MH = Miami Herald
MH Note: "Last week the Dolphins unveiled the idea of moving starting center Samson Satele to right guard and plugging in veteran Al Johnson at center. The idea was hatched the second Johnson signed and it has come to a Miami offensive line near you. This move is meant to address two issues: Improve the right guard play. And improve the center play."
Asked if Al Johnson might be more playing time at center, Miami head coach Tony Sparano said:
“Yeah, I can see that. I can see Al getting more work during the course of the games.” (MH)
Asked how Samson played at their troubled RG spot, Sparano said:
“Not bad. Good. Samson played pretty good. Again, it was eight plays worth of work out there and in some of those, he wasn’t really challenged a whole lot. He didn’t have a guy on him is what I’m saying." (MH)
MH Note: "Sparano went on to make the point Satele played guard at Hawaii and that, as the Dallas offensive line coach, Sparano studied the player before the draft."
About how he judged Samson as a player who could play both C and G when they were evaluating him for the draft, Sparano (who was an OL coach at the time, so he was responsible for evaluating Samson closely) said:
"We really looked at him as a swing player at the time when we were in Dallas -- a center-guard. We knew that was something that he has done and I think, athletically, when you take the ball out from between his legs and you put him over there at guard, it gives him a chance to get his hands on people a little bit faster. So I thought he did a pretty good job.” (MH)
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tony Tuioti talked about UH's 1-point loss to Notre Dame in 1997
About how he tried to block Notre Dame's FG attempt at the end of the 1997 game against Notre Dame, Tony Tuioti said:
"I didn't even need to look. I was thinking if I hear the fans scream then I know he didn't make it. If it's quiet, then I know what happened. The next thing you know we see all those guys running on the field." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Cengia's kick sailed through with 5 seconds left, lifting the Fighting Irish to a 23-22 comeback win over the then-Rainbow Warriors at Aloha Stadium."
Tuioti said that the impact of playing Notre Dame didn't really hit:
"until you start hearing that fight song. You see the gold domes run out and then the fight song kicks in right before you're ready to run out of the tunnel and it feels like you're getting ready for a big-time game." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Both of Hawaii's meetings with Notre Dame were decided in the final minutes, with the Fighting Irish escaping with a 48-42 win in 1991 and again six years later."
About their loss in 1997 to Notre Dame, Tuioti said:
"It was emotional -- it went up and down for us. It felt something like the Cincinnati game. It was a game you knew you should have won, but it just slipped out of your hands and got away from you." (HSB)
About Notre Dame's comeback, Tuioti said:
"Being a defensive guy you kind of kick yourself a little bit because your mind-set is always to finish the game and we didn't make the plays at the end." (HSB)
About how they lost 19 straight until JJ and Mac turned UH around in 1999, Tuioti's senior season, Tuioti said:
"Coach Mack and Coach Jones came in and completely changed the culture of the program. Coach Mack is continuing that success this year. The culture and the attitude is still here and our kids are excited for this game." (HSB)
"I didn't even need to look. I was thinking if I hear the fans scream then I know he didn't make it. If it's quiet, then I know what happened. The next thing you know we see all those guys running on the field." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Cengia's kick sailed through with 5 seconds left, lifting the Fighting Irish to a 23-22 comeback win over the then-Rainbow Warriors at Aloha Stadium."
Tuioti said that the impact of playing Notre Dame didn't really hit:
"until you start hearing that fight song. You see the gold domes run out and then the fight song kicks in right before you're ready to run out of the tunnel and it feels like you're getting ready for a big-time game." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Both of Hawaii's meetings with Notre Dame were decided in the final minutes, with the Fighting Irish escaping with a 48-42 win in 1991 and again six years later."
About their loss in 1997 to Notre Dame, Tuioti said:
"It was emotional -- it went up and down for us. It felt something like the Cincinnati game. It was a game you knew you should have won, but it just slipped out of your hands and got away from you." (HSB)
About Notre Dame's comeback, Tuioti said:
"Being a defensive guy you kind of kick yourself a little bit because your mind-set is always to finish the game and we didn't make the plays at the end." (HSB)
About how they lost 19 straight until JJ and Mac turned UH around in 1999, Tuioti's senior season, Tuioti said:
"Coach Mack and Coach Jones came in and completely changed the culture of the program. Coach Mack is continuing that success this year. The culture and the attitude is still here and our kids are excited for this game." (HSB)
Warrior practice report
About how he wants them to remain focused on Notre Dame and not get caught up with the Bowl festivities, Mac said:
"There are activities to go to and I want them to have fun, but they know what they have to get done. They're smart, intelligent student-athletes and they know what's at stake in this game." (HSB)
About the 10-yard TD pass he threw to Ryan Henry on the final play of a scrimmage for redshirts and rarely used players, Jake Santos said:
"That was fun. That was a 75-yard drive. We had to convert, like, three (fourth) downs." (HA)
"It was a lot of fun. It was probably the last drive I'll have." (HSB)
Note: Santos is a senior and will probably not get practice reps starting today since they are beginning their game preparation, so this might have been his last play for the Warriors.
About the big hit he put on Dustin Blount, senior safety Ryan Perry said:
"It was great concentration by him. After I hit him, he somehow managed to regain it. It was a great catch." (HA)
About how they will start their game preparation today, Mac said:
"It's time to go to work on Notre Dame." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors spent the past three days working on techniques and fundamentals. But they already have studied videos of the Fighting Irish, and crafted a game plan. Because of the extra days afforded for bowl preparation, McMackin used the final hour of yesterday's practice "to have some fun and get some looks" at developing players."
About the scrimmage for the redshirts and reserves, Mac said:
"It was really competitive. They were going back and forth. It was fun. You've got to have some fun when you're playing this game, especially deep into the season as we are." (HA)
HA Note: "For Santos, the only regret was not joining the Warriors after his first season at San Diego Mesa Junior College. At the time, the Warriors were recruiting Colt Brennan. Santos was told he was fourth on the Warriors' wish list at quarterback. At the urging of a coach, he turned down an offer to join UH as a non-scholarship player."
About how he should have walked on to UH earlier, Santos said:
"I still should have come out here. That's the only thing I regret." (HA)
HA Note: "Instead, he played another season at San Diego Mesa, then transferred to Missouri Southern, a Division II school. He did not play in any games there because of an injury. He transferred to UH last year. But in accordance with NCAA transfer rules, he was allowed to practice but not play in games in 2007."
Appreciating his short Warrior career, Santos said:
"I'm thankful for the opportunity to be here. We went to the Sugar Bowl. And now we get to go to another Hawai'i Bowl. It's been fun." (HA)
About working as a clerk in a convenience store and a bouncer in Waikiki when he joined UH as a walk-on after his discharge from the Marines, Alonzo Chopp said:
"It's something you have to do to survive. It's not cheap to live out here." (HA)
About his Warrior career coming to an end, Chopp said:
"It's my last week here, last week in school, just trying to have fun before I leave. It's just one more week to be with my brothers. I'm going to miss them when I leave, but it's time to move on to something else." (HSB)
HA Note: "Chopp will participate in Saturday's UH graduation ceremony. After the bowl game, he plans to enlist in the Air Force. He said he aspires to be an officer. Perry received a football scholarship in August, but continues to work as a camera operator and floor director at PBS Hawai'i. He is a camera operator for the "Leahey and Leahey" show."
About how he nearly died during birth because the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck, Ryan Perry said:
"The doctor had to pull me out by (right) shoulder." (HA)
HA Note: "That led to Perry suffering from Erb's Palsy, a paralysis of the arm. He underwent corrective surgery on his right arm when he was 8. But calcium deposits left him with a right arm that is bent at a 90-degree angle."
Perry said that being pulled by his shoulder during the birth:
"caused (his condition), but in reality, it saved my life at the time. It was a fair tradeoff. I'll take that." (HA)
About playing football despite his condition, Perry said:
"I've never really thought of it as an obstacle, even though I know other people think of it that way. To me, it's just normal. It's been a blessing." (HA)
About going back to the scout team starting today, Ryan Henry said:
"That's my role on the team this year and I take pride in it." (HSB)
"There are activities to go to and I want them to have fun, but they know what they have to get done. They're smart, intelligent student-athletes and they know what's at stake in this game." (HSB)
About the 10-yard TD pass he threw to Ryan Henry on the final play of a scrimmage for redshirts and rarely used players, Jake Santos said:
"That was fun. That was a 75-yard drive. We had to convert, like, three (fourth) downs." (HA)
"It was a lot of fun. It was probably the last drive I'll have." (HSB)
Note: Santos is a senior and will probably not get practice reps starting today since they are beginning their game preparation, so this might have been his last play for the Warriors.
About the big hit he put on Dustin Blount, senior safety Ryan Perry said:
"It was great concentration by him. After I hit him, he somehow managed to regain it. It was a great catch." (HA)
About how they will start their game preparation today, Mac said:
"It's time to go to work on Notre Dame." (HA)
HA Note: "The Warriors spent the past three days working on techniques and fundamentals. But they already have studied videos of the Fighting Irish, and crafted a game plan. Because of the extra days afforded for bowl preparation, McMackin used the final hour of yesterday's practice "to have some fun and get some looks" at developing players."
About the scrimmage for the redshirts and reserves, Mac said:
"It was really competitive. They were going back and forth. It was fun. You've got to have some fun when you're playing this game, especially deep into the season as we are." (HA)
HA Note: "For Santos, the only regret was not joining the Warriors after his first season at San Diego Mesa Junior College. At the time, the Warriors were recruiting Colt Brennan. Santos was told he was fourth on the Warriors' wish list at quarterback. At the urging of a coach, he turned down an offer to join UH as a non-scholarship player."
About how he should have walked on to UH earlier, Santos said:
"I still should have come out here. That's the only thing I regret." (HA)
HA Note: "Instead, he played another season at San Diego Mesa, then transferred to Missouri Southern, a Division II school. He did not play in any games there because of an injury. He transferred to UH last year. But in accordance with NCAA transfer rules, he was allowed to practice but not play in games in 2007."
Appreciating his short Warrior career, Santos said:
"I'm thankful for the opportunity to be here. We went to the Sugar Bowl. And now we get to go to another Hawai'i Bowl. It's been fun." (HA)
About working as a clerk in a convenience store and a bouncer in Waikiki when he joined UH as a walk-on after his discharge from the Marines, Alonzo Chopp said:
"It's something you have to do to survive. It's not cheap to live out here." (HA)
About his Warrior career coming to an end, Chopp said:
"It's my last week here, last week in school, just trying to have fun before I leave. It's just one more week to be with my brothers. I'm going to miss them when I leave, but it's time to move on to something else." (HSB)
HA Note: "Chopp will participate in Saturday's UH graduation ceremony. After the bowl game, he plans to enlist in the Air Force. He said he aspires to be an officer. Perry received a football scholarship in August, but continues to work as a camera operator and floor director at PBS Hawai'i. He is a camera operator for the "Leahey and Leahey" show."
About how he nearly died during birth because the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck, Ryan Perry said:
"The doctor had to pull me out by (right) shoulder." (HA)
HA Note: "That led to Perry suffering from Erb's Palsy, a paralysis of the arm. He underwent corrective surgery on his right arm when he was 8. But calcium deposits left him with a right arm that is bent at a 90-degree angle."
Perry said that being pulled by his shoulder during the birth:
"caused (his condition), but in reality, it saved my life at the time. It was a fair tradeoff. I'll take that." (HA)
About playing football despite his condition, Perry said:
"I've never really thought of it as an obstacle, even though I know other people think of it that way. To me, it's just normal. It's been a blessing." (HA)
About going back to the scout team starting today, Ryan Henry said:
"That's my role on the team this year and I take pride in it." (HSB)
Samson isn't worried about playing in the snow on Sunday
About the cold weather expected during their game in KC on Sunday, Samson said:
''This game is much bigger than the weather. It's not about being cold. It's about winning. And actually, I like playing in the cold. I keep the AC at 60 at night when I sleep.'' (Miami Herald)
''This game is much bigger than the weather. It's not about being cold. It's about winning. And actually, I like playing in the cold. I keep the AC at 60 at night when I sleep.'' (Miami Herald)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Feature story on Davone Bess from the Dolphins' website
MD = MiamiDolphins.com, the official website for the Miami Dolphins.
