Sunday musings
Joyous Easter to all.
* * * * *
Thoughts this Sunday:
> The coaches are sticking to their promise of not naming a No. 1 quarterback until this August. That keeps the competition fair to Taylor Graham, who continues to rehab a surgically repaired shoulder; to Beau Reilly, who has been a spectator at spring practices and officially joins in June; to perhaps USC’s Max Wittek and the other FBS quarterbacks who have expressed interest in transferring to UH. It also is important that Ikaika Woolsey has made significant steps to playing as a No. 1 quarterback. It is one thing to have an open competition; it is another to have competitive competition. Woolsey is showing he can be a quarterback who can run this offense effectively. Whether he is named No. 1 or not, at least a standard is being set.
> There are at least four QBs from FBS programs who have expressed interest in transferring to Hawaii, which remains an attractive destination.
> It started as an experiment, but Ben Clarke and Kody Afusia are thriving at their new positions. Both have high football IQs and solid techniques, particularly agile footwork. Clark, who started at center during his 24-game UH career, seems like a natural at left tackle. It’s an art to snapping and then firing into a block. Now, Clarke said, “I just have to focus on making plays.” The past year, Afusia has emerged as a leader. He usually leads every running drill involving the linemen. Afusia has mediated disputes, unified a line that is diverse culturally and chronologically, and set a no-bitching standard. Plus, he’s vocal, making him a logical choice to play center. That’s also the position Afusia was recruited to play.
> In a by-the-numbers system, blitzes will originate from the edges. But defensive coordinator Kevin Clune’s system is anything but predictable. And that’s why yesterday’s best blitzer was inside linebacker Tevita Lataimua, who had four backfield tackles, including two sacks. “If the outside guys are doing their job and keeping the guys in, then we can do our job,” Lataimua said. “If we can force them to the outside, (the outside linebackers) can do their thing.” Clune noted the one tendency is there are no tendencies. “We’re going to bring people from everywhere,” Clune said. “We’re going to do a lot of different stuff. Everyone has that potential to bring pressure to the quarterback. When the time comes and your number is called, you have to make the most of it.” Lataimua answered the call yesterday.
> Here’s a pop quiz: Name as many DBs in 10 seconds. Time’s up. Bet you forgot to name Mike Martin. This spring, Martin has filled in for injured safety Marrell Jackson, worked shifts at nickelback, and played on every special-team unit. He brings a workmanlike approach to every practice. The coaches were paying attention. Martin has been awarded a football scholarship. It goes into effect in June.
> Belated congratulations to tight end Harold Moleni and his wife. They’re proud parents of 1-week-old son Genesis. “It was life-changing,” Moleni said of the birth. “It was a special moment.” Fatherhood, he said, “makes you want to be a better man.” They chose the Biblical name because it means “the beginning.” He said: “It works with our faith.”
> Kudos to athletic director Ben Jay for announcing that prices will not increase for season-ticket renewals. The next step should be to start renewal sales right now. This is spring ball. There’s some good feelings. And many tax refunds should be showing up in the mail right now. It would be a good strategy for the postman to be delivering renewal forms at the same time.
> I had a dream that the blog’s type size got larger.
Happy Easter!
GOOD MORNING HAWAII!
Happy Easter, one and all!
Good to hear that someone is stepping up in the QB competition.
Easter 4 me was yesterday here in Manila…Happy Easter to all there….n a very special one
for Ms. Wie….
Nice to read reports from practice….n see the void from…. the rash of injuries from last year…
Seems like having a excellent strength coach is beginning to pay dividends…
IMUA WARRIORS
have a great sunday u’all
This is a very special day for many in the world, so my best to you. Good morning Tsaikos.
Good morning everybody!
Happy Easter too!
Top 10.
Happy Easter all.
Knock on wood, but UH has not had an ACL injury in about a year. Good training might equate to good health.
Brown rice and Quinoa 🙂
Someone needs to move that shed near the end zone at Ching field. Marcus Kemp avoided a near disastrous collision.
# 8
ha ha ha ….. 4 us old folks ….i know we used to hear that phrase when younger
‘you block head’…..after some scoldings…for something stupid that was committed…..
so ‘knock on wood’ relates to me…….
Some dreams do come true…da font stay biggah
Sounds like clune is bringing the excitement back to the hawaii defense.
Happy to hear ben and kody have found new homes. Finally, the best lineman can do his thing on every down.
from this Buddhist to all – a most happy Easter!
ST:
Jalen Smith – BB of football?
Basketball
Good morning Tsaikos!
Happy Easter to you all.
Great news all around on an Easter Sunday, ST. Happy Easter to all in Hawaii!
What’s the report on Marrell Jackson?
Happy Easter Gangeez!
