Training camp: First week in the books
Sure, there was that pesky Iselle and the gubernatorial upset, but in Warrior World, the most significant event was the first week of the Warriors’ training camp. Here’s a look back:
* * * * *
Two weeks after wideout Keith Kirkwood transferred to Temple, wideout Vasquez Haynes confirmed he would undergo surgery for a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The recovery period is between three and four months, and because UH’s football season is about four months … let’s see, carry the 3 … Haynes will miss the season. And then prized freshman Devan Stubblefield suffered a season-ending injury to his left knee. No surgery date has been set, but repair work will begin with the ACL and, after that, the meniscus. The top two outside receivers have had a good first week. Quinton Pedroza, who lost weight (his body fat is down to about 10 percent) and gained speed, has made the adjustment from slotback. Marcus Kemp has made some big catches in scrimmage-like sessions. During yesterday’s first practice, Kemp was a punt returner. He was just helping out, but that shows the confidence the coaches have in Kemp’s catching skills. And Kemp said he wants to viewed as a go-to receiver. He’s a much different receiver than last year, when he was used in cameos or Hail Mary situations.
* * * * *
For most of the first week, this was the first offense: X Marcus Kemp, SB Scott Harding, LT Ben Clarke, LG Dejon Allen, C Kody Afusia, RG Elijah Tupai, RT John Wa‘a, TE Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson, Z Quinton Pedroza, QB Ikaika Woolsey, RB Joey Iosefa.
But then there are formations where Iosefa and Steven Lakalaka are in the backfield; or speed back Diocemy Saint Juste is behind the No. 1 o-line; or when Allen suffered a tweak, Tupai moved to left guard and RJ Hollis played right guard; or, it seems, Frank Loyd Jr. is filling in at this spot or that spot.
The point is, the depth chart is fluid.
* * * * *
You have to love Kiha Sai’s enthusiasm. Every time an offensive lineman needs a breather or a replacement is slow to respond, Sai runs on the field. Tackle, guard, center … it doesn’t matter. It is estimated that 20 times this week, Sai was told: Thanks, but we’ll go with the regular rotation. Sai isn’t the fastest, but he completes every conditioning drill, never complains and whether asked or not, volunteers for every opening in practice. The first step to becoming a good team is to have good teammates.
* * * * *
The linebacker competition is interesting because two newcomers — Simon Poti and Malachi Mageo — keep making plays at the inside positions.
* * * * *
During a scrimmage-like session, a defender wearing a numberless jersey jumped the lane, intercepted a Woolsey pass and raced 30 yards for a touchdown. That player would be considered fast for a linebacker. But he wasn’t a linebacker; he was defensive end Kennedy Tulimasealii.
* * * * *
From the gallery:
* * * * *
Slotback Samson Anguay’s fan club:
* * * * *
The always reliable Frank Loyd Jr.:
* * * * *
D-lineman Marcus Malepeai and former Rainbow Wahine volleyball player Chanteal Satele:
* * * * *
The post-practice ice tub:
* * * * *
Here are videos from the punt-catching competition among linemen:
RJ Hollis
Kiha Sai
Winner
Let’s not have our starting WR’s returning punts please. I think we’ve had enough happen at that position.
Getting more excited by the minute for football.
ok – you stay ovah here
ST’s article in today’s paper …
Coach Norm Chow said he is prepared to announce the University of Hawaii football team’s No. 1 quarterback on Monday.
Chow said he wants to wait until after he reviews video of Saturday’s two full-padded practices
For that last video, entitled “winner,” that was Penitito Faalologo making the catch.
Good morning everyone!
Looking forward to week 2!
Will the practice that was canceled last Friday be rescheduled?
The defense played really well during yesterday’s late-afternoon practice.
The defense had somewhat of a strategic advantage. The offense was working on second-and-long plays. So that pretty much meant screens and draws. Still, it was amazing to see the defensive line’s quickness.
Aloha Tsaikos!
The new site looks great. Ready for some football?
GO WARRIORS! GO BOWS!
that’s good news – now there are “interchangeable parts” at ILB …
” The linebacker competition is interesting because two newcomers — Simon Poti and Malachi Mageo — keep making plays at the inside positions. “
SteveM
No, they’re not going to make up Friday’s canceled practice.
But they had two good full-padded practices yesterday. That won’t make up for a missed practice, but they got a lot of work in entering today’s day off.
