Warriors begin fieldwork
215 days after putting to rest their 2016 season, the Warriors return to the field this morning for their first practice of training camp.
Because they play UMass on Week Zero, the Warriors are one of three Mountain West teams that are opening training camp this week. Colorado State has a staggered start, with the freshmen beginning practice the past Monday with the returning players set to start tomorrow.
With UH’s Nick Rolovich, Dru Brown and Jahlani Tavai participating in the recently completed Media Summit in Las Vegas, the Warriors checked into camp yesterday. They will not use all of their NCAA-allotted practice, which is not uncommon nationally. The NCAA cut two-a-days but extended training camp periods by an extra week.
In following last year’s policy, all returning UH players have the option of living in off-campus housing during training camp. The true freshmen are required to sleep in the dorms.
Champions are made in the off season! Keep workin’ boys and bring it home!
UH football season starts today, nice and early!
It’s Training Day. Excited to see what the team will look like. My biggest worry is the Oline. But they are in good hands.
Go Warriors!!!
Two days ago, the Atlanta Braves traded catcher Anthony Recker to the Twins. This bodes well for David Freitas’s chances of being called up from Gwinnett, the Braves’ AAA team. A quick glance at Kade Squivicque’s career stats tells me that he is not a major prospect. Despite being a higher draft pick, Freitas has the advantage of having been at spring training as a non-roster invitee. If Flowers or Suzuki goes down, it is conceivable that the ex-Bow could make a quick cameo, similar to that of Larry Gonzales, lifetime .500 batting average(2 at-bats). Two home runs doesn’t help Freitas’ cause, in a year where home run production is going through the roof. Freitas put up double-digit home runs twice in his career. He is supposed to have some power. He has to show this previous ability to hit the long ball at the AAA level. At least his low home run totals isn’t being put up in the PCL, where, I think, a lot of the teams play in high altitude.
Back in the old days, UH guys kept playing until nobody wanted them anymore. Darrin Blakely, Jason Ross, and Joey Vierra had long Crash Davis-like careers.
Vierra had the misfortune of playing in the Reds’ organization. Two words: Marge Schott. I can’t prove it, but I don’t think she wanted a Filipino-American on her roster. Schott was infamous for collecting Hitler memorabilia.
Now, players leave on their own. Vinnie Catricala, Jonathan Hee, Sam Spangler, and most recently LJ Brewster.
Seeing as today is the first practice of Summer camp, I wanted to share my VERY unofficial depth chart that I just keep handy. If anyone notices anything incorrect / labelled wrong….do let me know….
http://i.imgur.com/OkpxJXd.jpg
Justsomeguy:
Very nice graphic.
I think Ikem Okeke is going to work on the strong side.
Manu Hudson-Rasmussen is probably ahead at the corner opposite Ro Farris.
If they go left-right with the wideouts, Keelan Ewaliko is probably on the left side.
But I like the way you think. Good job.
Thank you Mr. Tsai! I do a lot of graphics for work, so I can’t help it even at home.
Updates per Mr. Tsai’s recommendations:
http://i.imgur.com/3EYnkOo.jpg
The strongest backfield will be Wilson, Farris and maybe Rasmussen dropping down into the slot. Wilson has the best hands and feet of the three, even though Farris has more size and starts last season. Rasmussen should be able to handle the difficult slot if he gets help from the safety position.
Guud Morning Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
justsomeguy…Mahalo for your take on the starters and reserves. Sme Mahalos to Coach DB.
The anticipation gets much stronger as we approach the season! Hoping to see some Tsaiko T-gaters soon.
Smell da football. Smell da bbq smoke. Smell da bread pudding. Smell da laulau.
Taste da green bottles….Let’s Get Ready for FOOTBALL!
oops..Same
Just some guy–that was impressive.
Manu seems like a natural safety, and having watched a bit of film on him, hopefully he has the small space quickness to be effective covering the slot.
Good work justsomeguy but didn’t someone post that Ulu-Perry will be our starting center? If so, would Tui Eli be a guard?
