Taking a look-see
In an ideal world, it’s best to not dip into the savings account.
In the Warriors’ world, where knee braces are standard equipment, sometimes the reserves need to be considered.
In the past two practices, quarterback Aaron Zwahlen and cornerback Rojesterman Farris have moved from the scout teams and practiced extensively with the backups. Matt Norman also has practiced as the No. 2 left tackle.
What’s more, Vasquez Haynes has moved from wideout to free safety.
Head coach Norm Chow said little should be “read” into these moves, and that the Warriors are exploring different options. The hope is that Zwahlen, Farris and Norman will redshirt this season. They have not played in a game this year.
By the way, Zwahlen has looked good, throwing tight spirals to the flats and deep. Farris also plays the aggressive man coverage that is suited for the fire-zone schemes.
Running back Paul Harris and wideout/returner Keelan Ewaliko resumed practicing today in white jerseys. They previously were wearing red jerseys designated for limited-contact players.
If Aaron Zwahlen looks good, I’m not sure why the coaches feel a need to redshirt him.
Not all Witteks fault but you can’t just wait and hope results change every week. Running out of games to win and you might not even get to call a single play for Zwahlen if you get fired after the end of the season. Time to see some urgency and make changes if something isn’t working. Zwahlen might not be the answer, but well never know unless we try something new eventually.
#125Wow (from the previous post) Got it, I understand.
ah shucks, ST – wrote a nice post only to be blown away when I submitted by your “comments are closed”
dark, rainy clouds cover the Koolau Range and misty in Manoa Valley – like the song says, “In green Manoa Valley—“.
sun struggles to peek through mostly cloudy skies in Honolulu – where is the “rainbow”? not in sight from Tripler to Kokohead – not a good sign!
friend asks me who will be the next HC for UH football – me don’t know, but hope he is one heck of a leader, excellent organizer/supervisor, exceptional motivator, unmatched recruiting skills and be like “Mr. Miyagi”
while football seems to garner all the attention/publicity, the non-revenue sports are beginning to win or make major improvements over last year – that’s why we donate to all of them – how about you? none of my business, you say! you’re correct
Good morning/noon everyone!
If potential redshirts are ready to play, then they probably should. Let the injured starters heal or limit their play and we will have a stronger team in the November…and maybe beyond.
Also, for those going to the UH-UNLV game, please post here or email me your ETA/ETD and hotel in Las Vegas.
Akamai Okole and (J)James are looking for Tsai-kos for the usual mischief, Friday night party, tailgate, post-game meal get-together, etc.
http://stevem.altervista.org/away15.html
How many teams in recent years have beaten Hawaii with their 3rd or 4th string true freshman QB? May be AZ time
St. Juste…..?
No. 125 out of 128 in scoring does not have the luxury of redshirting players that can help.
Amazing..Isn’t Vasquez Haynes a Senior?? Was he that far behind in the receiver corps? Why isn’t Stubblefield getting more reps and exposure? He seems to be able to “catch” passes unlike the others and get separation…We need to give some of the other receivers their opportunities, if the current ones can’t hold on to balls or get separation.
Zwahlen needs to be given an opportunity if the current QBs are not producing. Similarly, I think Ursua should be used versus redshirted…Why are we keeping folks on the bench if they can contribute to our current fortunes???
What about DSJ???? What is his status? This seems to be a complete “wash out” year for him…Maybe redshirt him and activate Ursua.
Good to hear about Zwahlen.
Ursua is a play maker
From yesterday’s conversation. There’s a clip on KHON-2 Sports of TE Dakota Torres beating his man in an Oklahoma drill. Love TEs who can both block and catch. Hope to see Torres more, along with added production from the position. Good thing about him is that he’s only a redshirt freshman.
No question about Wittek’s character. But coach needs to think about his health and well being, much like Schroeder who ended up with a broken back. Not a broken finger or leg, his back. That is still troubling to me to this day. No questions about Schroder’s character and how much he sacrificed for this program. But there should equally be no question about a player’s health and well being. Winning is important, sure that Wittek tells Coach he’s ready to go, but just can’t see how those things are more important.
Glad to see Harris and Ewaliko back in the mix. Hoping the Warriors can put it all together this week and come home with that “W”.
GO WARRIORS!!!
How does Vasquez go from starting WR to being moved to safety? Are the current WRS that good or did he not fully recover?
Listened to call the coach last night. Bobby & Chow both kept calling the New Mexico game a challenge especially with their altitude. My how we have fallen, to a point where a trip to Albuquerque is an uphill climb
I doubt Zwahlen will get to play …. If Wittek can’t go … I see NC playing IW as the 2nd qb till the bitter end of another long season.
