The NCAA's most prolific throwing arm has tossed his last competitive pass.
Former Hawaii quarterback Tim Chang, the nation's all-time leading passer, said he's hanging it up after playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League the past two seasons.
Chang said he's returning to UH to finish his degree and will work in the athletic department's compliance office as a student assistant.
“We’ve never lost to the same team twice in a row in the same season,” noted Withy-Allen, who completed 20 of 29 tosses for 229 yards with six touchdowns and one interception. “That was big motivation.
“We don’t want anyone to beat us twice. We gave the game away up there. We knew it. We were looking forward to them coming down here because we knew we had something to prove.”
Lovie Smith has a lot of faith in the play caller for his defense this season and the unit just added another part as linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa agreed to terms with the Bears on a one-year deal.
He's expected to be a two-down linebacker for the Bears, which last season meant being on the field about 63 percent of the time. Tinoisamoa chose the Bears over the Buffalo Bills, who he visited first after his release from St. Louis on May 8.
Via BigWave96744 on SportsHawaii.com, the UH football roster on HawaiiAthletics.com has been updated with some new info and pictures, including this one of UH offensive lineman Daniel Johnson:
Do not mess with this man or he will eat your dreams.
According to the USC Football Future Schedules page on the "Official USC Football Site," UH is scheduled to play the Trojans on September 1st, 2012 (in LA), and again on August 31st, 2013 (at home). This is in addition to next year's game, which according to the site, is being moved to Thursday, September 2nd. I haven't read any official announcements as of yet, but this is from USC's official site, so there you go!
He surfs. Jet-skis. Spear fishes. Enjoys the outdoors and the company of others, who seem uncontrollably drawn to his fun-loving personality. Those who know him best say he is blessed with what Hawaiians call the “Aloha spirit.”
When it is time to work, however, few are as serious-minded as Ingram. If the Patriots wanted a carbon-copy replacement for long snapper Lonie Paxton, they may have found one.
Hawaii associate head coach and former NFL safety Rich Miano calls Ingram one of his favorite people, both for his on- and off-the-field dedication.
“I tell people that the two hardest working guys in this program during my time here were Davone Bess [now a receiver for the Dolphins] and Jake Ingram. Jake’s the first one at practice, and the last to leave. He gets really upset when he makes a mistake. He’s not a specialist, he’s a football player and a true good guy.”
The Bears continue to play the waiting game for linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, who was released nearly three weeks ago by the St. Louis Rams. He's still very much in play a day after the New England Patriots brought him in for a visit Tuesday and then went in another direction, signing Paris Lenon to fill a void at inside linebacker.
Tinoisamoa has also visited the Buffalo Bills and may use a visit to the Philadelphia Eagles to explore a real opportunity or drum up more more interest at a time when few teams are out shopping on the open market. Being so late to the game in free agency is why a one-year contract makes sense for Tinoisamoa. He had three years remaining on a $24.7 million, five-year extension, and was due to make $3.25 million this season.
It was supposed to be a laugher, the 1955 Nebraska season opener. Having lost to the Huskers 50-0 in Honolulu the year before, Hawaii came to Lincoln for another presumed spanking with … um … 28 players. The best of those players was named Skippy.
“Not a trace of Hawaiian money can be found as Nebraska rates an overwhelming favorite over the Islanders,” were the words on the front page of The Lincoln Star on Sept. 17, 1955.
The score showed it closer than the game seemed to be. Hawaii finally cashed in on its dominance on a fullback plunge in the fourth quarter to win 6-0.
“I don’t have much to say,” Nebraska’s coach Bill Glassford said. “We didn’t do anything. They outplayed us in every way.”
In scouting Alama-Francis, the Lions were right about his quickness and athleticism but, so far, they've been wrong on projecting those talents to the NFL level. Alama-Francis is a hard-working player who has the passion to get better, but he just doesn't get much done on the field. In a defense designed to get pass rush from the four linemen, he has one sack in 19 career games (two starts).
The new coaching regime will attempt to do what the old staff did last year -- move Alama-Francis into the middle on passing downs to try to generate a pass rush from that position. Because of his potential, the Lions don't want to give up on Alama-Francis too early, but the Lions will clearly push him in training camp. They've already brought in free agent veteran Eric Hicks -- who formerly played for defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham -- and they're still pursuing free agent Kevin Carter, who is a favorite of head coach Jim Schwartz.
Some news (mostly from Stephen Tsai) from the past few days.
Long snapper news: Luke Ingram is expected to join the team in the fall while Chad Preacher is expected to transfer.
Long-snapper Luke Ingram (Jake's brother) e-mailed to say he should be good to go this fall. That's good news for the Warriors, who need a successor to Jake. Chad Preacher, an aspiring long-snapper, is not on the 105-player roster for training camp and is seeking to transfer.
Justin Clapp, the son of UH associate athletic director Carl Clapp, plans to walk on with the Warriors this fall. Justin Clapp (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) played receiver and defensive back at De La Salle in Concord, Calif. Justin stayed in California after Carl left St. Mary’s to take the job at UH and lived with the family of one of his teammates while finishing school at De La Salle.
Ray Lewis, Wes Welker, Colt Brennan, Davone Bess, David Veikune and Jake Ingram are among the football players who will attend a July 8 fundraiser that will benefit the Warrior football clinics and camps. Further details to come.