There was a loud disagreement during one of the summer workouts. Mageo, as a peacekeeper, sprinted over, and carried away a lineman. The speed was impressive; even more so, it was Mageo’s willingness to pull away the biggest guy. He’s fearless. He’s going to be a really good player.
GOOD MORNING HAWAII!
Congratulations to our Tsaiko – Rep. MARK TAKEI!
(Do you need a local AdAsst? I got 4-years experience – of course it was over 50-years ago)
The 3-4 under Kevin Clune could turn out to be what turns around the D. Lots of talented LBs on the roster who will contribute. Kurt Gouveia seems to be a very good teacher who explains things well to his LBs.
I can’t wait to see our LB’s in action. Sounds like it will really be a strong unit.
Guud Morning Tsaikos…bootiful day.
morning after … Taikos got one guy who might go to Washington…IMUA!
would be great to see a Tsaiko t-shirt hanging in the office huh?..art work..
D looking good…now O got to keep them off the field.
On August 30th out at Aloha Stadium, I hope the Huskies are to Abercrombie as Ige is to the Warriors. The Huskies have name recognition, top billing, top floor, and a 25th preseason ranking. Similarly Abercrombie, as CEO of the State of Hawaii, had lead the state to a surplus of 307 million (fiscal year ending 2013), where asset were higher than liabilities for the first time since 2006. He also has name recognition, having been in Hawaii politics for the last four decades. Yet he lost to the lesser known Ige in last night’s primary (it was a skunk 67 to 32…shellacking, gabbarding). The best way to describe the lesser known Ige, who was dwarfed by Abercrombie’s campaign money, stature, name recognition, is that he persevered, chipped away at reaching the top, and he was better liked than Abercrombie. Similarly I hope the lesser known and unaccomplished Warriors have similar visions as that of Ige, and rows the same type boat that Ige rows upstream. . It would bring me no greater joy than to read the headline the following morning and read similarly: Warriors do an “Ige” on the Huskies.
|\_/|,,_____,~~`
(.”.)~~ )`~}}
\o/\ /—~\\ ~}}
_// _// ~}
Boolakanaka – No matter how mild the summer has been, it is still New England – as Samuel Clemens said “if you don’t like the weather wait a minute” – August isn’t over. I have two sisters in CT and one in MA to keep me up to date.
I miss real apple cider – non-pasteurized, fresh off the press. I also miss steamers. It has been a long time since I’ve been back to CT. There was a small fish shop we used to go to in Stonington almost every weekend for lobster, steamers, and fish. They had a small take-out place in the back and some picnic tables – you could get a steamed lobster for about $15. Ono.
ST:How is Ammon Barker doing? Did anyone answer my Davon Bess question?
Good mid day morning, Tsaikos and Tsaikettes, Lurkers and Lurkettes!
Hope everyone is well and survived the effects of the hurricanes!
Happy Belated Birthday to Midnight!
Happy Birthday to SailorBlue, too!
What is Ammon Barker’s status?
Where is Dany Mulanga being used? I expect big things from him but it seems like he has the size that will confuse coaches where to use him early on in his career. 6-3 200 Safety recruit could easily be on the Aaron Brown path of growing into a 6-3 230 OLB in a year or 2.
ST, I am glad to hear positive news about the team practice and that you also sound very positive especially about certain players and our defense 🙂 How are they doing this year compared to last year at this same time?
they = the entire Warrior team
Before I forget: Thank you for the photos and videos, too!
#11 Mageo must be willing to confront anything or any challenge after being stabbed and losing a kidney in high school. BTW ST, what’s the correct pronunciation of his first name?
It’s typical to have a surplus in an election year.
Yes, this is a common trend.
The commander in chiefs and ceos use that as a typical bargaining chip in the media to tout how well they’ve “managed” the coffers; however, they forget that the rest of their “accomplishments” need to have been inline (helpful not hurtful to our island people) all the time for the progress and growth of our state not just to win votes at election time otherwise, what was the sense of hiring (voting fork) them in the first place?
Sometimes I think our politicians forget they represent we the people for the good of the state (to protect our people and families and state’s interests) and forget to act as our ambassador on the state level and for the counties to the rest of the country with the help of our state congresspersons for what we need to grow and prosper as a Hawai’i state within this Americian country.
Those who promote discord and distrust internally (within our own state) are not good characteristics for our elected officials to be 🙁
UH fans were one of the voting blocks that helped Neil Abercrombie get trounced by a guy who hardly campaigned and never even went to the neighbor islands.