Asked how unreal it is for him to be starting for an NFL team as a rookie free agent, Bess said:
"I wouldn't say unreal because I believe hard work pays off and everything happens for a reason. I would say I'm very fulfilled right now, but at the same time I'm kind of surprised it came this early. That was my goal, to eventually become a starter and eventually try to be a key guy and a key part of the offense. I would say I was kind of surprised but happy at the same time it came so early. It's too bad that it had to happen the way it did because Camarillo helped me out a lot." (MD)
Asked what was his mind-set coming into training camp, Bess said:
"First and foremost it was to make the team. I told myself I wanted to come in and work as hard as possible and become, I wouldn't say No. 1, 2 or 3, but I wanted to be one of the main guys in the rotation and be able to be a playmaker for the Dolphins." (MD)
Asked at what point did he realize that he was likely going to make the team, Bess said:
"I think I felt a little more at ease probably in the New Orleans Saints preseason game (the last preseason game) because I had some pretty good returns. I just felt like my whole performance and everything I'd done and everything I had learned through our whole training camp all came together around that time." (MD)
Asked how big of an advantage he got by playing at Hawaii, which threw the ball so often, and how much help it was having Colt as his QB, Bess said:
"It helped me so much. A lot of people say that's one of the main reasons why I didn't get drafted because of the system I was in, but I think that system helped me more than anything. It taught me how to read coverages. It taught me how to find open, soft zones and get in and out of my breaks real quick. It taught me everything that you need to know to be a receiver on this level. And having Colt helped a lot, especially knowing how in sync we were and how accurate he was." (MD)
Asked how fortunate he feels that he got a second chance at Hawaii and made the most of it, Bess said:
"I'm very fortunate. First and foremost, I'm a true believer that everything happens for a reason and God has been so good to me and I just feel like without me being a believer, and then Hawaii and just the state itself and Coach (June) Jones and the whole coaching staff at Hawaii giving me a second chance, none of this would be possible. So I'm a true believer that all of those steps happened for a reason - for me to go through that, for me to need Coach Jones, for me to go to Hawaii and then for me not to get drafted and then to end up here, I just feel like it all happened for a reason. Everybody deserves a second chance. Sometimes people are put in situations where they just have to deal with the consequences, just like myself, so I would say perseverance is the perfect word to describe it." (MD)
Asked how he views his potential as a role model for teenagers who get themselves in trouble, Bess said:
"Every time I go back to Hawaii or even back to my hometown in California I always go to local juvenile detention facilities or juvenile halls, whatever the case may be, and talk to the kids. I go up to them and just let them know that, "Look at me. I'm a physical example of hope and if I can do it, anybody can do it, especially with what I've been through. Just don't take life for granted. It can be gone so quick." Me, I thought I was on top of the world. I graduated from high school and was going to college and, bam, it ended in 2.3 seconds. Wrong place, wrong time." (MD)
Asked about his work ethic, as he used to show up before the break of dawn at Hawaii to catch balls, from the ball machine, Bess said:
"After I got out of my situation and right after I graduated from high school I told myself if I were to get another opportunity I'm going to make the most of it. I felt like that was a way of solidifying myself a spot on the Hawaii team and just making myself better as a player because not only did I get better from it, other people got better from it from coming out with me. Even though I'm here, they're doing the same thing right now, so it's something I kind of left behind and something I'm kind of happy about." (MD)
Asked what he thinks has allowed him to succeed despite his lack of great size or speed, Bess said:
"My work ethic. All the things that run against me I'm pretty much using to my advantage and that's my size and quickness and hands. I've got to have every other intangible to make up for the size and speed. In any game, size and speed isn't everything. Obviously it helps, but at the same time it's not everything." (MD)
Asked what was the biggest adjustment he's had to make going from college to the pros, Bess said:
"I would say probably the preparation and how intense it is getting ready for another team. In college it wasn't this much into detail, and how much you study." (MD)
Asked what is the one thing he wants people to say about him when they watch him play, Bess said:
"He plays every down like it's his last. He doesn't take a play for granted." (MD)
Asked how unreal it is for him to be starting for an NFL team as a rookie free agent, Bess said:
"I wouldn't say unreal because I believe hard work pays off and everything happens for a reason. I would say I'm very fulfilled right now, but at the same time I'm kind of surprised it came this early. That was my goal, to eventually become a starter and eventually try to be a key guy and a key part of the offense. I would say I was kind of surprised but happy at the same time it came so early. It's too bad that it had to happen the way it did because Camarillo helped me out a lot." (MD)
Asked what was his mind-set coming into training camp, Bess said:
"First and foremost it was to make the team. I told myself I wanted to come in and work as hard as possible and become, I wouldn't say No. 1, 2 or 3, but I wanted to be one of the main guys in the rotation and be able to be a playmaker for the Dolphins." (MD)
Asked at what point did he realize that he was likely going to make the team, Bess said:
"I think I felt a little more at ease probably in the New Orleans Saints preseason game (the last preseason game) because I had some pretty good returns. I just felt like my whole performance and everything I'd done and everything I had learned through our whole training camp all came together around that time." (MD)
Asked how big of an advantage he got by playing at Hawaii, which threw the ball so often, and how much help it was having Colt as his QB, Bess said:
"It helped me so much. A lot of people say that's one of the main reasons why I didn't get drafted because of the system I was in, but I think that system helped me more than anything. It taught me how to read coverages. It taught me how to find open, soft zones and get in and out of my breaks real quick. It taught me everything that you need to know to be a receiver on this level. And having Colt helped a lot, especially knowing how in sync we were and how accurate he was." (MD)
Asked how fortunate he feels that he got a second chance at Hawaii and made the most of it, Bess said:
"I'm very fortunate. First and foremost, I'm a true believer that everything happens for a reason and God has been so good to me and I just feel like without me being a believer, and then Hawaii and just the state itself and Coach (June) Jones and the whole coaching staff at Hawaii giving me a second chance, none of this would be possible. So I'm a true believer that all of those steps happened for a reason - for me to go through that, for me to need Coach Jones, for me to go to Hawaii and then for me not to get drafted and then to end up here, I just feel like it all happened for a reason. Everybody deserves a second chance. Sometimes people are put in situations where they just have to deal with the consequences, just like myself, so I would say perseverance is the perfect word to describe it." (MD)
Asked how he views his potential as a role model for teenagers who get themselves in trouble, Bess said:
"Every time I go back to Hawaii or even back to my hometown in California I always go to local juvenile detention facilities or juvenile halls, whatever the case may be, and talk to the kids. I go up to them and just let them know that, "Look at me. I'm a physical example of hope and if I can do it, anybody can do it, especially with what I've been through. Just don't take life for granted. It can be gone so quick." Me, I thought I was on top of the world. I graduated from high school and was going to college and, bam, it ended in 2.3 seconds. Wrong place, wrong time." (MD)
Asked about his work ethic, as he used to show up before the break of dawn at Hawaii to catch balls, from the ball machine, Bess said:
"After I got out of my situation and right after I graduated from high school I told myself if I were to get another opportunity I'm going to make the most of it. I felt like that was a way of solidifying myself a spot on the Hawaii team and just making myself better as a player because not only did I get better from it, other people got better from it from coming out with me. Even though I'm here, they're doing the same thing right now, so it's something I kind of left behind and something I'm kind of happy about." (MD)
Asked what he thinks has allowed him to succeed despite his lack of great size or speed, Bess said:
"My work ethic. All the things that run against me I'm pretty much using to my advantage and that's my size and quickness and hands. I've got to have every other intangible to make up for the size and speed. In any game, size and speed isn't everything. Obviously it helps, but at the same time it's not everything." (MD)
Asked what was the biggest adjustment he's had to make going from college to the pros, Bess said:
"I would say probably the preparation and how intense it is getting ready for another team. In college it wasn't this much into detail, and how much you study." (MD)
Asked what is the one thing he wants people to say about him when they watch him play, Bess said:
"He plays every down like it's his last. He doesn't take a play for granted." (MD)
Feature story on UH QB commit Cayman Shutter
SP = The StarPhoenix
SP Note: "Cayman Shutter -- a Green-Card carrying Saskatchewan Roughriders fan who passed for 400 yards to lead the Punahou School to the Hawaii state championship earlier this month -- played his minor football in Regina before moving to Honolulu at age 10."
About how he struggled with kicking even though his first coach was former Riders' kicker Dave Ridgeway, Shutter said:
"We had punt, pass and kick competitions and I didn't do too well at that." (SP)
SP Note: "A number of Shutter's relatives remain in Saskatchewan, residing in Regina, Saskatoon and Kenosee. Shutter shudders to think of the minus-40 weather he left behind."
About the cold weather they had in Canada, Shutter said:
"Actually my dad (Darryl) and I were sort of talking that we forget what it's like to be really cold." (SP)
About how he listens to Riders games on the radio via the Internet, Shutter said:
"For a while there, we could get it on satellite TV until the CFL (Canadian Football League) made a new deal (to broadcast all games on TSN). We were pretty disappointed. Last year, we were following the Grey Cup run pretty hard." (SP)
SP Note: "The 2008 season was his 10th at quarterback. Last June, the pro-style passer won the QB MVP award at the Nike invitation-only camp in Oregon. He was one of four platoon leaders at the EASports Elite 11 camp."
About the possibility of NFL and CFL in his future, Shutter said:
"NFL is, like, a lofty goal for me. It's my dream and it's always been there. A lot of people here don't really know about the CFL. They think playing in the Arena League is a better choice for them, but I would say, that, right next to the NFL, is coming back home and playing. I'm definitely more of a pocket guy (rather than a scrambling QB), but I definitely wouldn't mind having that wide-open game that the CFL plays, unlimited motion and all that kind of stuff. Hey, if I'm going to be on a CFL team, I'd like it to be the Riders." (SP)
About how Canadian kids don't get the same opportunities to advance in football as kids in the US, Shutter said:
"I don't think I noticed (the difference of calibre) then (at age 10), but, just because it's so big here that it kind of gets more serious as you go. When I started playing for my school, it got more and intense. Obviously, you practice year-round here, so that's a big advantage. That definitely made a difference in my skill, timing and everything like that." (SP)
Asked how his family moved from Saskatchewan to Hawaii, Shutter said:
"My grandma had U.S. citizenship, so my parents decided to apply for a green card when I was younge. I guess, if you're going to make the jump from Regina to the United States, (Hawaii) is probably a good place to go. When my mom (Maureen) first got here, she took classes at UH (University of Hawaii) to get her PhD. The job she's working at now is at my school in communications. My dad does regulatory work for the state as a health planner." (SP)
About how he hasn't been able to go back to Saskatchewan for four years because of football camps each summer, Shutter said:
"I was hoping to come back this summer and see everybody. All my cousins are anxious to get me back home and I've been anxious to get back home." (SP)
SP Note: "Both sets of grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins still live in Saskatchewan. Although both sides of the family are big Roughrider fans, his MacLeod grandparents, Amber and Ken, were Rider season ticket holders for more than 40 years. Grandma Amber MacLeod is a former Rider director and, as a volunteer, published two Rider cookbooks and organized the Meet the Players days for more than a decade. Dennis and Monica Shutter are his paternal grandparents."
About how his family members are big Riders fans, Shutter said:
"My cousins and family usually go to the games and my grandpa calls me after every game and tells me how it went and gives me a pretty good update of it and a pretty good picture of what happened. Back when I was a little kid, I always liked Don Narcisse. He was my favourite player. There was that catch streak he had going and he had all those funds for every catch he had (SaskEnergy Catch for Kids) that he'd give to charity." (SP)
About about his favorite all-time Rider QB, Shutter said:
"We haven't had one stay for a while since I was born, but I guess it would be Henry Burris. He's been the best since I've been little." (SP)
About winning the Hawaii state championship, Shutter said:
"It was unbelievable. It was the first in our school's history. We've always had a pretty good athletic tradition here, but to be the first in anything here is pretty amazing, especially a football state championship -- I think that's the last one the school needed because we've won in everything else. Again, it couldn't have gone any better. When I first moved here, I kind of set goals for myself and those were the two cornerstones of my goal. To have both come true is good for me and now I've got to kind of re-set and look ahead and start making more goals." (SP)
About how he is named after the Cayman Islands and Cayman means "little alligator", Mareen Amber MacLeod added:
"his early football goals included playing in college for the Florida Gators." (SP)
About how his parents thought he should play for Florida, Shutter said:
"That's where my mom and dad thought I should go. They thought the writers would have fun with that one." (SP)
About what he wants for Christmas, Shutter said:
"I thought a good gift for me would be a state championship ring for me." (SP)
SP Note: "Cayman Shutter -- a Green-Card carrying Saskatchewan Roughriders fan who passed for 400 yards to lead the Punahou School to the Hawaii state championship earlier this month -- played his minor football in Regina before moving to Honolulu at age 10."