Tsai also writes that linebacker Jacob Barit is seeking to transfer to UH this summer.
It's sad to hear that slotback Rick Taylor has decided to not play football this coming season. Taylor, a very good student, will focus on his studies. He needs 21 credits to earn a bachelor's degree. Taylor will remain on scholarship.
Each roll carries several copies of a new nine-chapter novella written by Koji Suzuki, the Japanese author of the horror story "Ring," which has been made into movies in both Japan and Hollywood.
"Drop," set in a public restroom, takes up about three feet (90 centimeters) of a roll and can be read in just a few minutes, according to the manufacturer, Hayashi Paper.
The company promotes the toilet paper, which will sell for 210 yen ($2.20) a roll, as "a horror experience in the toilet."
Presently, he’s coming into his tenth season with his beloved 49ers and will soon earn a spot at the conclusion of the ’09 season amongst the players he grew up idolizing, as a member of the 49ers 10-Year Wall.
But the man they call “Brick” is not just the latest member on the wall, he’s the embodiment of what is right in professional football as we know it today.
“For a guy to be going into his tenth season with the same team, going through free agency with him making the decision to stay and for the Niners to keep him is a great tribute to him,” 49ers special teams coordinator Al Everest said. “He is what football is all about. He prepares well, he has fun, and he’s a great learner. He learns his techniques and plays with those techniques. He knows his assignments and has fun doing it. He’s a real pleasure to coach.”
Question: I love Jason Campbell and I want to see him succeed. But should he go down [with an injury], I’d rather see Colt Brennan come in over Todd Collins. Is there even a competition for the No. 2 spot or is this just wishful thinking?
-- Jeffrey K.
Gary: Jim Zorn just said that Brennan “has a ways to go,” but that doesn’t mean Brennan won’t compete with Collins for the backup job. If Brennan outshines Collins, then Zorn might elevate him. I would expect Collins, in his second year in Zorn’s offense, to perform better in preseason this year than he did last year. If Collins falters, the Redskins could look to add another veteran backup rather than keep him at No. 3. (Remember, the team had interest in Byron Leftwich earlier this offseason.)
And Ryan Mouton was limited in today's Tennesee Titans practice as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Via the Redskins Blog (h/t Patty!), Colt Brennan talks about the recent workouts and his plans for deep-sea fishing this weekend. Also: nice shirt.
Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com compiles a list of ten players "who made the most impressive and immediate impressions upon coaching staffs through the May rookie minicamps." On the list is Cleveland Browns linebacker David Veikune:
--David Veikune, ILB, Cleveland Browns: Like the Redskins' Orakpo, Veikune is making the transition from defensive end to linebacker with Cleveland. Unlike Orakpo, however, Veikune was asked to move to the inside linebacker position - a transition that he showcased surprising comfort with during the Browns' May 1-3 rookie camp. Veikune showed better than advertised agility at the position and impressed coaches with his instincts and understanding of the defense in his first days at the position.
Todd Archer of the Dallas Morning News wonders if the Cowboys' new gigantic HD jumbotron is "McBriar-proof".
A couple of years ago at training camp in San Antonio, Pro Bowler Mat McBriar spent one early part of practice hammering punt after punt toward the Alamodome roof and the scoreboard.
They varied the height as McBriar blasted away. A few times he hit the scoreboard. Most times he didn't.
But with Jerry-tron being some 90 feet off the ground at Cowboys Stadium, there's a thought that it's too low. Jerry Jones said otherwise Thursday.
"This is higher than [San Antonio], so we're in good shape there," Jones said. "We've got all that real comfortably done."
-Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich missed yesterday's session because he's going to school at San Jose State and was finishing a final in Social Problems.
And Brad Biggs of The Chicago Sun-Times takes a look at the chances that Pisa Tinoisamoa will sign with the Bears and where he would fit in.
Q: I like the idea of the Bears signing linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa and cornerback Rod Hood. Which move is more likely to happen?
Saif R., Parts Unknown
A: If there is a front runner right now, we cannot tell you who it is. Don't rule out the possibility the Bears could sign both players. The team has $20.8 million available in cap room so that's no issue at all. Both players were released at inopportune times so it almost creates a little bit of a buyers' market. Tinoisamoa could create instant competition and would probably be the leading candidate to win the job as the starting strong-side linebacker. He looked at ease visiting with coaches and players alike during practice Wednesday. Hood visited today and has experience and good size. The interest in him shows you the move of Corey Graham to free safety probably is not a temporary shift. Hood will probably have a deal in place in a week or so. We would imagine the timetable for Tinoisamoa is probably similar, although that is just a guess.
It’s asking a lot for Veikune to soar as a rookie in that he is converting from 4-3 college end to 3-4 pro linebacker. He is being tried inside and outside.
“At Hawaii,” Veikune said, “we dropped a lot in zone coverages, and I played a little bit of linebacker in high school, but it’s a new position for me.”
Free-agent linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa is not scheduled to visit the Eagles next week, according to team sources, despite an ESPN.com report indicating a visit has been arranged.
Early word on the long snappers. Nate Hodel was throwing accurate fast balls. Jake Ingram also had good juice, but had a few that were a bit off target. Hodel looked like the veteran. And Ingram is in for a shock if he makes it to training camp as my guess is his long, blonde, flowing hair won’t make it through July and August uncut.