The Haynes move is another one that is impossible to understand.
It’s time ….
Totally agree with #1 Jeezy–let’s start Zwahlen; and see if he can lead us to the promised land. The future is NOW!
If AZ is brought in, please don’t let him just hand off for a run up the middle
Zwahlen and Ursua are both coming off missions, and have not seen any live action in three years. The wise avenue is to redshirt and have four years of eligibility remaining, and maybe that’s what they both prefer … especially with this season half gone. I think both are immense talents who could see lots of playing time next year … whether Chow is here or not.
Funny observation: I saw Zwahlen on the field Saturday warming up Collie. His first pass sailed 5 feet over Collie’s head. Oh, well.
There is obvious value in being able to redshirt players. But we keep hearing the coaches talke about the difference between practice and game speed. Seems like getting game speed experience has real value for the player and the team.
ST, this is in response to the previous thread, Post #103. I see your point of view, but here’s what Spurrier was quoted as saying…”I just think it’s best for everybody, especially our team, our school, that I get out of the way now and let’s start in a new direction.” Spurrier saw himself as the problem.
ST & Tsaiko Blog Dogs:
I have not posted under this name for almost 2 years since is was chided for making a racist remark by ALLAN and Tom Mui. ALLAN alluded that I should tell Coach Chow to his face and see that it is racist. While literally it probably is as they say, I posted in a context that was not aimed to be derogatory. Couple of days ago I had the fortune to speak with Coach Chow and used the term in the context I had intended. He laughed and understood where I was coming from. He also made a joke back relating to the ethnic remark.
Feeling somewhat vindicated, I now choose to post again under this blog name. I want to thank some of old time posters who know me that gave me support in my self imposed exile, primarily, Koa Kane, JJames, DPK, akamai okole, Jimmy the Lock, Steve M, Al, A-House, sjmacro, Pomai, etc.
Funny Steve Spurrier comment:
On a fire at Auburn’s football dorm that destroyed 20 books: “But the real tragedy was that 15 hadn’t been colored yet.”
PONO,
A friend asked the same thing about Haynes. How can someone who started go from hero to zero? Our current lineup of WR could use a good shake up. Lets see Haynes in action and get more action for Stubs.
I know I’ll get hate for this but I still believe Wittek is the QB for us. I don’t think activating Zwalen will do any good. The burden right now, in my eyes, is on the WR coach to get his crew’s butt together and the starting RBs to become better blockers or surrender their role to someone who can.
bigwave96744….# 19…Good One….RUN…RUN…PASS…PUNT…. is the formula for success…
OSD… should we take up a collection to replace those coloring books ? he he he
Question to anybody. If a freshman redshirts in his freshman season, is he allowed to transfer to another DI school and play immediately the next year, sighting change of coaches/system as a reason to transfer?
A lot of folks on this blog are plenty knowledgeable enough to make substantive assessments of why the UH stats look like they do, but I wish that news articles would investigate and report on the strategic “whys” instead of just complain about the number of losses. Things like …
Is the play calling predictable?
Is the range of plays anomalously limited?
How impactful has the seemingly large coaching turnover been?
Are Chow’s interview comments sufficient to build confidence of future success?
BYU’s starting QB, Tanner Magnum is a true frosh who just completed his mission this summer
I still do not understand how the coaching staff keeps rewarding the same receivers by letting them start, even though they have continued to drop passes week after week. Like iwonderwhytheyhateme said, there needs to be a shake up!
UCLA & Boise St both have true frosh QBS
2011 Chuckie Keaton was Utah St’s starting QB as a true frosh
Agree with Jeezy. Start Zwahlen and see if he can be the spark that this offense needs so badly. The future is NOW.
RE# 23
Annoddah Dave — good to see you back. Your explanation puzzled me because I do not recall the incident. But maybe because I know you personally and knew how you meant it…and I probably just wrote off the criticism of people you (and I) don’t know personally as just so much noise.