Coach DB…I had Manu at S for the longest time, but I think with him playing so well the coaches will want to get him time, and both S spots seem pretty well in hand with Daniel and Trayvon. My thoughts on Manu at CB are a quick step and size….but with Wilson having more time in the system, I think you’re right the Manu will pick up time at Nickel.
No need for thanks NorthShore, just wanted to put something out their for everyone. I know we’re getting anxious for the season to start!
Thanks Boola, I agree with you about Manu. I’m really excited to see all the talent we have in the secondary. For once I’m not super worried about athleticism, more concerned with the youth. Mistakes are part of the learning process, but hopefully the young guys can keep it to a minimum.
Hey Tom, sadly, I’m too far away to attend the practices…but I’ve still got Eli as the C because of his experience in our protection scheme. I’m sure summer camp will flush that out soon enough though. I like Fred at guard for the moment, because I think he can be more aggressive there, which I think suits his skillset more than reading and reacting as much as a C does.
Great Afternoon All!
I love the smell of Tiger Baum in the morning…
😈
Das it
” Research on 202 former football players found evidence of a brain disease linked to repeated head blows in nearly all of them, from athletes in the National Football League, college and even high school.” (ABC News, 7-26-17)
However, CTE is still being studied.
Islandman: That particular study should come with an asterisk of tremendous selection bias, even the researchers who published it say so….just something to keep in mind. Aloha.
Mrs Boola, the real brains in this family (MD, triple board certified) , said while there is certainly a selection bias, that even with the bias it remains to be a very high incidence rate….
Fluoride causes brain disease, too…
18. Read stories about Gale Sayers and Dwight Clark’s current conditions, which may be linked to football.
It’s all about making America NOT great…
“They” want to outlaw football.
I had a football concussion that knocked me out for a few minutes and
in college I bounced off my head on a hardwood floor as a gymnast.
But at age 77, I’m doing ok. We all have to die some time.
No fear.
Mrs. Boola is definitely correct I’m not arguing against CTE at all… I personally think the NFL and NCAA should do everything possible to curb CTE….I just believe when a study is published all its caveats, both in support and in opposition should be noted. 🙂
It’s weird how all this CTE talk always comes right before the season starts.
I think there would be less concussions if football players wear rugby style helmets in the future.
It’s funny, I agree that Rugby is a more violent sport, but the way
football is played, it is the more risky sport.
Now that camp has started the question is whether KT is coming back or not, or if he enrolls when the fall semester starts. Either way, Hawaii fans are interested if he has a chance to contribute this year. He’s way behind in the learning curve and in his conditioning, so the sooner the better. But nobody has said anything so the question lingers. Good luck to all.
I believe rule changes and technology will someday minimize if not eliminate many problems associated with head injuries and football.
Meanwhile, its time for Warrior Football! Sorry I missed the first day of fall, but will surely be out to watch other practices. I’m always the optimist when it comes to the Warriors in pre-season, but this year , even my optimism is even optimistic! I feel this is going to be a memorable season!
justsomeguy – Big mahalo to you! Maybe you can change your handle to Rostahman? 😆 I kid, therefore I am! Mahalo for the charts!
Howzit Tsaikos!
Great work justsomeguy.
The sports animals just reiterated that Ulu Perry, John Waa and Dejon Allen are penciled in as starters at C, LG and LT. RT and RG up for grabs. Nothing’s set in stone so it’ll be interesting who takes the field at UMass. It’s good that most of the OL can play multiple positions.
28. KT ” is not expected to join the team,” per July 18 newspaper article.
another incredible game in CFL
Is this the year for incredible football.?
I could be mistaken, hopefully Tsai can confirm after tomorrow’s practice, but I think Justice Augafa is higher up on the depth chart. Looked like he got a number of reps today.
Hopefully we have competition that will elevate the level of play for those who earning starting / rotation spots …
BOTTOM LINE IS I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE SEASON TO START …
LIVE ALOHA / PLAY WARRIOR / DEFEND THE ROCK … GO ‘BOWS … !!!!!
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