I would say Bess, for all his gritty attributes and quickness, would not be able to start on 25 of 32 teams. He'd be a great slot guy, he'd be a wonderful answer in an emergency. He's growing and getting better. But a threat? A guy other teams worry about? He is not that. Fact is, he's going to be fighting for his life to make the team just like everyone else.
And finally, Ryan Grice-Mullen is not currently signed with a team, but check out this catch and run for a TD during a BC Lions game last year.
It has been decided that Greg Salas will remain as a slotback entering training camp. That means Rodney Bradley or Royce Pollard will enter as the No. 1 left wideout. Designations will mean little. UH plans to rotate eight to 10 players at the four receiver positions during games this season.
Via HawaiiAthletics, UH center John Estes has been named to the Rimington Trophy spring watch list for the third straight year. The Rimington Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding college offensive center in NCAA Division I-A football. Here's some details about this year's list:
The list includes 12 returning players from the 2008 Watch List. In all, there are 44 players on the Watch List. The SEC checks in with the most candidates, with six players being named. The ACC, Big-12, Big Ten and WAC are represented by five players each on the Watch List.
The Advertiser talks to Greg McMackin about the four-game series UH just signed with Army.
The Warriors will open the 2010 season with a Friday night game against Southern California Sept. 3. Then they will play consecutive road games against Army and then Sept. 18 against Colorado.
He added: "In order to be recognized, you have to play the big people. SC is one of the marquee programs in the country. And any time you play a military academy, it's a special event. The military teams will never let down. It's exciting for us because of the military makeup of Hawai'i. It will be great for the fans of Hawai'i. It's a natural fit. We have so many military people here defending us."
That's also the first I've read that the USC game will be played on Friday. Makes sense, with that huge road trip looming.
It'll be the fifth straight year UH's schedule includes a two-game road trip. They played at Utah State and New Mexico State on consecutive Saturdays last year. They'll face Washington State in Seattle then play at UNLV this fall.
"We should have the routine down," McMackin said of preparing for an extended mainland stay.
Hawaii has one more opening to fill on the nonconference slate for 2010.
It'll be interesting to see what sort of team will fill out the 2010 schedule. Although booking a I-AA team each year is part of Greg McMackin's and Jim Donovan's scheduling philosophy, I hope that UH gets another match-up with a BCS team. Since all the September dates are now booked, scheduling an early October game with I-AA team seems too late to serve as a "warm-up," and scheduling one at the end of the year would be somewhat anti-climactic. However, a match-up against a BCS team late in the year with the offense clicking on all cylinders, confetti streaming from the upper decks, and possible national rankings on the line would be a lot cooler, IMHO!
While linebacker does not look like a need area, the veteran began his successful career in St. Louis playing for Smith and linebackers coach Bob Babich. The Bears are interested enough to have him in for a visit to Halas Hall Wednesday, according to an NFL source. That trip that coincides with the first OTA of the offseason.
After lining up at defensive end yesterday, Isaac Sopoaga lined up at first-team nose tackle for the 49ers today. Jeff Ulbrich was first-team middle linebacker.
C.J. Hawthorne continues to be held out of Buffalo Bills' OTAs for unspecified reasons. No sign of Solomon Elimimian or Erik Robinson in any of the Bills' reports.
Vince Manuwai is still not medically cleared to participate in Jacksonville's OTAs as he recovers from last season's ACL injury.
And former UH receiver Dylan Linkner played a video game with KHNL's Jason Tang.
The University of Hawai‘i and Army have agreed to a four-game home-and-home football series beginning in 2010, UH Athletics Director Jim Donovan and Army Athletics Director Kevin Anderson announced on Tuesday. The Warriors and Black Knights have met once prior in 2003.
The series begins on Sept. 11, 2010 in West Point, N.Y., and continues Nov. 30, 2013 in Honolulu, Sept. 15, 2018 in West Point and concludes on Nov. 30, 2019 in Honolulu.
“We’re very pleased to have this home and home arrangement with Army put in place,” Donovan said. “With Rich Ellerson being a former UH football player and now head coach at Army, it adds even more to this series besides the fact that its an academy school and those programs always draw well in Hawai‘i. I’m glad we were able to get it done and we’re looking forward to some great games.”
After UH's 2010 home opener vs USC, looks like it'll be back-to-back road games at West Point and Colorado, unless things are being switched around. Just hope the WAC will keep that in mind! Woops, nevermind, there's a home game with UNLV after that road trip.
UPDATE: Fun fact -- The distance between Honolulu, HI and West Point, NY is approximately 4954 miles.
Tsai also notes that Royce Pollard jumped over him, and that offensive lineman Kainoa LaCount could finally be enrolling at UH this season.
If things go according to schedule, offensive lineman Kainoa LaCount will participate in the Warriors' training camp. LaCount, who last played at College of the Canyons, has spent the past year earning the credits necessary to meet NCAA standards. LaCount has one obligation remaining, an online course (through Los Angeles Harbor College) that ends June 7. LaCount said he has two years to play two UH seasons.
"Colt is still a raw" -- it really does sound exactly like rah -- "young quarterback. What Colt has is great gamesmanship. He has the ability to make a dramatic throw, and what we're working on Colt on is what I just referred to with those other two: just being fundamentally very sound on his drops, ball location, decision-making. What Colt can do is just play the game. He can throw from any position, so that's what makes him special.
