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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, April 26, 2003

Tinoisamoa happy to get draft chance

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

PISA TINOISAMOA

POSITION: Linebacker

COLLEGE: Hawai'i

HEIGHT: 6 feet,1/2 inches

WEIGHT: 229 pounds

WORKOUT NOTES: 4.59 40-yard dash, 19 reps at 225 pounds, 34-inch vertical leap

COMMENT: "When you look at Tinoisamoa, your first instinct is to ask 'Can this guy get it done at his size?' Still, he was tremendously productive for the Rainbow Warriors." — Mel Kiper Jr., NFL draft expert

As a football player, Pisa Tinoisamoa has been involved in comebacks, but nothing like this.

Tinoisamoa revived his football career with the University of Hawai'i after off-field troubles in San Diego nearly ended it.

Tinoisamoa, an awarding-winning Hawai'i linebacker, will likely be selected in the two-day NFL Draft that starts today.

His second-chance came only after Hawai'i football coach June Jones withstood heavy public criticism and offered a scholarship to the blue-chip California high school player who had served time in a juvenile probation facility on two counts of felony assault.

Tinoisamoa stayed out of trouble at Hawai'i and became one of the best linebackers in school history. He said he owes Jones for the opportunity to turn his life around.

"I feel like coach Jones was the piece of the puzzle I was missing a little bit," Tinoisamoa said. "When I was (in the juvenile facility) I thought this game was done for me really. But Jones continued it. That's a tribute to him. He takes chances on things and that's why he gets paid back so well. With me, that was a good one. I'm very thankful everyday."

If Tinoisamoa and former teammates Wayne Hunter, Vince Manuwai, Mat McBriar and Lui Fuata are drafted this year, it would set a school record with five draft selections. (Four were drafted in 1987 when 12 rounds instead of seven were held.)

"That's beautiful," Tinoisamoa said. "I think that's what coach Jones envisioned a long time ago. So for it to happen, it wouldn't surprise me."

Jones said people who are familiar with the draft told him Tinoisamoa could be drafted today, which has three rounds. The final four rounds will be completed tomorrow.

"I would anticipate that he would go late second or third round," Jones said. "It sounds like this from the people I've talked to. He's got a chance to play at that level. Somebody that gets him is going to feel really good about him as a player and a person. He's a good kid."

"Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. questioned if Tinoisamoa — who is 6 feet, ¥ inches and 229 pounds — has the size to play linebacker in the NFL. However, Kiper said Tinoisamoa plays bigger because of "his outstanding physical ability."

"When you look at Tinoisamoa, your first instinct is to ask, 'Can this guy get it done at his size?'" Kiper said. "Still, he was tremendously productive for the Rainbow Warriors during his career.

"He always seemed to be in the right place — a real 'Johnny-on-the-spot' type," Kiper continued. "With Tinoisamoa, I think you're looking at a top notch, tremendously effective special teams player and a backup linebacker, at least early on. And his superior gameday efforts indicate that he should never be counted out."

Hunter and Hawai'i associate head coach George Lumpkin, who coaches the UH linebackers, both said Tinoisamoa would be a perfect fit on the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"They're not looking for the big, huge, 250-pound linebacker that plugs holes," Lumpkin said of Tampa Bay. "They want people that can run around, make plays, guys that can cover sometimes, guys that can blitz, guys that are quick. That's Pisa."

Added Hunter: "I think he will figure in the Buccaneers' defense because of his speed and ability as a coverage linebacker. They got a good front four, so they really need faster linebackers."

Tinoisamoa said he would love to play for his home team, the San Diego Chargers, but said any team would do. He said several teams have expressed interest in him, including Kansas City, Miami, San Diego and Tampa Bay.

"It seems like I've talked to all of them," Tinoisamoa said. "To me it would be an accomplishment to be picked up by any team. True, there's more teams that carry a lot more tradition and it would be nice to go to one of those teams. But I would go anywhere right now."