CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii's Chad Owens, No. 2, leads a group of Warrior players to the UH football field for the first day of spring practice yesterday.
Alapa says future Keani Alapa climbed quickly from second stringer to senior spokesman.
bright for incoming LBs
Several candidates try to replace
Tinoisamoa, Wright and Brown
as spring practice beginsBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comThe linebacker from Kaaawa and Kamehameha was a valued contributor to Hawaii's defense the past two seasons. But Alapa started only three games, as a sophomore in 2001. He mostly played in pass defense packages.
Last year he played in all 14 games and was in on 39 tackles, including four sacks among five tackles-for-loss. He also recovered two fumbles and forced one.
With Pisa Tinoisamoa, Matt Wright and Chris Brown completing their eligibility, Alapa is the only Warrior in spring camp to have started at linebacker (other than Chad Kapanui, who started in a special scheme against Rice's option).
Kapanui, Patrick Harley, Chad Kalilimoku, T.J. Moe, Watson Ho'ohuli, Ikaika Curnan, Kilinahe Noa, Tyrone Brown and Isaiah Alameda are also among the many candidates competing for playing time. Safety Brown Faavae will get a look at linebacker this spring as well.
Alapa said the talent is there.
"We have really good linebackers stepping in. Hopefully I can help them out a little since I have a little more experience than they do. Once they get some game experience they'll be some of the best linebackers UH has ever had," he said yesterday after the first spring practice.
Those are the most words Alapa has said at one time to a reporter in three years. Somewhat quiet by nature, he said he will try to help fill the vocal leadership void caused by the departure of Tinoisamoa, Wright and Brown.
Alapa said he looks forward to the simplified defensive scheme coach June Jones is implementing.
"It looks like we can play more instead of making all kinds of checks. Just go out there and play. That will be good for the linebackers because they have talent," Alapa said. "We won't be thinking so much, we'll just be playing football."
Passing fancy: The guys in the orange shirts looked pretty sharp yesterday as the quest for a backup quarterback began in earnest. Senior Jason Whieldon, sophomore Jeff Rhode and freshman Ryan Stickler took the team reps in that order, but Jones said it is way too early to make any assumptions based on that, or the depth chart that also has them in that order behind starter Tim Chang.
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Three of Hawaii's quarterbacks, including Jeff Rhode, right, threw to receivers at yesterday's first spring practice.
"It looked like Jason threw the ball well, Rhode threw the ball well. All of them threw well at times," Jones said. "You evaluate it after the first week when they get back to going through the reads and stuff. But when they start on the first day sometimes there's a lot of things going through their minds. The first day's not that critical for them."
Button pushing: Junior right tackle Ryan Santos said he doesn't see being ranked second on the depth chart as a demotion after starting the ConAgra Foods Hawaii Bowl last year.
Freshmen Samson Satele and Dane Uperesa are listed as the starters at left and right tackle, and worked most of the reps yesterday. But veteran players at many positions took it relatively easy yesterday while the youngsters learned by doing.
"That's fine. The freshmen have to learn the system, so whatever it takes. That doesn't bother me at all. I pretty much have a feeling where I stand. The freshmen have to get some looks and learn the system," Santos said.
He said he doesn't think the coaches are trying to send him a message, but if they are, he accepts the challenge.
"If it is, then I'm definitely motivated," Santos said. "I plan to start this year and I'm going to do whatever it takes to start. Regardless."
Public charter?: The Warriors are looking at allowing fans to fly on the team's charter flights to and from games, but first itineraries must be determined.
"We're still getting prices together for our budget meeting," administrative assistant Bianca Tokumoto said. "Then we'll be able to see what's feasible and what the cost will be."
She said a decision is still pending on whether the Warriors will remain on the mainland between games at USC (Sept. 13) and Nevada-Las Vegas (Sept. 20). The decision might be based on if the UNLV game is moved to Sept. 19.
Short yardage: Freshman wide receiver Orlando Wong made one of the better catches of the day, with a rolling grab of a low pass from Rhode about 20 yards from the line of scrimmage. ... Junior Se'e Poumele is listed as a receiver, but he threw with the quarterbacks. ... Freshman wide receiver Denny Flanagan is observing with a hamstring pull. ... Work on pulling out the AstroTurf at Aloha Stadium so it can be replaced with Fieldturf was scheduled to begin this morning at 10. ... Sophomore Brandon Eaton is working out at left guard. He has been at all four offensive line spots except center since his arrival in fall 2001.
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