...Via Redskins Insider, the NFL just released the preseason schedule. Here's Washington's games:
Thursday, Aug. 13 Washington at Baltimore, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 22 Pittsburgh at Washington, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 28 New England at Washington, 8 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 3 Washington at Jacksonville, 7:30 p.m.
Kailua's Chauncy Makainai took the discus with his first-day mark of 156-11, then followed up with a personal best to claim the shot put at 58-08.75 yesterday.
Matt Maiocco interviewed Jeff Ulbrich about coach Mike Singletary's intensity and his recent paycut.
--Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich is fully on board with Singletary's demands. "He's got a standard," Ulbrich said. "It's frustrating at times because guys are trying to adapt. It's not quite there yet. There are still some guys who are not fully on-board. But if you don't adjust and starting doing it, you're going to be out of here."
Ulbrich wants to make sure he's not out of here. That is why he accepted a pay cut this offseason from a scheduled salary of $2.23 million to $950,000. Ulbrich's goal is to do what's necessary for him to earn a roster spot this season, which would make him a rare 10-year player for the team. Ulbrich was very realistic in agreeing to the pay reduction.
"I was getting paid too much for what I'd be contributing," he said.
Ulbrich's role will primarily be on special teams. That is why he dropped 10 points from 245 to 235.
"When I've been watching film of special teams, the guys who stand out are the guys who are really fast," he said.
After practice had concluded the linebackers did some extra running on the adjacent hill led by veteran linebacker Jeff Ulbrich.
“That was ‘Brich’s idea,” Haralson said. “He always has something extra for us all to do and it’s always good to get extra cardio and conditioning. It’s good to get your heart rate up and get your legs back tight.
The ‘backers did a total of 12 reps where they were shuffling, backpedaling and running straight up the hill.
He's gonna make an excellent coach one day. Hopefully he'll come back to UH!
Hogs Haven, "the #1 Source for Redskins Stories, NOT Swine Flu", has a feature on Colt Brennan.
He was one of the all-time greatest college quarterbacks, and he did it in Hawaii, which is kind of automatically cool. He has swagger, and he has a ton of personality. To me, what I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy most about Colt's time here is the dynamic between him and Jim Zorn. Is it just me or does the gunslinger in Zorn really seem to show up in the corners of his eyes and lips when he is asked to talk about Colt? Like he is suppressing a gut instinct to lavish praise on the youngster because he reminds Zorn of himself. Then, instead he catches himself and talks about the plays being left on the field. I could be wrong, but the kid has something, and the masses have tuned into it. He has a cult-like following.
But speaking of swine flu, I have to share this CSI: Miami comic that's been circulating on the internet.
While Camarillo has some job security after signing a three-year, $6 million extension just before he was injured while trying to make a tackle after an interception against New England last November, Bess knows he’ll have to prove himself, just as he did after coming to the team a year ago as a free agent out of Hawaii.
“I’m taking it the same exact way I did last year,” Bess said. “I don’t want to change anything. My drive, my work ethic, my determination and my focus got me through the season last year, so I want to approach the season this year the way I did last.”
In addition, Amarillo got an interception from MYRON NEWBERRY and fumble recoveries from STANLEY SMITH and GERARD LEWIS to aid in their staunch defensive effort.
AARON’S DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Myron NEWBERRY, AMR
Matt Maiocco of Instant 49ers writes that linebacker Jeff Ulbrich has taken a pay cut for the upcoming season.
Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich apparently solidified his future with the team this offseason when he accepted a pay reduction from $2.23 million to $950,000. Ulbrich agreed to the new deal, which comes in the final year of his contract, before the club selected McKillop in the draft.
Ulbrich has played nine seasons with the 49ers. Ulbrich made $1.875 million last season. He started the first three games of the season before Takeo Spikes entered the starting lineup at inside linebacker. The club re-signed Spikes as a free agent.
But the 49ers clearly want to keep Ulbrich around as a special-teams ace and backup inside linebacker.
Taking one for the team! Though I guess $950k is still pretty sweet. Can buy lots of Priuses (Prii?) with that.
The Browns have not drafted defensive players high in the draft. David Veikune tops this year's list, being a second-round selection. How much hope is being placed on a player who is changing leagues and positions?
Veikune occasionally dropped into coverage when the Warriors played “zone-dog” defenses in passing situations. In such a scheme, the Warriors blitz five players and have six players drop into coverage, with a defensive end and a linebacker responsible for the receivers running underneath while the cornerbacks and safeties play over the top. “He would make the drop according to what he saw,” Hawaii DL coach Dave Aranda said of Veikune, whom he called the hardest-working player he had ever coached.
Sixty-one current or former University of Hawai‘i student-athletes will be among the hundreds of graduates at the Spring Commencement Exercises Saturday, May 16 at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The football team has the most graduates with 10 followed by baseball (8), track and field (7), sailing (6), cheerleading (5), swimming and diving (4), men’s volleyball (4), men’s basketball (3), men’s golf (3), soccer (3) women’s golf (2), softball (2), women’s volleyball (2), women’s basketball (1), and water polo (1).