About how he struggled with kicking even though his first coach was former Riders' kicker Dave Ridgeway, Shutter said:
"We had punt, pass and kick competitions and I didn't do too well at that." (SP)
SP Note: "A number of Shutter's relatives remain in Saskatchewan, residing in Regina, Saskatoon and Kenosee. Shutter shudders to think of the minus-40 weather he left behind."
About the cold weather they had in Canada, Shutter said:
"Actually my dad (Darryl) and I were sort of talking that we forget what it's like to be really cold." (SP)
About how he listens to Riders games on the radio via the Internet, Shutter said:
"For a while there, we could get it on satellite TV until the CFL (Canadian Football League) made a new deal (to broadcast all games on TSN). We were pretty disappointed. Last year, we were following the Grey Cup run pretty hard." (SP)
SP Note: "The 2008 season was his 10th at quarterback. Last June, the pro-style passer won the QB MVP award at the Nike invitation-only camp in Oregon. He was one of four platoon leaders at the EASports Elite 11 camp."
About the possibility of NFL and CFL in his future, Shutter said:
"NFL is, like, a lofty goal for me. It's my dream and it's always been there. A lot of people here don't really know about the CFL. They think playing in the Arena League is a better choice for them, but I would say, that, right next to the NFL, is coming back home and playing. I'm definitely more of a pocket guy (rather than a scrambling QB), but I definitely wouldn't mind having that wide-open game that the CFL plays, unlimited motion and all that kind of stuff. Hey, if I'm going to be on a CFL team, I'd like it to be the Riders." (SP)
About how Canadian kids don't get the same opportunities to advance in football as kids in the US, Shutter said:
"I don't think I noticed (the difference of calibre) then (at age 10), but, just because it's so big here that it kind of gets more serious as you go. When I started playing for my school, it got more and intense. Obviously, you practice year-round here, so that's a big advantage. That definitely made a difference in my skill, timing and everything like that." (SP)
Asked how his family moved from Saskatchewan to Hawaii, Shutter said:
"My grandma had U.S. citizenship, so my parents decided to apply for a green card when I was younge. I guess, if you're going to make the jump from Regina to the United States, (Hawaii) is probably a good place to go. When my mom (Maureen) first got here, she took classes at UH (University of Hawaii) to get her PhD. The job she's working at now is at my school in communications. My dad does regulatory work for the state as a health planner." (SP)
About how he hasn't been able to go back to Saskatchewan for four years because of football camps each summer, Shutter said:
"I was hoping to come back this summer and see everybody. All my cousins are anxious to get me back home and I've been anxious to get back home." (SP)
SP Note: "Both sets of grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins still live in Saskatchewan. Although both sides of the family are big Roughrider fans, his MacLeod grandparents, Amber and Ken, were Rider season ticket holders for more than 40 years. Grandma Amber MacLeod is a former Rider director and, as a volunteer, published two Rider cookbooks and organized the Meet the Players days for more than a decade. Dennis and Monica Shutter are his paternal grandparents."
About how his family members are big Riders fans, Shutter said:
"My cousins and family usually go to the games and my grandpa calls me after every game and tells me how it went and gives me a pretty good update of it and a pretty good picture of what happened. Back when I was a little kid, I always liked Don Narcisse. He was my favourite player. There was that catch streak he had going and he had all those funds for every catch he had (SaskEnergy Catch for Kids) that he'd give to charity." (SP)
About about his favorite all-time Rider QB, Shutter said:
"We haven't had one stay for a while since I was born, but I guess it would be Henry Burris. He's been the best since I've been little." (SP)
About winning the Hawaii state championship, Shutter said:
"It was unbelievable. It was the first in our school's history. We've always had a pretty good athletic tradition here, but to be the first in anything here is pretty amazing, especially a football state championship -- I think that's the last one the school needed because we've won in everything else. Again, it couldn't have gone any better. When I first moved here, I kind of set goals for myself and those were the two cornerstones of my goal. To have both come true is good for me and now I've got to kind of re-set and look ahead and start making more goals." (SP)
About how he is named after the Cayman Islands and Cayman means "little alligator", Mareen Amber MacLeod added:
"his early football goals included playing in college for the Florida Gators." (SP)
About how his parents thought he should play for Florida, Shutter said:
"That's where my mom and dad thought I should go. They thought the writers would have fun with that one." (SP)
About what he wants for Christmas, Shutter said:
"I thought a good gift for me would be a state championship ring for me." (SP)
Feature story on Shane Austin
About how redshirts and developing players like Shane Austin (scout team player of the year for UH) got extra practice reps with the first units in practice the past two days, Rolo said:
"We wanted to give everyone reps, and see how far they've come. Shane is doing a nice job with our offense. He gets it. He makes good decisions, and he throws a great ball. He's got a chance to play." (HA)
About being able to run UH's offense instead of portraying their opponent, Austin said:
"Coach (Greg McMackin) is giving some of us an opportunity with reps, and I'm using it as a chance to get better. It's fun to be able to run our offense. I remember all of the reads." (HA)
HA Note: "With Inoke Funaki expected to move to running back or slotback, Austin is projected to be the No. 3 quarterback entering spring practice."
About how Austin has worked hard to improve and boosted their scout team, Rolo said:
"As a walk-on, he's really worked hard and paid his dues. He pays attention even when he's not getting reps. That's why he's so good on the scout team." (HA)
About how the coaches hold up a diagram of a play and the scout team runs it, Austin said:
"All you have to do is look at the cards. It's like playing Madden, really. You look at the plays, and you go off what the cards say." (HA)
About how he studies videotapes of the QBs he will represent, Austin said:
"I try to imitate all of the little things. If a quarterback claps his hands before the snap, I try to imitate that. Even if it comes down to a dropback, I try to make it as realistic as possible for the defense." (HA)
About how Austin learns from facing their first-team D, Rolo said:
"That's a quarter of a game every time you go down there and play against those guys. You start to get the pocket feel. You start to learn how to play against really good defensive players." (HA)
About how he benefited from training in Hawaii this past summer, participating in their conditioning program and unsupervised passing drills, Austin said:
"You get a lot of 7-on-7 work. You get to see what different guys can do. You get the timing down with the receivers. You know which guys break where, and where to throw. I look forward to doing that this offseason, too." (HA)
About how he'll focus on leg-strengthening workouts before spring practice in April, Austin said:
"I'm trying to get faster. Inoke kind of inspired me to work on my speed. I'm working on my footwork so I can have better scrambling ability." (HA)
Shane Austin said that his father (Dave Austin, a sports psychologist for several MLB pitchers) taughthim techniques involving:
"goal-setting and visualization. Those are the keys. If you see it in your head what you're trying to do, and you see it over and over, then you can do it. It becomes second nature. It definitely helped me." (HA)
"We wanted to give everyone reps, and see how far they've come. Shane is doing a nice job with our offense. He gets it. He makes good decisions, and he throws a great ball. He's got a chance to play." (HA)
About being able to run UH's offense instead of portraying their opponent, Austin said:
"Coach (Greg McMackin) is giving some of us an opportunity with reps, and I'm using it as a chance to get better. It's fun to be able to run our offense. I remember all of the reads." (HA)
HA Note: "With Inoke Funaki expected to move to running back or slotback, Austin is projected to be the No. 3 quarterback entering spring practice."
About how Austin has worked hard to improve and boosted their scout team, Rolo said:
"As a walk-on, he's really worked hard and paid his dues. He pays attention even when he's not getting reps. That's why he's so good on the scout team." (HA)
About how the coaches hold up a diagram of a play and the scout team runs it, Austin said:
"All you have to do is look at the cards. It's like playing Madden, really. You look at the plays, and you go off what the cards say." (HA)
About how he studies videotapes of the QBs he will represent, Austin said:
"I try to imitate all of the little things. If a quarterback claps his hands before the snap, I try to imitate that. Even if it comes down to a dropback, I try to make it as realistic as possible for the defense." (HA)
About how Austin learns from facing their first-team D, Rolo said:
"That's a quarter of a game every time you go down there and play against those guys. You start to get the pocket feel. You start to learn how to play against really good defensive players." (HA)
About how he benefited from training in Hawaii this past summer, participating in their conditioning program and unsupervised passing drills, Austin said:
"You get a lot of 7-on-7 work. You get to see what different guys can do. You get the timing down with the receivers. You know which guys break where, and where to throw. I look forward to doing that this offseason, too." (HA)
About how he'll focus on leg-strengthening workouts before spring practice in April, Austin said:
"I'm trying to get faster. Inoke kind of inspired me to work on my speed. I'm working on my footwork so I can have better scrambling ability." (HA)
Shane Austin said that his father (Dave Austin, a sports psychologist for several MLB pitchers) taughthim techniques involving:
"goal-setting and visualization. Those are the keys. If you see it in your head what you're trying to do, and you see it over and over, then you can do it. It becomes second nature. It definitely helped me." (HA)
Three JC players (Leonard, Hopkins, Hafoka) commit to the Warriors
Not bothered about how it rained almost the entire time during his recruiting visit to UH, Brett Leonard said:
"Your bad weather is almost as good as the nice weather here." (HSB)
About how his friendly practice rivalry with Nararro CB Hopkins will continue since both committed to UH, WR Rodney Bradley said:
"We like to go against each other in 1-on-1s and 7-on-7s. We bring out the best in each other during the week and it carries over to the game." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Hafoka (6-2, 310) will also have a connection to the Warriors. He played with Roberts, defensive lineman Francis Maka and offensive lineman Ray Hisatake, who served as his host over the weekend, in junior college."
"Your bad weather is almost as good as the nice weather here." (HSB)
About how his friendly practice rivalry with Nararro CB Hopkins will continue since both committed to UH, WR Rodney Bradley said:
"We like to go against each other in 1-on-1s and 7-on-7s. We bring out the best in each other during the week and it carries over to the game." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Hafoka (6-2, 310) will also have a connection to the Warriors. He played with Roberts, defensive lineman Francis Maka and offensive lineman Ray Hisatake, who served as his host over the weekend, in junior college."
Feature story on Calvin Roberts
HA Note: "A Cowboy scout contacted the coaches at the College of San Mateo, where Roberts played before transferring to UH, seeking extensive information. The scout told the San Mateo coaches that, at the least, Roberts would be a player the Cowboys would be interested in bringing in for a private workout before the draft."
About how it is a good thing that a CB like Calvin Roberts has not been noticed much this season, DB coach Rich Miano said:
"It's either going to be you do your job and nobody notices you, or you don't do your job and you're on ESPN. It's one of those deals where he's been like George Ariyoshi, quiet but effective." (HSB)
About how he takes pride in his consistency, Roberts said:
"Just staying consistent is really what the game is about. I pride myself on that, showing up every day for work. All year long that was my mind-set, lock the receiver down and if they throw my way, try to make a play on the ball." (HSB)
Praising Roberts, Ryan Mouton said:
"He may not make one of the biggest plays, but he consistently plays very well. That's all you can ask for, especially as a cornerback. If a team knows that you're a technician and they know you're disciplined, they're going to stay away from you." (HSB)
About how he enjoys being 1-on-1 with a WR, Roberts said:
"I've been playing football since I was 7 and it's always been competitive. Every day is a challenge. I take it personal, that that's my job on the field and I have to go get it." (HSB)
About how he works against Roberts in practice, Greg Salas said:
"He knows his assignments and likes to disguise his coverages and play with you a little bit. It's hard to get a read on him. He's physical, he's quick, and he does his job." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Roberts' fellow DBs do give him some ribbing over some of the noise he generates on the field ("He makes these grunting noises," Mouton said.) But he isn't the type to mouth off at opponents during a game. But Miano notes Roberts has "that swagger" so often evident in cornerbacks, who play a position where confidence is a key."
