In Other News

Some news that fell by the wayside these crazy past coupla days...

UH ends the year at #17 in the Coaches poll and #19 in the AP poll.

Ryan Grice-Mullins has declared for the NFL Draft. All the best to RGM.

The UH Athletics Department has a release about the now former Warriors playing in All-Star games in the next few weeks.

Several former University of Hawai`i football players will be in action in this week's Cornerstone Hula Bowl, Saturday, at Aloha Stadium. Outgoing seniors C.J. Hawthorne, Jacob Patek, Hercules Satele, Michael Lafaele, and Jason Rivers will compete on the West squad. Kickoff for the 62nd all-star classic is 1:00 p.m.

In addition to the Hula Bowl, Rivers was invited to next week's East-West Shrine Game. That game will be played at the University of Houston's John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium, Saturday, Jan. 19.

Record-setting quarterback Colt Brennan is expected to participate in the Senior Bowl, Saturday, Jan. 26, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.

Hula Bowl
C.J. Hawthorne, Jacob Patek, Hercules Satele, Michael Lafaele, Jason Rivers

East-West Shrine Game
Jason Rivers

Senior Bowl
Colt Brennan

Samson Satele gets a great review for his rookie season with the Miami Dolphins.

Fortunately for the Dolphins, it is Satele who so far looks like a franchise center, providing a central foundation that has been lacking in Miami since the days of Dwight Stephenson.

Though it may be a bit premature to start comparing a one-year veteran and a Hall of Famer, Satele's rookie performance hints at a similar level of greatness.

For one, the former Hawaii standout manned the starting role in all 16 of Miami's regular-season contests, taking over for a serviceable and more experienced Rex Hadnot. That's doubly impressive because it speaks to Satele's intelligence and his durability, two traits that are crucial for a high-caliber center.

Ashley Lelie, who did not have a good year, mostly because he wasn't played, is profiled on 49ers.com.

That doesn’t mean it was easy. Anyone watching the sidelines on Sundays could tell that winning mattered a great deal to Lelie, who was always up and roaming and cheering on his teammates.

“It was a long hard one,” said Lelie when asked about the season. “It was tough, but what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. There was a lot to learn from this year, me personally, and as a team. I think it will make us better in the long run. Hopefully everyone takes this feeling and keeps it close so they don’t want to feel like it ever again and then we just get better this off-season.”

Leonard Peters was among four Chicago Bears practice-squad players signed to futures contracts.

Four practice-squad players -- guards Tyler Reed and Mike Jones, safety Leonard Peters and running back P.J. Pope -- were signed Monday to reserve/future contracts, enabling the Bears to retain their rights.

Vince Manuwai makes USA Today's 16th Annual "All-Joe" Team.

The NFL's stars wouldn't succeed without the adjacent All-Joes. They would never make the Pro Bowl minus those who perform the grittier tasks.

Hence the All-Joe motto: If you work hard, good things will happen — to someone else.

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Okay, more June Jones related news, just because there's so much...

Tyler Graunke talks about June Jones and Dan Morrison leaving for SMU.

"It's a little disappointing," Graunke said from his Tucson home Monday. "I've been looking forward to (the opportunity to start again) since Colt took my spot. I knew I'd have one year left and in this offense, I knew it'd be a great year."

Graunke said Jones and Morrison were father figures to him and will be greatly missed for more than their coaching.

Still, he doesn't blame them for the move.

"I don't know all the ins and outs of the deal, but we need to be treated like a big-time program to keep a big-time coach," Graunke said. "The (athletics) department hasn't always come through on that end."

Graunke acknowledged that every possible scenario has entered his mind for his role next season.

"Who knows what kind of offense they'll bring in and who knows if whoever it is will want a guy with one year remaining to play?" Graunke asked. "But I'll be ready no matter what. If the choice comes down to who is the best quarterback for the team, then I know with my work ethic and the work I've already put in, I'll be the guy next year."

The Graunke shall rise in '08, like a Phoenix out of Arizona! Too bad he's from Tucson, or that would sound much better.

Journalist and former Hawaii resident John Tamanaha reflects on the Sugar Bowl and June Jones' departure.

ones surely will get job done at SMU. He has proven his ability under far tougher circumstances. It’s party time in Dallas.

On the flipside, in the span of just a few days, Warrior fans have experienced the ultimate high, followed by the lowest low.

Walking up and down Bourbon Street earlier this week, it was easy to see how much love the people of Hawaii have for their team. Their immense pride was unmistakable, unavoidable and almost unreal.

And finally, Kate Hairopoulos of the Dallas Morning News details SMU athletic director Steve Orsini's dogged pursuit of June Jones.

Orsini began the courtship, as Orsini terms it, with many long conversations with Leigh Steinberg, Jones' agent. They intensified after Jones received permission from Hawai'i to explore other options on Dec. 24.

Dealings increased rapidly after the Sugar Bowl.

Orsini and Steinberg both said they continued talking. Daily. Through the holidays. Orsini carried his phone charger with him in his pocket.

It was through Steinberg that Orsini laid the groundwork. Steinberg called Orsini "compelling." Orsini, on Monday, called Steinberg SMU's MVP.

"I was willing to risk it because I want the best available," Orsini said.

Contrast that with the lack of effort, interest and respect from UH, and you can understand a little more why June left.