Three observations

After watching the players-only unsupervised workout, three things are apparent:

1. Quarterback Max Wittek has a rocket-launching arm.

Max Wittek
Max Wittek

2. Ikaika Woolsey, who easily made all the throws, is not ready to cede the No. 1 job:
WR3

WR4

3. Wideout Devan Stubblefield is recovering nicely from last year’s knee surgery:
WR1

COMMENTS

  1. tom March 11, 2015 9:39 am

    GOOD MORNING, HAWAII!


  2. st. anthony trojan March 11, 2015 9:39 am

    Hope the Wahine do well on friday there in the big island…


  3. hatakeman March 11, 2015 9:52 am

    To me, with Ikaika, it’s never been a question of his physical skills. It’s how he performs under the bright lights, but same can be said for Max Wittek who hasn’t played under game conditions for a long time. It’s a good battle for each other and the team.


  4. graham March 11, 2015 10:15 am

    This Jordan Wynn situation is weird. Is he coming back or no


  5. kev-1 March 11, 2015 10:30 am

    YES! A football entry!

    #3 In my opinion, the main issue with Woolsey wasn’t necessarily the bright lights, it was his accuracy and a receiving corps that struggled to get open. I feel like he is actually a gamer who likes being under the lights.

    With Wittek, the key with having a QB with a rocket arm is having receivers that can get open. Will that improve? Or will he suffer the same fate as Woolsey last year?


  6. Stephen Tsai March 11, 2015 10:31 am

    Graham:
    No.


  7. hitman March 11, 2015 10:32 am

    good morning everyone !! what a joke to read this morning that David Matlin or John McNamara are the two top guys to replace BJ as AD
    what a joke not to even interview Keith Amemiya and Rick Blangiardi for the job If not meeting minimum qualifications is truly the reason, that’s a sham.
    really sick of all this bull crap that going on at the UH !!


  8. Stephen Tsai March 11, 2015 10:33 am

    Kev-1
    I think Keelan Ewaliko and Devan Stubblefield will compete on the right side. That’s a lot of speed over there.
    On the left, it’s probably going to be Marcus Kemp and Vasquez Haynes competing.
    Dylan Collie and Quinton Pedroza probably will be the leaders at the slot.


  9. Stephen Tsai March 11, 2015 10:37 am

    Hitman:
    Of interest is not so much who will named AD, but why was someone was selected to head the selection committee. It will be interesting to see what the chair is seeking.


  10. kev-1 March 11, 2015 10:39 am

    ST … I think this team really missed Haynes last season. I hope he brings what I felt he could bring last year.


  11. hitman March 11, 2015 10:42 am

    ST thank you for the photos !! qb look good and nice to see Ikaika Woolsey not just rolling over and giving his job up !! he reminds me of a blast from the past Garrett Gabriel


  12. Maddog50 March 11, 2015 10:52 am

    My opinion Woolsey felt a lot of pressure to perform and pressed to not make mistakes. That’s when mistakes happen. He has a lot of talent and will get better with time and given a chance to exploit his total talent. They will have 4 quarterbacks at their disposal at least, that makes things easier. I like this young man and he will be just fine. Go Warriors!!!!!!


  13. st. anthony trojan March 11, 2015 10:57 am

    Mr. Wynn is still listed as QB coach on web site….maybe they are to busy to change n working 12 to 18 hour days n nites up there…

    Things change up there…but always stay the same….

    Mr. Matlin has a very impressive resume n seems very aggressive in marketing techniques…100% improvement over what we have now….for that…it sure makes me happy…

    He has done or was involved in concerts…n surely if he was up there a few years ago…probably no wonder blunder…n millions saved…

    Seems to have worked with many larger events n entities….hope he can relate to
    the common folks also…


  14. BigFan March 11, 2015 11:10 am

    I think Stubblefield is such a key player that I’m always thinking don’t re-injure that knee. For that matter, I hope the whole team can avoid major injuries, we sure have had our share the past few years.


  15. Haleakala March 11, 2015 11:29 am

    It’s good to hear news of these players practicing.