Seriously, fans were upset with his promises to help UH athletics but he never did squat. Throw in the nurses,school teachers,retirees and the anti gay folks and this was a no brainier .
If you would like to talk to Neil call 422-2222.
Howz It Tsaiko Nation !
Glad to see the Islands has with stand Hurrican Iselle and sunshine is all around Hawaii Nei. Here in LA were having sunny days and everybody is out enjoying this entertainment city. Will be watching the Rainbow Warriors this season as Washington will be the ultimate test. Hopefully will compete and keep it close as the dawgs with their traveling fans will be invading Aloha Stadium by the thousands as my neighborhood have Washington alums who are expecting a blow out win while enjoying the pleasures at waikiki. My Hawaii flag is up letting all know in my upscale neighborhood new season and a HUNGRY team. Let’s Go Warriors beat those dawgs so those Ladera Washington purple runners can feel my “GREEN MACHINE” loco motion every time passing my hale !
Barker is the No. 2 X, behind Kemp. Barker is having a nice camp.
Congratulations to Shane Austin and Royce Pollard! They are on their way to the Arena bowl in a couple of weeks.
seems like from all reports so far…this team will not embarrass itself…on offensive or defense…now lets get crackin on special teams..n have all cards in place for the opener…injury free…is now the goal to that opener….IMUA WARRIORS
Last Call 28:
Yes, we don’t need more obstacles!
It’s enough that we are waaay out here in the middle of the ocean!
RainbowCliff 29:
Sounds like you’ve painted your hale and car kelly green!
Now that and UH Warrior H banners and applique stickers would make it all sensationally obvious!
28
Eh dat tutu’s numba
35
Winnah winnah chicken dinnah! Teehee
I’m sure happy everyone weathered the storm clear. Clear skies ahead. Still yet waiting on the QB decision.
Stephen:
What is your impressions of the QBs especially with the new guys?
Marcus looks really fit at 275. He was always good, but looks to be ready to make real impact. The D-front three starters will close out their senior season with a bang. Looking forward to the season.
Press time comes, who will get the call? Wittek, Max ?
after all the Iselle rain, Mrs and I decided to out and scrub of decking of all the red/orange algae growing – now, pain oh pain in both shoulders where I have tendinitis and arthritis
but, with the sun gleaming off the surface, we need to shield our eyes from the glare
ah, yes, the great weather has returned to the valley!
BTW, Kauai gotterburg sausage musubi and black cod livers for our 1st tailgate!!
goin be same place?
Though undersized (i.e., tall but lean), Mageo seems to have the intangibles……instinctiveness……together with his quickness.
Plays with no hesitation……unlike most of the other true frosh.
A-House try vinegar, just apply, wait an hour then hose and scrub the area.
I predict 25,000 will show up. Washington. North End zone upper $25 dollars before game time, and you got about 40,000 seating at the game.
for those that mat be interested the damage in puna..my son sent me this…
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152626134254169&set=vb.166805519168&type=2&theater
Thanks ST, good to see that Barker will play a role this year. Who is scheduled to be the Kick returner? Is St. Juste’s hammy that bad? How’s the FG kicker competition shaping up?
Aloha, Gang!
How everybody doing? Was cloudy, but now pretty nice outside.
Happy birthday, Sailor Blue!!!
ST… mahalo for all the scoops! Frustrating to hear of so many “situations” with our WR’s… but good to hear of others stepping up in every area, not just WR. This is what gets the blood going! Exciting times! The anticipation is driving me lolo!
If I’m not mistaken, St. Juste has been hampered by hamstring issues on a number of occasions, spanning back to last year and the spring. I know it is just one of those things, but not what you want to see out of your speed back.
tiki 808…love ur positive vibes…hope ur correct… but maybe underestimate by 10 k or so…he he he…lets fill the house up…
#12, is Mark Takei related to Star Trek’s George Takei?
Similarly, last night a news reporter introduced Republican chair Pat Saiki as Pasty Mink.
Wittek, Max 6-4 (QB)
Graham, Taylor 6-5 (QB)
Woosely, Ikaika 6-1 (QB)
Higgens, Jeremy 6-1 (QB)
I have no idea how this team will do, but they’re in shape.
#50 I think he’s related to Mark Yasui.
bigwave you stay waterlogged or whay?
its mark TAKAI.
Hint:
In Japanese-
Takai-Expensive
Yasui-Cheap
#55. al,
BigWave knows its spelled Takai….not Takei…..but was poking fun at tommui (see #4).
