But line coach Mike Cavanaugh said there is heated competition at each of the five positions, and the dean of the line — Uriah Moenoa, a three-year starter — is in jeopardy of being displaced at right guard.

Moenoa, a fifth-year senior from Iolani School, did not participate in yesterday's 2 1/2-hour practice because of what teammates are describing as gout, a condition characterized by inflammation of the joints.

Of greater concern is Moena's heft. The UH coaches set a target weight of 305 pounds for the 6-foot-2 Moenoa. He is estimated to weigh about 345 pounds.

"Obviously (the weight) is a concern," Cavanaugh said.

Moenoa was the starting right tackle in 2001 and 2002, playing in all 26 games. Moenoa, who also can play center, moved to right guard last year. Jones said Moenoa has the potential to play professionally.

"But he won't play in the National Football League if he can't get his weight under control," Jones said. "He knows what's at stake. ... He needs to have a salad every now and then."

Family problems contributed to Moenoa bloating to 360 pounds last year. He opened the 2003 season weighing 330.

"We hope he'll get down to where he should be," Cavanaugh said. "I'd like him down at 300, 305. You look at the National Football League today. A lot of the guys aren't as heavy as they once were. They're leaner, faster, stronger."

Cavanaugh said the UH linemen need to be agile on pass protection in the run-and-shoot offense, which does not employ a tight end as an extra blocker. Of the Warriors' three basic running plays, two require the guards to pull or trap-block.

"You have to be an athlete in what we do," Cavanaugh said. "You can't be carrying extra weight and girth around because you're going to be slower."

Cavanaugh said Brandon Eaton, the starting right tackle, can play right guard. Phil Kauffman, a fifth-year senior, also has started at guard. Another candidate is Larry Sauafea, a second-year freshman who has bulked up to 290 pounds.

"Nothing is set in stone," Cavanaugh said. "There's a lot more competition. I think we're better than we've been in a long time."

• Health report: Britton Komine, who is moving back to slotback after starting at left wideout last season, is suffering from lower-back pain. He said the back pain has created "a domino effect" that has led to strain on his hamstrings.

Last season, Komine started nine games at left wideout, three at right wideout and one at left slotback. But sophomore Jason Rivers has emerged as the top left wideout, leading to Komine's return to the position he played as a freshman and sophomore.

As a slotback in 2002, Komine caught 58 passes for 886 yards and 10 touchdowns. Last season, he had 53 catches for 602 yards and five touchdowns.

Komine said he does not know if the move is permanent.

"It's up to Coach Jones," Komine said. "If he can get the personnel he wants out there (at wideout), he can put me wherever he wants. That's his decision. I guess he's taking a look at some other people outside."