Spring Day 13, Dowling, $400K, Etc., Update: News from yest

Today is Day 13 of spring practice. The Warrior Beat and UH Sports Extra should have updates, news and notes.

UPDATE 1: Some notes from Reardon's blog, including news that Mike Washington is back at practice, and Keala Watson led a post-practice haʻa.

UPDATE 2: Stephen Tsai praises administrative assistants, and writes that the new UH football jerseys will be unveiled at a 2pm news conference today, with photos and videos to be posted soon after.

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Brian McInnis profiles senior cornerback Jameel Dowling, who's currently battling it out with Calvin Roberts and JoPierre Davis at the right corner position.

"Oh yeah, he's gotta play somewhere," McMackin said. "He's too good to have on the bench.

"He's so coachable, and it impresses me that he plays so low, being so tall," he added. "The thing is, too, his height takes so much away from people -- they can't get the ball over him. Plus, he's got the speed to run with them (4.4- to 4.5-second 40-yard dash)."

Ferd Lewis writes about the $400k that UH says June Jones owes for breaking his contract, while JJ and Leigh Steinberg say they had a verbal agreement (not in the contract) with former AD Herman Frazier that he doesn't owe anything. It's headed to arbitration, apparently.

Lewis takes a look at what caused this mess.

But because it isn't in the file copy, UH wants the money it says it is has been due since March 7. Steinberg maintains there was an agreement and that such "handshake" deals are common practice in sports.

A dodge to avoid coughing up the moolah? Could be. But given the previous administration's track record on seeing things through — football scheduling, contracts etc. — there is a resounding ring of plausibility.

Indeed, we're told that at least one UH coach has vehemently maintained he had an agreement with Frazier on a contract extension but that no paper work has turned up.

Lewis also has an article about how the successful 2007 UH football season may have spiked interest and donations to UH.

At the University of Hawai'i, the Colt Brennan-led magical 2007 march to the Sugar Bowl is already showing signs of resulting in something of a Brennan Boom, officials say.

Fall semester applications are up eight percent, UH Alumni Association memberships have risen 21 percent and football season ticket sales, which are on-going, have climbed steadily, according to the school.

Colt Brennan talks to Stephen Tsai about this weekend's NFL Draft, and what he expects.

"You really don't know," said Brennan, noting several teams have shown strong interest. He said his close friend, Matt Leinart, never interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals, who selected the former USC quarterback in the first round. Another friend, Trent Edwards, was drafted by the Buffalo Bills without receiving a personal workout.

Predictions range from Brennan being selected in the second round to not at all.

Chawan Cut has a news compilation from last night. Talks with RGM, and a snippet from ESPN about who'll replace Colt.