Chase Daniel feels that he can win the #3 QB spot at Washington (meaning Colt will be #2 QB)

KCS = Kansas City Star

Feeling that he can beat out Todd Collins for the #3 QB spot, Chase Daniel talked about Jim Zorn’s belief in him:
“He must see something in me that all the other NFL teams didn’t. I’m given a fair shot at winning the No. 3 slot. It’s a long process. We probably won’t know until the last preseason game because they want four quarterbacks most of camp.” (KCS)

KCS Note: “And for those who doubt that Daniel can catch on with Washington, perhaps as the No. 3 quarterback behind projected starter Jason Campbell and projected No. 2 QB Colt Brennan?”

About how Colt sent him a text message (”Hey man! Come on up here.”) right after he signed with Washington, Daniel said:
“It was good knowing someone, especially in the quarterback room, that you can trust and that can help you.” (KCS)

About how Daniel wasn’t drafted and Colt was a late draft pick, Colt said to Daniel:
“We barely made it here, huh? You’d think for two guys that had that kind of success …” (KCS)

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/1316033.html

Feature Interview with Davone Bess

SC = scout.com

Asked how he’s feeling heading into another season with the Dolphins, Bess said:
“I feel good right now. Obviously, having a year under my belt, I’m going out there a lot more confident. I can just go out there and play ball now. I don’t really have to worry about thinking too much or the coaches throwing too much at me.” (SC)

Asked what went through his head when he wasn’t drafted, Bess said:
“Obviously, it was really disappointing not getting drafted. But at the same time, I use every negative thing and turn it into a positive.” (SC)

When the interviewer said that he had a feeling that Bess would be ready to prove to everyone that they had made a mistake, Bess said:
“Exactly. I love being the underdog man! No pressure, no nothing. You can just go out and do what you’ve got to do. Just go handle your business and block everybody else out.” (SC)

Asked to talk about why he’s able to excel in Miami’s offense, Bess said:
“We have a great coaching staff, and our offensive coordinator is really smart when it comes to picking certain players for certain roles. We’re not a one-dimensional team, we’re able to do a whole bunch of things within our offense. A lot of people didn’t expect us to do as well as we did last year, to go that far. Obviously, that made us feel good and now we have something else to prove.” (SC)

Asked what he’s learned to appreciate about his QB, Chad Pennington, Bess said:
“We call him “the coach” in the classroom. He’s one of the guys that makes me and all of the other players better. He’s a real smart, humble, hardworking guy. For him to be heading into his tenth year is really valuable to our team. He’s a big part of why we were so successful last year — just his leadership role and his experience. You know, experience is half the battle in the NFL. The other half is just going out, playing ball and being confident.” (SC)

Asked about how the training camp competition between Miami’s WRs will be very competitive, Bess said:
“It’s stressful, but everybody is working hard and there are no grudges. Everybody’s going out and competing. Me personally, anytime the rookies or anybody has a question for me, I’m the first one to give my feedback and what I think they should do better. You know, I’m trying to help myself at the same time, making sure we all have an even shot. At the end of the day, the guys up top make the ultimate decision of who’s going to play. All we can do is go out everyday, work hard and leave the rest to the coaches. The best will come out of the competition.” (SC)

When the interviewer said that he had to be pleased with catching 54 passes with only 6 starts because some vets start 16 games and only catch 50 or 60 passes, Bess said:
“Yeah, I get excited. It was unfortunate when Camarillo went down and got hurt, but obviously, when he went down my role expanded. I made the most of the opportunity when the coaches gave me that shot and I’ve never wanted to look back. I take every opportunity like it’s my last. Me and Chad built a pretty good connection towards the end of the season and he kept coming my way. Hopefully we can keep things going from the beginning of the season to the end and make it happen again.” (SC)

Asked what about Tony Sparano inspires his teammates and him, Bess said:
“He just means business, you know? When you’re a head coach, you’ve got to be somebody your players can respect. You can’t just be a pushover. He’s has respect from every single player. And it’s a trickle-down effect from (Bill) Parcells and it comes on down to Coach Sparano, and from Sparano to the other coaches. That’s what the ultimate goal is, getting all the players to buy into what the coaches are talking about and to believe in them. After that, it’s just going and applying it to the field and making it work.” (SC)

Asked what the mood has been when the Dolphin players have worked out together this offseason, and if they are excited about their prospects this season, Bess said:
“It’s real exciting. We’ve been working hard for the past couple of months with offseason workouts. Next thing you know, training camp will be here, so it’s going to be exciting to see what the 2009 Miami Dolphins are all about. We”re putting in the work. We’re putting in the time. Now it’s just a matter of us going out and wanting it more than our opponents.” (SC)

http://nyj.scout.com/a.z?s=65&p=2&c=878065

Ryan Grice-Mullen spent his weekend beating himself up over his dropped pass

TP = The Province

TP Note: “It was the type of play that had the stakes been higher could have been movie material set to slow motion, and at worst became representative of everything that went wrong for the Lions in the season opener. Grice-Mullen spent most of the contest in a cat-and-mouse game with various Riders defensive backs and when he needed to go deep, he took off. Buck Pierce’s throw found Grice-Mullen alone behind coverage, but he adjusted to the ball a split-second too late.”

About how he was upset at himself all weekend for dropping that pass, RGM said:
“Of course I’m still mad about not making that play, because it’s one I make over and over. But that’s what Saturdays are for. I have Saturday to stay home, yell, slam things around. But as soon as Monday practice comes around, it’s totally out of my system.” (TP)

Not making any excuses, RGM said:
“Clearly there’s no excuses, especially in the last seconds of the game. [The ball] kept drifting and I didn’t adjust until the last second.” (TP)

TP Note: “The Lions made one move in the offseason to install Grice-Mullen as their primary wideout, a switch that will effectively be completed once the club formally disposes of last year’s incumbent, Cory Rodgers (see sidebar at right). Grice-Mullen is making other alterations as well. The opener was effectively his first game at full speed, having missed large chunks of training camp with a hamstring injury. He’s also about to become a punt returner, with Ian Smart still watching practices from the sideline.”

TP Note: “A late-game circus catch and missed grabs when Pierce threw either behind him or into double coverage, which produced two Saskatchewan interceptions, would have made his weekend a lot better.”

Still willing to talk about his drop 4 days after it happened, RGM said:
“I’m a man about it. Guys who don’t trust their skills make excuses. That was a great ball by Buck. I just didn’t finish.” (TP)

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/football/bc-lions/Slipped+through+fingers+stuck+head/1769699/story.html

Dana McLemore is Centurians #22

About how he wanted Dana McLemore to be a CB, George Lumpkin (who played CB for UH and then was UH’s CB coach) said:
“I made sure no one else saw the film of him running with the ball. His coach said he was the best player he’d ever had, in 15 or 20 years of coaching — on offense and defense. Nobody (from UH) knew he was as good on offense as defense except for me. I kept that one a secret.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “It eventually got out, but Lumpkin did not lose his best player. Instead, McLemore became one of the Rainbows’ best all-time players at two positions: cornerback and punt returner.”

About how being a CB and returning punts was too much for him, McLemore said:
“I’d always done that since Pop Warner, when I was 9 years old.” (HSB)

About how McLemore was reliable catching punts, Bob Wagner said:
“We were looking at two or three other guys. We charted them, and even though Dana had an awkward catching motion, he caught everything.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “That first year when the job was his, he returned kicks for TDs against New Mexico and Santa Clara. The momentum-turner against the Lobos was a key to the 6-5 Rainbows finishing with a winning record.

MCLEMORE CONTINUED to improve with the entire Rainbows team in 1980 and 1981, as UH went a combined 17-5. He was to the defense what Gary Allen was to the offense, the small but dynamic star.”

About how the 13-3 loss to BYU snapped their 11-game winning streak and cost them their national ranking, McLemore said:
“Oh, I definitely think we made a difference. From my freshman class, four guys got drafted. We set the standard, we were ranked for the first time in something like 34 years.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “THE PHONE RANG at 2 a.m. “Mr. McLemore, this is the New York Jets.” He’d dealt out his share of practical jokes over the years, so he could take one. Dana McLemore went back to sleep. The real call came a few hours later. At first, it made him wish the first one had been real. It was from the San Francisco 49ers.”

