Training Camp Day 7 Wrap-Ups (w/UPDATE)

Jason Kaneshiro writes about some of the injuries along the defensive front seven.

The defensive line also had some missing pieces yesterday. With a hamstring keeping John Fonoti sidelined, tackles Fale Laeli (knee) and Rocky Savaiigaea (triceps) also sat out.

"When you get injuries, that's what depth is all about," head coach Greg McMackin said. "Any position that loses somebody, it's unfortunate, but you move on."

UPDATE: Stephen Tsai writes that a preliminary diagnosis on Blaze is better than initially feared.

The preliminary diagnosis is the injury to Blaze Soares’ left calf is not as bad as initially feared.
Soares underwent an MRI early this morning. Kudos to former UH kicker Eric Hannum, who runs a company that conducts MRI procedures. Hannum was able to get Soares an appointment.

With Adam Leonard also out with a tight hamstring, Stephen Tsai writes about the shuffling of linebackers.

Middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian, who was voted as the WAC's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, moved to Leonard's spot on the right side.

R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane, who had been practicing on the right side, competed at Soares' position on the left side.

And backup Brashton Satele was promoted to No. 1 middle linebacker.

With this lineup, Solomon will continue to make the defensive calls.

Kaneshiro takes a look at the defensive line.

"It's hard for the guys who are injured because they can't get the reps," Watson said. "But the guys who are in there, we get double the reps. It'll help us prepare that much better, get our reads down. A lot of things are coming faster, more reaction instead of reading."

Aranda has also been pleased with the play of senior Joshua Leonard at tackle.

"Josh has really been a superstar this first part of camp," he said.

The Warriors began camp with tackle Fale Laeli and end John Fonoti joining Watson and Veikune with the first unit along the front.

Fonoti has been out since Thursday with a strained hamstring and Laeli still has issues with a knee that bothered him throughout last season.

Tsai writes that a starting QB will be named soon.

McMackin, offensive coordinator Ron Lee and quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich will discuss the depth chart tonight.

"We need to move on and get one guy the others can look to," McMackin said. "(Center) John Estes is the leader of the offensive line. But the quarterback, by the nature of the position, is the leader of the offense, and we need to make a decision. We worked hard on our evaluations. We need to sit down and call the shot. We feel the guy we choose needs more reps. ... It's time we get whoever is the best at the quarterback position."

It also appears Tyler Graunke won't be back for another week at least, so he's not in the running for the starting QB job. Also from the article -- Rocky Savaiigaea is scheduled for an MRI on his sore left triceps, and John Estes did not participate in the second half of practice because of a sore right shoulder.

Billy Hull highlights the offensive line, and writes that with John Estes out, Keith AhSoon has volunteered to play center.

Jason Kaneshiro and Billy Hull have some news and notes about the starting QB decision, the kick-off return team, and some comments about having two "sudden change" conditioning drills yesterday:

There had been one sudden change per practice through the first week of camp.

"I wasn't expecting that one at all," Funaki said.

"Those are both hard," McMackin said. "You saw the big guys running at the end? They're running like a mother."

Leila Wai profiles cornerback Calvin Roberts.

One of Roberts' strengths is that "he really wants to do good," Miano said. "I call him the hardest working man in show business because he gets out here and you can hear the breath in his voice, the hustle in his talk, the sparkle in his eye."

Roberts and fellow cornerback Richard Torres are the "technicians at corner in terms of doing things correctly," Miano said.

Ferd Lewis writes about Florida's team speed.

Indeed, UF running backs coach Kenny Carter the other day said, "Everybody can run. We were laughing about (cornerback) Joe Haden. He runs a 4.3 40 (yard dash) and he's only the seventh fastest player on our team. That puts things into perspective for you."

What the Gators do with their offense is spread the field and then rely on their speed to create mismatches — and big plays.

"I believe we're going to have speed, especially at the skill positions on offense," quarterback Tim Tebow predicts. "I think we've got a 4.2 guy at every position."

And finally, UH associate AD Carl Clapp talks to the Gainesville Sun about some of the logistics of Hawaii's road trip to Florida, and travel in general, with the high cost of fuel.

Clapp said Hawaii's athletic travel budget, at $2.75 million last year, is expected to increase to $3.2 million this year. That accounts for 10.75 percent of Hawaii's athletic budget.

"Like anything else, it's a challenge," Clapp said. "We've always been aware with the cost of travel. Right now, there's a heightened awareness. Our coaches and administrators are trying to be creative."

UPDATE: From the comments, fuzzylogic posts this great profile of Greg McMackin, from Generations Hawaii.