About how Roberts doesn't talk much during games, Mouton said:
"Nah, he doesn't talk trash. I'll do some trash-talking for the rest of us." (HSB)
About being away from his family in the Bay Area, including his 3-year-old daughter Layla, Roberts said:
"It's been hard. But I just have to stay focused and keep ballin' out and going to school." (HSB)
About how it is a good thing that a CB like Calvin Roberts has not been noticed much this season, DB coach Rich Miano said:
"It's either going to be you do your job and nobody notices you, or you don't do your job and you're on ESPN. It's one of those deals where he's been like George Ariyoshi, quiet but effective." (HSB)
About how he takes pride in his consistency, Roberts said:
"Just staying consistent is really what the game is about. I pride myself on that, showing up every day for work. All year long that was my mind-set, lock the receiver down and if they throw my way, try to make a play on the ball." (HSB)
Praising Roberts, Ryan Mouton said:
"He may not make one of the biggest plays, but he consistently plays very well. That's all you can ask for, especially as a cornerback. If a team knows that you're a technician and they know you're disciplined, they're going to stay away from you." (HSB)
About how he enjoys being 1-on-1 with a WR, Roberts said:
"I've been playing football since I was 7 and it's always been competitive. Every day is a challenge. I take it personal, that that's my job on the field and I have to go get it." (HSB)
About how he works against Roberts in practice, Greg Salas said:
"He knows his assignments and likes to disguise his coverages and play with you a little bit. It's hard to get a read on him. He's physical, he's quick, and he does his job." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Roberts' fellow DBs do give him some ribbing over some of the noise he generates on the field ("He makes these grunting noises," Mouton said.) But he isn't the type to mouth off at opponents during a game. But Miano notes Roberts has "that swagger" so often evident in cornerbacks, who play a position where confidence is a key."
About how Roberts doesn't talk much during games, Mouton said:
"Nah, he doesn't talk trash. I'll do some trash-talking for the rest of us." (HSB)
About being away from his family in the Bay Area, including his 3-year-old daughter Layla, Roberts said:
"It's been hard. But I just have to stay focused and keep ballin' out and going to school." (HSB)
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Feature story on the Warriors resuming practice
About how the team is motivated by the Cincinnati loss, Mac said:
"I think they're inspired a little bit because we sort of let Cincinnati off the hook, and we get another chance to play a quality team." (HSB)
Alexander said that after the week off he felt:
"a little rusty." (HSB)
Alexander added that:
"it actually felt good to get back out there at practice." (HSB)
Looking forward to playing after sitting out the last 2 games due to injury, Kealoha Pilares said:
"I think I've watched enough already. I just want to get into things." (HSB)
About how he'll take it easy in practice for the first few days, Pilares said:
"The doctors and trainers just said to take it slow. Hopefully, by Wednesday or Thursday I'll be going full speed. I don't want to aggravate it more." (HSB)
About the loss to Cincinnati, Adam Leonard said:
"We let one slip away. Anyone who watched that game could tell we had it won, but that's why you play four quarters. They took full advantage of the time they had. That's our challenge this game. We have to put four quarters together." (HSB)
About how they can gain confidence from their Cincinnati game, Alexander said:
"We can have some confidence that we had some success against a great team, but at the same time we know we should have finished it off." (HSB)
About how their Monday practice focused on fundamentals, including a "sudden change" conditioning drill that hasn't been used much during the season, Mac said:
"The most important thing is get back to the basics. We have to get back to getting our pads down, we have to get back to the fundamentals of tackling, blocking, securing the football." (HSB
About how the week off benefited his body, Adam Leonard said:
"I had time to sit back and let my body heal up and I feel a lot different today than I felt all season. I feel refreshed and I feel like it's a whole new season." (HSB)
About how their players will miss practice this week due to final exams, Adam Leonard said:
"It's just part of life as a college athlete." (HSB)
About how the first few practices this week will allow their lesser-used players to get more practice reps, Mac said:
"That's one of the advantages of the bowl, you get to look at the young guys and the redshirts." (HSB)
"I think they're inspired a little bit because we sort of let Cincinnati off the hook, and we get another chance to play a quality team." (HSB)
Alexander said that after the week off he felt:
"a little rusty." (HSB)
Alexander added that:
"it actually felt good to get back out there at practice." (HSB)
Looking forward to playing after sitting out the last 2 games due to injury, Kealoha Pilares said:
"I think I've watched enough already. I just want to get into things." (HSB)
About how he'll take it easy in practice for the first few days, Pilares said:
"The doctors and trainers just said to take it slow. Hopefully, by Wednesday or Thursday I'll be going full speed. I don't want to aggravate it more." (HSB)
About the loss to Cincinnati, Adam Leonard said:
"We let one slip away. Anyone who watched that game could tell we had it won, but that's why you play four quarters. They took full advantage of the time they had. That's our challenge this game. We have to put four quarters together." (HSB)
About how they can gain confidence from their Cincinnati game, Alexander said:
"We can have some confidence that we had some success against a great team, but at the same time we know we should have finished it off." (HSB)
About how their Monday practice focused on fundamentals, including a "sudden change" conditioning drill that hasn't been used much during the season, Mac said:
"The most important thing is get back to the basics. We have to get back to getting our pads down, we have to get back to the fundamentals of tackling, blocking, securing the football." (HSB
About how the week off benefited his body, Adam Leonard said:
"I had time to sit back and let my body heal up and I feel a lot different today than I felt all season. I feel refreshed and I feel like it's a whole new season." (HSB)
About how their players will miss practice this week due to final exams, Adam Leonard said:
"It's just part of life as a college athlete." (HSB)
About how the first few practices this week will allow their lesser-used players to get more practice reps, Mac said:
"That's one of the advantages of the bowl, you get to look at the young guys and the redshirts." (HSB)
Feature on Inoke Funaki
About how he might be moved to RB or slotback in the spring, Inoke said:
"Maybe (the coaches) feel with my athleticism, they could use me elsewhere,. Maybe they don't want me sitting on the side. ... I expressed it to coach (Greg McMackin): 'If you want me to move, that's fine. If you want me to stay and battle it out and try to get better and push the competition, I'll do that, too.' I want to contribute to the team." (HA)
About how Alexander is doing a great job in their offense, Inoke said:
"He's really running the offense. When I came on (at quarterback), they tweaked things, adjusted things for me because of certain things that weren't my strengths and certain things that were my strengths. He's been a better fit for the offense. He's really come a long way." (HA)
HA Note: "But McMackin has said Funaki is a "playmaker" who needs to be on the field. Funaki averages more than one broken tackle per non-sack scramble this season."
About changing positions, Inoke said:
"I'd have to get used to it. It's a different kind of running between being a running back and a scrambling quarterback. Maybe I could be a scrambling receiver? Honestly, I'm open to suggestions. If the coaches feel I can be of use, even if it's moving to this position to do some kind of a block or something, I'm not complaining." (HA)
About how he suggested switching away from QB when he returned from his 2-year church mission, Inoke said to Dan Morrison:
"If you want me to move to another position, really, I don't mind. It's your decision." (HA)
About how Jerry Glanville suggested he switch to strong safety in 2006, Inoke said:
"I can't tackle. The last person I probably tackled was my brother, when we were little kids playing in the living room. I've never played defense before. I can hit the books — sometimes." (HA)
About earning his psychology degree after 8 semesters at UH, Inoke said:
"Just taking care of business, man." (HA)
About how he wants to be a professor at BYU-Hawaii like his Dad, Inoke said:
"My dream is to teach at BYU-Hawai'i. I loved being in La'ie. I always saw myself living there. I'd see my dad walk to school, come home, do his thing, never really having to leave that bubble. I like that idea. If I worked at BYU-Hawai'i, it's close to home." (HA)
Appreciating that the coaches are letting him pursue a graduate degree next year, Inoke said:
"They're helping me out with school." (HA)
Inoke said that playing football is:
"my way of giving back." (HA)
About how the water level in his family's house was a few inches high during Thursday's storm, Inoke said:
"It was getting close to where the socket level was." (HA)
Inoke said that family members raised:
"everything when the water level was getting high. They lifted things up so there wouldn't be too much damage." (HA)
About how it was fortunate that there was a cement base underneath the carpet, Inoke said:
"We're not that rich to be having nice wood floors." (HA)
After the flooding Inoke went around the neighborhood and said that it:
looked like everyone was having a garage sale. Everybody brought their stuff to the side of the road to throw away or air out." (HA)
About how his family members rested on Tongan mats while things were drying, Inoke said:
"My dad was sleeping on the ground. They looked like refugees." (HA)
UH DL Tuika Tufaga also lives in La'ie and said that the:
"whole community came out and helped each other. We put sandbags by everybody's doors. We pulled out furniture. After that, the bodyboards came out, and the football came out. Everybody was playing tackle football in the rain. Instead of cars, you saw people in kayaks. It turned into something positive." (HA)
"Maybe (the coaches) feel with my athleticism, they could use me elsewhere,. Maybe they don't want me sitting on the side. ... I expressed it to coach (Greg McMackin): 'If you want me to move, that's fine. If you want me to stay and battle it out and try to get better and push the competition, I'll do that, too.' I want to contribute to the team." (HA)
About how Alexander is doing a great job in their offense, Inoke said:
"He's really running the offense. When I came on (at quarterback), they tweaked things, adjusted things for me because of certain things that weren't my strengths and certain things that were my strengths. He's been a better fit for the offense. He's really come a long way." (HA)
HA Note: "But McMackin has said Funaki is a "playmaker" who needs to be on the field. Funaki averages more than one broken tackle per non-sack scramble this season."
About changing positions, Inoke said:
"I'd have to get used to it. It's a different kind of running between being a running back and a scrambling quarterback. Maybe I could be a scrambling receiver? Honestly, I'm open to suggestions. If the coaches feel I can be of use, even if it's moving to this position to do some kind of a block or something, I'm not complaining." (HA)
About how he suggested switching away from QB when he returned from his 2-year church mission, Inoke said to Dan Morrison:
"If you want me to move to another position, really, I don't mind. It's your decision." (HA)
About how Jerry Glanville suggested he switch to strong safety in 2006, Inoke said:
"I can't tackle. The last person I probably tackled was my brother, when we were little kids playing in the living room. I've never played defense before. I can hit the books — sometimes." (HA)
About earning his psychology degree after 8 semesters at UH, Inoke said:
"Just taking care of business, man." (HA)
About how he wants to be a professor at BYU-Hawaii like his Dad, Inoke said:
"My dream is to teach at BYU-Hawai'i. I loved being in La'ie. I always saw myself living there. I'd see my dad walk to school, come home, do his thing, never really having to leave that bubble. I like that idea. If I worked at BYU-Hawai'i, it's close to home." (HA)
Appreciating that the coaches are letting him pursue a graduate degree next year, Inoke said:
"They're helping me out with school." (HA)
Inoke said that playing football is:
"my way of giving back." (HA)
About how the water level in his family's house was a few inches high during Thursday's storm, Inoke said:
"It was getting close to where the socket level was." (HA)
Inoke said that family members raised:
"everything when the water level was getting high. They lifted things up so there wouldn't be too much damage." (HA)
About how it was fortunate that there was a cement base underneath the carpet, Inoke said:
"We're not that rich to be having nice wood floors." (HA)
After the flooding Inoke went around the neighborhood and said that it:
looked like everyone was having a garage sale. Everybody brought their stuff to the side of the road to throw away or air out." (HA)
About how his family members rested on Tongan mats while things were drying, Inoke said:
"My dad was sleeping on the ground. They looked like refugees." (HA)
UH DL Tuika Tufaga also lives in La'ie and said that the:
"whole community came out and helped each other. We put sandbags by everybody's doors. We pulled out furniture. After that, the bodyboards came out, and the football came out. Everybody was playing tackle football in the rain. Instead of cars, you saw people in kayaks. It turned into something positive." (HA)
JC DT David Hafoka commits to the Warriors!
