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FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaiian Islanders hopeful Antoine Simpson played for the NFL's Miami Dolphins and the San Diego Chargers.
NFL experience
gives Simpson edge
with IslandersThe defensive tackle, who played
in 11 NFL games in 1999-2000,
hopes to join the Islanders
Antoine Simpson doesn't have to say a thing. His credentials are three letters that automatically make him respected by teammates and a source of fear for opponents, at least the first time around the league.
N-F-L.
Simpson has been where the rest of his arenafootball2 Hawaiian Islanders teammates want to be, having spent a season each with the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers. He wasn't a star or even a starter, but the defensive tackle was at the highest level for more than just a cup of Gatorade, playing in 11 NFL games in 1999 and 2000.
The 6-foot-3, 328-pound, 27-year-old lineman was among 36 players who reported to Aloha Stadium yesterday for the 2004 Islanders' first official practice. There will be 21 on the roster when the team opens defense of its Western Division championship March 27 at Fresno.
Simpson hasn't made the team yet. But it seems likely he will, judging by comments from coach Cal Lee and defensive line assistant Darren Hernandez.
"Antoine, he's got some of that NFL stuff, and that's just a big plus for us. He's only going to be an asset," Lee said. "We're looking for leadership from him not only on the offensive and defensive line but the whole team."
Hernandez said Simpson has enough quickness for the 8-man game.
"As big as he is, he's very athletic. He's got quick feet. Hopefully he'll help us get some pressure up front," Hernandez said. "He's a professional. He comes out prepared and works hard. We'll take him."
The Islanders might not have been able to do that if Simpson hadn't suffered a quad injury while trying to make the Detroit Fury of the Arena Football League in January. They waived him.
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Antoine Simpson, left, and Evile Puna went through drills during yesterday's practice at Aloha Stadium for the Hawaiian Islanders of arenafootball2 league.
Simpson was with the Fury long enough to reacquaint himself with offensive line, where he hadn't played in 10 years.
"Detroit re-introduced me to it. I like it. I played a little bit in high school, so it's not totally foreign," Simpson said.
After the Chargers let him go following the 2000 season, Simpson figured he was done with football. When he got an itch to play again last year, there was only one problem: The lack of demand for 360-pound defensive tackles.
"The first thing I did was went on a diet, and I think I still need to lose 10 more pounds," Simpson said. "Especially for this game, going both ways wears you down, so you have to be in good shape. It's a fast game and you've got to get adjusted to the alignment."
Simpson is from LaPorte, Texas, and played at the University of Houston. He said the brawl at the end of the Hawaii Bowl between Hawaii and Houston players bothered him.
"I saw that. I didn't think that was too good a deal. I'm glad I wasn't involved. Sometimes the game gets that way, but it should never go to that level," said Simpson, who is now teammates with 10 former Hawaii players. "We haven't had any beefs and I don't think we will. I don't think any of these guys were involved in it. We talked about it and laughed it off."
Adjusting: Former Hawaii wide receiver Justin Colbert was sidelined yesterday with a strained left knee.
"I hurt it doing some defensive-back drills the other day," Colbert said.
Ex-Maryland running back Marc Riley is re-learning the finer points of linebacker play. "I'd say I was in 11th grade the last time. It's going to be a hard transition, I've been primarily an offensive player. But I'll do whatever I can to make the team," he said.
Jonathan Kauka, listed as a fullback/linebacker, played offensive line and linebacker in high school and was a special teams standout at Hawaii.
"I think my versatility will help me here," he said.
Inside stuff: Lee likes the indoor potential of Keali'i Aguiar, who spent considerable time with both the offensive and defensive line units at UH. "I think he's a good one. He's got a great punch on offense and he's strong on the defensive front," Lee said. ... John Veneri will be the Islanders' radio color commentator this year. "I'm excited," the KHON TV-2 sports director said. "I've always enjoyed the arena game."