Great post , Mr. Tsai!
GO WARRIORS!!!
Good morning everyone!
ST — the font size looks the same on my Mac in Safari and Firefox, but the leading between lines is definitely larger. But the font size is larger in Mozilla, and probably other browsers.
I personally think your blog entry would look better if it were not justified in alignment. San-serif fonts usually do not justify well visually.
Happy Easter, gang!
ST ~ Wonder if you could get your suggestion re: starting season ticket sales to Ben Jay? It is a very good idea.
In all seriousness devoid of any hilarity and not being caught up in the hype of Rainbow Warriors spring training, I do believe we can not only be competitive against Washington in our opening game but I sincerely believe we can beat them. Mark and save these comments after the Washington game….Hawaii will beat Washington.
hosanna:
UH will go 3 – 0 against Washington, Oregon St and Colorado.
Hey, so many positive waves, maybe we can’t lose—your on!!
# 22…slugger….getting uh athletics n mr. bj to acquire n implement ne excellent ideas from this blog….is maybe….hoping like mr. miano n mr. fen jai…will write a complimentary line or two….with praise 4 mr. chow….not going 2 happen yet….
you remember back in february…i think….when the schedule came out….within 7 days….a tsaiko from CA. was hawking tickets for choice seats 4 all away games i…when did ne one hear our sports dept. doing that…what some on here call ‘crappy’ seats ????
maybe ur asking for the impossible….me remember reading some 2 weeks before the usc game…last year some still had not received their season tickets yet…go figga…wonder mr. st gets his media pass early…or maybe he is a fixture there at the stadium n no need one…
n remember also …sumone…trying to defend i guess….the reason whythat dude in ca…. not associated with the school…could get way better seats for tsaiko’s n others attending away games….then the athletic dept could….simple answer is…he is ‘willing to do the work’…..n not just collecting a pay check…maybe like SOME up there…n just don’t give a damm
about the fans…
remember several years ago….yes another one of along list of fiascos…..they were selling season tickets…or individual tickets n box office was not open….or was past a cut off date…sumthing like that…memory fading…n to many fiascos to count n remember…he he he
but dont worry…me will guarantee…all will get ur tickets before the washington game starts…
guess the phrase for 2 day is ‘knock on wood’ n hope for the best….
in mr bj’s defense…seems to be doing some excellent things with the store n logo stuff….
IMUA..mr. bj….
# 24 A – house…..hear …hear…me agree you…’as the caissons go rolling along’ ….
substitue warriors in there…..
be a very solid start….me licking my chops… can’t wait my big mac …from mr…fen jai….
oops…yes me take my medication mr. FJ…..can me have large coke zero please also ?
IMUA WARRIORS
yea # 27……1957…uh vs nebraska…27 warriors against 100 plus suited-up
cornhuskers…at lincoln nebraska….never ‘give up warriors’ 6 – cornhuskers -0- …tamago…
history does n can repeat it self….make it 3-o after first 3 games…..go 4 it….geef…um
Happy Easter everyone. Good post and read this morning, ST. Nice to see Mr. Martin’s hard work pay off with a scholarship. Way to go!
Can’t wait to see this new team compete and perform.
Hossana’s and A-House’s positive vibe is what the doctor ordered.
Thanks, I really needed that.
#24 Jim Mora’s famous rant. “I just hope we can win a game. Any game!
Easter Blessings, folks!
Go Warrior Bows! 🙂
I agree we have the talent as far as student athletes go. What we don’t have are the right coaches.
Get the right coaches and uh beats Washington. The current coaches. No.
ITT
interesting concept…
you take your two best olinemen both of whom did a very good job last year and reshuffle the deck.
i am hoping that big ben turns the trick as it will give us a solid edge protector with game experience.
moving the natural born leader, afusia to center where those skills suit him best could give us two solid starts.
the highly touted freshmen would best develop at either one of the two guard positions and right tackle.
hope it works sounds like a plan.
Correct me if wrong ST….did Afusia start at Center the last two games? And Clarke was moved to tackle?
35. Fei Jai:
April 20th, 2014 at 7:57 pm
I agree we have the talent as far as student athletes go. What we don’t have are the right fans.
Get the right fans and uh beats Washington. With idiots like myself. No.
#39 Reverse Osmosis: Man I just LOVE how you reverse the roles. Going to Psych 101 at UH and hearing about this term I never knew 38 years later that I would meet the MASTER of this psychology. It is so FUNNY how you do it as when ever you post I start rolling with laughter. Trolls and nay sayers don’t have a chance IF they choose to talk negativity against UH. Happy Monday morning to you kind sir and looking forward to having your acquaintance once again.
Leron:
The moves were made last week.
Ben Clarke said he’s having fun at left tackle and loves the move.