Posted on: Saturday, January 12, 2002
FOOTBALL
NFL scouts taking close look at Kanoa
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| kanoa: In S.F. for East-West Shrine Game |
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Today NFC: Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 11:30 a.m. AFC: N.Y. Jets at Oakland, 3 p.m. Tomorrow NFC: San Francisco at Green Bay, 7:30 a.m. AFC: Baltimore at Miami, 11 a.m. |
Before University of Hawai'i offensive lineman Manly Kanoa III can be considered a pro prospect, National Football League scouts absolutely needed to know one thing.
On a questionnaire distributed this week, Kanoa was asked: "Are you afraid of the dark?"
"That was kind of weird," said Kanoa, who is competing in today's East-West Shrine Game at Pac Bell Park in San Francisco.
More than 120 NFL scouts have spent eight days evaluating the prospects, finding out such things as, "Do you like to play practical jokes?"
"I wrote down, 'Of course,' to that one," Kanoa said.
Kanoa is the fourth UH offensive linemen to play in a Mainland all-star game in Mike Cavanaugh's three seasons as the Warriors' line coach. Cavanaugh said Kanoa has the strength, quickness and intelligence to play guard in the NFL.
"He's been a three-year starter for me, and he's been a very productive player," Cavanaugh said. "He started 37 straight games. He's never missed a single practice in the three years I've been here."
The East-West participants were not asked to bench press or run sprints. (Kanoa can bench press 385 pounds five times.)
But earlier this week, they were asked to strip down to their underwear for weigh-ins. Scouts wrote down each player's height, weight and hand size. "I don't think I have a future as an underwear model," said Kanoa, who was listed as 6 feet 4‹ and 312 pounds.
On the first day of workouts, he was reunited with Brigham Young tight end Doug Jolley. In the season finale, the Warriors defeated the Cougars, 72-45.
"Everybody kept asking me how we could score so many points," Kanoa said. "I told them we have a great offense and that we don't like BYU. I can say that since I don't have to go to Provo next year (for UH's game at BYU).
He said he has been told he will play in at least two quarters today. A strong showing, he said, could lead to an invitation to the NFL combine for pro prospects.
As for the pressing question, he said, "No, I'm not afraid of the dark."