  16. hatakeman March 11, 2015 11:33 am

    If Chow kept his offensive coaching staff the same with Jordan Wynn doing the play calling and the offense under performs this coming season, Chow would surely be given the ax. So an offensive coordinator had to be brought in, but then it left Jordan Wynn without a position, just like musical chairs. The new OC will do the play calling and coach the quarterbacks, allowing Chow to attend to pressing matters of the head coach. It was a necessary move. Good luck to Jordan and hope you land on your feet somewhere exciting.


  17. BigWave96744 March 11, 2015 11:52 am

    I’m not too concerned about the rocket arm.
    I want to see a QB who can also execute the screen pass, short dump off pass or shovel pass to the RB or SB, and also know when to throw it away instead of taking a sack or forcing a pass into double/triple coverage.


  18. BigWave96744 March 11, 2015 11:54 am

    The UH website is for 2014. Expect changes around spring ball time


  19. BigWave96744 March 11, 2015 12:02 pm

    I wonder if Whitek and Ewaliko would swap numbers.

    Max wore #13 at Mater Dei and USC
    Ewaliko wore #12 at Baldwin
    In 2013 Keelan flipped between offense and defense. #12 was worn by Tony Grimes and Jeremy Higgins. Last year Higgins still wore #12. So far 12 is uP for grabs.

    Always a good thing for a receiver to get some brownie points from the “Potential” starting QB


  20. BigWave96744 March 11, 2015 12:05 pm

    Crap sorry Max.. Darn spell checker.. Wittek not Whitek


  21. BigWave96744 March 11, 2015 12:08 pm

    Others give Max #2


  22. BigWave96744 March 11, 2015 12:12 pm

    I still want to see a good QB emerge from the walkon program this year.
    Have a feeling Aaron Zwahlen will redshirt and it seems Beau Riley isn’t ready to Crack the top 2. A good JC QB with 3 to play 2 would be ideal


  23. BigWave96744 March 11, 2015 12:15 pm

    BTW Max is close friends with TE Josh Long. Would like to see the two hooking up in the field this season. #FreeJoshLong


  24. BigWave96744 March 11, 2015 12:20 pm

    #20 Others -> Otherwise


  25. jeezy33 March 11, 2015 12:42 pm

    Ammon Barker should be working with slots and becoming a seam threat. Especially in the red zone…. I expect more 4 wide packages so it wouldn’t hurt.


  26. oneseason March 11, 2015 12:46 pm

    12 … st. anthony trojan … #42 fotu is on the HWW MBB front page … to everything there is a season 🙂


  27. oneseason March 11, 2015 1:08 pm

    #15 … hatakeman … I want to buy into the “things are going to be great this year” now more than any of the past 3 years, but Chow has been the head coach for all three seasons … with a total of 7 wins. Jordan Wynn was listed as a Graduate Assistant for 2013 & “Assistant Coach – Quarterbacks” for 2014. His role was publicized to include that of play caller, but I can’t see the offensive performance for 2014 falling on his shoulders.


  28. hitman March 11, 2015 1:12 pm

    if McNamara is the front runner for the AD job!! he has been there a while .was associate athletic director at the time of the Wonder blunder failure. plus he would been in charge because Donovan stated he was on the mainland and had no knowledge that UH wired $100,000 in unprotected cash to some scam artist in Florida !! good job board of checking back grounds and knowing the problems you trying t fix at the UH


  29. A-House March 11, 2015 1:34 pm

    disappointed with the selection board decision’s NOT to interview Amemiya or Blanchardi

    still baffles me on how those “brilliant” minds work on the selection committee – just like the BOR – high profile people and jobs, but where is the “common sense”?

    how rigid are the qualifications that experience and performance cannot over ride? IMHO, this trumps number of years; especially if the years show manini kine success!


  30. A-House March 11, 2015 1:36 pm

    due diligence = the search for ??????????????


  31. Winning March 11, 2015 1:53 pm

    There is a rat in this AD debacle. Power influences are at work.


  32. Don Weir March 11, 2015 1:53 pm

    Selection committee can interview only those who applied. Did Keith and/or Blang apply?

    Interesting that a viable candidate applied and then turned down the AD interview. Probably did his homework on the current state of affairs. It is not a coincidence that the well qualified applicants for other UH positions also pulled out (past two UH President vacancies, past head coach vacancy).


  33. What??? March 11, 2015 1:57 pm

    Search Committees search. Selection Committees select, they not supposed to search.


  34. AllG March 11, 2015 2:00 pm

    I would like to see Barker get more looks this year. I think they could use him at slot and on the outside. Big if but if our receivers could stay healthy, I would like to see more of the 4 wide. Stubblefield and Kemp on the outside with Pedroza and Collie ins the slot. We can rotate in Haynes, Barker, and Kewaliko. Some nice receivers there.


  35. jimmy the lock March 11, 2015 2:33 pm

    Seems like there’s always someone grumpy or angry on the blog.

    Cheer up, it’s Hump Day!

    As Marvin Gaye sang, Let’s Get It On. Just don’t forget to get permission when using a song to make your own big hit.

    GO WARRIORS!
    GO WAHINE!


  36. Old Diver March 11, 2015 2:47 pm

    The rap on Matlin and McNamara is they are in the box types. That might be fine for Ohio State which is moving along at full throttle but not for a struggling non-BCS mid major. Looks like UH is getting want it wanted, a Ben Jay clone.


  37. Graham March 11, 2015 3:13 pm

    I just saw that Mana Silva is participating in the NFL veterans combine. Great news!! Thank you stephen for answering my question regarding Wynn. Sad to see him go.


  38. jimmy the lock March 11, 2015 3:21 pm

    Anyone know what numbers Harding put up at the combine?


  39. Tanman March 11, 2015 3:50 pm

    Woolsey always practice well but can he carries the success with him over to the battle field? Last year, he did not. But then, receivers did drop a ton of balls and in some cases, critical potential drive.


  40. cappie the dog March 11, 2015 4:09 pm

    History rewrites itself if Hawaii’s offensive coordinator calls a running play to leave BYU no time in Provo ’93. That’s what the last Super Bowl reminded me of. Just like Seattle, the play was there. The receiver simply dropped the ball. And then the place kicker attempts a chip-shot field goal…and there are tears in a house in Kaimuki.

    What I’m getting at is that Bob Wagner would make a great AD.


  41. Inyoface March 11, 2015 4:11 pm

    Receivers drop balls when they don’t have faith and not in sync with the qb.


  42. cappie the dog March 11, 2015 5:04 pm

    Titans!

    Ariana Elegado had an off shooting game for Cal Poly. If you’ve seen her play, you know that she’s a natural born point guard. It’s sort of like watching like Miah Ostrowski’s female analogue.

    The Mustangs are the lower seed, and yet, they had to play on Fullerton’s home court. Fair? Not fair?

    Next up. Long Beach State, led by my favorite non-Hawaii player, Anna “Schooled by a Korean” Kim.


  43. Manoa Mist March 11, 2015 5:14 pm

    Thanks for the pics Mr. Tsai.
    The odd thing about Wynn is not that he is no longer here – I mean it seems like most all the coaches jumped off the sinking ship this offseason – but why the media/UH has refused to say anything about his departure.
    A simple press release would of kept the curiosity down and allowed UH to own the story. Now everyone is wondering why no one is saying anything.
    At least Mr. Tsai confirmed that Wynn isn’t coming back…


  44. islandman March 11, 2015 5:27 pm

    27. Hitman; — Carl Clapp was in charge of the Wonder contract, when Jim was on the mainland, not NcNamara. Also, Clapp was/is responsible for contract administration for the athletic department. So i wonder if he was the one that helped draft Gib’s contract.


  45. pollypicador March 11, 2015 6:21 pm

    Last weekend there was a write about Harding participating in a NFL combine in Chicago. So one would expect on reading about how the player performed. Yet there was nothing. Why?


  46. Winning March 11, 2015 8:43 pm

    Does everyone hope that Mr. chow will leave the OC alone and let him call the plays and just oversee the plays? Ahhh! I dont think so. What do u think based on his MO?


