Fall Camp: Day 1 Wrap-Ups

Jason Kaneshiro recaps the first day of practice.

The Warriors opened camp with a 2 1/2 -hour workout devoted to the fundamentals in all three phases.

Among the dominant themes for the Warriors leading up to the Sept. 4 season opener against Central Arkansas will be retooling a defense replacing nine starters while the offense works to build on the gains made since the conclusion of McMackin's inaugural 7-7 campaign.

"We couldn't wait. We couldn't sleep last night, a couple guys kept talking about it," linebacker Brashton Satele said a day after the team moved into the athletic department dance studios for a 2 1/2 -week stay. "There's nine new guys (on defense) but we're all close, so it's a good mix. ... I have confidence in every guy we line up with."

Great quote from Greg Alexander:

"I think we're in a really good spot right now. We're definitely ahead of last year, maybe a little ahead of the curve as far as chemistry with each other. We know body language, how guys are going to run certain (routes). I'm really excited, I think we have a great chance to do some things."

Kaneshiro has more practice notes on his blog.

Stephen Tsai recaps practice and talks to Paipai Falemalu about moving to defensive end, Blaze Soares, Rocky Savaiigaea and Craig Bell about returning from injury, and Alex Dunnachie about kicking the ball real far.

Dunnachie was admittedly nervous when the Warriors aligned in punt formation.

"I didn't know what to expect," he said. "On the first one, I didn't know they were rushing me. It took me a bit by surprise."

But he quickly recovered, and then launched the towering punt, inducing his teammates to chant "Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!"

In Australia, the crowd yells that after good plays. The response yell is: Oy! Oy! Oy!

"I don't know how they knew that, but it was good to hear," Dunnachie said.

Would be cool if that became a cheer at Aloha Stadium.

Tsai has more notes in a "Day After" post.

It's too bad cornerback Steve Christian won't be able to play for an extended period. Christian suffered a labrum injury that will require surgery. He redshirted as a freshman last year.

Brian McInnis and Jason Kaneshiro have news and notes highlighting Malcolm Lane and David Hafoka being absent from practice, Nick Rolovich and Ron Lee working with the receivers now that Craig Stutzmann is gone, Dunnachie's punting, Paipai's move, and Blaze's return.

His excitement was obvious as he mimicked his teammates' movements on the side during the reps he didn't take (he was in on about one in every four).

But the UH coaches have advised the hard-hitting Soares not to over-exert himself as he works his way back into the fold.

Soares nodded knowingly at this. The Castle alum knows all too well what another serious injury would mean as time winds down on his UH playing career.

"(Sitting out) was very depressing," Soares said with a head shake. "Know what I mean? Just going through that battle. It's something that I don't want to go through again."

McInnis profiles Leon Wright-Jackson.

He called up his competition over the summer -- including newcomers Alex Green and Chizzy Dimude as well as converted back Inoke Funaki -- to arrange workouts and drills to maximize their collective potential.

"We really push each other. That's what we all talked about," the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Wright-Jackson said yesterday. "That's what I told all the new guys: push each other. Whoever starts, whoever starts, you know. But the whole thing is, we have to get better as a team. So we're going to be pushing each other. We're not going to slack off on each other -- we're going to make each other work."

Big things from LWJ in '09!

And Dave Reardon profiles Rocky Savaiigaea.

He's been the ultimate team guy, even when he's had good reason to slink off to a quiet corner and sulk.

Inspirational people know their kind when they see it. Here's what Brian Kajiyama, the Warriors student assistant who works magic from his wheelchair, thinks of Savaiigaea.

"Last year when he was injured, he still would show up at practices and games to show his support for the TEAM," Kajiyama says. "He was disappointed with his injury, and tried to come back after surgery, and realized it would not work. Despite his frustration, he continued to show up for all team functions. Rocky is someone who leads by example ... and when he does speak, players listen because they truly respect him as a player, a friend, and as a person."

He's more positive than the Octomom's pregnancy test. McMackin says Rocky is ready to make a big impact.

"He's really working hard. He's got great quickness, great power, he's just been unfortunate in getting hurt. He had an excellent spring, he's a hundred percent. He's strong, he's quick, he's got a great attitude. He's a leader. He's a guy who guys will follow. He just has to get his opportunity and make the most of it."