About how he already earned his associate degree from the College of San Mateo and will enroll at UH in January, 6'2", 310-pound DT David Hafoka said:
"Everything is good to go." (HA)
About choosing UH over offers from Utah and Arizona, Hafoka said:
"Hawai'i seemed like a place where I would fit in. I feel comfortable there." (HA)
San Mateo head coach Larry Owens said that UH is:
"getting a great young man. They'll be very proud to have him in their program." (HA)
About how Hafoka played NT in their 3-4 D, San Mateo DC Tim Tulloch said:
"His job was to dominate the center every down. He won a lot more than he lost. He was a big part of the reason we finished (number) 1 or 2 in rushing defense." (HA)
Tulloch describes Hafoka as a NT:
"who can control the line of scrimmage. He's extremely physical. He's great with his hands. He can hold the point and anchor down. And he can put pressure on the quarterback. He really fits the Warrior mode." (HA)
HA Note: "Hafoka started every game in 2006. That year, his San Mateo teammates were future Warriors Ray Hisatake, Francis Maka and Calvin Roberts. He missed the 2007 season because of an infection in his right leg. Hafoka started every game this season at nose tackle."
About how it rained during all but 6 hours of his recruiting visit, Hafoka said:
"I had a nice time. I didn't mind the rain." (HA)
About how Hisatake served as his host, Hafoka said:
"He's a really good guy. He told me a lot of good things about the program and the coaches." (HA)
Praising Hafoka, Owens said:
"David is one of the great kids. He's an awesome kid, someone you'd like to have in your family." (HA)
About how Hafoka's teammates respect him, Owens said:
"Whatever you ask him to do, he does. I hold him to a high standard. He's a guy you love to have around. He's a hard-working kid. He just wants to excel. We've had a great experience with him." (HA)
"Everything is good to go." (HA)
About choosing UH over offers from Utah and Arizona, Hafoka said:
"Hawai'i seemed like a place where I would fit in. I feel comfortable there." (HA)
San Mateo head coach Larry Owens said that UH is:
"getting a great young man. They'll be very proud to have him in their program." (HA)
About how Hafoka played NT in their 3-4 D, San Mateo DC Tim Tulloch said:
"His job was to dominate the center every down. He won a lot more than he lost. He was a big part of the reason we finished (number) 1 or 2 in rushing defense." (HA)
Tulloch describes Hafoka as a NT:
"who can control the line of scrimmage. He's extremely physical. He's great with his hands. He can hold the point and anchor down. And he can put pressure on the quarterback. He really fits the Warrior mode." (HA)
HA Note: "Hafoka started every game in 2006. That year, his San Mateo teammates were future Warriors Ray Hisatake, Francis Maka and Calvin Roberts. He missed the 2007 season because of an infection in his right leg. Hafoka started every game this season at nose tackle."
About how it rained during all but 6 hours of his recruiting visit, Hafoka said:
"I had a nice time. I didn't mind the rain." (HA)
About how Hisatake served as his host, Hafoka said:
"He's a really good guy. He told me a lot of good things about the program and the coaches." (HA)
Praising Hafoka, Owens said:
"David is one of the great kids. He's an awesome kid, someone you'd like to have in your family." (HA)
About how Hafoka's teammates respect him, Owens said:
"Whatever you ask him to do, he does. I hold him to a high standard. He's a guy you love to have around. He's a hard-working kid. He just wants to excel. We've had a great experience with him." (HA)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Tank Hopkins and Brett Leonard commit to the Warriors
About choosing the Warriors, 5'10", 165-pound JC CB Melvin "Tank" Hopkins said:
"I like everything about the program — the coaches, the players, everything." (HA)
About choosing the Warriors, 6'5", 306-pound JC LT Brett Leonard said:
"I liked the whole vibe out there. The whole community is behind the team. Everywhere we went, people would ask: 'Are you on the football team?' I definitely liked that." (HA)
Note: Leonard had offers from Cal, Marshall, Kansas and Miami (Ohio).
About how the rain over the weekend didn't bother him
"I'll take it." (HA)
About how he timed Hopkins at 4.38 seconds over 40 yards, Navarro head coach Nick Bobeck said:
Navarro head coach Nick Bobeck timed Hopkins sprinting 40 yards in 4.38 seconds. "That was on grass." (HA)
About how teams didn't throw into the quarter of the field that Hopkins was in, secondary coach Kevin Curtis said:
"There weren't a lot of balls thrown there." (HA)
About how Hopkins made 53 tackles, including 40 solo stops, Curtis said:
"He'll come up and tackle you. He can press. He can lay off. He can play zone. And he can hit hard." (HA)
About how Hopkins was difficult to block due to his quickness, which was important when opponents tried bubble screens, Bobeck said
"He's hard to get your hands on. He'll run up and make plays. He's a really good football player and a hard-working kid." (HA)
About Hopkins' work ethic, Curtis said:
"He's always stayed after practice. That's one thing that's important to him. He'll stay that extra time to work on his press technique or on his back-pedal. Everyone works hard and practices, but the people who do the extra work are the ones who come out on top. He does the extra." (HA)
About his nickname, Hopkins said:
"When I was little, I used to run into things, and knock them over." (HA)
About the story behind Hopkins' nickname, Bobeck said:
"I wouldn't doubt it. He's a high-energy kid. I can imagine what he was like when he was little." (HA)
HA Note: "Leonard was the back-side blocker at Saddleback. He allowed only two sacks the past season. In a face-to-face matchup, he did not allow Orange Coast's Dean DeLeone, an All-America defensive end, to hit the quarterback."
About how UH needs a LT like Leonard, associate head coach Don Butcher said:
"I wish Hawai'i had him the night (it) played Georgia. He's a great guy. He's a hard-worker. He's punctual. He has a great attitude. He has a ton of desire. He's got talent. He's athletic." (HA)
About how Leonard lost 20 pounds and two belt sizes since transferring to Saddleback, Butcher said:
"He's taken the two inches off his waist and put it on his shoulders and arms." (HA)
About how former All-Pro Jackie Slater tutored him this past semester, Leonard said:
"Words cannot express how much he helped me out in the couple of months he was with me. That was huge for me." (HA)
About how footwork is a strength of Leonard, Butcher said:
"He puts himself in position to make plays. He can pull. He can downfield block. He's always looking at the second level." (HA)
"I like everything about the program — the coaches, the players, everything." (HA)
About choosing the Warriors, 6'5", 306-pound JC LT Brett Leonard said:
"I liked the whole vibe out there. The whole community is behind the team. Everywhere we went, people would ask: 'Are you on the football team?' I definitely liked that." (HA)
Note: Leonard had offers from Cal, Marshall, Kansas and Miami (Ohio).
About how the rain over the weekend didn't bother him
"I'll take it." (HA)
About how he timed Hopkins at 4.38 seconds over 40 yards, Navarro head coach Nick Bobeck said:
Navarro head coach Nick Bobeck timed Hopkins sprinting 40 yards in 4.38 seconds. "That was on grass." (HA)
About how teams didn't throw into the quarter of the field that Hopkins was in, secondary coach Kevin Curtis said:
"There weren't a lot of balls thrown there." (HA)
About how Hopkins made 53 tackles, including 40 solo stops, Curtis said:
"He'll come up and tackle you. He can press. He can lay off. He can play zone. And he can hit hard." (HA)
About how Hopkins was difficult to block due to his quickness, which was important when opponents tried bubble screens, Bobeck said
"He's hard to get your hands on. He'll run up and make plays. He's a really good football player and a hard-working kid." (HA)
About Hopkins' work ethic, Curtis said:
"He's always stayed after practice. That's one thing that's important to him. He'll stay that extra time to work on his press technique or on his back-pedal. Everyone works hard and practices, but the people who do the extra work are the ones who come out on top. He does the extra." (HA)
About his nickname, Hopkins said:
"When I was little, I used to run into things, and knock them over." (HA)
About the story behind Hopkins' nickname, Bobeck said:
"I wouldn't doubt it. He's a high-energy kid. I can imagine what he was like when he was little." (HA)
HA Note: "Leonard was the back-side blocker at Saddleback. He allowed only two sacks the past season. In a face-to-face matchup, he did not allow Orange Coast's Dean DeLeone, an All-America defensive end, to hit the quarterback."
About how UH needs a LT like Leonard, associate head coach Don Butcher said:
"I wish Hawai'i had him the night (it) played Georgia. He's a great guy. He's a hard-worker. He's punctual. He has a great attitude. He has a ton of desire. He's got talent. He's athletic." (HA)
About how Leonard lost 20 pounds and two belt sizes since transferring to Saddleback, Butcher said:
"He's taken the two inches off his waist and put it on his shoulders and arms." (HA)
About how former All-Pro Jackie Slater tutored him this past semester, Leonard said:
"Words cannot express how much he helped me out in the couple of months he was with me. That was huge for me." (HA)
About how footwork is a strength of Leonard, Butcher said:
"He puts himself in position to make plays. He can pull. He can downfield block. He's always looking at the second level." (HA)
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Feature on Billy Ray Stutzmann being committed to UH
About turning down offers from Colorado, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oregon State, Washington and Washington State to choose the Warriors, Billy Ray Stutzmann said:
"I know playing in front of my family and friends was a big factor in it. I just like the coaches." (HSB)
About how he spent several days last summer with the Warriors running out for passes in their players-only workouts, Billy Ray said:
"It gave me a good sense of what they're going to be doing. It got me more comfortable being there and getting to know everyone." (HSB)
About how Inoke taught him a lot last summer, Billy Ray said:
"He helped me a lot with getting the routes and everything." (HSB)
"I know playing in front of my family and friends was a big factor in it. I just like the coaches." (HSB)
About how he spent several days last summer with the Warriors running out for passes in their players-only workouts, Billy Ray said:
"It gave me a good sense of what they're going to be doing. It got me more comfortable being there and getting to know everyone." (HSB)
About how Inoke taught him a lot last summer, Billy Ray said:
"He helped me a lot with getting the routes and everything." (HSB)
Feature story on how the Hawaii Bowl's David Matlin got Notre Dame
Praising Hawaii Bowl Executive Director David Matlin for his pursuit of Notre Dame, JD said:
"He planted that seed and nurtured it. Dave initiated the idea (to contact Notre Dame) and it came to fruition." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Matlin worked with Donovan in running the bowl game for the last six years and was hired by ESPN Regional Television, owner of the Hawaii Bowl, to succeed Donovan last spring. A year from now Matlin will also be in charge of the inaugural Diamond Head Classic, an eight-team college basketball tournament."
About his busy work schedule, Matlin said:
"My wife (Dana) and kids (Kisa, 13, and Ross, 11) are very understanding." (HSB)
About how he was able to sleep 5 hours one night last week, Matlin said:
"The first few nights your mind is racing so it's hard to get a good night's sleep. But that night was nice." (HSB)
About all the things that are needed to run a bowl game, Matlin said:
"It's like you're running a sprint, but you're running a sprint for 20 days." (HSB)
About learning from his Dad, who was the GM of the Hawaii Islanders in 1963-1964 and also worked in Vancouver, Seattle, Milwaukee and Detroit, Matlin said:
"To go to work with my dad was a great thing. The biggest thing I learned from him was at the end of the day it's all about relationships and people." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Matlin, a Michigan graduate, worked his way into a job with the Houston Astros and became their director of sales at 26, before returning to Hawaii six years later in 1993."
About leaving the Astros to move to Hawaii, Matlin said:
"Baseball was my passion and my dream. But it's the best move I've ever made, across the board." (HSB)
About how he "semi-stalked" JD (then the associate AD at UH) because he needed a job in Hawaii, meeting him a few days after an emergency appendectomy, Matlin said:
"I could barely walk. I think he felt sorry for me. " (HSB)
HSB Note: "With the university in the midst of a hiring freeze, Donovan could only offer an hourly wage with no benefits, although Matlin was, "as qualified for my job as I was," Donovan said. Matlin's first duty was to coordinate the UH basketball team's Midnight Ohana. He eventually was hired to work in the ticket office, where he was instrumental in implementing a computerized ticketing system, a task he calls "probably one of the most valuable experiences I've had.""
