The news that Charlie Weis signed on for two more years as the Patriots' offensive coordinator was met with approval by the New England players here for the Pro Bowl. Patriots ecstatic
Division II Notebook
Weis re-signsBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com"I feel great about that, I was a little concerned," wide receiver Troy Brown said. "He's definitely helped me the past couple years. I've caught a lot more balls since he's been around. He gave me a chance to make plays."
Quarterback Tom Brady is another player who has risen to stardom under Weis' tutelage.
"We would hate to lose him. He's a great motivator and a great friend," Brady said. "That's good, awesome. How much did he get?"
According to a report by ESPN, around $500,000 a year, through the 2003 season.
Cornerback Ty Law doesn't work much with Weis, but was happy nonetheless.
"That's a big positive for us and him," Law said.
Fighter jock: Broncos kicker Jason Elam spent part of yesterday afternoon flying in an F-15 Eagle based at Hickam, courtesy of the U.S. Air Force.
It was especially thrilling for the former Hawaii star, because he aspires to be a commercial airline pilot when his football career is over.
"I've been in a Lear jet before," Elam said. "But nothing faster than the speed of sound."
UH had a shot: The New York Giants' Jesse Armstead went to college at Miami. But the ninth-year pro linebacker here for his fifth Pro Bowl considered Hawaii.
"It was on my final list, but I didn't visit," Armstead recalled yesterday.
Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking overheard him.
"You should have," Brooking said, taking in the scenic view at the Ihilani Resort. "What were you thinking?"
Been there, won that: Brady has played at Aloha Stadium before. He was Michigan's quarterback when the Wolverines manhandled Hawaii 48-17 on Nov. 28, 1998.
The Super Bowl MVP has enjoyed the spotlight and been gracious with fans, media and other players. But he looks forward to getting away from it all.
"I finally got a chance to do a little relaxing (Wednesday) night," he said. "After the game I'm going to escape for about a month."
No deal: Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon and wide receiver Tim Brown said they were relieved that the latest report was that coach Jon Gruden would not be traded to Tampa Bay.
"They'll probably trade the quarterback, though," Gannon quipped.
"Jon's been good for my career and for the Raiders," he added. "Hopefully things will stay the same."
Hunting for kalbi: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward is half Korean. He said he has no relatives among Hawaii's large Korean population.
"My mom's side of the family lives in Korea and Japan," the first-time Pro Bowl player said.
But fellow Steeler Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, who is from Honolulu, took Ward in search of the perfect Korean plate lunch yesterday.
"Fu is the man around here," Ward said.
Wishes granted: A group of 12 seriously ill children was all smiles at Aloha Stadium, as Pro Bowlers chatted with them and signed everything in sight.
"They took a lot of time with each child," said Leilani Basmayor of the foundation's Hawaii office. "Tom Brady was exceptional, especially considering how tired he must be."
Bring back the fire: Raiders punter Shane Lechler was disappointed with this week's news that his alma mater, Texas A&M, decided not to go back to having an annual bonfire before the Texas game each year.
Lechler was at A&M in 1999 when a stack of several thousand logs collapsed, killing 12 students.
"It was a terrible thing that happened, and I understand that there are issues," the first-time Pro Bowl player said. "But it is a great tradition that should be brought back."
Blackout lifted: There were only a few tickets left yesterday afternoon, and officials expected a sellout of tomorrow's game. Therefore, the local television blackout was lifted and the game will be shown live on KITV beginning at 11:30 a.m.
It's not over yet for the Hawaii-Hilo basketball team. And the Vulcans still have eight more days before the end draws near. Hilo still has strong
shot at playoffsBy Brandon Lee
blee@starbulletin.comLate last month, Hilo (16-6 overall, 6-4 Pacific West Conference) began a grueling stretch of six straight conference road games against Hawaii Pacific. The Vulcans had won 13 of their last 14 up to that point.
But after a loss to the Sea Warriors, the then-first-place Vulcans dropped two more at current PacWest-leading Montana State-Billings before picking up a win at last-place Western New Mexico on Monday.
"It was a tough stretch in the schedule," Hilo coach Jeff Law said. "I knew it was going to be tough -- I think the kids knew it was going to be tough."
Hilo now sits in second in the conference standings. Two more games at Chaminade, on Feb. 16 and 18, remain before the Vulcans can return home for their final three PacWest games. When Hilo plays Brigham Young-Hawaii on Feb. 23, it will have been over a month since its last home game.
Nevertheless, Law said the team mood is still upbeat. He is pleased overall with the Vulcans' play -- save for the first game against the Sea Warriors, which Hilo lost by three after being outscored 9-2 down the stretch.
MSU-Billings has been blowing out other PacWest opponents at home, but the Vulcans' two losses to the Yellowjackets were by a combined 25 points. And Hilo's 26-point pasting of WNMU was the only time in the Mustangs' last six games that they haven't loss by three or less.
"We're playing good right now," said Law, who is therefore concerned about the 11-day break between Monday's game and the Chaminade game next weekend. "There's no finger-pointing or anything like that.
"It's a matter of getting back on track. ... We'd only like to have that HPU game back. But we can't and we need to protect from having a situation like that again."
Sitting two-and-a-half games behind MSU-Billings in the race for the PacWest championship and automatic postseason berth, Law said that it will be difficult for the Vulcans or any other team to catch the Yellowjackets. But with four at-large bids available and Hilo still ranked No. 7 regionally, the possibility of the Vulcans continuing their season beyond their PacWest schedule is still a reality.
Said Law: "There are still some very positive things out there for us. ... If we win (the last five games), it would be hard for us not to make (the postseason) as an at-large team."
More hoops: Behind dominant play from center Scott Salisbury, region No. 6 BYUH (13-7, 4-3) overpowered No. 10 HPU (13-6, 4-3) at Laie by 17 points a week ago. The longtime rivals hook up for the second of three times this season tonight at 7:30 at Mid-Pacific gym.
HPU and BYUH are currently in a tie for third in the PacWest. Both have played only seven conference games to this point, while the rest of the schools have played at least 10, and they still have a shot at winning the conference title.
"They dominated us inside and that's one of the few times that's happened this year," HPU coach Tony Sellitto said. "This is a must-win for us. It's at home this time and that should be in our favor."
HPU baseball team bounces back: After suffering a five-game sweep by Chico State last week, HPU (8-9) came back with five wins against Arkansas Tech going into last night's game.
A combination of offensive muscle, and for the first time this season, stingy pitching, turned the tide for the Sea Warriors, who don't resume action until a series against Cal State Los Angeles in two weeks.
"Hopefully our pitchers can learn from this," HPU coach Allan Sato said. "The first two weeks (of the season) were very tough, but we're making some good pitches now."