About being drafted by the 49ers when they were deep at the DB position (Ronnie Lott, Carlton Williamson, Eric Wright, Dwight Hicks, etc.) and coming off a Super Bowl win, McLemore thought to himself:
“How am I going to make this team as a 10th round pick?” (HSB)

McLemore then remembered:
“I’m a return guy, too.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “McLemore thrived his first three years — a punt return touchdown each season, and he ran back kickoffs, too. He also worked his way into that crowded secondary at times, intercepting five career passes, taking one back all the way. He played six seasons, nearly all with the 49ers.

Now he lives in San Mateo, Calif., with his wife, Karyn, and children, Mailey, 9, and Daylin, 7 (”You’ll hear from him in 10 years,” says Dad). Eldest son DeFrance, 22, is a pilot for Continental.”

About his job, McLemore said:
“I sell electrical supplies; we’re hanging in there. Consolidated Electrical Distributors.” (HSB)

Crediting George Lumpkin for his success, McLemore said:
“I got recruited by the Oregon schools, UNLV, and I felt most comfortable with George Lumpkin. I grew up without a dad, and he was like a father figure to me. He really cares about young athletes. He made sure we had summer jobs, was always there to help us. But he was always there to make sure we did the right things, too. He made sure we went to class and study hall. He made my college days a lot better.” (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/20090709_dangerous_double_threat.html

KGMB feature articles on Colt Brennan

About how the preseason is key for him to get noticed, Colt said:
“I think for me it’s just to have a great preseason do a lot of great things and just keep the buzz going. Keep the people interested and maybe one day someone’s like let’s give this kid a shot.” (KGMB)

Asked how more of an ideal NFL QB he is now than he was right out of college, Colt said:
“I think you grow up, you start to realize the responsibility. I think I’m starting to learn that and becoming a lot more mature.” (KGMB)

About the importance of this season with Jason Campbell in the final year of his contract and the future starter at the position unsettled, Colt said:
“It’s actually the best position you could ask for, it’s one of those things it’s in everyone’s hands; for me, all I can control is what I do but I know I’m going to get a ton of time this preseason. They said they were going to play me and let me get out there and see what I can do.” (KGMB)

About #2 QB Todd Collins, Colt said:
“It’s funny but all the Brett Favre talk, I got my own Brett Favre that I compete with, he’s an older guy with 15 years in the league. But in no time does he want to stop playing.” (KGMB)

About the contrast between Todd Collins and him, Colt said:
“I’ve always been a physical guy, a field guy. He’s more of the X’s and O’s, and I’ve gotten to learn on how you study and how you prepare yourself, and how you watch film and he’s been to so many different teams and so many different coaches, you’ve got a lot to learn from a guy like that.” (KGMB)

About his 5-day workout plan with QB-specific exercises that he will follow during his few weeks in Hawaii, Colt said:
“Basically, the offseason is all about maintaining your strength and your conditioning and throwing the ball. You get enough practice during 2 a days, you want to show up in shape and ready to go.” (KGMB)

KGMB Note: “Brennan says coaches want him quick and agile and while he’s noticeably heavier than before, the team says he’s just about six pounds away from his ideal weight of 212.”

About how he is close to his ideal playing weight, Colt said:
“Hip healed and I slimmed down, had the knee surgery and slimmed down, knee healed and I’m feeling great. Weight is definitely not the problem.” (KGMB)

About how his hip could be even better than it was before surgery, Colt said:
“In fact, the way the hip surgery goes, (the doctor) that did Alex Rodriguez and Kurt Warne, the way he did it, by the time he’s done and you heal, your hip comes back stronger.” (KGMB)

KGMB Note: “Brennan also wonders if his knee injury could be directly related to his early return from hip surgery.”

About his health, Colt said:
“I just remember at practice and training camp just standing on my left foot all the time, and one day I turned around and I had a slight tear. I feel great, I worked out all offseason, did all the workouts, did all the tests. I think basically it’s just time, by the time training camp rolls around I probably feel the same way and forget about it.” (KGMB)

http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/19004/43/

http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/18958/43/

Kapa’a High School left tackle Sean Shigematsu commits to the Warriors!

Committing to the Warriors, LT Sean Michael Shigematsu (6′5″, 230 pounds) said:
“I always wanted to be a Warrior. I’m a fan of the Warriors.” (HA)

HA Note: “He is one of the few Kaua’i residents to earn a UH football scholarship.”

About how Shigematsu understands the opportunity he has, his mentor Steve Kaui said:
“He appreciates what an opportunity this is. He realizes there are other worthy young men who are waiting for an opportunity such as the one he’s being offered. He feels the joy that was given to him, and he wants to make the best of it. I think it’s a great day for him and his family.” (HA)

HA Note: “His father, Delroy Shigematsu, was a multi-sport athlete at Kapa’a known for his vertical jump and vertical haircut.”

About his father Delroy Shigematsu, Sean said:
“His hair is shaved now. He lettered for four years at UNLV.” (HA)

HA Note: “But his passion is football. Last week, he attended the All Poly Camp at Kapi’olani Park. He impressed coaches with his footwork and strength. Shigematsu received interest from Wyoming, Utah State and Portland State.”

About accepting UH’s offer, Shigematsu said:
“They have a great program. I really like the coaches.” (HA)

Praising Shigematsu, Kaui said:
“He’s going to do well. He’s a very well-mannered kid, very quite. He sees the importance of his education, and the opportunity to fulfill a personal dream, and really make a difference for himself and his family.” (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090709/SPORTS0201/907090355/1312&template=UHSports

Article about Warrior commit Ipulasi Eselu

About how his older brother Savai’i (a TE at Cal) stressed the importance of education to him, Ipulasi Eselu said:
“He said education is first if you want to go anywhere. He would give me lectures on how to be a good person.” (HSB)

About his scholarship to go to UH, Eselu said:
“This is big for me. I look forward to going to the next level and competing with high intensity.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “Eselu (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) plays outside linebacker for Moanalua, but is projected to grow into a defensive end in college. Moanalua coach Arnold Martinez said he plans to play Eselu at end in certain packages along with dropping him into coverage or having him rush the passer.”

Praising Eselu, Moanalua coach Arnold Martinez said:
“Lasi’s kind of like another coach on the defense for me. Great football IQ and then obviously he has great dimensions and he’s able to make plays. … Just a real versatile player for us off the edge.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “Eselu’s father, Raymond, is an assistant coach with the Menehune, and his uncle is kumu hula O’Brien Eselu.”

Happy that two of his Moanalua players have accepted scholarship offers to UH, Martinez said:
“I’m really happy for guys like that who commit themselves to a goal and do the things necessary to make that dream happen. It gives the younger guys something to aspire to.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “Yet another Eselu brother is among those youngsters. Nainoa will be a Moanalua sophomore, and already measures in at 6-1 and 210 pounds.”

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20090709_uh_adds_moanaluas_eselu_to_commit_list.html

The WAC and MWC signed the BCS agreement, though JD and Karl Benson have concerns

After the WAC signed the BCS agreement, WAC Commissioner Karl Benson said that the WAC will send a letter to explain its:
“concerns about the current structure (of the BCS).” (HA)

About the hearing that Utah Senator Orrin Hatch held on the BCS, Benson said:
“We believe that interest being shown by Sen. Hatch is valid and that we would hope that there will be continued scrutiny about the current BCS structure.” (HA)

About UH signing the BCS agreement, JD said:
“The (Manoa) chancellor voted to sign the agreement but we also believe that the concerns that the WAC has, as a group, should be shared with ESPN and the BCS.” (HA)

HA Note: “Today was listed as the deadline by which conferences were to be on board or risk losing out on BCS participation and payouts. The six automatic qualifier conferences each receive approximately $18 million each year while the five non-qualifiers divide up $9.5 million among 51 members. There is an additional $9.5 million if one of their members qualifies for inclusion.

UH received approximately $4,385,555 from its appearance in the Jan. 1, 2008 Sugar Bowl and $400,000 from Boise State’s Jan. 1, 2007 showing in the Fiesta Bowl.

The new contract would give the five non-automatic qualifying conferences $14 million to divide up plus an addition $14 million provided one of their members is selected for a BCS game.”

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090709/SPORTS0201/907090344/1312&template=UHSports

Inoke Funaki gave the Kahuku High Baccalaureate Speech

KL = Kaleo: Koolauloa News

Telling the seniors and parents gathered in Kahuku’s cafeteria on May 24 for the annual baccalaureate service that they should set goals, plan and prepare for the future, Inoke Funaki said:
“There are so many people who have left this high school and are doing amazing things. Those are shoulders you can step on, who can help you in your careers.” (KL)

KL Note: “Baccalaureate addresses differ somewhat from other graduation speeches in that they’re usually given on a Sunday and they often contain a religious message. In addition to his athletic skills, Funaki served a Spanish-speaking mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Dominican Republic after graduating from Kahuku.”

