Warrior Beat

Today’s practice, much like life, was all about making contacts. “We call it ‘thud,’” head coach Norm Chow said of the drills in which defenders are required to hit but not take down ballcarriers. “You ‘thud’ the guy up, and let him go.” Today was the second spring practice in shoulder pads for the Warriors. The emphasis has been on teaching new schemes and working on techniques. The offensive line has been developing under Chris Naeole’s tough-like approach. For now, […]

Ashley Lelie indeed should be regarded as a role model — and not just because he was the highest-drafted player in Warrior football history. Lelie is inspiring because of his post-NFL life. Lelie, who entered the NFL draft after his junior year, returned to UH to complete work on a bachelor’s degree. For Lelie, it wasn’t just a paper chase. He enjoys studying and learning. During Greg McMackin’s tenure, one of Lelie’s duties as a student manager was to monitor […]

Maybe it’s just a coinkydink, but the Warriors have dealt with back problems this spring. Quarterback Sean Schroeder and defensive end Iuta Tepa yesterday underwent back surgeries. Yesterday afternoon, tight end Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson experienced a strained back. Last night, offensive lineman Chauncy Winchester-Makainai suffered discomfort in his back. Pu‘u-Robinson and Winchester-Makainai did not practice today. “There’s always a flavor of the day, and this spring it seems to be back,” head coach Norm Chow said. Winchester-Makainai does not know what […]

After a one-week hiatus for spring break, the Warriors are back preparing for the final 13 practices of spring training. The coaches weren’t exactly idle this past week. Head coach Norm Chow was on the mainland interviewing candidates for the newly created strength/conditioning coach’s position. They also are exploring the possibility of taking the summer camps on the road to various campuses across the state. The plan is still in the “thinking” stage, but there is the belief this approach […]

Have a blessed Easter, everyone. * * * * * Here’s the scenario: A guy gives his wife $100 to go grocery shopping. The items total $78. Two months later, the guy claims the couple is in debt because the wife did not give him the $22 change. In the real world, the wife says to the husband: “You’re an idiot.” And she’s right. Whether she spent the entire amount or none of it, that was the amount budgeted, and […]

Candidates at four key special-team positions have an advantage when the Warriors’ spring training resumes this Tuesday. They are all relatively healthy. The Warriors are seeking successors to long-snapper Luke Ingram, punter Alex Dunnachie and kickoff returner Mike Edwards. Three long-snappers —  including Brian Hittner who delayed his enrollment a year while adding transferrable credits — will be joining this summer. Defensive end Beau Yap was used as the long-snapper until he suffered a fracture in his right foot during […]

Norm Chow is listening. The people want to see some football? The Warriors are making plans to turn the Spring Fling into a real game. In past years, the Warriors ended spring training with situational scrimmages. For this spring, tentative plans call for two teams to be created through a draft of available players. A real game will be played. While there are some position shortages, notably on the defensive line, that just makes draft strategy more important. It also […]

The country that brought Drake, Justin Bieber and Robin Scherbatsky offers a plan that is workable for the Canadian Football League and its prospects. The CFL allows a prospect to be drafted, sign with an agent and attend training camp — and if things don’t work out, the player can still return to school and compete for a Canadian university’s football team. That policy is in contrast to the rule that ends a player’s NCAA career if he applies for […]