About joining JD in 2002 to run the new Hawaii Bowl, Matlin (who was a financial planner at the time JD called) said:
"We wanted to create an event that would really give Hawaii exposure and would be an opportunity for Hawaii to shine across the country and help the tourism industry and local businesses." (HSB)
HSB Note: "They had 90 days to pull their first bowl game together after being hired by ESPN Regional Television, the game's owner. But they got it done in time to host Hawaii and Tulane in the inaugural event and continually streamlined the process over the next five games."
About how he has bonded with Matlin like he did with his OL teammates, JD said:
"When I played on the offensive line (at UH in the early 1980s), we played so much together you knew what the guy next to you was going to do before he did. That's how it is with me and Dave." (HSB)
About how his schedule will more hectic next year when he also will be involved with the Diamond Head Classic, Matlin said:
"Right now I'm just focused on the task at hand." (HSB)
"He planted that seed and nurtured it. Dave initiated the idea (to contact Notre Dame) and it came to fruition." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Matlin worked with Donovan in running the bowl game for the last six years and was hired by ESPN Regional Television, owner of the Hawaii Bowl, to succeed Donovan last spring. A year from now Matlin will also be in charge of the inaugural Diamond Head Classic, an eight-team college basketball tournament."
About his busy work schedule, Matlin said:
"My wife (Dana) and kids (Kisa, 13, and Ross, 11) are very understanding." (HSB)
About how he was able to sleep 5 hours one night last week, Matlin said:
"The first few nights your mind is racing so it's hard to get a good night's sleep. But that night was nice." (HSB)
About all the things that are needed to run a bowl game, Matlin said:
"It's like you're running a sprint, but you're running a sprint for 20 days." (HSB)
About learning from his Dad, who was the GM of the Hawaii Islanders in 1963-1964 and also worked in Vancouver, Seattle, Milwaukee and Detroit, Matlin said:
"To go to work with my dad was a great thing. The biggest thing I learned from him was at the end of the day it's all about relationships and people." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Matlin, a Michigan graduate, worked his way into a job with the Houston Astros and became their director of sales at 26, before returning to Hawaii six years later in 1993."
About leaving the Astros to move to Hawaii, Matlin said:
"Baseball was my passion and my dream. But it's the best move I've ever made, across the board." (HSB)
About how he "semi-stalked" JD (then the associate AD at UH) because he needed a job in Hawaii, meeting him a few days after an emergency appendectomy, Matlin said:
"I could barely walk. I think he felt sorry for me. " (HSB)
HSB Note: "With the university in the midst of a hiring freeze, Donovan could only offer an hourly wage with no benefits, although Matlin was, "as qualified for my job as I was," Donovan said. Matlin's first duty was to coordinate the UH basketball team's Midnight Ohana. He eventually was hired to work in the ticket office, where he was instrumental in implementing a computerized ticketing system, a task he calls "probably one of the most valuable experiences I've had.""
About joining JD in 2002 to run the new Hawaii Bowl, Matlin (who was a financial planner at the time JD called) said:
"We wanted to create an event that would really give Hawaii exposure and would be an opportunity for Hawaii to shine across the country and help the tourism industry and local businesses." (HSB)
HSB Note: "They had 90 days to pull their first bowl game together after being hired by ESPN Regional Television, the game's owner. But they got it done in time to host Hawaii and Tulane in the inaugural event and continually streamlined the process over the next five games."
About how he has bonded with Matlin like he did with his OL teammates, JD said:
"When I played on the offensive line (at UH in the early 1980s), we played so much together you knew what the guy next to you was going to do before he did. That's how it is with me and Dave." (HSB)
About how his schedule will more hectic next year when he also will be involved with the Diamond Head Classic, Matlin said:
"Right now I'm just focused on the task at hand." (HSB)
Friday, December 12, 2008
Feature story on Davone Bess
About how he reacted to not being drafted, Bess said:
"I said, 'I guess I'll have to do what I always have.' " (SFSS)
Asked what that is, Bess said:
"Overcome some things." (SFSS)
SFSS Note: "He was born on the mean streets of Oakland, Calif., and knows friends lost on them. His father was a "big-time drug dealer," he says. Another strike. At 10, his uncle was murdered in front of him during a birthday party by a couple of intruders. "Sports" is the one-word answer he gives as the passport from this world. He became a high school star and earned a scholarship to Oregon State. Then, just when he had his ticket out, he picked up some friends a few days after graduation and they loaded stolen goods into his car. He didn't know about it, but the law didn't care. That led to a year in prison and an expensive lesson on picking better friends. Did that get him down? Of course it did. This isn't a Disney movie. But he didn't stay down, forming a 7-on-7 team in prison and getting a tape of his workout in the hands of Hawaii coach June Jones."
About how JJ saw his workout tape from prison, Bess said:
"That's the chance I needed." (SFSS)
SFSS Note: "When Jones showed up an hour early for 7 a.m. practices, Bess already would be catching footballs off a machine in the dark. When others left to shower after practice, Bess would be running sprints."
About how the NFL advisory board said that he'd be a late 2nd round or definite 3rd round pick, Bess said:
"Then I ran at the [NFL] combine." (SFSS)
SFSS Note: "NFL teams are slaves to a chart. If receivers stand 5 feet 9, they need to run 40 yards in 4.2 seconds. If they're 6 feet, the time is 4.4 seconds. At 6-2, it's 4.6 seconds. Bess is nearly 5-10. His fastest time at the combine was 4.67. That meant he wasn't just too small to be considered a prime prospect. He was too slow, too."
About how all of the scouts passed on Bess, his agent Kenny Zuckerman said:
"All these scouts said they loved him but that they couldn't take him because of the chart. I said, 'What about Wes Welker?' They said it didn't matter." (SFSS)
SFSS Note: "Bess promised himself not to watch the first day of the draft. But when the day came he planted himself in front of the television. By the second day, relatives came over, ready to celebrate. Instead, the draft weekend turned into seven rounds of motivation. Zuckerman listed teams before the draft based on things like receiving need, coaching atmosphere and whether they needed a kick returner. The Dolphins topped the list. He figured they'd take a couple receivers and would be struck from his list. But by draft's end they hadn't taken a receiver and still were No. 1.
About how Miami was a great fit for Bess, Zuckerman said:
"It looked like a perfect fit for both sides." (SFSS)
About his 9 receptions in their Buffalo game last week, Bess said that it:
"gave me flashbacks to Hawaii with that many passes coming my way." (SFSS)
SFSS Note: "His 39 catches rank sixth among rookie receivers. He also is three catches from second place among all-time undrafted rookies ( Wayne Chrebet leads with 66)."
About how his wife Rachel Mulleitner gave birth to their daughter Kyrah Imani Bess on election night, Bess said:
"I'm not sleeping as much." (SFSS)
SFSS Note: "There he will be again Sunday, still too small, still too slow, still from a world of trouble and still making a career for himself. Sometimes a good football story like the Dolphins this year delivers a better human one like Bess."
"I said, 'I guess I'll have to do what I always have.' " (SFSS)
Asked what that is, Bess said:
"Overcome some things." (SFSS)
SFSS Note: "He was born on the mean streets of Oakland, Calif., and knows friends lost on them. His father was a "big-time drug dealer," he says. Another strike. At 10, his uncle was murdered in front of him during a birthday party by a couple of intruders. "Sports" is the one-word answer he gives as the passport from this world. He became a high school star and earned a scholarship to Oregon State. Then, just when he had his ticket out, he picked up some friends a few days after graduation and they loaded stolen goods into his car. He didn't know about it, but the law didn't care. That led to a year in prison and an expensive lesson on picking better friends. Did that get him down? Of course it did. This isn't a Disney movie. But he didn't stay down, forming a 7-on-7 team in prison and getting a tape of his workout in the hands of Hawaii coach June Jones."
About how JJ saw his workout tape from prison, Bess said:
"That's the chance I needed." (SFSS)
SFSS Note: "When Jones showed up an hour early for 7 a.m. practices, Bess already would be catching footballs off a machine in the dark. When others left to shower after practice, Bess would be running sprints."
About how the NFL advisory board said that he'd be a late 2nd round or definite 3rd round pick, Bess said:
"Then I ran at the [NFL] combine." (SFSS)
SFSS Note: "NFL teams are slaves to a chart. If receivers stand 5 feet 9, they need to run 40 yards in 4.2 seconds. If they're 6 feet, the time is 4.4 seconds. At 6-2, it's 4.6 seconds. Bess is nearly 5-10. His fastest time at the combine was 4.67. That meant he wasn't just too small to be considered a prime prospect. He was too slow, too."
About how all of the scouts passed on Bess, his agent Kenny Zuckerman said:
"All these scouts said they loved him but that they couldn't take him because of the chart. I said, 'What about Wes Welker?' They said it didn't matter." (SFSS)
SFSS Note: "Bess promised himself not to watch the first day of the draft. But when the day came he planted himself in front of the television. By the second day, relatives came over, ready to celebrate. Instead, the draft weekend turned into seven rounds of motivation. Zuckerman listed teams before the draft based on things like receiving need, coaching atmosphere and whether they needed a kick returner. The Dolphins topped the list. He figured they'd take a couple receivers and would be struck from his list. But by draft's end they hadn't taken a receiver and still were No. 1.
About how Miami was a great fit for Bess, Zuckerman said:
"It looked like a perfect fit for both sides." (SFSS)
About his 9 receptions in their Buffalo game last week, Bess said that it:
"gave me flashbacks to Hawaii with that many passes coming my way." (SFSS)
SFSS Note: "His 39 catches rank sixth among rookie receivers. He also is three catches from second place among all-time undrafted rookies ( Wayne Chrebet leads with 66)."
About how his wife Rachel Mulleitner gave birth to their daughter Kyrah Imani Bess on election night, Bess said:
"I'm not sleeping as much." (SFSS)
SFSS Note: "There he will be again Sunday, still too small, still too slow, still from a world of trouble and still making a career for himself. Sometimes a good football story like the Dolphins this year delivers a better human one like Bess."
Quotes from the local papers
About the amazing ticket sales for the Hawaii Bowl after Notre Dame was announced, David Matlin said:
"That is just phenomenal." (HA)
HA Note: "David A.K. Matlin, the game's executive director, said ticket purchases have been made from nearly 40 of the 50 states and several Canadian provinces in the first three days since the Dec. 24 matchup with the University of Hawai'i was announced Sunday."
HA Note: "As of mid-day yesterday, Matlin said approximately 32,000 tickets had been issued for the game, this despite a brief weather-related outage yesterday. Approximately 12,000 tickets, including 5,000 in the first 24 hours, have been sold since Sunday."
About their fast-paced ticket sales, Matlin said:
"It is a very good pace. For anybody who is thinking of attending the game, I'd buy now." (HA)
HA Note: "Notre Dame will travel 4,327 miles to get to the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, where it is assured of a handsome profit for this bowl season. Meanwhile, its opponent, the University of Hawai'i, is struggling to break even in the postseason despite playing a bus ride away in its backyard bowl."
HA Note: "As a BCS signatory, Notre Dame will receive $1.3 million from the BCS even though the Fighting Irish did not qualify for a bowl this year and, at 6-6, just made the minimum qualification for eligibility for any bowl. In addition, it will receive $600,000 for its appearance in the Hawai'i Bowl, the same amount that would have gone to a Pac-10 team had one been available under the conference's contract with the game."
About how Notre Dame will make money during Bowl season, John Heisler (Notre Dame senior associate AD) said:
"Those who have suggested that Notre Dame will lose money by participating in the Hawai'i Bowl are incorrect, the combined revenue we will receive for postseason competition this year... (will) ensure that the university will not lose money on this trip." (HA)
Note: Of course, Notre Dame would make even *more* money if they didn't not go to the Hawaii Bowl...the BCS payment to Notre Dame is automatic whether or not they go to a bowl game.
