Best ‘Backers
By Dave Reardon
If you’re like me, you love to watch good linebacker play. The combination of strength, speed, smarts, skill and instinct needed to do it well — especially in this era of sophisticated offenses — is very rare. One of the reasons I think Hawaii will do better than many expect this fall is its very talented group of linebackers: Solomon Elimimian, Adam Leonard and Blaze Soares for starters, with Brashton Satele, Tyson Kafentzis, Mana Lolotai and R.J. Keisel-Kauhane all capable of making big impacts, too.
Tell us who your favorite linebackers are from Rainbow and Warrior teams past.
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:50 pm
P-I-S-A
July 3rd, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Mark Odom always seemed like a man amongst children.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Tim Buchanon - Big,strong and solid.
M L Johnson - An outside linebacker that could cover tightends one on one. Good size and speed.
Still this years group of linebackers may be the best since 1978. Not only do you have good size and speed you also have a lot of experience. But I think the key will be the front four. In this day and age you still need to control the line of scrimmage.
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I am excited to see what Elimimian will do this year. From a production standpoint he is the cream off the crop for linebackers in the nation. Speed, smarts, and tenacity are his attributes.
With Leonard, and Soares they should all have monster campaings this year.
The “Ferocious three”, Elimimian, Leonard, and Soares.
July 4th, 2008 at 12:22 am
Mark Odum, Pisa Tinoisamoa, and Jeff Ulbrich were probably the most dominating. Thad Jefferson, Alvis Satele, Joaquin Barnett, David Maeva, Carl Kennybrew, ML Johnson and Stephen Gonsalves were prett darn good too.
Mark Odum off the edge; whew!!!
July 4th, 2008 at 2:19 am
SC’s backers are supposedly the nation’s best. How far off are our guys? top 25?
July 4th, 2008 at 6:17 am
I don’t go that far back, but Ulbrich was a fave. I remember that first year with JJ, there was a preseason pep rally at Bachmann hall. he was one of the captains of the team and in his speech he said, “We’re gonna win the WAC this year!!!” my friends and i looked at each other like he was crazy. but I’m glad he is crazy and held true. you knew he’d make it in the NFL.
For Pisa, can anyone forget his goal line stand against that BYU QB that knocked him out of the game? met him at the edge and smacked him back!
but glad to have the LBs we do have this year. can’t wait to see more blaze, sah-le, and adam hits this year!
July 4th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
JEFF ULBRICH!
July 4th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I gotta say this years corps, especially Leonard. Still not completely sold on Soares, although I know that kid can hit.
July 4th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Just think if you stuck elimimian,leonard, and soares in at USC. No question that they would hands down be the best. But because they are in a mid conference the are slighted. USC surrounding cast, namely their d-line makes SC linebackers that much more noticeable. It is time that we give this years Hawaii linebacker more nation wide credit! After all, they did make it to the BCS, a feat that their predecesors failed to accomplish.
July 5th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Hard to estimate, and I’d have to do some research. Top 25 may be conservative. Although BCS elitists would probably scoff, I think top 10 as a unit might not be out of the question. There’s no questioning the consistent productivity of Elimimian and Leonard. Soares’ ability to stay healthy is the X-factor.
July 5th, 2008 at 2:20 am
Yes, Tim Buchanon made sensational hits and thrilled us oldtimers. They tried to make a DE out of him in the NFL and Tim did not stick.
You gotta say Pia and Jeff with what they have achieved in the NFL. Pia has talent but Jeff is guts and smarts.
This current group is awesome. With our depth and multiple schemes, our over all defense will be very tough and will keep us in many games.
July 5th, 2008 at 7:04 am
Pisa was the real deal. You should make a all Hawaii team, June Jones era, Dick Tomey era, the rest era. I would break up the JJ and Tomey era because of the different Offensive sets they used. Just an idea for your readers.
July 5th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Hey Dave - I’ve read that UH is trying to get another team to finish out the ‘09 season. Who do you think they will get another 1AA type school?
Also I see that they play WSU on the road in ‘09 which is great for me because I get to see them play! My question is do you know if the game will be played in pullman or is it WSU’s yearly game played in Seattle at Qwest Field? If so that would be a great trip for local folks to make up to Seattle and see a first class stadium. Maybe they can turn it into a mini vegas-style trip and have tour groups, concerts, etc. One other thing related to this is the fact that I believe UH will also have to travel to Idaho in ‘09 since they rotate every other year. Have you heard any thoughts on making the WSU and Idaho games on back to back weekends to cut down on the travel cost to the mainland? The schools are literally 8 miles apart! The team could spend the week in Lewiston, Idaho or Spokane, WA. Kind of like the weeek they spent in Houston this past year. Maybe get in Jim Donovan’s ear.
Keep up the good work and enjoy your time off.
Mahalo
Shark
July 5th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Oh I forgot to list my favorite linebackers of all time.
1. Anthony Woodson - built like a greek god with speed
2. M.L. Johnson - speed and good hitter
3. Alvis Satele - great speed around the end.
4. Dino Babers
5. Andrew Moody - great HS running back, LB turned into LB and D-End at UH
As you can see I am old school.
S
July 5th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
ML Johnson
Mark Odom
Pisa Tinoisamoa
Alvis Satele Sr.
I like these lists!
BIK
July 6th, 2008 at 9:40 am
two words, UH sucks
July 7th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Mark Odom, Pisa Tinoisamoa, and Jeff Ulbrich were outstanding linebackers. Gotta add David Maeva to the list.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
College Football News did a great piece on the linebackers for Hawaii.
This year should be fun. Defense is tops and the linebackers all time;
Continue the great work Reardon you are the best!
1.Pisa
2.Solo Elimimian
3. Alvis Satele Sr.
4. ML Johnson
5. Jeff Ulbrich
July 7th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
you go girl !!!
July 7th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Howzit Shark,
Yes, it would make sense to keep the team on the mainland and play back to back at WSU and Idaho. I enjoyed the Pullman-Moscow area the two times I’ve been there for a couple of days at a time. We were in Lewiston last year before the Idaho game. The people were hospitable and it’s very scenic, especially at night, but I wouldn’t want to endure the odor from the mill for an entire week. Spokane might be the better alternative. Seattle’s too far I guess.
July 8th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Best ever at U.H.? Up for debate, but,
>Pisa Tinoisamoa
>Jeff Ulbrich
>Mark Odom
>David Maeva
>Anthony Woodson
>Tim Buchanon
>M.L. Johnson
>Alvis Satele
>Scott Voeller
>Terry Whitaker
July 10th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
UH Linebackers are too slow. They look good. They are smart players. They hit and make plays they should make … down the middle when they are unblocked. But they are too slow and can’t fight off a block to make a play for no again or a loss of yardage. Count the yards gained after their tackles instead of counting the number of tackles. You’ll see what I mean, if people really know their football.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Linebackers are good because Cal Lee is there. But they are too slow and can’t fight off the blocks.
PISA, Ulbrich are the ones in the NFL.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Can’t Fight off blocks? What are you talking about Be Real? The last time I checked UH made it to a BCS game something you failed to mention. While everyone gave credit to the offense, the defense was all over the place. They did have one of the top defenses in the WAC,and had two linebackers make 1st team all wac in Elimimian and Leonard. The are constantly taking on blockers. Elimimian is fast and smart, and leonard shows up. Check your facts!