means a lot to them." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The defense got the better of the action in an overtime scenario as the quarterbacks went 3-for-8 in four drives, with Brent Rausch throwing the lone touchdown to end the day."

About how the defense had better success during their overtime scenario, Bryant Moniz said:
"We lost in the overtime drill, but that's why there's spring; we'll get better at it." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20100405_serious_rehab_for_uhs_bradley.html