For those of you who do not know Dave, he is one of the original Tsai-kos who dared attend Blog Party 1 (Dec. 2006) and meet the other faceless characters of the blog… DPK, Al, Bulla, Jason, (J)James, A-Joe, Darren, gigi-hawaii, Cat, Princess Leila, RK, etc. After that the blog exploded because no one feared insulting or being misunderstood by the other. Then it got fun and a lot of people joined in… 🙂
Blog Party 1: https://plus.google.com/110282682584830025627/posts/6Aemt9CpXjd
Good to know. Whittek I believe suffered from injuries before he was recruited. He wore that knee brace at USC probably the reason why he wasnt played. His opportunity to play came when Chow recruited him. Ok, best decision? Can’t say. However, putting 20 lbs on an already fragile frame is not the best decision. Bigger is not better. Resistance training would have been better option than to add bulk. To make him more agile and flexible would make him stronger. But we don’t know the extent of the injury. But he was worth recruiting and bringing to UH.
Stubberfield #3, I don’t think is ready. He didn’t play well against WI. Pedroza #2, needs discipline, focus, and needs to know this ain’t about him. Kemp #1 needs to be more aggressive. From start to finish. Off the line, seperate, to get the ball. Speed and technical skill matters. As a #1 receiver, he’s got to be a boss. They all have to focus on the ball to catch every ball in the vinicity. If the practice speed is different from the game speed then we have a problem. You practice how you play.
At this point, using every weapon, every arsenal, everything you got is vital. Not to read into too much at this point is irrelevant. The ships going down fast. Making moves is better than not making any at all.
#28
I think it is possible. As long as he didn’t see any game time on the field.
Two injured back hopefully a few more. What’s up with Elijah.
Is Leo K now starting at guard? Man I don’t care what we do I just want a win!
Mr. Tsai. You are great!! I miss your talks with the players. I think you have a different view of the players because you talk to them every week . You know they are trying their best. I respect you for that. I am tired of all this fire the Coach stuff. All these people wouldn’t tell Coach to his face what they think.
I have attended all home games since 1979. I am a Bows fan.
Boise State’s roster has over 60 players who redshirted. That might be 75% of the roster.
18. haha I never said lets start Zwahlen. I said no point worrying about his redshirt. If we continue to lose and show no strides on offense, then changes need to be made. You can redshirt Roe and Aaron and might not even coach a single down of their careers if you don’t have a job next year. Make everyone eligible available if needed, and if they are the best player up, play them.
I’ve broke bread and wine with Annodah Dave. Nice guy.
And isn’t ALLAN the dude that ALWAYS TYPES IN CAPS and claims its because of some vision impairment? Even after being told 1038282818x how to enlarge the text on his screen so he wouldn’t have to continue to type that way, he kept doing it.
#31seewhy, I agree. Been commenting from last year about performance of the wide outs, particularly Kemp. He has had separation challenges as he might be fast after 10 yards, but he is not quick. More of the challenge has been him catching with his hands are not his dominant trait, more body. Basically he does not have good soft hands along the lines of Bess, Grice-Mullen, Salas, Owens, Branch. Think that the “you touch it, you catch it” factor should apply more. Ashley Lelie was jet fast, did not have the softest of hands, but usually if he touched it, he caught it, not too shabby for a local walk on.
On the other hand, maybe whoever is second on the depth chart this year will not be an upgrade?
Give Zwahlen a chance! It shouldn’t matter to Norm about his red shirt is cause he won’t be the head coach next year! And if noMORMAN
is not here next season Zwahlen might end up transferring too.
A famed and beloved local statesmen once told me this anecdote to get perspective on an issue I was dealing with.
–You are using a crosswalk to cross the street and a truck is hurdling towards you. So you tell yourself, god dangit, I have the right of way and I ain’t stopping. BOOM, you get creamed.–
The right thing to do may have a bunch of variables that don’t make it a black and white decision. The right thing to do is not always the most sensible or intelligent thing to do.
Just my worthless 2.5 cents.
But seriously if your coaching for your job put the best 11 on the field no matter what the age. Look at Jim Mora starting Josh Rosen who was in high school last year. I hope run, run, pass, punt has the common sense to do that.
aloha everyone !! seem like like the same thing like last year !! we were all asking for bo and know we all asking for Zwahlen !! and next year will be? let the young play if there ready !!
Yes, I come here for the comments. The whitty, insightful, funny, and some educational responses. Some useful and some not so much. But you take it with a grain of salt. I’ll take mine with a shot of tequila thank you very much. To keep me from tossing and turning in bed after each game. Yes, we have to laugh to keep from crying.
WITH ALL THE OTHER BLOGS TO READ, WHY READ MINE?
MAYBE SUM OF US DUDES N DUDETTES LIKE TO READ CAPS… CUZ WE GOING BLIND HUH?
hahahahahaha!
love it. 😉
hahahahahahaha. 😉
Annodah Dave. On behalf of me and duffer want to thank you for your super hospitality by giving us game tickets a few years back. Arigato gozai mas.