Meant…..see earlier post #12.
ST what is Koloamatangi lacking? He seems to have the size and power we need upfront but has not been able to land the OT job. Is his pass blocking that poor?
#34 UH fan808: UH Flag is flying freely tonight with a nice breeze blowing North to South. House and cars remain white and black colors but my pool sir is decorated UH banners all around screen fence with stature of Mark Anthony wearing Hawaii basketball jersey. Any time your here in LA “E Komo Mai” is on at the hale.
Have diving board and cool zone all set up with food and beverages. Mi casa es su casa, in fact ALL of Tsaiko Nation can come. Sharing polynesian hospitality to all!
ne poi there rainbow cliff… he he he
Higgins, Proper spelling of QB Jeremy
Not Higgens
Sounds like Kiha Sai is worthy of the Rudy Award.
I love it when fat defensive linemen get a pick six even if its in practice. Doesn’t happen too often but when it does, its pretty entertaining to watch!
Anyway, my guess game time comes, they got Wittek, Max to deal with? Pretty big guy.
Watching the Utah State – Hawaii game and forgot how they were delayed 10 hours because of the LAX shooting last season and arrived than 12 hours before kickoff.
Night..Night…Night music. Walking with the rain, … nobody’s dancing…? Cecilio and Kapana.
Night…Night…Night music. Walking with the rain,… nobody’s dancing…? Cecilio and Kapono.
It’s a goooooooood time together; and the best is yet to come! C&K.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXMhnyDbQsA
That was Mark Takai’s presentation to Mary Bitterman
I Kno, I was there when he was working with Naijo and the gang. I am so proud of this, young Tsaiko! You go Expensive!
Interesting about Kiha Sai. I was under the impression that when he signed here it was a big deal.
http://volleyshots.staradvertiserblogs.com/2014/05/22/wahine-schedule-and-its-problems-conflicts/
Cindy writes:
But for the first time UH is going to have football and Wahine volleyball on the same Saturday. And they’ll do it twice. The first will be opening weekend where football vs. Washington is scheduled for 2 p.m., Wahine vs. Arizona State at 8 p.m. The second is the following weekend. On Sept. 6, Wahine play at noon vs. St. John’s, football at 430 vs. Oregon State.
My question who’s responsible for making out the schedule. First time ever that this has ever happened? Laugable. Why would anyone have two cash cows bucking heads, competiting for spectators, on the same day. I, mean, can’t one or the other open on a week day so there’s no conflict? But no. Most schools would try to milk their cash cows. Here in Hawaii? The athletic department tries to frustrate the fans, not once, but twice…and not reap all the possiblle yields from their cash cows. Laughable.
Update: Cindy also writes in her blog today that Shoji opened up camp, Niki suffered an injury and a 3 inch bolt had fallen from above during the blog writer’s interview with Shoji.
What piqued my interest is Shoji’s nonsecular approach of opening camp, holding practice on a Sunday ( I agree). And the bad news of reading about NT’s elbow injury.
Mark Takai’s cousin is Matt Tatami.
74. The Washington game was changed to 4:30 pm.
seems all eyes were on Hurricane Iselle and Julio….nobody was watching out for Hurricane Ige…told my patnah Iwa, Iniki both started with I’s…watch out for this one….yuk yuk yuk..
Kawiks #54, that was pretty good.
Neva catch ’em until, #56
Sorry – sometimes I type without checking the spelling.
#64, Rudy was a walkon with no chance of seeing the field.
Kiha was a top local recruit who is on scholie.
Calling Kiha, Rudy is an insult, no?
Tom, just joking.
Didn’t want you to show up for your interview wearing your Star Trek costume 🙂
BTW, I posted this on SportsHawaii in 2010
Mahealani Richardson made BAD / Embarrasing mistake…
With camera’s rolling from all stations, she was given a chance to ask a question to the new Mayor…
She said, “We are here with new Mayor Kirk Caldwell”
New Mayor, “It’s Peter Carlisles… Carlisles, not Caldwell”
then the crowd started chanting, “Peter, Peter, Peter…”
Anyone has an idea of what type of spread offense NC will run this season… Spread to pass air raid/ shoot style or spread to run zone read option/ smash mouth spread like Meyer n Gus mazlan? Pls. Tell me not both. This team needs an identity!!!
Any word on Afalava making it into UH this season ?
