Monday, September 6, 1999

Four players from
Hawaii are cut

By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

At one point during the National Football League training camp season, there were 18 players with ties to Hawaii under contract.

But after NFL teams made their final cuts to 53 players yesterday, there were only 11 left.

Four local players, three of them St. Louis School alums, were eliminated from rosters this weekend.

The ex-Crusaders were defensive lineman Troy Bailey (Washington Redskins), defensive lineman Viliami Maumau (Denver Broncos), and wide receiver Kaipo McGuire (Indianapolis Colts).

Former Kalaheo standout Siupeli Malamala, a seventh-year offensive tackle, was waived by the Oakland Raiders.

Being waived was an especially bitter pill for McGuire, who scored his first pro touchdown in a 31-28 home victory over Seattle on Thursday at the RCA Dome.

The 5-foot-10 former BYU star has been waived four times by the Colts since signing as a free agent in 1997.

McGuire has played in four regular-season games but has spent most of his two seasons on the Colts' practice squad.

He caught a 24-yard pass from Kelly Holcomb with 4:13 left in the game against Seattle to spark the Colts' comeback. The touchdown cut the Seahawks' lead to 25-23.

"That touchdown was a spoiler for us," said Seattle starting tight end Itula Mili (Kahuku). "It was a real nice catch. He ran a post, I think, and caught it in the back of the end zone."

Maumau had earned praise for his play on the Broncos' practice squad last year from offensive players like Pro Bowl center Tom Nalen. He accompanied the team to the Super Bowl and received a ring, though he did not play.

Four other players with Hawaii ties were cut earlier this summer.

Defensive lineman Pio Sagapolutele (Pac-Five) was released by New Orleans and Carolina, offensive lineman Leo Goeas (Kamehameha) was let go by Denver, Honolulu-born linebacker Joe Tuipala was cut by the Detroit Lions, and former Rainbow receiver Dillan Micus was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Linebacker Kurt Gouveia, a 13-year veteran who'd been a starter for the San Diego Chargers, could not get the Chargers to agree to his money demands this year. He did not sign with another team.

New Orleans Saints linebacker Ink Aleaga (Pac-Five) has earned the No. 2 berth at right linebacker behind fifth-year veteran Mark Fields.

In addition to McGuire's touchdown reception, there were these performances by Hawaii players in exhibition games last week:

Mili caught four passes for 65 yards - all for first downs - in the Seahawks' loss to Indianapolis.
Former Rainbow Jason Elam kicked two field goals and four extra points as the Broncos buried San Francisco, 34-3.
Maumau recovered a fumble in that same game.
Aleaga had six tackles (five solo) and a pass deflection in the Saints' 12-11 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Former Leilehua star Adrian Murrell was held to one yard on four carries and two yards on one reception as the Arizona Cardinals were clobbered, 43-7, by Oakland.

Other players with Hawaii ties who made the final NFL cut are Broncos defensive end Maa Tanuvasa (Mililani High, UH); Saints guard Chris Naeole (Kahuku); Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Joe Wong (Kailua), who will spend the year on injured reserve; Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Kimo von Oelhoffen (Molokai); Chicago Bears center Olin Kreutz (St. Louis School); Pittsburgh Steelers running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (St. Louis School); and Carolina Panthers nose tackle Esera Tuaolo (Kailua).