Graunke, AhSoon, Special Teams, Colt

Brian McInnis writes about Graunke's hand, which X-rays revealed is not fractured.

"I'll be back roaring on Monday," Graunke said. "I have to get back in there and get some chemistry going with the rest of the team."

He described his hand as "really black and blue."

"There's a lot of swelling," he said. "I can't grip a ball yet, but there's a lot more (range of) motion than there was yesterday."

An MRI for ligament damage is possible if the joint stays in that condition.

Tsai has a good quote from Graunke.

"I know I'm going to play against San Jose ... if I'm still the starter," Graunke said.

Also from the article, Tsai writes about Keith AhSoon awaiting MRI results on his knee, has quotes from Coach Mack about the special teams being overhauled, and other notes about Jake Heun, Blaze Soares, etc.

McInnis has a Sports Notebook with news about AhSoon, the health of the running backs, the possibility of closing practices, and the special teams:

New special teams full-speed scrimmages are part of a redoubled effort on that front planned at practices this week with Hawaii ranking 90th of 119 teams in kickoff return average (18.15) and 116th in punt return average (minus-0.5 yards) among all Division I-A teams.

The Warriors are also 111th in kickoff return defense (27.33 yards allowed) and 105th in punt return defense (21.63 per punt).

"There were some personnel breakdowns, and we've already made changes in the personnel," said McMackin, who didn't say which players were changed.

Ferd Lewis writes that it's a good time to regroup and prepare for the next game, an important matchup against San Jose State.

Dave Reardon takes a look at where the team is at, in his Further Review column.

The head coach apologized at his news conference yesterday for a "surly attitude." Actually, McMackin conveyed the proper proportions of dismay and doggedness, and answered every question.

"I'm a fighter, and I'm going to fight like a mother," he concluded.

Of course, it's one thing to accept blame and another to repair things. First of all, can it be fixed? Is the raw material there? Heart? Confidence in each other?

And finally, in some Warriors in the Pros news, Matt Terl of the Redskins blog writes about Congresswoman Mazie Hirono visiting Colt Brennan.

“I went to this Sunday’s exciting game between the Redskins and the Saints and had a chance to spend some time with Colt down on the field during the pre-game,” Congresswoman Hirono said in a statement. “I let him know that the entire state of Hawaii is behind him.”

Brennan was enthused about the meeting as well. “It was cool, man. It was a good experience,” he said. “She said she was going to be a big fan and try to come to the games. It was good to meet her.”