Two more weeks of practice then game prep week prior to UW. Nineteen days or so….lets get this thing moving in the right direction….just FYI for anyone who cares, just had my annual Golf outing “funraiser” 60 guys in all including 4 former players from the early 70’s…..raised over 1000.00 for Na Koa and some checks are still on the way…..raffle prizes were all Warrior branded and surprisingly the most coveted item was the “Rainbow Warrior” vintage shirt with the Menehune on it….guys wanted that more than an UA polo……its good to be a Warrior!!!!
Wow. Chris Naeole (without pads) is still the biggest, thickest guy out there….him back in the day, or for that matter, tomorrow, picking up speed on a downfield block would be horrifying.
We have a rather large collection of LBs, some large, some smaller, some really fast, some really strong–given that they look to be both depth strength and depth of the team, my hope, is that we will have specific schemes to utilize these large numbers.
Washington -15.5
80. There’s a Rudy Award that is given to a high school and Division I college football player annually who exhibits high-character, courage, commitment, contribution, and more importantly is an inspiration to his team and others.
I figured Kiha Sai possesses a few of those above mentioned attributes.
Anyway, Mark Herlich, linebacker for Boston College, who was diagnosed with cancer and survived, won the award few years ago. To be eligible one doesn’t have to be a walk-on like Rudy either
Jets Camp Report; Wide Receivers Stand Out—
Although had to sit-out the first preseason game because of an injury, he continues to make positive strides to make the roster—this from today on the Jets blog–There was some positive news out of practice today as well. The wide receivers looked good as a group. Specifically, Greg Salas in making a leaping grab in the back corner of the end zone during 1-on-1 drills, and again making a good catch during 7-on-7′s. All of the news out of camp on Salas has been solid from the outset. It’s fair to say he’s putting a lot of pressure on the WR’s who started camp ahead of him on the depth chart.
Colorado State extends contract of coach Jim McElwain through 2019 and bumps salary from $1.35 million per season to $1.5 mil. Maybe that’s why the Colorado State president fired their athletic director, Jack Graham, last week.
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/24656247/jim-mcelwain-signs-contract-extension-at-colorado-state
Hope this isn’t a disturbing trend that all mid-majors will be facing as a result of a P5 breakaway.
“The Boise State football program likely will experience a significant drop in season-ticket sales for the second straight year.”
“Boise State has sold 20,250 season tickets for 2014. That’s a 7.4 percent drop from this time last year, when the school had sold 21,879.”
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/08/10/3318805/boise-state-football-season-ticket.html?sp=/99/101/1272/1805/
UW Legion of Zoom receiving corp.
http://seattletimes.com/html/huskyfootball/2024280402_uwfbzoom10xml.html
http://blogs.seattletimes.com/huskyfootball/2014/08/09/huskies-fall-camp-observations-day-6-quarterbacks-take-some-hits/
19 days till kick off and I still don’t have my tickets that I paid for in May!!!!! Not a way to run a business……..BJ
someone posted earlier to expect a “large” Husky fan base – I don’t think so!
hope it’s better than some MWC teams who appeared in the Hawaii Bowl; namely Reno when less than 100 fans made the game – how embarrassing for the for the school
memory takes me back to when Nebraska came soon after Aloha Stadium and it was filled with bright red shirts – probably had more red shirts than green! Oklahoma also brought many fans. Notre Dame had many Hawaii grads at the game.
except for travelling to Wyoming, I believe Hawaii fans support their traveling team more than others – former players and family, alumnae, former Hawaii residents and families, former military like 99 Club.
Morning, Gang!
This just popped up on my facebook, and thought I’d share it with recruit-minded folks…
http://gwinnettsportsreport.com/en/football/item/92-darius-slayton-cameron-stewart-and-almonzo-brown-among-best-wide-receivers-in-Georgia
http://gwinnettsportsreport.com/en/component/k2/item/93-gwinnett-county-fall-sports-season-hits-full-stride-this-week
Last year at Wyoming there were at least 200 warrior supporters met and bonded with lance tanaka and family
Iselle and Julio pau.
Primary elections almost pau.
Wahine Volleyball and Rainbow Warrior football coming coming.
What an August.
And still get Petersen’s pic at the top. Makes me think what pic going be there for the next game.
I was thinking the same about Chris Naeole. He is huge. But I thought NT Siasau Matagiesi from last year’s team is even bigger. He used to attend Wahine softball games last season to watch his sister play.
New post up.
Stephen don’t forget to categorize the new post…lol
donde?
no mo
He nevah push the button again.