News & Notes

Over on SportsHawaii.com, NelsonO has three scoops from Greg McMackin's appearance on Bobby Curran's show.

1) Jovonte Taylor signed a contract to play pro football in Las Vegas.

2) Paipai will be moved to strongside linebacker.

3) Salas also will be used as a safety in obvious passing situations.

Stephen Tsai writes about Salas and Paipai.

Actually, the Warriors do not have a primary defensive scheme. The closest is the 4-3 alignment used in basic situations, such as first-and-10. In football, everyone is compared to someone else, and Falemalu reminds the UH coaches of Chad Brown. McMackin believes Falemalu will be a natural fit at strongside linebacker in the 4-3, and as a pass-rushing defensive end in the other schemes.

Meanwhile, McMackin believes 6-foot-2 Salas will be helpful in Hail Mary pass situations, as well as red-zone coverages. Too often last year, the Warriors had difficulty matching up against tall wideouts on jump-ball plays in the end zone. Salas helps negate the size disadvantage.

The Star-Bulletin has more on Salas.

"If it's a third-down (and long) situation I wouldn't hesitate to put him in, read the quarterback's eyes and make a play on the ball," said McMackin.

Salas played a few downs on defense last season when the Warriors were guarding against a long pass at the end of a half. McMackin said Salas' role would be limited to where it wouldn't "take away from what he does at receiver."

Dave Reardon has a quote about the receivers from Nick Rolovich.

Everyone's talking about how great the UH receivers could be this season, and rightfully so. But Rolo pointed out a deficiency from last fall. He said the Warriors failed to pick up plenty of yards-after-catch because they didn't block.

"We're emphasizing giving it up for the other guy," Rolovich said.

And since I've been on mini-hiatus, here are some stories I missed from the past week or so:

Boise's WAC exit seems inevitable, unavoidable, by Dave Reardon

Hawaii's biggest football rival will likely be out of the Warriors' league in 2011, although Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson reminded me yesterday that, "there has to be an invitation before it can be accepted."

Most believe it will be a formality when the WAC defectors invite BSU next month at their presidents meeting.

Warriors: WAC's myster team, by Ferd Lewis

A sampling of the early run of annual preseason football magazines, which shows UH picked from fifth to eighth, underlines the conflicted appraisal. Especially as some who are down on the Warriors are, nevertheless, not ruling UH out as a team that could be the WAC's season surprise.

Talk about incongruent: The Sporting News picks UH to finish eighth in the nine-team conference but also notes, "... the WAC usually has a surprise in store. Last year it was Idaho. This season it could be Utah State, with 18 returning starters, or Hawai'i, which could light up scoreboards."

Fact is, the Warriors might be the biggest mystery entering what should be a very fluid WAC this season.

UH back in game as place to play, by Lewis

Copycats crop up in other states, by Lewis

In addition to the Houston-area Hightower High that UH said it is contacting about trademark infringement, there have been sightings in at least three other states to date. For example, Hoxie (Ark.) High has an "H" posted on its website. And an Advertiser reader traveling in Utah snapped a picture of an "H" sweatshirt with "Hillcrest" on it at a Target store in Midvale, Utah.

"Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but not when it comes to trademark infringement," said John McNamara, UH associate athletic director.

UH could become brand name, by Lewis

Instead of untethering the lawyers and firing cease-and-desist salvos, this would seem an opportunity for UH to practice benevolence, not to mention big-picture enlightened self interest.

Something along the lines of encouraging Hightower to work with UH's licensing program and build a positive relationship with the Warriors on several fronts. One that speaks across the wide expanse of five time zones and nearly 4,000 miles that separate them.