Here's a list of the football players walking tomorrow:
Football (10) Solomon Elimimian Antwan (Tua) Mahaley Chris Leatigaga Keao Monteilh Dane Porlas Erik Robinson Keoni Steinhoff Tuika Tufaga Lafu Tuioti Mariner Keala Watson
Congratulations to all the UH students who worked so hard for their degrees. I'm still wondering what kind of handshake-free congratulatory salute UH will use tomorrow. If they're still undecided, I offer these three suggestions:
"Live long and prosper."
"Word to your mutha."
Blue steel
UPDATE: chawan here... i have a better idea for a replacement shake. wait, nvm, its a shuffle.
Free agent linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa visited with the Bills’ coaching staff on Thursday.
“He’s still that rangy, athletic linebacker that moves very well,” said Fewell. “Early this past season he was used mainly in coverage, but toward the end of the year he was used more as a blitzer. So that was an interesting added dimension to his game that we saw on tape. But yes, he has shown he is still a very productive player.”
He’s getting his physical this afternoon, which is protocol on all free agent visits. I doubt however, that he’ll be made available for comment in light of that schedule.
Hawaii senior slotback Jon Medeiros has been awarded a scholarship, coach Greg McMackin said today.
McMackin also told the “Sports Animals” on 1420-AM that he also has a scholarship remaining from the 25 he is allowed to dispense to the incoming class of recruits.
Former UH football player David Veikune leaves tomorrow for the Cleveland Browns' seven weeks of organized team activities (OTAs). Veikune, who ran sprints at UH this morning, won't return to Hawai‘i until July. It is at that time when most new contracts are finalized. The Browns will pay for Veikune's expenses during the "volunteer" training session. During rookie camp, Veikune roomed with Alex Mack, the Browns' first-round draft choice.
A tough, versatile offensive lineman who has experience at both the guard and center spots. He’s a good overall athlete who moves well in space and showcases the grit and toughness to wear down opponents in the run game.
Rob & Russ have posted audio of their interview with UH receiver Greg Salas. He talks about spring practice, offseason workouts, and an embarrassing incident at Nevada in 2007.
Ferd Lewis writes about the UH Athletics Department's efforts to receive a little more revenue from games played at Aloha Stadium.
Donovan has told regents that UH is the only school in the nine-member Western Athletic Conference that does not receive concessions, parking or signage revenue from its football venue and is the only one without a student athletic fee.
The stadium regularly generates a surplus, often somewhere between $1 million and $2.5 million per year, though the legislature sometimes "sweeps" much of it for other state use.
Donovan has asked that when surpluses arise that major tenants share in the profits. "My logic is that we're bringing in the lion's share of the revenue from sports (events) that actually use the stadium," Donovan said. "And, it is imperative for us to be a success in Division I football."
The renewal deadline for current University of Hawai‘i football season ticket holders for the 2009 campaign has been extended to Friday, May 15. Season ticket holders can renew their tickets either by mail or via the internet at HawaiiAthletics.com.
Fans renewing their tickets by mail must be postmarked by Friday, May 15. Fans renewing their tickets via the internet will be entered in a drawing to win two free football season tickets.
Outside linebacker Travis LaBoy, released by the club two weeks ago, is scheduled to undergo ankle surgery later this month, casting doubt on his ability to play in 2009.
The surgery was a key factor in the Cardinals' decision to cut LaBoy. The Cardinals are taking a $6.1 million cap charge by releasing LaBoy.
There are two more articles about how Pisa Tinoisamoa would be a good fit for the Bills. The first is from BuffaloFootballReport.com:
As mentioned here on the BFR, Tinoisamoa would be a signature signing for the Bills’ defense. Buffalo didn’t add any major, veteran playmakers to a rush defense that finished 22nd in the NFL.
Tinoisamoa is an instant starter that’d anchor the weak side on Buffalo’s defense. His ability to chase down ball-carriers is ideal for Buffalo’s version of the Tampa 2. At 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, Tinoisamoa is nimble enough to handle the open acreage he’d need to in Buffalo’s ‘D.’
More relevantly, the San Diego native is a good player who’s also a good match for his potential new team. At 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds, he corresponds with Buffalo’s linebacking vision of players whose size is irrelevant because they’re too quick for blockers to catch.
Davone Bess said he's lost a few pounds, and is down to 187, in preparation for the start of OTAs next Monday. He said mini camp follows two weeks later. As for other receivers drafted by the Dolphins, Bess said: "It's football. It's about competition. I'm used to it." Bess will be visiting Hawai‘i in July.
The Buffalo Bills are bringing in linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa for an interview Wednesday, and a source familiar with the trip believes the tackling machine is particularly excited about the opportunity.
Bills coach Dick Jauron doesn't mind smaller, quicker linebackers. Tinoisamoa played the weak-side slot in the Rams' 4-3 defense, and the Bills happen to have a need there.
And Steve King has an article profiling David Veikune on ClevelandBrowns.com. He talks about making the switch from college to the NFL as well as from defensive end to inside linebacker.
"Usually, a player at end going to linebacker goes to the outside,"head coachEric Mangini explained of the normal procedure for a defensive lineman learning to play standing up.
Going to the NFL. And going to inside linebacker from defensive end. So which one does Veikune think is tougher?
"I don't know," he said. "Maybe both. They are both huge challenges.
