RAINBOW NOTEBOOK

Brooks ready to practice

Top wide receiver Attrice Brooks spent most of yesterday's morning practice watching from the safety of the Cooke Field sidelines. But that should change today.

"I took my drug test, did a little thing for the NCAA and now I'm ready to go," the 6-foot-4, 200-pounder said. "Unless something happens that I don't know about, I'll be on the field (today)."

That's good news for Rainbows head coach June Jones, who spent too much of yesterday's practice watching his wide receivers drop passes.

"We were a little ragged out there, but that's to be expected on the first day," Jones said. "We threw a lot at the new guys. It usually takes four or five days before everything sinks in.

"Attrice should be ready to go. We're glad to have him in camp. We feel like everything's in place for him and he should be cleared to practice."

Brooks said he was looking forward to being on the field. On Tuesday, the San Francisco City College standout traveled about 5,000 miles from Florida. Other than being a little jet-lagged, Brooks said he was fit for duty.

"I'm feeling really good and excited about being here," Brooks said. "We basically ran this same offense in junior college, so I feel like I'll fit right in. I have a lot of confidence that we can turn this thing around."

Weaver arrives

Top-rated running back Avion Weaver missed the morning workout to finish some junior college classes in Sacramento, Calif., but arrived in time for the afternoon practice.

"I got here at about 11, so I couldn't get out there in time," Weaver said. "But everything is fine. I'm ready to get in there and show what I can do."

Afatia Thompson, Robert Grant and Thero Mitchell took the majority of repetitions in the morning session of two-a-days, but it's still Weaver's job to lose.

"We're looking forward to getting Avion on the field," Jones said. "I'm glad to see him get in here today because I thought it might be tomorrow before he was up and ready."

Still circling

There are three newcomers yet to clear the academic waiver wire.

They are Farrington High offensive lineman Vince Manuwai, and wide receiver Jamal Garland and defensive back Anthony Vaughn of Grossmont (Calif.) Junior College.

Local product Kanoa Noguchi of St. Louis School won't be playing this season because of personal problems. Manuwai is still waiting to hear from the NCAA clearinghouse, but is expected to make the club. Garland and Vaughn aren't quite as solid. It's believed their chances of making the team are 50-50.

Injury report

Every player who had off-season surgery took part in yesterday's opening drills, but that doesn't mean they were at full speed.

Middle linebacker Jeff Ulbrich returned from total knee reconstruction and said yesterday that he felt ready to play for the first time in months. He still isn't quite 100 percent.

Neither is defensive tackle Tony Tuioti, who said yesterday his back was bothering him a bit.

"I've just got to work to get it stronger," Tuioti said. "I'll be ready for our opener."

Safety Daniel Ho-Ching (shoulder), kicker Eric Hannum (shoulder) and outside linebacker Steve Dietschy (knee) were also pronounced ready for contact. They took part in yesterday's opening workouts.

Because of previous shoulder problems, Jones decided that offensive lineman Kynan Forney should redshirt this season.

Williams student assistant

Former UH cornerback Donnell Williams will be a student assistant for the Rainbows this semester. His primary duties will be working with the defensive backs.

"I'm going to help out until I get my degree this year," Williams said. "It's fun still being with the program and working out with the guys."

Top offensive play

The defense made a majority of the big plays, but give quarterback Dan Robinson credit for hooking up with junior college wideout Scott Sims for a 60-yard touchdown. Robinson caught Sims on the fly. Sims split the coverage and went untouched into the end zone for the offensive highlight in the morning session.

Top defensive play

The defense got the better of the offense on several pass interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns during the morning session. The best one was by converted linebacker Anthony Smith, who stepped in front of a Shawn Withy-Allen pass and scampered up the sideline for the score.

Weather report

The temperature was a comfortable 81 degrees during the morning practice with typical tradewinds at Cooke Field. It was a little warmer in the afternoon, but nothing like the hot days of Barbers Point.

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By Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin