UH feature on the Warrior RBs

UH = University of Hawaii Athletics website

About how UH will be running the ball more than in the past, RB coach Brian Smith said:
“We’re putting a lot of emphasis on the running game. The run-and-shoot will still be a wide-open passing attack. We think we have a lot of depth at running back and we think we can do pretty well up front, so we expect that to be a big part of our offense again. But we’re definitely not taking anything away from the passing, because passing always sets up the run here.” (UH)

About coaching the RBs (Smith was UH’s OL coach last year), Smith said:
“You always want to, especially in the running backs, to instill a lot of toughness in them. Coaching offensive line and coaching running backs really go hand- in-hand in the blocking.” (UH)

Expecting Leon Wright-Jackson to have a big year, Smith said:
“I expect him to have an outstanding year, as long as he stays healthy and keeps progressing the way he is. There are also some great guys behind him to take some of the load off.” (UH)

UH Note: “The big news is the conversion of former quarterback Funaki to running back. Funaki started six games behind center last year but was enough of a threat on the ground to finish as the team’s third-leading rusher (215 yards, 1 TD). The senior got his first reps at his new position during spring camp and enters the fall as co-No. 1 on the depth chart with Wright-Jackson. So far, the transition for Funaki this season has been a smooth one. “

About Inoke’s transition from QB to RB, Smith said:
“He’s definitely fearless, has been providing good protection, so it’s been a good transition for him. He’s worked hard in the off season, getting stronger and getting bigger, so now he’s playing a little more physical and he’s got outstanding running instincts. He’s great in space with the football.” (UH)

About senior Jayson Rego, Smith said:
“Rego is just a really good physical running back. Not necessarily as fast or as big, but he’s probably our most physical blocker and understands our protection the best. And he’s a really efficient runner.” (UH)

UH Note: “The team has a number of newcomers joining the backfield, including junior college transfers Alex Green and Chizzy Dimude. Green rushed for more than 1,000 yards on a Butte College team that captured the 2008 junior college national championship. Dimude averaged 6.8 yards per carry at Laney College last season.”

About JC transfers Alex Green and Chizzy Dimude, Smith said:
“Alex has an outstanding attitude. He’s a hard worker, a very similar style to Leon as far as size and speed go. Chizzy is more of a stack-pack kid, with real explosive speed and great quickness. He’s great in the screen game, and getting out in the backfield catching the ball in space. He has real good running instincts. They’ve both been great additions and we’re excited to have them.” (UH)

http://www.hawaiiathletics.com/news/2009/8/11/FB_0811093357.aspx

Aulola Tonga will be going on a church mission next year

About going on a 2-year church mission starting next year, Aulola Tonga (a member of the Morman church) said:
“This is something I really want to do. I want to live on my own, and I want to help other people. It’s something I’ve looked forward to since I was 5 years old. I like helping people.” (HA)

HA Note: “Tonga, a 2009 Kahuku High graduate, said being allowed to go on a mission was one of the attractions to committing to UH.”

About his respect for church missions, Mac said:
“I respect the religion. If (a mission is) planned for a young guy’s life, I have respect for that. The mission allows a guy to experience life, do their mission, and then be able to come and play for us. It’s good for our program and it’s good for the young man.” (HA)

HA Note: “Running back Inoke Funaki, defensive tackle Tuika Tufaga and defensive end Waylon Lolotai served on missions before joining the Warriors. Tonga said he is saving money earned from construction work to help pay for his mission.”

About becoming an Eagle Scout in March, building a sandbox for a preschool as one of his projects, Tonga said:
“It was fun to help.” (HA)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090812/SPORTS0201/908120359&template=UHsports

Earvin Sione is transitioning from WR to DE

About waiting for eighteen months after he signed a letter of intent with UH to get on their active roster, Earvin Sione said that the wait:
“was hard for me, but it taught me a lot. It taught me to buckle down and put school work first.” (HA)

HA Note: “Sione, who was named after Los Angeles Laker great Earvin “Magic” Johnson, was a quarterback, receiver and safety at McKinley High. At 6 feet 4 1/2, he also played basketball and volleyball. He was supposed to join the Warriors in August 2008. But his grade point average and corresponding SAT score did not meet the minimum requirement on the NCAA’s sliding scale. The problem was traced to when Sione replaced two classes with a lab and college-prep class. He dropped the two classes after the withdrawal deadline, thus earning Fs for both courses.”

About missing the withdrawal deadline, Sione said:
“I didn’t even know.” (HA)

HA Note: “The past academic year, Sione attended UH-West O’ahu, earning the 24 transferrable credits necessary to enroll at UH-Manoa this fall. Sione, who weighed 190 last year, gained about 30 pounds through a high-protein diet.”

About moving Sione to DE (a position he has never played), Dave Aranda said:
“He’s the type of prospect we’re looking for. He’s got a great frame and long reach, and he’s going to put on good weight. He’s very smart, and he’s physical, and he asks really good questions. We spend a lot of time talking after meetings and before practices.” (HA)

HA Note: “Sione has drawn comparisons to Ikaika Alama-Francis, who was a UH basketball player before switching to football, and Melila Purcell III. Both are on NFL rosters. Sione said he was timed running 40 yards in 4.5 seconds last month. He can bench press 305 pounds. His vertical jump is 38 inches.”

About moving Sione to DE, Mac said:
“(Sione) has the body of a defensive end. He’s got speed. He’s got height. He’s a natural athlete, and he’s going to get better when he gains weight and gets stronger.” (HA)

Happy to be named after Magic Johnson, Sione said:
“A lot of people don’t know that. It’s pretty cool. I guess I was born a Laker fan. I love the game, and I love the team.” (HA)

About moving to DE, Sione said:
“It’s going to be a long learning process. I’m trying to gain a lot of weight first and I’ll learn the plays as I go along.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “Sione is not on scholarship and was slated to join the team when classes start on Aug. 24. But the Warriors, who began camp one short of the 105-player maximum, welcomed Sione to camp yesterday.”

About being at UH’s camp, Sione said:
“It’s different, a lot different from high school.” (HSB)

http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090812/SPORTS0201/908120359&template=UHsports

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20090812_Salas_a_good_fit_so_far_at_slot.html

Feature story on Gres Salas’ transition to slot receiver

About how having Salas at slotback makes him more comfortable at QB, Greg Alexander said:
“He’s kind of like a security-blanket type of guy. He made a couple of catches in triple coverage today. It’s one of those things where I can throw him a jump ball and trust that he’s either going to catch it or break it up.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “During the 11-on-11 period, a throw from Alexander appeared to sail over the middle. But Salas leapt high to snag the ball with one hand and reel in the reception. Later in the period, Salas kicked into another gear to split double coverage and chase down a deep ball from Alexander.”

About how Salas practices hard, Ron Lee said:
“One thing with Salas, he practices hard. Especially during 11s or when we go 7-on-7. When we go against the defense, he always shows up. He wants the ball and he works hard at getting the football.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “Wide receivers were the Warriors’ most productive pass catchers in the first four years of the June Jones era at UH (Dwight Carter, Ashley Lelie twice and Justin Colbert). Since then slot receivers have been the favorite targets of UH quarterbacks, with Chad Owens, Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins leading the way. Last year, Mike Washington led UH with 62 receptions from his slot position, while Salas covered a team-best 831 yards on 57 catches.”

About slot receivers have to read the defense a lot more than what he had to do as a wideout last season, Salas said:
“I only had to read one guy on the outside. I’d see how a corner’s playing me, then maybe have a safety I have to worry about. Now I have to worry about the corner, and both safeties and the linebackers. It makes it more difficult, but it’s a lot more fun.” (HSB)

About the depth they have at receiver, Salas said:
“I think with all the receivers we have it’s going to take a lot of pressure off. You can’t just account for one person with our receiver corps. Everybody brings something to the table, and that’s going to help everybody out.” (HSB)

About being one of the 37 receivers up for the Biletnikoff Award, Salas said:
“It’s an honor to be mentioned in that category, but I haven’t done anything yet. So I still have to go out there and do it and prove it.” (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20090812_Salas_a_good_fit_so_far_at_slot.html

Feature story on Colt Brennan

WP = Washington Post

WP Note: “For the past two weeks, the pecking order among the four quarterbacks in Redskins’ camp has been clear: Jason Campbell, the leader, the starter; Todd Collins, the reliable, experienced backup; Brennan, the young slinger, not quite ready for prime time; and Daniel, at least a Hail Mary or two from the 53-man roster. But beginning with tomorrow night’s preseason opener at Baltimore, coaches will carefully scrutinize every snap, every huddle and every routine throw to see if a change in the depth chart is necessary.”

About the importance of preseason games, Colt said:
“Subconsciously, I realize that Thursday is the start of the next big test. I have all four preseason dates circled in my head. This is what I’ve been waiting for.” (WP)

About the improvement he has made this season, Colt said:
“I’m, like, galaxies better. The understanding of the offense, my comfort level with the offense, the people around me. I’m so much more confident with everything.” (WP)

WP Note: “He’s also more comfortable with his body. Injury-free most of his life, Brennan had surgery on his hip before his rookie year and afterward on his knee. He’s also added about 20 pounds since his senior year at Hawai’i, at the behest of coaches.”

About how he always prepares himself as if he will be the starting QB, Todd Collins said:
“As I’ve learned over the years, if they don’t give you the opportunity to start, you still have to prepare the same. Your expectation should still be to play like a starter. Look what happened a couple of years ago, I had to go in there and play.” (WP)

WP Note: “Perhaps complicating matters for Collins is the disparity in contracts. If Campbell wasn’t able to start for some reason, the team might not be ready to turn the reins over to Brennan. But Collins turns 38 in November, and he’s set to earn $1.9 million this season, the second year of a three-year contract. By comparison, Brennan is due to make $385,000 this season.”

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090812/SPORTS04/908120356/1049/sportsfront/+Skins++Brennan+aims+at++moving+up+depth+chart