Spring football critical for UH
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Perhaps the University of Hawai'i football team should publish, "Everything I Need to Know I learned in Spring Practice."
In June Jones' three previous years as UH head coach, for the most part, jobs have been won — and impressions made — during spring practice.
It was in April 1999 when the UH coaches over-ruled the previous staff, deciding Jeff Ulbrich was a better linebacker than Matt Paul; Robert Kemfort was better suited for linebacker than wide receiver, and offensive tackle Adrian Klemm had no business playing tight end.
The following March, quarterback Nick Rolovich showed the skills that would come to fruition last season.
Jones' fourth spring practice, which opens at 7 a.m. tomorrow at the school's grass practice field, likely will determine this season's starting offensive line and defensive secondary.
"Spring ball dictates the top five," said Mike Cavanaugh, who coaches the offensive linemen. Except for misreading left tackle Chris Pinkney in 2000, the top offensive linemen exiting spring practice were the starters in the fall.
"For spring practice, our motto can be found on the Missouri license plate," Cavanaugh said. "It's the show-me state. You have to show me what you're all about in the spring."
Jones said sophomore Tim Chang, who is recovering from wrist surgery in his throwing hand, is regarded as the No. 1 quarterback, even though he will not compete in spring practice.
"We won't know how he'll be until fall practice," Jones said. "He'll be able to throw on the first day of May, but it might take a while to get his strength back."
Here's a closer look at spring practice:
OFFENSIVE LINE
Left tackle: Charlie Dutra, Brandon Eaton, Lui Fuata, Wayne Hunter, Phil Kauffman. Left guard: Eaton, Fuata, Chad Kahale, Shayne Kajioka, Kauffman. Center: Keali'i Aguiar, Alapa'i Andrews, Eaton, Derek Faavi, Fuata, Uriah Moenoa. Right guard: Eaton, Kahale, Kajioka, Kauffman, Vince Manuwai. Right tackle: Dutra, Eaton, Jonathan Ekno, Mike Holt, Kauffman, Ryan Santos.
Spring work: Three starters return, but only right guard Manuwai remains at last year's position. Hunter moves from defensive end to left tackle, Fuata shifts from left tackle to left guard and Moenoa goes from right tackle to center. The key is how well Moenoa, who weighed more than 320 pounds last season, adapts to signal-calling. "We're not concerned," Cavanaugh said. "Uriah is a very smart guy. He's a tremendous athlete for a big, husky guy. He's built to be an inside guy." Santos enters as the leading contender at right tackle.
Player to watch: A preseason elbow injury short-circuited Eaton's freshman season. But during practices, Eaton used his strength and agility (he was a high school baseball player) to push around the first-string defense. He can play every line position.
RECEIVERS
X (left wideout): Justin Colbert, Kanale George, Brett Nakamura, Mark Tate, John West. H (left slotback): Britton Komine, Chad Owens, Ryan Richards, Nolan Wada. Y (right slotback): Clifton Herbert, Nate Ilaoa, Gerald Welch. Z (right wideout): Mike Akiu, Omar Bennett, Neal Gossett, Frank Rivers, Brian Stevens.
Spring work: Despite returning one starter (Colbert), the UH coaches remain upbeat, buoyed by the knowledge that the replacements ran thousands of routes in practices last year. "It's not like our first camp (in 1999)," receivers coach Ron Lee said. "The system is in place. They know what they're doing. I haven't been this excited since our first Prep Bowl at St. Louis (School)." Owens, one of the nation's top return specialists, replaces Channon Harris at left slotback, and right slotback Ilaoa, a redshirt freshman, has been unstoppable during unsupervised workouts. It is hoped that 5-foot-10 Gossett will ease the loss of 6-3 Ashley Lelie, who has applied for the NFL draft. "Ashley could go deep and beat you on top," Lee said. "But Neal runs some routes better than Ashley. He finds the open areas. He might not catch the 70-yarder, but he can catch the 10-yard pass and go to the house." Gossett has lowered his speed over 40 yards to 4.4 seconds.
Player to watch: When in shape, and he tends to pack the weight, Tate has the speed to return kickoffs. He needs to work on his endurance. Still, he is the Warriors' strongest receiver. During an intrasquad scrimmage last season, Tate played defensive end, amassing two sacks.
RUNNING BACKS
Mike Bass, Michael Brewster, Brian Daniels, Pesefea Fiaseu Jr., Josh Galeai, Jonathan Kauka, Steven Mahelona, Keiki Misipeka, Thero Mitchell.
Spring work: Bass and Mitchell provided a 1-2 punch at the lone back position. Bass, who appeared to be too fast for his cleats, will work on his balance. Mitchell, a tough interior runner, will work on his speed.
