Senior Shayne Kajioka will get the first look at left guard for the Hawaii football team this fall. Kajioka causes O-line shuffle
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com"He's been through my hell for three years, worked really hard and paid his dues," offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said. "To me it's our job to put the best five out there and I think he's one of them now."
The Warriors went into spring camp aligned like this: Wayne Hunter (left tackle), Lui Fuata (left guard), Uriah Moenoa (center), Vince Manuwai (right guard) and Ryan Santos (right tackle).
Kajioka pushed Santos in the spring, but has more experience at guard. The versatility of Fuata and Moenoa allows Fuata to move to center and Moenoa to right tackle. Fuata played left tackle last year and Moenoa was the right tackle; both started every game at those positions, while Manuwai did the same at right guard.
"We're not giving up on Ryan, he's still in the mix," Cavanaugh said. "But Kaj had a really good spring."
In Ulbrich's footsteps?: Former UH defensive end and linebacker Joe Correia has been invited to another San Francisco 49ers minicamp after doing well at one two weeks ago.
Correia said the 49ers want him to lose 10 pounds to get down to around 230. He said he got some pointers from former UH linebacker Jeff Ulbrich, who is going into his third season with San Francisco.
"Middle linebacker is a whole different game," Correia said. "It's all about improving speed for me.
"I know I might not make the team this year, so I'm getting together a backup plan to try to play in the CFL," Correia said.
Rolo to Lelie, the pro version: Former Warrior quarterback Nick Rolovich and wide receiver Ashley Lelie meet up in Denver on Sunday for their second minicamp with the Broncos. This time they hope to hook up on some passes.
"They didn't have us playing together at all," Lelie said. "I think it was planned that way to see what we could do apart from each other."
Lelie said last week that his agent, Ray Anderson, was just beginning negotiations with the Broncos. Lelie, who was picked 19th in the draft, said he is confident that process will go smoothly.
While Rolovich is in a different situation as an undrafted free agent, he impressed the coaches enough two weeks ago to earn a contract and another look. He hopes to earn a playbook now.
"They didn't give me one last time, but I took some notes so I have something to study," Rolovich said.
TV on track: Negotiations between KFVE-TV (Channel 5) and UH for television rights is going smoothly, according to the station's president and general manager, John Fink, and UH vice president Paul Costello.
But a finalized deal is not expected for at least a couple of weeks.
"My goal is to have it worked out in the next month or so. We're putting the wording together," Fink said. "I'm looking forward to renewing our 17-year relationship."
Said Costello: "We're moving along well. We're just waiting now to see (Fink's) proposal."
A total of 10 UH football games will probably be televised by KFVE this year, as the Fresno State, Brigham Young and Washington State games are expected to be picked up by ESPN.
Jackson ready for action: Former safety Nate Jackson reports to the Tennessee Titans' minicamp this weekend. Jackson joins cornerback Donald Mitchell, the son-in-law of UH quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison, in the Titans' secondary.
Smith rejoins Ravens: Long snapper and center Brian Smith returns to Baltimore next week for another minicamp with the Ravens.
He said he feels he did well at the first camp two weeks ago.
"Practice was very similar to UH," he said. "A lot of it is about staying healthy."
Smith said the team had him doing lots of long snapping. He was told he would get more work at center if he makes the team.
Short yardage: Senior defensive tackle Lui Fuga appears to be fully recovered from operations to both shoulders. He recently bench-pressed 405 pounds. ... Senior running back Thero Mitchell has improved his 40 time to 4.59. ... Former Warriors linebacker Lonnie Williams is hoping to catch on in the CFL.