Quad Preview, Fonoti, Lafaele, Owens, Etc.

The New York Times Quad blog has college football countdown, and ranks UH at #65 this year, which is about the average of what other magazine and publications are saying, the bastards. Here's an excerpt from their extensive preview:

It is likely no coincidence that “Coach Mack” has been involved in the two greatest seasons in Hawaii’s history (the nine-game turnaround in 1999, and last fall’s run). Though he has a monumental task ahead of him in replacing Jones, Hawaii seems to have chosen the right man for the job. Most importantly, players, fans and U.H. supporters have almost universally lauded the hiring, an integral step in the program moving forward after a difficult divorce from his predecessor.

The article also includes a review of key losses, players to watch, breakdowns, predictions, etc.

Stephen Tsai profiles defensive end John Fonoti.

This offseason, middle linebacker Brashton Satele and Fonoti, who is listed as the No. 1 defensive right end, are workout partners. Their day begins with a 5 a.m. wake-up call.

"I used to have to call him," Satele said. "Now, the majority of the time he's waking up on his own. Now he's calling me. He's way more committed this year. He's taking on a leadership role."

Tsai has more offseason workout photos on his blog, writes that Michael Lafaele recently had a tryout with the Buffalo Bills, and shows some Warriors on their mopeds. Noooooo. Mopeds bad!

Ferd Lewis writes about the potential heat and humidity at the UH-Florida game on August 30th. As Jim Donovan puts it:

"My guess is it will be about 92 to 97 degrees — and about 106 percent humidity. We may need to issue snorkels."

Lewis also writes about the financial disparity between the two programs.

Chad Owens has been named to the AFL's All-Rookie team despite a late start and an early end to his season. Get well, Mighty Mouse!

Here's an interesting profile of former UH and current SMU coach Jeff Reinebold, from PonyFans.com.

“June told us at the Sugar Bowl that it (the move to Dallas) might happen,” Reinebold said. “Then, after we got home, he called at 4 a.m. (Hawaii time) to tell me about his decision. Initially, he told me he wanted me to stay there in Hawaii, because there were a lot of projects we had started as a staff there. But after a lot of soul-searching and talking with my wife, we knew it was the right thing for me to come to SMU with him. Besides, our daughter, Megan, is a student at Hawaii, and this gives us the opportunity to get her to SMU.”

And finally, CFN's Pete Fiutak has 2009 NFL Draft Rankings. He has Dan Kelly as the #4 placekicker, John Estes as the #16 offensive guard, and Solomon Elimimian as the #21 outside linebacker.

Thanks to fuzzylogic and lostinube.