STAR-BULLETIN / 2001 In his second NFL season, St. Louis School alumnus Dominic Raiola will be the starting center for the Detroit Lions.

Raiola starts at
center for Lions

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By Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.com

Ford Field isn't the only new item the Detroit Lions are showing off this year.

Dominic Raiola, the former St. Louis School and Nebraska standout, is their new starting center.

"Yeah, it's definitely where I want to be," said Raiola, who was on the second team behind Eric Beverly for the 2-14 Lions last year.

"I'm healthy going into the season, and that's important. It's time to put the preseason behind us, because there's a big difference between the preseason and the regular season."

Raiola said the Lions have better speed and better personnel than a year ago, but added that it's hard to say just how much they'll improve.

Raiola is impressed with rookie quarterback Joey Harrington and said he's "going to be good," but added that he has full faith in starter Mike McMahon.

Another center from Hawaii, rookie free agent Steven Grace, made the Arizona Cardinals' 53-man roster.

"I'm extremely happy, but I know I still have a lot of work to do to improve ... there's a lot of information to learn," said Grace, who played for Kamehameha Schools and the University of Arizona.

"It's a long season and I want to show that I belong here."

Grace has been staying with teammate Mario Fatafehi, a Cardinals second-team defensive tackle who starred at Farrington High School and Kansas State.

"Mario is a great guy with a lot of aloha," Grace said. "And he and his wife and two kids have given me a place to stay temporarily."

Fatafehi worked into the starting lineup as a rookie last year, but hurt his hand and missed a lot of the season.

Several players with Hawaii connections have moved into NFL starting roles. Kynan Forney, the former Hawaii lineman, is a starter at right guard for Atlanta, while Itula Mili, who starred at Kahuku High School and Brigham Young, is the starting tight end for Seattle.

Second-round draft pick Toniu Fonoti (Kahuku/Nebraska) is the first-team right guard for the Chargers.

Those with Hawaii connections retaining starting roles include Denver kicker Jason Elam (Hawaii), Chicago center Olin Kreutz (St. Louis School/Washington), Pittsburgh defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen (Molokai/ Boise State) and San Francisco linebacker Jeff Ulbrich (Hawaii), who is on injured reserve. Also, Chris Naeole (Kahuku/ Colorado) returns as an NFL starter, though with a new team. He has moved from the New Orleans Saints to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Two players with Hawaii connections were cut yesterday. Joe Wong (Kailua/Brigham Young) was released by Oakland, and Faaesea Mailo (Kahuku/Southern California) was waived by the New York Jets.

Hawaii's NFL pack doesn't stop there.

First-round draft pick Ashley Lelie (Radford/Hawaii) is the Denver Broncos' third receiver, while New Orleans running back James Fenderson (Mililani/ Hawaii), Pittsburgh running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (St. Louis/Utah), Minnesota guard Ed Ta'umu (Iolani/Utah), Baltimore defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu (Kahuku/Utah) and New England tackle Adrian Klemm (Hawaii) are backups.

Center Kevin Mawae of the Jets, whose family is from the 50th state, has been moved from a starter to a backup.

Three others -- Washington wide receiver Cliff Russell (Campbell/Utah), Atlanta defensive tackle Jerry Togiai (Kahuku/Kansas State) and San Diego defensive tackle Doug Sims (Hawaii) --are on injured reserve.