About how UH will receive $400k for going to the Hawaii Bowl, JD said:
"we're doing everything we can to break even on this (game)." (HA)
HA Note: "In UH's case, approximately $130,000 to $140,000 of its bowl expenses are expected to go to coaches' bonuses and players' rewards. Head coach Greg McMackin's contract provides for a $20,000 bonus for appearance in a non-BCS bowl and an additional $10,000 if UH wins the game. In addition, UH's nine assistant coaches receive bonus payments equal to a combined average month's salary, which is expected to amount to approximately $8,000 per man. Under NCAA rules, a school may give its players bowl gifts valued at no more than $350 per player. UH could have 111 players qualify for gifts. Overall, UH expects to pay for 80 rooms for its anticipated official travel party of 111 players, coaches and staff. Donovan said staffers who normally traveled for UH road games this year would make up the official party housed in the team's Waikiki hotel."
Heisler said that Notre Dame will take:
"105 players, plus the normal road game staff (including their families) and additional others required to administrate the bowl week — also will be a University contingent (officers, etc.) that will not travel on our charter but will come to game." (HA)
About how the WAC could receive a bonus from the Hawaii Bowl if ticket sales exceed 40,000, WAC commissioner Karl Benson said:
"I am expecting there will be a (bonus) split and that the WAC will receive more than the $400k and that this will be the biggest payday the WAC has received from the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl." (HA)
HA Note: "The additional money would not go to UH directly, but to the WAC's bowl fund, which underwrites losses from other games its teams have played in. Five WAC teams are playing in bowls this year and each receives $400,000 plus airfare. Only UH and Louisiana Tech (in the Independence Bowl) will not require flights. Proceeds from those games are later balanced against liabilities with the nine members equally sharing in profits or underwriting losses, meaning UH could be forced to toss in more money if liabilities exceed profits. This year the WAC is projecting pluses from appearances by its teams in the Hawai'i Bowl (UH), Poinsettia Bowl (Boise State) and Independence Bowl (Louisiana Tech). The Humanitarian Bowl (Nevada) and New Mexico Bowl (Fresno State) are projected as losses. Most of those bowls carry ticket commitments."
About how appearing in bowl games are important for conference visibility, even if they lose money, Heisler said:
"In the bigger picture, it should be remembered that participation in bowl games is important to the football program and the university beyond dollars and cents — both for the practice and playing time it provides our student-athletes and for our obligation to be a responsible and cooperative partner with others in collegiate athletics." (HA)
About the importance of Notre Dame's football program to their University, Heisler said:
"... the health of our football program is important to Notre Dame as a whole, since it is the primary generator of the millions of dollars that athletics contributes to the university. According to a study last year by Forbes Magazine, some $21.1 million of the athletic department's $45.8 million profit underwrites academic programs, which is as much as the next five most valuable programs contributed to their respective schools combined." (HA)
About his friendship with fellow UH commit Chauncy Winchester-Makainai, Benson Maafala said:
"I've been long-time friends with Chauncy from O-line camps." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Maafala, a guard who was also being recruited by California, Washington and Arizona, joined a dozen players in the game who have committed to the Warriors. Maafala said he informed the UH coaches of his intention to sign with the Warriors, though he may still take other trips."
About Maafala and Winchester-Makainai, UH commit Chad Lopati said:
"They're great athletes. Just going up against them the last two weeks, it's been a workout." (HSB)
About how they benefit from the Hawaii/Polynesia-Mainland All-star game by getting to know their future teammates, Corey Nielsen said:
"We can start building the team camaraderie now. It's been great getting to know the guys." (HSB)
About playing for the Hawaii/Polynesia team, Corey Nielsen said:
"I've been a Hawaii fan my whole life. So to represent Hawaii, and Polynesia really, it's a real honor." (HSB)
About how championship teams win with offense now, Renner said:
"As you saw when June Jones was here, it's hard to stop four or five playmakers on offense. It's impossible. Now, you don't win championships because of defense. Teams win now because of offense. In high school and college, the skill level has taken off. You know you have to score 40 points to win." (HSB)
About JJ (who was his position coach with the Atlanta Falcons), Andre Rison said:
"I played five or six years for him and I consider him a friend and a great coach. I owe him a lot for what he did. Being in that system, you've got to be smart. A slot's got to know the defensive coverages, blitzes, dogs." (HSB)
About how today's players have more exposure, but lack the old-school work ethic, Rison said:
"I think they're lazy in the sense that when we grew up, we didn't have anything. Now, in an instant, a kid can be seen anytime." (HSB)
About turning down the chance to coach with the KC Chiefs to instead assist longtime friend and coach Courtney Hawkins, Rison said:
"I love coaching kids. I've always been coaching, in a sense, even when I was a player." (HSB)
"That is just phenomenal." (HA)
HA Note: "David A.K. Matlin, the game's executive director, said ticket purchases have been made from nearly 40 of the 50 states and several Canadian provinces in the first three days since the Dec. 24 matchup with the University of Hawai'i was announced Sunday."
HA Note: "As of mid-day yesterday, Matlin said approximately 32,000 tickets had been issued for the game, this despite a brief weather-related outage yesterday. Approximately 12,000 tickets, including 5,000 in the first 24 hours, have been sold since Sunday."
About their fast-paced ticket sales, Matlin said:
"It is a very good pace. For anybody who is thinking of attending the game, I'd buy now." (HA)
HA Note: "Notre Dame will travel 4,327 miles to get to the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, where it is assured of a handsome profit for this bowl season. Meanwhile, its opponent, the University of Hawai'i, is struggling to break even in the postseason despite playing a bus ride away in its backyard bowl."
HA Note: "As a BCS signatory, Notre Dame will receive $1.3 million from the BCS even though the Fighting Irish did not qualify for a bowl this year and, at 6-6, just made the minimum qualification for eligibility for any bowl. In addition, it will receive $600,000 for its appearance in the Hawai'i Bowl, the same amount that would have gone to a Pac-10 team had one been available under the conference's contract with the game."
About how Notre Dame will make money during Bowl season, John Heisler (Notre Dame senior associate AD) said:
"Those who have suggested that Notre Dame will lose money by participating in the Hawai'i Bowl are incorrect, the combined revenue we will receive for postseason competition this year... (will) ensure that the university will not lose money on this trip." (HA)
Note: Of course, Notre Dame would make even *more* money if they didn't not go to the Hawaii Bowl...the BCS payment to Notre Dame is automatic whether or not they go to a bowl game.
About how UH will receive $400k for going to the Hawaii Bowl, JD said:
"we're doing everything we can to break even on this (game)." (HA)
HA Note: "In UH's case, approximately $130,000 to $140,000 of its bowl expenses are expected to go to coaches' bonuses and players' rewards. Head coach Greg McMackin's contract provides for a $20,000 bonus for appearance in a non-BCS bowl and an additional $10,000 if UH wins the game. In addition, UH's nine assistant coaches receive bonus payments equal to a combined average month's salary, which is expected to amount to approximately $8,000 per man. Under NCAA rules, a school may give its players bowl gifts valued at no more than $350 per player. UH could have 111 players qualify for gifts. Overall, UH expects to pay for 80 rooms for its anticipated official travel party of 111 players, coaches and staff. Donovan said staffers who normally traveled for UH road games this year would make up the official party housed in the team's Waikiki hotel."
Heisler said that Notre Dame will take:
"105 players, plus the normal road game staff (including their families) and additional others required to administrate the bowl week — also will be a University contingent (officers, etc.) that will not travel on our charter but will come to game." (HA)
About how the WAC could receive a bonus from the Hawaii Bowl if ticket sales exceed 40,000, WAC commissioner Karl Benson said:
"I am expecting there will be a (bonus) split and that the WAC will receive more than the $400k and that this will be the biggest payday the WAC has received from the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl." (HA)
HA Note: "The additional money would not go to UH directly, but to the WAC's bowl fund, which underwrites losses from other games its teams have played in. Five WAC teams are playing in bowls this year and each receives $400,000 plus airfare. Only UH and Louisiana Tech (in the Independence Bowl) will not require flights. Proceeds from those games are later balanced against liabilities with the nine members equally sharing in profits or underwriting losses, meaning UH could be forced to toss in more money if liabilities exceed profits. This year the WAC is projecting pluses from appearances by its teams in the Hawai'i Bowl (UH), Poinsettia Bowl (Boise State) and Independence Bowl (Louisiana Tech). The Humanitarian Bowl (Nevada) and New Mexico Bowl (Fresno State) are projected as losses. Most of those bowls carry ticket commitments."
About how appearing in bowl games are important for conference visibility, even if they lose money, Heisler said:
"In the bigger picture, it should be remembered that participation in bowl games is important to the football program and the university beyond dollars and cents — both for the practice and playing time it provides our student-athletes and for our obligation to be a responsible and cooperative partner with others in collegiate athletics." (HA)
About the importance of Notre Dame's football program to their University, Heisler said:
"... the health of our football program is important to Notre Dame as a whole, since it is the primary generator of the millions of dollars that athletics contributes to the university. According to a study last year by Forbes Magazine, some $21.1 million of the athletic department's $45.8 million profit underwrites academic programs, which is as much as the next five most valuable programs contributed to their respective schools combined." (HA)
About his friendship with fellow UH commit Chauncy Winchester-Makainai, Benson Maafala said:
"I've been long-time friends with Chauncy from O-line camps." (HSB)
HSB Note: "Maafala, a guard who was also being recruited by California, Washington and Arizona, joined a dozen players in the game who have committed to the Warriors. Maafala said he informed the UH coaches of his intention to sign with the Warriors, though he may still take other trips."
About Maafala and Winchester-Makainai, UH commit Chad Lopati said:
"They're great athletes. Just going up against them the last two weeks, it's been a workout." (HSB)
About how they benefit from the Hawaii/Polynesia-Mainland All-star game by getting to know their future teammates, Corey Nielsen said:
"We can start building the team camaraderie now. It's been great getting to know the guys." (HSB)
About playing for the Hawaii/Polynesia team, Corey Nielsen said:
"I've been a Hawaii fan my whole life. So to represent Hawaii, and Polynesia really, it's a real honor." (HSB)
About how championship teams win with offense now, Renner said:
"As you saw when June Jones was here, it's hard to stop four or five playmakers on offense. It's impossible. Now, you don't win championships because of defense. Teams win now because of offense. In high school and college, the skill level has taken off. You know you have to score 40 points to win." (HSB)
About JJ (who was his position coach with the Atlanta Falcons), Andre Rison said:
"I played five or six years for him and I consider him a friend and a great coach. I owe him a lot for what he did. Being in that system, you've got to be smart. A slot's got to know the defensive coverages, blitzes, dogs." (HSB)
About how today's players have more exposure, but lack the old-school work ethic, Rison said:
"I think they're lazy in the sense that when we grew up, we didn't have anything. Now, in an instant, a kid can be seen anytime." (HSB)
About turning down the chance to coach with the KC Chiefs to instead assist longtime friend and coach Courtney Hawkins, Rison said:
"I love coaching kids. I've always been coaching, in a sense, even when I was a player." (HSB)
Chizimuzo "Chizzy" Dimude commits to the Warriors!
About 5'9", 195-pound RB Chizzy Dimude, Laney College offensive coordinator John Beam said:
"With the speed that he has he can score from anywhere on the field." (HA)
HA Note: "Dimude averaged 6.8 yards per carry, and scored 11 touchdowns, including an 80-yard sprint."
About his recommendation of Dimude, Beam said:
"Put it this way, I'm the guy who got Davone Bess to Hawai'i. Chizzy can play." (HA)
HA Note: "Beam was the head coach at Oakland's Skyline High, which produced Bess and running backs Frank Summers of Nevada-Las Vegas and Yonus Davis of San Jose State."
about the team he coached at Skyline High, Beam (who moved to Laney college 2 years ago) said:
"Yonus and Frank both had 1,000 yards (rushing) in high school, and Davone was the quarterback. As far as speed, Chizzy is faster than all of them. Strength-wise, Frank is the only one stronger." (HA)
HA Note: "Dimude is capable of squat-lifting 435 pounds and power-cleaning 295 pounds. He has a 38-inch vertical jump. Dimude has drawn comparisons to UH running back Daniel Libre. Dimude wore No. 26 — Libre's number — during the first half of the past season before switching to No. 5."
About how Dimude (like Libre) started college as a slotback before moving to RB, Beam said:
"He made the transition." (HA)
HA Note: "As a freshman in 2006, he was a receiver at the College of San Mateo. Three of his San Mateo teammates are now Warriors — defensive tackle Francis Maka, cornerback Calvin Roberts and offensive lineman Ray Hisatake."
