Warriors place
premium on speedUH coaches hope the linebacker
competition has a fast outcome
The impact Lawrence Taylor made on football more than 20 years ago is still felt today at University of Hawaii spring practice.
Taylor, the New York Giants' Hall of Fame outside linebacker, changed the way people -- including coaches -- looked at his position. Speed became as important as strength.
That's why Chad Kapanui wants to lose 20 pounds. That's why the Warriors moved a safety into the competition for a starting spot. That's why coach June Jones keeps saying a couple of speedy true freshmen could end up playing a lot this fall.
Especially with a 4-3 (three linebackers) as a base defense, the players on the outside must be fast, UH linebackers coach Cal Lee said.
"It's a tremendous amount of ground to cover. Speed is central. They cover the flats, curl routes, backs coming out," Lee said. "There's a lot of area to cover and speed is essential."
Kapanui, a fifth-year senior who has worked out at four positions at UH, is the tentative starter at the strongside position, which UH calls "stub." The stub linebacker often tangles with a tight end, so he must be aggressive and physical. But he must also be fast.
"Right now I'm just trying to improve my reads. But I also have to cut down some weight and improve my speed," said Kapanui, who is 6 feet tall. "Last week I was 240, I came down to 235. I want to lose a lot, get down to 215. It's not about weight as long as you have some strength. Especially for stub, you cover tight ends, receivers, so you need speed."
Senior Lincoln Manutai (6-0, 224) is at the top of the depth chart at weakside linebacker, or "will."
"Lincoln moves awfully well. He's experienced and aggressive," Lee said. "But the competition is going to be really tough."
Kapanui and Manutai started two games each last year (more than any other returning linebacker other than junior Ikaika Curnan, who starts in the middle). But neither's job is secure.
"There's going to be competition. We have some guys coming in in the fall, two young freshmen (Khevin Peoples and Carl Stokes) who are 10.6 100-meter guys. They're going to be outside linebackers and we want them to compete for those jobs also. We're simplifying things to give them a chance to get on the field," Jones said. "At moments (Kapanui and Manutai) have done real well. They're the veteran guys who need to step up and do it."
The will linebacker is expected to be a fast, athletic playmaker. It is the position Pisa Tinoisamoa played when named team MVP in 2002, and the one Curnan led the team in tackles at last year.
The Warriors, who already had a slew of players competing with Manutai for the position, added senior Paul Carroll to the mix this week. The 6-foot, 200-pound Damien alumnus worked out with the second team yesterday after moving from safety.
"He's a good athlete and he runs very well. He looks like a linebacker," Lee said. "And he listens. You won't go wrong with guys who listen."
The next level: Jones said he is happy for his former players -- defensive end Travis LaBoy (Titans), defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga (49ers), linebacker Kevin Jackson (Packers), receiver Jeremiah Cockheran (Bengals), cornerback Kelvin Millhouse (Dolphins) and safety Hyrum Peters (Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL) -- who were drafted or picked up as free agents over the weekend.
"It's very exciting for those kids. I kind of thought Kelvin and Jeremiah were going to get drafted. I'm glad they have opportunities," Jones said. "Sometimes being a free agent is better financially than getting drafted in the seventh round. Sometimes there's a demand and teams want you."
Jackson might be the sleeper of the bunch.
"Kevin had two or three really good games on tape, and he can run. They're going to look at him as an outside linebacker, which he kind of played here. Both he and Travis stood up a lot (at defensive end), so I think they see him as an athlete. That's great for him," Jones said. "Winning does that and the kids worked real hard. During the season and the offseason. Kevin Jackson, when he came to us, he weighed 200 pounds. He worked real hard in the weight room and he's being rewarded."
Schedule change: The Warriors have today off before finishing out spring practice with workouts tomorrow and Thursday from 7 to 9 a.m. and Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.
The Spring Extravaganza, which includes an offense-against-defense scrimmage, is Saturday at Aloha Stadium. Gates open at 5 p.m. for the free event ($5 parking) that includes activities and give-aways.
Short yardage: Linebacker Chris Cole is expected to enroll in the fall as a freshman at UH and could also compete for playing time. ... In addition to LaBoy and Sopoaga, seven players from the Western Athletic Conference were drafted.