Player to watch: Brewster, who played as a freshman at Tennessee in 2000, was the scout team's Offensive Player of the Year in 2001.
QUARTERBACKS
Tim Chang, Jeff Rhode, Jason Whieldon, Shawn Withy-Allen.
Spring work: Practice time won't be a problem this spring. Chang is recovering from wrist surgery and won't compete. Rhode, a member of the baseball team, has promised to take snaps during morning workouts. That leaves Withy-Allen, who was used in option situations last season, and Whieldon, a junior college transfer who has drawn comparisons to Rolovich.
Player to watch: Even on the sidelines, Chang will be closely monitored. He is considered to be the starter, but that could change if his rehabilitation is extended.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Left end: Houston Ala, Wilson Cluney, Laanui Correa, Viliami Taufa. Left tackle: Lui Fuga, Mike Holt. Right tackle: Lance Samuseva, Hiram Travis. Right end: Garrett Dearing, Kevin Jackson, Travis Laboy, Colin Wills.
Spring work: Help is on the way in August, when Laboy, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, and Isaak Sopoaga, who is completing work to become academically eligible, join the Warriors. For now, the Warriors welcome back Fuga, who did not play last season following shoulder surgery, and Travis, who took a leave of absence to tend to family matters. During unsupervised workouts, Fuga has reclaimed his role as vocal leader. "He has such a great presence," line coach Vantz Singletary said. "He's loud, he's physical, he's just an animal out there. He's the type of person you need to help the young players."
Player to watch: The 6-foot-5 Jackson, who was a high school quarterback, has developed into a quick pass-rusher. In the past year, he has gained 20 pounds, and now weighs 245. He hopes to weigh 265 by August. He also increased his maximum bench press from 275 pounds two years ago to 385.
LINEBACKERS
Strong-side linebacker: Keani Alapa, Marco Chavez, Kila Kamakawiwo'ole, T.J. Moe, Matt Wright. Middle linebacker: Travis Barksdale, Chris Brown, Ikaika Curnan, Donny Faaliliu, Preston Faraimo, Ranson Rodrigues. Weak-side linebacker: Isaiah Alameda, Ikaika Blackburn, Tyrone Brown, Patrick Lavar Harley, Kilinahe Noa, Pisa Tinoisamoa.
Spring work: In reviewing last season, defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa noted the most significant decision was moving Chris Brown from defensive end to middle linebacker. "It helped shore it up physically and it put a leader in the middle," Lempa said. Brown, who can bench press 500 pounds, tied up enough blockers to free the way for the perimeter defenders. That helped the Warriors lead the country in fumble recoveries (21) and, along with 14 interceptions, gave them a plus-9 in turnover margin. They were at minus-7 in 2000. Wright has developed into an effective run defender. Tinoisamoa is fully healed from a stress fracture in his left leg. Middle linebacker Watson Hoohuli will miss spring practice because of personal reasons.
Player to watch: Tyrone Brown, who did not play last season as a partial-academic qualifier, might be the Warriors' fastest linebacker since Yaphet Warren.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Left cornerback: Lamar Broadway, Saffery Silva, Abraham Elimimian, Kelvin Millhouse, Kenoche Mostella, Ron Porter, Gary Wright. Left safety: Dan Berryman, Chad Kapanui, Lono Manners, Leonard Peters. Right safety: Sean Butts, David Gilmore, Matt Manuma. Right cornerback: Keith Bhonapha, Josiah Cravalho, Omega Hogan, Cameron Hollingsworth, Hyrum Peters, Chris Price-White.
Spring work: Last season's top three safeties have departed, but the replacement pool is deep. Peters is ahead at strong safety, Butts has the edge at free safety, and Manuma might fill the role of third safety held by Robert Grant last season. In UH's defensive schemes, the safeties usually play in a zone, which can be mentally taxing. Spring practice will be used to "educate them on understanding situations," defensive back coach Rich Miano said. Peters, Elimimian and Millhouse started games last season; Cravalho helps make it a four-corner defense.
Player to watch: As a freshman in 1998, Bhonapha ran 40 yards in about 4.7 seconds. But through a self-devised workout program, Bhonapha has pared his 40 time to 4.4 seconds. He's developed enough to earn the dual role of nickelback and dime cornerback.
SPECIALISTS
Placekicker: Justin Ayat. Punter: Greg Kleidon, Mat McBriar. Long snappers: Lui Fuata, Chad Kapanui, T.J. Moe.
Spring work: It won't be easy to replace Brian Smith, who was both a precise snapper and a menacing wedge-blocker.
Player to watch: Fuata's stock as a pro prospect will increase greatly if he shows he can snap accurately.
