CRAIG KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
QB Tim Chang participated in drills earlier this week. In addition to determining who will be Chang's backup, coaches are on the lookout for a starting safety.
Warriors looking
for the safe pickHawaii coaches have to sort
through their candidates for safety
When judging talent, Rich Miano is not usually nasty like Simon Crowell of "American Idol." But the Hawaii defensive backs coach threw a friendly jab yesterday morning at the candidates to replace last year's starting safeties.
"No contenders yet," Miano said after a crisp two-hour practice. Then, with a grin, "Lots of pretenders."
Don't bother calling in; the only votes that count here are those of Miano, defensive coordinator George Lumpkin and head coach June Jones. And it might take them some time to decide. The candidates have considerable talent, but it is spread out pretty evenly among the group.
The perfect safeties would possess Leonard Peters' game athleticism, Matt Manuma's intelligence, Patrick Jenkins' physique and Lamar Broadway's versatility. Unfortunately, while UH professors can clone mice, they haven't figured out a way to morph football players.
Miano has, however, done more with less in the past. He's helped walk-ons like Nate Jackson, Jacob Espiau and Hyrum Peters develop into capable starters and conference honorees.
Incumbent free safety Leonard Peters is like a golfer sitting in the clubhouse with a small lead while others try to improve their scores. The junior from Kahuku, who started seven games and capped last season with 12 tackles in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, is recovering from shoulder surgery.
"It is kind of hard watching the other guys, because you can only watch and take reps mentally and try to focus. But I think even though it's hard, it's good for me," Peters said.
The Warriors hope to build around Peters, although his job is not secure yet, Miano said.
"Physically he's exactly what we're looking for. He should be the most advanced. We just have to have him play up to his potential and he'll be solid, could be outstanding," the former NFL safety said.
The candidates to start, who also include Lono Manners and Paul Carroll, are all responsible for learning both spots.
"Out here you've got to know it all," Broadway said. "Especially at safety, you're the quarterback of the defense. If they ask you to play linebacker, you better know that, too. Last year I was at free safety, but against Rice I was lining up at corner, for the force against the option. Different adjustments, different alignments."
The coaches have been especially excited about Broadway for the past year and looked for ways to get him on the field. Miano said he could be the heir to the strong safety spot that was held by Hyrum Peters.
"He hasn't been under the lights that much, but he has that personality where he's not going to get scared, he's not going to back down from adversity and competition and pressure," Miano said.
So Peters and Broadway are the starters, but penciled in very lightly with an eraser close at hand. This is an issue unlikely to be settled until late August.
"The coaches are really evaluating the safety position and it's open to anybody, really," said Jenkins, a 6-foot-1, 182-pounder Miano described as having an NFL body. "Hopefully I can just go out there and play hard and know my role."
All will get long looks, and many are rooting for senior Matt Manuma. He's a converted quarterback who has battled injuries throughout his career and has never quite hit the heights of the depth chart that allow for meaningful playing time.
"That guy, he's smart. He's not as fast as we would like," Miano said. "There's some liabilities with him, but he'll get you lined up, he'll know what to do."
Jones has long believed that good college safeties can be refugees from other positions, especially cornerback.
"Because of our conference, you'd better have safeties who can cover. Our philosophy has been get corners, and move them to safety. That's kind of worked. Hyrum was that kind of guy. Lamar started at corner, now he's moved to safety. Another walk-on, Chris Price-White, looks like he can play, but he might have to be a safety," Jones said.
"We have a lot of candidates. With Leonard not in there guys are getting a lot of chances. We've certainly got some guys to choose from."
Still in shorts: The Warriors have practiced in shells (helmets and shoulder pads) the first five workouts.
The team won't wear full pads unless they scrimmage. The earliest that might happen is next week, Jones said.
May Day is scrimmage day: Admission is free for the May 1 scrimmage at Aloha Stadium that wraps up spring practice, but there will be a $5 charge for parking.
The event is billed as the Spring Football Extravaganza. The offense-against-defense controlled scrimmage starts at 7 p.m., but pre-game activities begin at 5 p.m., with fans allowed access to the field.
Features include:
>> KKEA-1420 is sponsoring a Kids' Zone with jump castles, slides, games and prizes.
>> The first 200 fans to enter the stadium get a free gift from RainBowTique.
>> Players and coaches will be available for autographs after the scrimmage.
>> Fuji Film Hawaii will provide a photo of fans with a favorite player or coach for 25 cents.
>> The UH band and cheerleaders and the Rainbow Dancers will perform.
>> Their will be contests with prizes, sponsored by Papa John's Pizza Hawaii.