About his former San Mateo teammates who are Warriors now, Dimude said:
"I talked to those guys on my recruiting trip (the past weekend). They're great guys." (HA)
About how he's adjusted to playing RB, Dimude said:
"I'm comfortable playing running back." (HA)
About Dimude's success at RB this season, Beam said:
"If you think about it, this is really his first year carrying the ball. He did a nice job." (HA)
Beam said that early in the season Dimude:
"was trying to make too many moves. Instead of sticking his foot in the ground and going, he tried to do a lot of moves. Once he figured it out, that he could beat defenses with his speed, he played much better." (HA)
About how he used Bess' work ethic to inspire Dimude, Beam said:
"What separates Davone from others is Davone really works hard. He doesn't ask for special treatment. He doesn't want people to get him water. He gets it himself. I told Chizzy: 'If you want to be great, look at Davone.' At first, I didn't know if Chizzy wanted to be great, to go that extra step. He learned a lot from Davone. The guys saw Davone's work ethic. Even though Davone was doing well, he worked even harder. That was good for them to see. Chizzy put it all together. He wanted it. He's done a great job." (HA)
About Dimude's skills at RB, Beam said:
"He blocks well. He runs the ball really well. He can plant his foot and go." (HA)
HA Note: "Beam traced Dimude's improvement to a tough-love conversation. "Do you want to be a difference-maker?" Beam recalled asking Dimude. Dimude nodded."
About Dimude's confidence, Beam said:
"He wants to be a difference-maker. "He now has confidence in his own ability. More than anything else, that's been the difference." (HA)
About his commitment to UH, Dimude said:
"I'm a Warrior. That's what I want to be." (HA)
HA Note: "Dimude said he was one of 10 prospects to visit Hawai'i the past weekend. The itinerary was intended to take the recruits through a normal game preparation. Dimude attended team meetings, ate training-table meals, and watched videos of UH's nationally ranked opponent, Cincinnati."
About his recruiting trip, Dimude said:
"I had a great time. I loved the atmosphere. I loved the crowd. I like the coaches and the players." (HA)
Impressed with Ron Lee's offensive philopsophy, Dimude said:
"Hawai'i has a great offense." (HA)
About how Dimude loves his recruiting trip to UH, Beam said:
"When he came back from his trip, he was fired up. He talked about the atmosphere at Aloha Stadium. He liked the camaraderie." (HA)
"With the speed that he has he can score from anywhere on the field." (HA)
HA Note: "Dimude averaged 6.8 yards per carry, and scored 11 touchdowns, including an 80-yard sprint."
About his recommendation of Dimude, Beam said:
"Put it this way, I'm the guy who got Davone Bess to Hawai'i. Chizzy can play." (HA)
HA Note: "Beam was the head coach at Oakland's Skyline High, which produced Bess and running backs Frank Summers of Nevada-Las Vegas and Yonus Davis of San Jose State."
about the team he coached at Skyline High, Beam (who moved to Laney college 2 years ago) said:
"Yonus and Frank both had 1,000 yards (rushing) in high school, and Davone was the quarterback. As far as speed, Chizzy is faster than all of them. Strength-wise, Frank is the only one stronger." (HA)
HA Note: "Dimude is capable of squat-lifting 435 pounds and power-cleaning 295 pounds. He has a 38-inch vertical jump. Dimude has drawn comparisons to UH running back Daniel Libre. Dimude wore No. 26 — Libre's number — during the first half of the past season before switching to No. 5."
About how Dimude (like Libre) started college as a slotback before moving to RB, Beam said:
"He made the transition." (HA)
HA Note: "As a freshman in 2006, he was a receiver at the College of San Mateo. Three of his San Mateo teammates are now Warriors — defensive tackle Francis Maka, cornerback Calvin Roberts and offensive lineman Ray Hisatake."
About his former San Mateo teammates who are Warriors now, Dimude said:
"I talked to those guys on my recruiting trip (the past weekend). They're great guys." (HA)
About how he's adjusted to playing RB, Dimude said:
"I'm comfortable playing running back." (HA)
About Dimude's success at RB this season, Beam said:
"If you think about it, this is really his first year carrying the ball. He did a nice job." (HA)
Beam said that early in the season Dimude:
"was trying to make too many moves. Instead of sticking his foot in the ground and going, he tried to do a lot of moves. Once he figured it out, that he could beat defenses with his speed, he played much better." (HA)
About how he used Bess' work ethic to inspire Dimude, Beam said:
"What separates Davone from others is Davone really works hard. He doesn't ask for special treatment. He doesn't want people to get him water. He gets it himself. I told Chizzy: 'If you want to be great, look at Davone.' At first, I didn't know if Chizzy wanted to be great, to go that extra step. He learned a lot from Davone. The guys saw Davone's work ethic. Even though Davone was doing well, he worked even harder. That was good for them to see. Chizzy put it all together. He wanted it. He's done a great job." (HA)
About Dimude's skills at RB, Beam said:
"He blocks well. He runs the ball really well. He can plant his foot and go." (HA)
HA Note: "Beam traced Dimude's improvement to a tough-love conversation. "Do you want to be a difference-maker?" Beam recalled asking Dimude. Dimude nodded."
About Dimude's confidence, Beam said:
"He wants to be a difference-maker. "He now has confidence in his own ability. More than anything else, that's been the difference." (HA)
About his commitment to UH, Dimude said:
"I'm a Warrior. That's what I want to be." (HA)
HA Note: "Dimude said he was one of 10 prospects to visit Hawai'i the past weekend. The itinerary was intended to take the recruits through a normal game preparation. Dimude attended team meetings, ate training-table meals, and watched videos of UH's nationally ranked opponent, Cincinnati."
About his recruiting trip, Dimude said:
"I had a great time. I loved the atmosphere. I loved the crowd. I like the coaches and the players." (HA)
Impressed with Ron Lee's offensive philopsophy, Dimude said:
"Hawai'i has a great offense." (HA)
About how Dimude loves his recruiting trip to UH, Beam said:
"When he came back from his trip, he was fired up. He talked about the atmosphere at Aloha Stadium. He liked the camaraderie." (HA)
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Benson Ma'afala Jr. commits to the Warriors!
About his commitment to the Warriors, 6'3", 310-pound Benson Ma'afala Jr. said:
"I wanted to stay home and play in front of my family." (HA)
HA Note: "By choosing the Warriors, Ma'afala is turning down offers from Washington and California. His father, Benson Sr., was an all-star quarterback at McKinley High who went on to be a UH punter. One of his uncles, Nick Ma'afala, was a standout defensive lineman at McKinley and UH. A knee injury cut short his Warrior career after two years. Another uncle, Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, attended Saint Louis School and the University of Utah. Fuamatu-Ma'afala was a running back in the National Football League, most notably with the Pittsburgh Steelers."
About how he bench pressed 185 pounds 36 times (and 225 pounds 20 times) at a combine during the summer, Benson said:
"I didn't know I could do that much." (HA)
About how her son is relatively quiet, Carol Ma'afala said he is:
"like a big-brother leader." (HA)
About how her son played youth football until he couldn't make the 100-pound limit, Carol said:
"After that, he played flag football." (HA)
About how Benson had to transfer from Damien to Mililani after being told in the spring that his financial-assistance package would not be renewed, Carol said:
"It was devastating. He felt he let (Damien teammates) down. He's a very caring person. He's a big body, but he's soft inside." (HA)
About his son's success, Benson Sr. laughed and said:
"Maybe it's in the genes." (HA)
About how he's remained in shape working as a ramp agent (loading and unloading bags) for Hawaiian Airlines, Benson Sr. said:
"I have to set an example for my son." (HA)
HA Note: "The elder Benson has helped steer his son's weight-training. They concentrate on lifts that develop the muscles in the chest, arms, shoulders and legs — "the whole body," Benson Sr. said."
About directing his son's weight-training, Benson Sr. said:
"I try to teach him the right way to lift. A lot of kids today just think they can lift, and it'll be OK. But lifting the wrong way can hurt them." (HA)
About something else that he likes, Benson said:
"I'm into drawing. I draw all kinds of stuff." (HA)
About how her son's artwork earned him an invitation to participate in an art festival sponsored by Chevron, Carol said:
"He's a very good artist. He's can draw anything. Tell him what you want, and he can draw it free-hand. He's very talented." (HA)
"I wanted to stay home and play in front of my family." (HA)
HA Note: "By choosing the Warriors, Ma'afala is turning down offers from Washington and California. His father, Benson Sr., was an all-star quarterback at McKinley High who went on to be a UH punter. One of his uncles, Nick Ma'afala, was a standout defensive lineman at McKinley and UH. A knee injury cut short his Warrior career after two years. Another uncle, Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, attended Saint Louis School and the University of Utah. Fuamatu-Ma'afala was a running back in the National Football League, most notably with the Pittsburgh Steelers."
About how he bench pressed 185 pounds 36 times (and 225 pounds 20 times) at a combine during the summer, Benson said:
"I didn't know I could do that much." (HA)
About how her son is relatively quiet, Carol Ma'afala said he is:
"like a big-brother leader." (HA)
About how her son played youth football until he couldn't make the 100-pound limit, Carol said:
"After that, he played flag football." (HA)
About how Benson had to transfer from Damien to Mililani after being told in the spring that his financial-assistance package would not be renewed, Carol said:
"It was devastating. He felt he let (Damien teammates) down. He's a very caring person. He's a big body, but he's soft inside." (HA)
About his son's success, Benson Sr. laughed and said:
"Maybe it's in the genes." (HA)
About how he's remained in shape working as a ramp agent (loading and unloading bags) for Hawaiian Airlines, Benson Sr. said:
"I have to set an example for my son." (HA)
HA Note: "The elder Benson has helped steer his son's weight-training. They concentrate on lifts that develop the muscles in the chest, arms, shoulders and legs — "the whole body," Benson Sr. said."
About directing his son's weight-training, Benson Sr. said:
"I try to teach him the right way to lift. A lot of kids today just think they can lift, and it'll be OK. But lifting the wrong way can hurt them." (HA)
About something else that he likes, Benson said:
"I'm into drawing. I draw all kinds of stuff." (HA)
About how her son's artwork earned him an invitation to participate in an art festival sponsored by Chevron, Carol said:
"He's a very good artist. He's can draw anything. Tell him what you want, and he can draw it free-hand. He's very talented." (HA)
Feature on UH recruiting
About their commitments from recruits, Mac cautioned:
"Until it's in writing, it doesn't count." (HSB)
About his recruiting visit to UH, Aaron Brown said:
"They let me take in the experience, the crowd, the game atmosphere. The players, the coaches, they all had positive attitudes, positive outlooks on everything. It was a good fit. (The Saddleback coaches) just told me to go open-minded and just take it all in. I did exactly that and made my decision." (HSB)
About how he'll fit with the UH D, Brown said:
"Hawaii's always been known for hard hitting and that's what I love to do, I love to bring it." (HSB)
About how his Butte team is playing for the California CCAA championship on Saturday, Lametrius Davis said:
"We're trying to win (the state title), that's what we set out to." (HSB)
About how they will start their practices on Monday, but will be flexible due to their players' final exam schedules, Mac said:
"A couple of guys have said they have things they have to do, so we'll be flexible with that. Academics will come first." (HSB)
"Until it's in writing, it doesn't count." (HSB)
About his recruiting visit to UH, Aaron Brown said:
"They let me take in the experience, the crowd, the game atmosphere. The players, the coaches, they all had positive attitudes, positive outlooks on everything. It was a good fit. (The Saddleback coaches) just told me to go open-minded and just take it all in. I did exactly that and made my decision." (HSB)
About how he'll fit with the UH D, Brown said:
"Hawaii's always been known for hard hitting and that's what I love to do, I love to bring it." (HSB)
About how his Butte team is playing for the California CCAA championship on Saturday, Lametrius Davis said:
"We're trying to win (the state title), that's what we set out to." (HSB)
About how they will start their practices on Monday, but will be flexible due to their players' final exam schedules, Mac said:
"A couple of guys have said they have things they have to do, so we'll be flexible with that. Academics will come first." (HSB)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
