[ DEFENSIVE BACKS ]
Rival receivers can't shake
cornerback Elimimian
Why he's good
It's a simple concept, but a nearly impossible task. Stay with the receiver. Abraham Elimimian is one of the best at it. Basically, when he covers a receiver, he doesn't get open -- especially deep.Elimimian is not the most physically gifted athlete on the field, but he works hard and has made the most of what he has.
"Abe is strong and he's pretty fast, but it's his technique that makes him the best cornerback in the league," fellow cornerback Kenny Patton said.
Abraham Elimimian
>> Co-led the Warriors with
four interceptions last year
>> Gas 175 career tackles
|
X-factor
The starting safeties in 2003, David Gilmore and Hyrum Peters, were not especially fast or strong. But they knew the plays, and they made plays.This year's duo, Leonard Peters and Lamar Broadway, have lots of natural talent. And they should complement each other well, since Peters is the rangy athlete and Broadway is the hard-hitting enforcer. If they are in the right place at the right time this fall, the Warriors should improve on their 15 interceptions of last season.
Patton is considered a young talent with loads of potential, but he was out last year with hamstring problems.
Going deep
The Warriors coaches are overjoyed with their depth at cornerback. In the Western Athletic Conference, where passes fly with regularity, many situations call for more than two cornerbacks on the field at once.That means Ray Bass, Turmarian Moreland and Omega Hogan will often join Elimimian and Patton on the field.
Style file
As a group, defensive backs like to look sharp. "I guess if you look good, you play good," Elimimian said while commenting on Moreland's sartorial splendor. But they especially like to get on each other's cases for dubious choices of fashion accessories. "A white bandanna? That's pretty ugly," safety Patrick Jenkins said, pointing to Elimimian.Ones to watch
The top players with the probable starter listed first:
Left Cornerback
| NO. | PLAYER | HT. | WT. | CL. |
| 37 | Abraham Elimimian | 5-10 | 185 | Sr. |
| 12 | Ray Bass | 5-11 | 175 | Fr. |
Strong Safety
| NO. | PLAYER | HT. | WT. | CL. |
| 42 | Leonard Peters | 6-1 | 184 | Jr. |
| 15 | Lono Manners | 5-10 | 204 | Jr. |
Free Safety
| NO. | PLAYER | HT. | WT. | CL. |
| 22 | Lamar Broadway | 5-11 | 175 | Jr. |
| 3 | Patrick Jenkins | 6-0 | 190 | Sr. |
Right Cornerback
| NO. | PLAYER | HT. | WT. | CL. |
| 24 | Kenny Patton | 6-0 | 187 | So. |
| 10 | Turmarian Moreland | 6-0 | 194 | Jr. |
Defensive Backs coach
Rich Miano is in his fifth season. He is a former Kaiser High School and UH standout, and he played 11 seasons in the NFL.
www.hawaiiathletics.com