  47. tom-warriornation March 11, 2015 9:15 pm

    UH basketball vs Long Beach St. on TV tomorrow live around 2:30pm PST: Comcast cable channel 415 (Fox Prime Ticket) here in the San Francisco Bay area.

    http://www.bigwest.org/assets/sports/mbball/15_MB_Bracket.pdf


  48. amela March 11, 2015 9:18 pm

    What happened to receiver Don Yeh Patterson?


  49. boolakanaka March 12, 2015 3:50 am

    3 Prong–your Boys let Demarco go to the Eagles??? Whaa–the Big 3 is broken up….


  50. cappie the dog March 12, 2015 6:17 am

    Hawaiian Tel cable stopped carrying Prime Ticket.

    Why?


  51. 3-Prong March 12, 2015 6:35 am

    boo: The theory is the Great Wall2 made Demarco. Not so sure about that one. Hopefully we can get a good 5 million dollar man. AP’s price tag is too high.


  52. boolakanaka March 12, 2015 6:45 am

    Hmmn, not sure about that one 3 prong. So, while the boys had a great O- line last year, probably the best in the league. Demarco in 2013 and 2011, was near the top of the league in yards per carry, I think one year close to 5.5—my point being, the talent has always been there….but, you are right, brudhha is asking for a ton of kala.


  53. bouncingball March 12, 2015 7:22 am

    1. Compared to who/what? Schroeder? Graham? Guess ho that turned out.
    2. Woolsey ceded the position after 3 games last year and wouldn’t have been a starter if there were healthy bodies around. To say he’s still in the running to be starter means that position is still bad.
    3. Does he have speed?


  54. bouncingball March 12, 2015 7:28 am

    #40, Wagner is like 200 years old already. Besides, he has a lounge chair set up in Annapolis to watch Navy practices, coached by his former student Niumatalolo. All previous head coaches, except Chow, produced some good coaches.


  55. boolakanaka March 12, 2015 7:39 am

    Cappie…I spoke to Wags late last year…he has no interest in such a position–he is thoroughly enjoying retirement–from both KS and UH. Further, many on the board talk about loyalty to our institution, well, in Wags case, that loyalty was arguably a one-way street, and he left not of his own accord, and certainly not of his own timing.


  56. bouncingball March 12, 2015 7:45 am

    It’s all downhill if UH don’t pull out a victory against a weak Colorado team in the opener. Colorado been in the dumps for a while now and, from what I hear, can’t even half fill their beautiful on campus stadium. So people who think a new stadium in town would make a difference (including the Ala Wai golf course nutjobs), look no further. WINNING is the only thing that makes a difference and if Woolsey is still in the running for starting QB, don’t expect many wins this year either.


  57. boolakanaka March 12, 2015 7:46 am

    I think from those of my era….the names that get frequently mentioned, Babers, Kenny, Akina, and Norwood…at this juncture, I think Brian might now be the person who might have the greatest interest in a year or two.

    I am not sure what the circumstances of his move from Baylor to Tulsa, basically for the same titles–DB and Co-DC–but, it certainly is a step-down in caliber of program. All the others, seem to be on distinct tracks: Babers to a Big 12 team; Kenny already putting away a lot of bank and maybe retitement, and Akina with a preference to the west coast and large established programs.


  58. boolakanaka March 12, 2015 8:21 am

    Damn, 3prong, you are right, he got a wheel-barrow full of kala–see: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12468196/demarco-murray-sign-philadelphia-eagles


  59. hatakeman March 12, 2015 8:28 am

    Just to comment on why Brian Norwood may have left Baylor for Tulsa. “Former Baylor defensive backs coach Brian Norwood is heading to Tulsa after being hired as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach…. Norwood joins former Baylor offensive coordinator Phil Montgomery, who left the Bears to become Tulsa’s head coach last month. Both are remnants of Art Briles’ original staff that arrived in Waco for the 2008 season.” re The Dallas Morning News. I think maybe Brian needed to move on to increase his opportunities to be a head coach and he went with a friend.


  60. Ipu Man March 12, 2015 8:48 am

    Calling fellow tsaikos. “nut jobs” iz fighting words…


  61. boolakanaka March 12, 2015 8:48 am

    hatakeman…I think you hit that on the head.


  62. Stephen Tsai March 12, 2015 8:52 am

    New post/rant: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=28826


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