[ NFL ISLANDERS ]
Tinoisamoa productive
Ten players with local ties started yesterday on the National Football League's opening weekend, including six from the University of Hawaii.
Rookie linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa had the best day of all the locals. In his start for the St. Louis Rams, the outside linebacker had five tackles, successfully defended two passes and forced a fumble.
He wasn't the only former Rainbow Warrior to have a good afternoon. Denver's Jason Elam had three field goals, including one of 51 yards, and three PATs in Denver's big win over Cincinnati. Former Rainbow wideout Ashley Lelie started for the Broncos but didn't have a catch. He carried the ball twice for 12 yards. Former Farrington standout Mario Fatafehi had one tackle for Denver.
Former Warrior Jeff Ulbrich started for the 49ers in a win over the Bears. He finished with four tackles, including one on special teams. Former UH running back James Fenderson didn't have a carry yesterday, but had two tackles on special teams.
Baltimore Ravens tackle Maake Kemoeatu, who prepped at Kahuku, played but had no tackles. Another former Kahuku star, Seattle tight end Itula Mili, started for the Seahawks, but had only one catch for 2 yards.
Pittsburgh's Kimo von Oelhoffen started at defensive end. He had only one tackle, but it was a sack for a 6-yard loss.
Offensive linemen continue to rule, with Kynan Forney starting at right guard for the Atlanta Falcons, Adrian Klemm getting the start at right tackle for New England, and Vince Manuwai and Chris Naeole starting at the guard spots for Jacksonville.
Forney is a former UH tackle who enters his third season with the Falcons. Klemm also played tackle for the Rainbow Warriors. It's his fourth year for the Pats since being selected in the second round of the 2000 draft.
Manuwai, a Farrington alumnus, played guard for Hawaii last year. He is one of two rookies who started yesterday. He manned the right guard and the veteran Naeole handled the left side. The Kaaawa native prepped at Kahuku and played his collegiate ball for Colorado. He is entering his seventh season.
There were two centers of attention as well. Former Saint Louis School standouts Olin Kreutz and Dominic Raiola started for their teams. Kreutz was under center in the Bears' loss to the 49ers, while Raiola took part in the Lions' win over the Arizona Cardinals.