UH Athletics director Jim Donovan participated in his monthly chat on SportsHawaii.com earlier today. Here's an interesting answer regarding future schedules:
letsgobows -
Essentially, 2010 is done but since we're waiting for a couple contracts to be returned, there's nothing I can announce at this point. I know I've said in a previous session that we had a home-and-home football series that would be announced within a couple of weeks -- and I still expect that particular series to be announced "shortly" -- but we ran into a serious snag with some of the legal language in the contract they sent us. As you might imagine, the legal language that these football contracts have is becoming more and more complicated, and therefore, it takes longer and longer for us to work through the actual details and to get to a point where attorneys and athletic directors on both sides feel comfortable to actually sign them. The best I can say right now is 2009 and 2010 are done and 2011 is almost done (last time I checked we just needed to sign an FCS school). In addition, we are already working on dates for 2012 and beyond -- and we should have some announcements in this regard over the next several months (and certainly at least sometime this year even if we run into more legal language issues...)
Lots more from JD, as he addresses state funding, the economy, season-ticket renewals, pay-per-view, etc.
ESPN.com's Matt Mosley reports that Cowboys punter Mat McBriar's recovery from a broken foot is going very well.
Many of you recall that Cowboys punter Mat McBriar suffered a broken right foot last October in an overtime loss to the Cardinals and missed the rest of the season. I had a chance to visit with McBriar recently and he said the foot was "95 percent" healed and that he'd be ready to go if the season began tomorrow.
I don't think there is any question Tinoisamoa will be of interest to the Bears. As Smith likes to say, they're always exploring ways to make themselves a better football team. Given Tinoisamoa's track record with not just Smith but with defensive coordinator Bob Babich as well, he is someone that will surely come up in conversation at Halas Hall.
He would be an interesting addition and if he came on board you would have to imagine he would immediately be the starter at strong side, pushing Roach to a backup role and putting Hillenmeyer into a position where he would be challenged to make the roster.
The renewal deadline for current University of Hawai‘i football season ticket holders for the 2009 campaign is Monday, May 11. Season ticket holders can renew their tickets either by mail or via the internet at HawaiiAthletics.com.
Fans renewing their tickets by mail must be postmarked by Monday, May 11. Fans renewing their tickets via the internet will be entered in a drawing to win two free football season tickets.
In addition, the UH Athletics Department is still accepting deposits for new season ticket holders.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch talks to Pisa Tinoisamoa about getting released by the Rams.
Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa bid a gracious adieu to the Rams after being released Friday.
"I really like the direction they're going," he said. "Because the team wasn't winning, you knew this year was going to be different, and a lot of faces would be different. I didn't really honestly think it would involve me. But the change is here, it's come, and I think it's a good change. If something isn't working, you've got to figure things out."
Colt Brennan finds himself in an intriguing situation as he enters his second season with the Washington Redskins. On the one hand, he'll once again be his team's third-string quarterback -- stuck behind oft-criticized Jason Campbell and 15-year veteran Todd Collins. On the other hand, a growing number of Redskins fans think he is the missing piece to their championship puzzle.
They want him in the lineup. Right now.
"It gives me something to play for, if there's that many people out there really supportive of me already, when I haven't even become a starter yet," Brennan told FanHouse on Thursday after Washington wrapped up its final practice of a four-day minicamp. "It feels good that there are a lot of people excited to see me.
"It motivates me, drives me to get out there and show them what I'm all about, that I appreciate the love."
HawaiiAthletics.com has a video of Kealoha Pilares talking about his appreciation for the UH fans. And oh by the way, the deadline to renew season tickets is May 11th!
“This was a difficult decision based on a lot of factors,” said Rams Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo. “I have a great deal of respect for Pisa and wish him all of the best.”
Tinoisamoa, a six-year veteran, led the team with 135 tackles (88 solo) in 2008, after spending part of the 2007 and 2006 seasons on the reserved/injured list.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has more.
Coach Steve Spagnuolo likes bigger linebackers, and one thing Pisa Tinoisamoa lacks is size. The Rams have released the veteran linebacker, who led the team in tackles last season with 135, but really doesn’t fit into Spagnuolo’s overall vision for the defense at 220 pounds.
Releasing him frees up $2.25 million in cap space. Once they sign their rookies and pay off some incentives and escalators that kick in on other contracts, the Rams would have been tight against the cap prior to Tinoisamoa’s release.
When healthy he was high up the charts on tackles made. And he’s a fierce competitor. Certainly he could have played a role on the 2009 Rams. The Rams will save $2 million or so in cap money, but this wasn’t really a financial-based move. And the depth at LB isn’t strong.
Best of luck to Pisa. I'm sure he'll end up dominating on some 3-4 team.
Stephen Tsai writes that Scott Enos, a JC place-kicker from Sierra College, has signed with UH.
"I'm happy to be a Warrior," said Scott Enos of Sierra College in Rocklin, Calif.
By signing a scholarship agreement with the Warriors, Enos turned down offers from Texas-El Paso and New Mexico State.
"The location is perfect," said Enos, who was raised in Sacramento. "The weather is great out there. The people are so welcoming. It's like a family."
Enos is a successful product of Chris Sailer's prestigious kicking program. At Sailer's 2008 Spring Event by Nike, Enos placed first in field goals and fifth in kickoffs among JC and transfer kickers.