I bet Max Whittek is better looking than New Mexico’s qb…
Imagine if Chow utilized Harris, Ewaliko, Ursua and Joas in his offensive schemes, similar to the way San Diego utilizes Donnel Pumphrey, we could actually have a scoring offense.
Joas deserves to keep his job as kick returner.
#20 And you haven’t seen our other qb’s do the same time and time again?
Stubblefield needs time on the field.
Pereese!!
wow gibs going get some nice free money !!! he should thank the football team for taking cracks with 2 money making game this season!!
#52 I agree with you. I feel like Mr. Reardon and Coach Miano have been the only ones in the media to express criticism on this regime at Manoa. Some others can tell you what Norm ate for breakfast and dinner the night before.
I don’t follow basketball much, so do not know much except from the media reports. But it torques me off that a coach dismissed “without cause” is found by the NCAA to be in multiple violations sufficient to be dismissed WITH cause, but he’s going to skate out with a big chunk of undeserved $$$.
OK, the contract wording is bad, but common sense and decency is out the window here. UH tries to sue for $2,000 versus a $1.4 million claim. Peanuts–ya think Gib might be showing bad character in the missing $2,000 and the UH would greatly benefit?
I heard we are going to forfeit games? If true, then Arnold would have a very bad winning record and would have been subject to termination anyway for that. If he got bonus money for achieving X wins and playoffs, that should be forfeit too. But I dunno much…
i dont blame gib at all. i don’t think he’s doing anything shady either. if it’s something technical in the contract, then UH should’ve written a better one or had better legal counsel when they decided to take their bizarre and highly secretive actions. gib is looking after gib and i don’t blame him. there’s a lot of money on the table, he feels he’s being screwed over by his employer (and it’s possible that he is), and the man has to eat and put food on the table.
UH is probably settling because the court costs and the negative press probably won’t make it worth it.
Whether Gib is innocent or not he should have had his “day in court” BEFORE being embarrassed and fired. What UH did to an employee was despicable! Now it is “Who who laughs last?”
If they’re that good play them. What’s the sense of red shirting them if the coaches aren’t going to be around next year.
Timing … the most important thing in both comedy and some contract negotiations. Can’t wait to renew. Can’t wait to fire. It seems ironic that UH leadership cannot wait on the next phase of the NCAA investigation before proceeding to the BOR.
~10 July 2014 … UH renews Arnolds contract for 3 years while the investigation is ongoing (Court Sense, New contract for Arnold, 10 July 2014) … “UH leadership felt it could not wait on it, even with the resolution of the NCAA investigation still pending.” … reader comments are ominously prescient
28 October 2014 UH leadership fires Arnold without presumably reading and understanding Arnold’s contract … “Men’s basketball coaches depart program” … http://manoa.hawaii.edu/news/article.php?aId=6824
Re: Redshirt/transfer
If John Smith is on scholarship this season and he redshirts, he would have to sit out next year if he transfers to an FBS school. It’s not whether you play or not during a redshirt year, it’s what school you’re attending that year.
Re: Starters.
Who said the same receivers are starting?
There will be some lineup changes, which I’ll post in preview on Saturday.
By the way, I was the only reporter at practice today. And, no, there were no spectators, either.
What they were concentrating on….run…pass…or ‘trick’ plays… he he he
Re: Basketball.
If you want to get rid of someone immediately, you fire him without cause, then pay off the remaining amount on the contract. That’s what happened with Aaron Price, Herman Frazier, Ben Jay and Gib Arnold. (They had something on McMackin, which led to the retirement at half of what he was owed for the final year.)
The problem is that somebody screwed up the wording on Arnold’s contract, and instead of paying off only the remaining time on his contract, it incorrectly said he was owed the entire value of his contract — $1.4 million. So, because of the goof, Arnold was paid $1.4 million as contracted, then he claimed he was owed another $1.4 million. Now, obviously, that was a screwup in wording. But it’s like if Hawaiian Airlines advertises for a $100 flight, but mistakenly prints $10, one judge would say, c’mon, it’s a mistake, pay the $100, while another judge might say, Tough shit, you screwed up, you can only charge $10. In this case, it appeared only Arnold and his lawyer read the fine print.
Well no sense in complain about it now…seems like it is over… n judge not reveal the
final payout…just hope in future… no more…Arnold’s…VonAppen…Bolla’s…
mistakes…but Chow n and Shojii…be replaced soon… one voluntary….other pushed…hope calm waters now for a few years…n the stands get pretty filled up again n season tickets…take a big boost in sales…
thank ST for making it clear about gibs deal !! ST how are we looking at practice ? getting more player back?
