Fall Practice - Day 8: DBs, LWJ, Autographs, Etc

Stephen Tsai writes about the competition at the two safety positions.

While most defenses use a strong and free safety, the Warriors' safeties are designated as "left" and "right." The jobs are interchangeable.

Rich Miano, who coaches the defensive backs, said Jacob Patek, Desmond Thomas and Keao Monteilh are competing for the two starting positions.

Thomas said the interchangeable safety responsibilities make it easier to counter multiple offenses.

"We always look at the strength of the (offensive) formation," Thomas said. "If the play is coming to my side, I have to know my responsibilities. If the play is going to the other side, I have to know the back-side responsibility. It's pretty intense, but coach Mac is a real organized person. He makes sure we're in the correct position."

Also from that article:

• Injury reports on Adam Leonard, Blaze Soares, Solomon Elimimian, David Veikune, and John Estes. None of the injuries appear to be serious.


• D-lineman Chris Leatigaga resumed practice after taking care of schoolwork.


• Timo Paepule talks about the team needing to work on the haka.

Billy Hull profiles Leon Wright-Jackson, who talks about his second chance in Hawaii.

It's a completely different offense than the smash-mouth style preached at Nebraska; Hawaii emphasizes the passing game. Wright-Jackson has all the physical tools to be a great back, but beating out David Farmer and Kealoha Pilares for the starting job may come down to his ability to block for quarterback Colt Brennan.

"He's the man and we have to protect him," Wright-Jackson said. "There are a lot of big outside linebackers coming at full speed and we have got to have the right technique and flush them out."

Brian McInnis has an article about how the veterans like Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins are helping out the newcomers.

"We got a couple of young guys, not too many (freshmen) this year, but even the sophomores, just having them see us more or just helping them out as much as we can," Grice-Mullins said. "That's why now, you see (the) guys getting more reps, you see us doing more coaching. You know, because once we leave, we want to have this program not lose a step."

That's just too cool.

Billy Hull with another article, this one focusing on the #1 corners, Myron Newberry and Gerard Lewis.

Lewis and fellow corner Myron Newberry stood much taller than their 5-foot-9 frames . Each of the returning starters intercepted passes in yesterday's practice against the Warriors offense, and the secondary put together one of its best efforts of training camp.

"Until somebody shows they are better than those guys, it's not even close right now," Miano said. "They are our starters and I thought it was a great practice. They are good players, but today they looked like real good players."

Excellent.

Dave Reardon and Jason Kaneshiro detail what Colt does after practice.

Quarterback Colt Brennan first spent a solid 5 minutes talking to a high school athlete, giving advice on drills to improve quickness. Then he began signing autographs for some of the estimated 250 fans who attended the practice, and he did some interviews.

Twenty minutes later, Brennan was still on the field, chatting with friends and fans. Today, his day off is interrupted with a Sports Illustrated photo shoot.

Also from that article:

• Kicker Dan Kelly and holder Tim Grasso practiced some fake field goals.


• Mike Lafaele's 1-year-old son wants to play football already.


• Le'Marcus Gibson was out with dehydration.

Ferd Lewis talks to Northern Colorado coach Scott Downing.

Five months ago, when the University of Northern Colorado athletic director asked, "would you be interested in playing Hawai'i?" Bears' football coach Scott Downing's eyes lit up.

"I said, 'well, yeah!' " Downing recalls envisioning a 2009 or 2010 "trip of a lifetime" game, and years to prepare.

"(Then) I said, 'when?' He said, 'this year,' " and Downing recalls, "I said, ' ... wow!'"

That's pretty funny, in a sad sort of way.

Kalani Simpson talks to Dennis McKnight about how two-a-days can be counterproductive.

"I think it's good to come out, work hard, concentrate, focus -- it makes guys, as they get tired, be able to pay attention to detail, and I think it's good that it keeps you into it," McKnight said. "I think sometimes when you have two practices, you get into an afternoon practice, guys can sometimes try to pace themselves, try to get through it."

Exactly. Just getting through it. Guys weren't thinking about improving. They were thinking about trying not to fall over and die.

Not that it's ironic or anything, but UH resumes practice tomorrow with a two-a-day.

And finally, Sportshawaii.com is rocking it as usual with the photos from practice.

Also rocking it? Irse, with some awesome action shots.

And always rocking it with the video, Leila Wai with the Advertiser. Here's video from Saturday's practice, with a faraway shot of the haka and interviews with Bess, LWJ, Brennan, Jacob Patek, and Lafaele.

And this video, which I may have posted already, focusing on the linebackers, with interviews with Adam Leonard and Coach Cal Lee.