Enos was named to the Grid-Wire Preseason All-America third team in 2008.
The WSU Football Blog recently began posting the first installments of their 2009 "Spring Fish Wraps" -- in-depth looks at Washington State's opponents for the upcoming season. Sedihawk just published Part 2 of the series, an excellent preview of the 2009 Hawaii Warriors. Here's an excerpt:
2) How's the D look? Well, it's YOUNG. Awfully young indeed. Just two starters return from last year's D, a unit which really wasn't that strong to begin with. The hardest hits will be at linebacker, where outstanding players like Solomon Elimimian and Adam Leonard have moved on. Just between those two guys alone, you are talking about losing a combined 209 tackles, 19.5 for loss, and 6.5 sacks off of last year's roster. Brashton Satele is a nice looking player and should have a great season at middle linebacker, but there isn't a lot of experience around him.
There's a lot more preview and analysis where that came from, including some great video clips. Nice job by the WSU Football Blog.
"It's an interesting thing, cause Colt is progressing. And one of the things that's happening with Colt is that he's hearing some of the things talked about, and then he's thinking about those things. I walked up when he was on the line of scrimmage, and I said, 'Listen, we're talking about all this technique and all the mechanics of this stuff, but eventually you've just gotta play. You've just gotta drop back and play.' We're not trying to create 'I look down on my first step. I rocker back on this or that.' It's all about knowing those things and him just doing them naturally, and that's what we're trying to get to. So he's got a ways to go, but he's progressing very fine and this is a step up for him, because he didn't even get to practice last year at this time."
To the best of my knowledge Veikune is not Tongan for "savior." But the young man from Hawaii, the club's third second-round draft selection, is most assuredly a key addition to the 2009 Cleveland Browns and possibly its most critical individual defensive performer.
Solidly-built at 6-2 257 and athletic enough to drop comfortably into coverage, the Alaskan-born Veikune was not only the first defender drafted by the new regime of Mangini and GM George Kokinis, but appears to be the only draftee with much chance of starting on that side of the ball. Given how chronically weak has been the New Browns' D, especially against the run, it would therefore seem reasonable to acknowledge David Veikune just may be carrying considerable hopes upon his unproven rookie shoulders.
A couple of new UH football-related sites to follow... (woot woot!)
First off, Rob & Russ have a new blog where they'll be posting audio clips from their show each day, among other things. Right now they have recent interviews with Davone Bess and Solomon Elimimian. Pretty sweet!
A place for Hawaii football fanatics to find out the latest news and happenings on the University of Hawaii Warriors. Focusing primarily on former Warriors & Hawaii NFL players. Geared especially for those expatriates living away from the islands. Plus tips and information on getting to Warriors road games and cheering on former Warriors & Hawaii NFL players.
They also have a list of Warriors and/or Polynesians in the pros along with their team names and jersey numbers on their right sidebar. Thanks to my fellow fish "Ulua" from the HFF blog. Be there!
Mahaley was among 13 soon-to-be Warrior football seniors whose weights, heights, arm reaches, hand spans and Wonderlic results were recorded during yesterday's Junior Pro Day at the UH athletic complex.
The 90-minute session served as a career day for aspiring pro players. Two National Football League scouting coordinators — Dave Petett of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ray Biggs of the Tennessee Titans — took the data, which will be shared with 26 of the remaining 32 NFL teams.
"It gives us a jump," Petett said. "We can start working on (evaluating) the guys over the summer. We'll know what to expect in the fall."
Student-athletes at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa have posted new all-time high scores in the NCAA’s Academic Performance Rate (APR), according to figures released today by the NCAA.
Every UHM team but one (Women’s Tennis) had a one-year score for 2007-08 that surpassed either its preceding one-year score or its four-year average. The upward trend is confirmed across the board. Only two UHM teams now have a four-year average below 925, Baseball and Men’s Basketball, both at 922, and of these, only Baseball will lose a fraction of a scholarship next year. These are also the two teams that posted the biggest single-year improvement, Baseball going from 892 to 991 in 2007-08, and Men’s Basketball going from 821 to 1000.
The football program avoided penalties for the first time in four years and had a single-year score of 956 to jump to 935 in the multi-year score.
Nash and football coach Greg McMackin credited the academic staff (advisors Conred Maddox in basketball and Jennifer Matsuda, Trina Kudlacek and Sara Nunes-Atabaki in football) and cited an emphasis on summer school for contributing to the academic improvements.
With the football program moving above the multi-year benchmark of 925 for the first time, McMackin said the Warriors' freshman class posted a grade-point average above 3.0 last season.
"The APR is here to stay and it's something we have to take seriously," McMackin said. "We have to continue to get better and we're headed in the right direction."
Okay, I'm back! And looks like I missed a lot of stuff. First off, via H20 on SportsHawaii.com, Redskins teammates Colt Brennan and Chris Cooley perform a skit. At least I hope it's a skit.
A couple more Redskins.com minicamp reports can be found here and here.
Brennan, using the fast sidearm release that he has used his entire career, completed a touch pass to undrafted rookie tight end Robert Agnone.
Later, Brennan rolled left and tossed a pass to Fred Davis along the sideline. Tough play--rolling left and passing on the run is not Brennan’s natural throwing motion. Davis was open enough--ahead of Kevin Barnes--to make the catch.