About the changes he’s experience over the past few years, Inoke said:
“These past couple of years have been a different experience for me, but I’m definitely grateful for the roots I have here.” (KL)

Using the metaphor of a pearl forming when a living oyster tries to protect itself from a foreign irritant, Inoke said:
“Who would have thought that something so annoying could be the cause of something beautiful? Who would have thought something as annoying as having to wake up early and go to school and having to do homework assignments —and the stress of taking a test, and the anxiety of waiting for the results — would produce such useful results?” (KL)

About how he used to dread giving oral presentations, Inoke said:
“yet such irritating things have shaped and molded each one of you into being the precious pearls that you already are. I want to commend each of you for your accomplishments, but this is not the end — just the ending of the beginning part of your life.” (KL)

About how his former Kahuku football coach Siuaki Livai, who he called a “great philosopher” advised him, Inoke said:
“There are three types of people in this world: Those that make things happen, those that watch things happen, and those that wonder what happened… Don’t merely exist in this world. Live life to its full potential… Preparation plus opportunity equals success.” (KL)

KL Note: “He also paraphrased a “wise turtle” who once upon a time advised a Panda bear that “yesterday is past, and tomorrow’s the future, which is why today is a present.”

Funaki, who received his bachelor’s degree in psychology last December (but still has one more season of football eligibility as he starts graduate school at UH), told of following his father and namesake — BYU–Hawaii psychology professor Inoke Funaki — into that field of study.”

Inoke said that Psychology appeals to him because it demonstrates the power of the mind, adding:
“hard work beats out talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” (KL)

Encouraging the graduates to follow the examples their role models have set, Inoke said:
“You’ve had wonderful teachers, principals, and staff. Whatever goals you have set for yourselves after graduation — whether it’s to go to college or work, whatever career you desire to pursue — I promise that you can achieve it.” (KL)

About giving the Baccalaureate Speech, Inoke said that he felt:
“privileged to come back to the school and community. I love this community. This is where my roots are. To come back and share some of my words and experiences means a lot to me.” (KL)

KL Note: “After Kahuku’s Vocal Motion music group sang, Kahuku High Athletic Director Joe Whitford responded on behalf of the school administration and faculty, praising Funaki as “a fantastic example.”"

http://kaleo.info/2009/05/25/funaki-kahuku-baccalaureate/#more-965

Ipulasi Eselu commits to the Warriors!

About choosing UH, Moanalua High’s Ipulasi Eselu said:
“I thought about it, and I’m going to be a Warrior. My family is here. They can come and support me.” (HA)

HA Note: “Eselu said he is 6 feet 2 and 200 pounds. Moanalua head coach Arnold Martinez said Eselu was used as a stand-up end, essentially an outside linebacker, but projects to play defensive end in college.”

About using Eselu at OLB, Moanalua heach coach Arnold Martinez said:
“We needed a strong outside backer, and he was the first candidate. He was easy to coach there. And I think it helped his footwork. He was able to cover (pass) routes.” (HA)

HA Note: “His older brother, Savaii Eselu, is a tight end for California.”

Expecting Eselu to keep growing, Martinez said:
“I think he’s going to grow. His brother is 6-5, and his dad is huge.” (HA)

Praising Eselu’s playing style, Martinez said:
“He doesn’t take a play off. For me, it’s a blessing to coach him. His dad and his family did a great job with him. That starts in the home.” (HA)

About how he was raised as a Warrior fan, looking up to Tim Chang and Chad Owens, Eselu said:
“They were inspirations. They did very well for the state. They made us look real good.” (HA)

Martinez praised Eselu as:
“an awesome kid. He tries very hard to do well academically. He’s not a guy you have to babysit. When he’s not studying or in class, he’s with us. He’s going to listen, and he’s going to work hard. He has a very high football IQ. He picks up the theory of whatever we’re trying to accomplish. It’s almost like having another coach on the field.” (HA)

About how Frank Loyd was also committed to UH from Moanalua, Martinez said:
“They’re both very good players.” (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090708/SPORTS0201/907080357/1312&template=UHSports