Time of essence for Warriors
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Photo gallery: UH football practice |
By Stephen Tsai
HawaiiWarriorBeat.com Editor
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A watch can be set to a University of Hawai'i football practice.
Every drill of every practice of this training camp is scripted and etched to a detailed schedule.
Which is why there was a minor panic when slotback Ryan Henry, a transfer from West Los Angeles College, was with the scout-team offense for a defensive drill yesterday.
"That was a mistake," head coach Greg McMackin said. "He misunderstood. As soon as I saw that, I said, 'Go back down there (with the top-tier receivers).' We sent him right back. He's one of our top receivers. He's going to be a great player for us."
It was one of the few unexpected lapses in what has been a busy but productive first week of training camp. After six practices totaling 14 hours, the Warriors, who are staying in two dance studios in the athletic complex, will get a much-needed break today from physical workouts.
McMackin, in his first year as UH head coach, has implemented about half of the offense, a grueling physical-fitness program and, more importantly, a so-called tough-mother mentality.
"The coaches are coaching hard and the players are playing hard, so I thought it was a good first week," McMackin said. "We're going to be leaving in (a little more than) two weeks (for the season-opener against Florida). There's a sense of urgency out there."
This coming week, the coaches will decide on the pecking order at these key positions:
There's been no apparent separation in the three-way battle among fourth-year junior Inoke Funaki, and junior-college transfers Greg Alexander and Brent Rausch. Every other day, dozens of plays are added to the menu. Nick Rolovich, who coaches the quarterbacks, said a pattern has been established in which they will struggle on the first day with the new plays but succeed on the second.
By the end of this week, a No. 1 quarterback will be picked. That player will receive 75 percent of the snaps during passing drills.
Tyler Graunke, who started two games last season as the primary backup to Colt Brennan, continues to be withheld from team activities until he resolves academic issues. Graunke was scheduled to take a test last Friday that would help him gain reinstatement.
Three players were in the running to succeed Keith AhSoon, who moved to left guard. The field narrowed to two when Ray Hisatake moved to guard. While Aaron Kia has opened with the No. 1 offense for most of the drills, Laupepa Letuli drew raves yesterday.
"He was an animal," McMackin said of Letuli. "He had the best day of anybody. He played football like football should be played — with vicious, violent, controlled effort. I was really happy with Laupepa. I think he found himself. That's a key position. Kia and Laupepa are competing for that spot. Laupepa took a step up in going after it."
Leon Wright-Jackson and Daniel Libre remain bracketed at No. 1 in the competition for the lone back's job.
Both have been impressive as backfield blockers, an important role for a four-wide offense that does not employ a tight end.
Wright-Jackson and Libre are considered to be the speed backs. David Farmer, a power back, is practicing despite a strained abdomen.
Jake Heun, the other power back, has been diagnosed with a herniated disc. He has not practiced since aggravating the injury Monday during the first practice of camp.
Heun said there is no timetable for his return. He said he has a second medical appointment for the injury, which has weakened his right leg.
Still, he said: "I feel I'm getting stronger. I'm powering off of it more than I was. I'm hopeful."
Because Wright-Jackson and Libre have improved as blockers, McMackin said, there might not be a pressing need for a power back.
"We don't care if it's a big back as long as he can block," McMackin said. "That's the most important thing. ... I'd rather play the best running backs."
Khevin Peoples, a fifth-year senior, might have worked his way into consideration.
Peoples has bounced from linebacker to safety to running back and back to safety. He was moved back to running back on the first day of training camp.
"He was on our scout team," McMackin said. "We like him as a running back. He's been getting reps with the (first and second teams)."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.