Ok so Harris, Ewaliko are back. Bernard with speed is on the field and hoping that a few more recoveries are I the works still 4 1/2 days for healing going back to Tuesday and miracles do happen. Not gonna say one bad thing about NM but sure could after watching some games. We need a win and in my opinion we have the talent and ability to do just that even with a few tweaks to the line-up. I now have seen 11 live games in 5 years including two at Aloha and the OT game in Wyoming I figure I am due to see a victory. How bout it guys? GO Warriors!!!!!
To get from the initial Arnold contract signing to the termination without cause payout has to rank among the least probable of outcomes. As the first 3 years under Chow showed, rushing is not always the answer 🙂
“This Agreement may be terminated by the University at any time without cause upon (90) days written notice to Coach. In such event, University will pay Coach as liquidated damages, a lump sum amount equal to the total amount of compensation earned under the terms of this Agreement as of the date of the termination (incentives and extensions not achieved are not included in liquidated damages). This payment is Coach’s exclusive remedy.” … see Page 12, http://www.scribd.com/doc/254645117/Employment-Agreement-Arnold-2011-2014-Redacted-Salary
Matthew Norman is needed for back up at tackle for now, he will not dress or play this weekend. Other sources say Aaron Zwahlen is not ready yet to play.
Thanks ML Warrior for the update. The way I see it and have seen it, is like the old movie “Network” I’m as mad as hell and I’m not gonna take it any more!!!!! NM should be running into a human chipper these week-end-according to several sources there are at least 4 members of the secondary for NM either banged up and questionable or just plain out. It truly means nothing more than what it is. This week is about team defense and moving the chains putting points on the board. Please save the smiles and antics after a good play till the game is in hand and over. I am such a jerk but I never and I mean never liked smiles or celebration till the game was over and won-to me it just makes you look stupid with celebratory antics only to be on the losing end. In the game of football it is serious kick your a** till it’s over start to finish- GO WARRIORS!!!!!!!!
Why change the quarterback when the receivers can’t get separation, stop their routes and drop as many as they catch? Not to mention the problems the o-line is having maintaining blocks and picking up blitzes. I think there are bigger pieces to the solution puzzle on offense than the need to change quarterbacks. And as a coach, I certainly wouldn’t burn a kids year just because I may not be retained next year. If he is indeed the best quarterback then yes, he needs to play, but only because he is the best option, which I don’t think is the case in this situation. IMHO.
Haka, agree about not burning a year just because the coach won’t be back. That would be selfish and not in the player’s best interest.
Sign of the times.
Q. Where are you watching the game?
A. I don’t care. I’m not interested.
UNM 27
UH Zero
Good one Ala Wai… he he he
But if u no watch…u going miss the 52- 12 victory for the warriors as the o-fence gets rolling.. but my dream no tell me who was QB…think was Gabriel….he he he
NM Lobos running back Jhurell Pressley ran over a thousand yards
last year averaging 9.5 yards a carry…. Ran for a 75 yard touchdown
on their first play against Boise. 🙁
Well…they are favored…so be a up-hill-altitude battle for us…but in the end…me pretty sure we will come out winners…
Haka,
agree with you 100%. i don’t think that our failed offense thus far is on the QB’s shoulder. the WR need to step it up. burning red shirts on players like Zwalen isn’t going to help us any if the WRs are playing the same way they have been or the coach makes decisions like moving Haynes to safety. lmfao.
82. I think the truth lies somewhere in between all of the above. When QB makes a good throw, WRs do drop balls. When WR gets wide open, QB misses throws. No debate with the O line though. When defense blitzes, our O line is lost. To the point where I don’t get why we don’t insert a extra lineman to block or have Kaiwi Chung play FB/RB for blocking purposes only. He did move to FB if I read correctly before season started. Tuiasoa made some nice blocks in pass pro as well.
Maddog50. I like what you wrote about no celebratory antics till its over with a W.
It’s going to take more than just line-up changes. Each Warrior will have to execute their assignment as designed. I’ve seen too many missed blocks, poor tackling technique and inexcusable penalties to feel confident. But with Julian Gener and other team leaders to help settle the team’s mental toughness, perhaps the Warriors can succeed. Just put it all together.
Got to do a better job running the ball. Can’t run the ball as much as they do and not get good results. Use number 2 and 3 quarterbacks and run their legs off. Number 1 no can run but save his arm for situational plays like 3rd and long.
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=33754