He heard the names of the quarterbacks desired by the Redskins. He understood. It's the business, after all. There's one name he didn't hear: his own. That he did not understand.
Colt Brennan is only a No. 3 quarterback. He's also one with a lot of confidence.
"In all the quarterback talk not once did anyone mention my name," Brennan said. "That drove me. This year I've got to work to get to the point where I hope one day I get the chance to be out there to say, 'Look, dude, I'm a guy you people should look at.'"
"This is the first time I’ve been healthy in a year and a half on a football field," he said. "I’ve had a major hip surgery and a small knee surgery and now I just got done with my rehabilitation on my knee. I haven’t felt healthy for a long time. When I played in the preseason last year I was 80-90 percent. I wasn’t even close to being completely healthy whereas this year when I get in preseason I should be completely 100 percent and should be a lot different quarterback on that football field."
"What Coach has really done is try to slowly make it a little bit more orthodox, but he hasn't taken away what I'm really confident about, and that's getting the ball from point A to point B," Brennan said. "Last year I was put to the test: 'Is this kid an NFL quarterback?' I think I passed that test. This year, it's up to me to prove I can move up the depth chart and build towards a future where I can hopefully be a starting quarterback in the NFL."
Mangini was impressed with what he saw from Veikune in the first two practices.
"He's fluid for someone his size and for someone who's had limited exposure to standing up," said Mangini. "In the bag drills, he went through more like a linebacker than a defensive end." Mangini may have reached a little for Veikune in the second-round -- some experts pegged him for the third- or fourth- round -- but was sold on his tenacity.
"I love the guy's motor," said Mangini. "This guy's got toughness, aggressiveness and a smoothness to the way that he changes directions and run games. I think he could play both outside and inside for us moving forward."
Hawaii cornerback Ryan Mouton, who initially injured his hamstring at the NFL combine in February, was limited during Friday afternoon’s rookie minicamp practice at Baptist Sports Park.
Mouton tested his leg in individual drills, running with no visible issues. Later, though, he watched as the rest of the defensive backs faced receivers in passing drills.
Mouton is “probably a couple weeks away” from being healthy, Coach Jeff Fisher said.
But the Chargers are excited by his athleticism, strength and little bit of a nasty streak. And after a year on the sideline – active just three times and never playing – it is clear by the edge in his words that Forney has no intention of watching another year go by.
Despite believing he eventually would provide an upgrade from Goff, the Chargers did not make a lineup move last season.
“The way things were,” Turner said, “we had a veteran group that had been together.”
Said Forney: “It was difficult last year, I ain't going to lie. It was hard, being used to playing.”
He and Turner agree that he is much better positioned to make an impact now that he's had a season to learn the Chargers' terminology and participate in meetings and practices. And being able to learn during an offseason, everyone believes, will prove valuable as well.
First-rounder Eugene Monroe is obviously an immediate plug-in at left tackle and Britton could play guard early because Vince Manuwai has a long way to go in his rehab from ACL surgery. The gap Manuwai has to close was noticeable as Manuwai ran sprints off to the side as the team practiced.
The Memorial High School graduate recently signed a two-year contract with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.
"I'm excited," said Patek, who is staying in Denton until he reports to training camp on June 3. "This is something I wanted to do coming out of my senior season."
Patek is expected to play linebacker for Hamilton, which is coming off a 3-15 season. The Tiger-Cats open the season on June 17 and play through November, which will be a change for Patek, who never played a game in college in temperatures lower than 50 degrees.
"Coach Jones said to go to Canada for two years and get some film," Patek said. "He said it will be easier for me to get established."
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Davone Bess was among the Miami Dolphins' veterans that addressed the rookies at the end of Dolphins' rookie camp.
(chawan_cut here....) More clips from our former Warriors at their NFL mini-camps. Mouton @ Tennessee, Veikune & Purcell @ Cleveland, Colt @ Washington.
also, Stephen Tsaireports that Solly did well at his Buffalo Bills audition. Here's hoping for the best! On a side note, I will be unable to upload videos for the next few months or so. This is the sort of the "slow" period for UH football news so hopefully there isn't much to miss. You can check the local station's websites and they should have their news available to watch as well. (links there in the left column) Sorry again.
Anyways tombo will be back here on Wednesday to fill you in on the latest and greatest UH football news. (I might be able to link to some on Tuesday)
It's NFL minicamp time, and many ex-UH players are getting their shots at making rosters or continuing their professional careers. Looks like Colt Brennan has been impressive so far in Redskins minicamp (thanks to kshakak). Unfortunately, with all the news to come over the next few days, we won't be here to link to the news until at least Wednesday. So be sure to follow the people we will eventually link to:
Adam Leonard has a tryout with the Seattle Seahawks at their mini-camp this weekend, according to KMG Sports Marketing, the agency representing the former Warrior linebacker.
The Seahawks’ first practice is scheduled for today. They have two practices on Saturday and another Sunday morning.
Jantz, who is in his third semester at UH, was not expected to get much playing time at quarterback. He was told he would not be invited to training camp. Greg Alexander is the starter, and Brent Rausch and Shane Austin are the top backups. Bryant Moniz is on the 105-player roster for training camp. This summer, freshmen Cayman Shutter, Corey Nielsen and David Graves join the mix.
