Warrior Beat

Reporters were standing around yesterday, debating an uncertain future. Yes, we’re all concerned about finding replacements for Adam Leonard, Dan Kelly, Ryan Mouton, Keao Monteilh, Keala Watson, Fale Laeli and … Dylan Linkner? Since 2005, when Colt Brennan opened our eyes and our notebooks, the Hawai‘i media have been blessed with some of the most camera-friendly speakers. Princess Leila’s Cribs-styled video with Leonard a few years was an indication of the personalities behind the facemasks. The past four years have […]

It was a Flint who sparked the post-game fight between UH and Cincinnati in the last meeting, won by the Warriors, 20-19, in 2002. “Remember Jared Flint, the (UH reserve) quarterback?” said Chris Brown, who was a UH linebacker at the time. “Somebody took a swing at him. The two sides surged from there. We weren’t going to let our quarterback take a hit.” Brown admitted to being involved. “We were in the mix,” said Brown, now a UH manager. […]

The Warriors practiced this morning on their still beat-up grass field, cutting short the usual 2-hour workout by 30 minutes. Coach Greg McMackin said it’s late in the season, and he wanted to minimize excessive contact. But the Warriors worked on their entire game plan, with the first team practicing against the scouts. Also: • Tomorrow’s practice will be at Saint Louis School. • Ryan Mouton and Kealoha Pilares did not practice, but McMackin is hopeful both will be available […]

Agent Max Hannemann reports that Tala Esera has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad. Hannemann also said that Reagan Mauia received an injury buyout from the Cincinnati Bengals. Mauia, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, will seek other opportunities as soon as he is healthy. * * * Rain washed out this morning’s scheduled practice. * * * It is Greg McMackin’s plan that at the end of Saturday’s regular-season finale, the 35 or so seniors gather at […]

 Solomon Elimimian today was named the WAC’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Joining Elimimian on the All-WAC first team are Adam Leonard, John Estes and Ryan Mouton. Michael Washington, David Veikune and Keala Watson are on the second team. Veikune deserved to be on the first team. And it’s surprising that Josh Leonard was shut out. Your thoughts? Here’s the link: http://www.wacsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10100&ATCLID=3625956 * * * Rodney Bradley, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound wideout from Navarro Junior College (Texas), has accepted a football […]

It’s been a long year. The Sugar Bowl. June Jones’ departure. Greg McMackin’s promotion. Recruiting. The quarterback carousel. The 1-2 start, and the come-from-ahead losses to San Jose State and Utah State. That’s why it was nice to see the Warriors celebrate their clinching of a winning regular season. Best of all, they really are happy to be going to the Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl. While the rest of us had a great time at the Sugar Bowl — Hurricanes, Johnny […]

• Tyler Graunke has resolved his “personal matters” and participated in yesterday’s walk-through. • Defensive back Ryan Mouton won’t play because of a high-ankle sprain. But to see him toss long spirals on the sideline invokes what-if thoughts. As part of the two-game move to slotback, there was an option-pass play implemented for Mouton. It never was used, but it would have been fun to see. • One of the best plays I’ve seen occurred on Malcolm Lane’s 82-yard touchdown […]

If you’re a reporter, you always try to avoid Skippa Diaz. Diaz, the former Farrington High coach, is a great guy. He’s funny, and he always had great observations. Thing is, he has a killer handshake. He used to attend UH football games regularly, and when I would see him, I would get that same feeling I used to get at Roosevelt when Baba (“Would You LIke to Donate to My Christmas Fund”) Puha would approach. After a while, I […]