Hawai’i Football Fanatics
Don Aweau’s Hawai’i Islanders & Polynesian Football Blog
Archive for November, 2009
HFF Monday Night Football: New England Patriots @ New Orleans Saints
Nov 30th
Phew! I'm not taking any favorites on this one as I have much respect for both quarterbacks. Drew Brees is on fire and Tom Brady has greatly improved to be his old self in the last several games. Ex-Warrior, Jake Ingram, is gaining confidence in his longsnapper role for the Patriots. Not much to say but good luck to both teams as they vie for a playoff spot.
Game Watch Links:
New England Patriots
New England Patriots - Offense
Jake Ingram LS#47 LS Jake Ingram (University of Hawai'i)
New Orleans Saints
Hoka! (Too Bad!) New Orleans has no islanders/Polynesians/ex-Warriors!! The closest connection would be #55 Scott Fujita OLB, who was adopted by a Japanese family.
Game on: 3:30 PM HST (ESPN22)
Portland 5:30 PM PDT (ESPN35)
Seattle 5:30 PM PDT (ESPN31)
E Kala Mai! (Sorry!) Power Outage!
Nov 29th
I apologize to all Hawai'i Football Fanatics readers. Got up late from the Warriors victory over Navy and wasn't able to post till later due to family obligations. Came home and found out there was a power outage in our area. Darn, I'll attempt to at least get in tomorrow's game later tonight as soon as the power returns.
Don't forget to watch tonight's game with the Steelers visiting Baltimore in Raven land.
Thanks for your patience!
Writing from mobile phone.
Pau Hana Football Friday
Nov 27th
Interesting finds while browsing the worldwide internet. I had more time this holiday as I'm off till Monday. Here's a couple of updates for Hawai'i Football Fanatics readers. A little bit of Polynesia for Polynesian players on Thanksgiving in Cincy, recent player signings and a link to mix up things in Honolulu to cheer on your favorite team with other like-minded individuals,
Thanksgiving Dinner Ethnic-Style
Thanksgiving is a special holiday for everyone and its uniqueness is in displayed in their food fare. Bengals, Domata Peko, and teammates shared their ideas of how to partake and celebrate their Thanksgiving meals.
Recent Signings
Good news for ex-Warrior fan favorite, Ikaika Alama-Francis, who signed with the Miami Dolphins. See an in-depth look from fellow blogger, Tombo Ahi on Ikaika's move to join ex-Warrior teammate, Davone Bess. Paul Fanaika also joins ex-Warrior, Colt Brennan, and fellow Polynesian, Mike Sellers, who is having some great games lately.
Ikaika Alama- Francis
I'll be the first ot admit that I was upset when Ikaika was waived from Detroit this season. He's a great player and just hadn't had an opportunity to showcase his talent. Maybe now in Miami he'll be able to do so. I'm just hoping Dom (Dominic Raiola) will be able to be traded too as he's taken his share of licks from Detroit fans.
Palm Beach Sports in Florida reported the following on the signing:
Former Lions DE signed: The Dolphins signed former Detroit defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis, but hope he doesn't bring with him any of the Lions' mojo.
Alama-Francis started two games and played in 13 for last year's 0-16 Lions, the first team in NFL history to lose 16 games. The Lions cut him before the regular season started, but Alama-Francis said he has kept in shape and is ready to contribute.
"It was a lot of losing and it didn't feel good," he said of his time in Detroit.
The Dolphins needed him mostly as insurance after they lost starting nose tackle Jason Ferguson for the season with a quadriceps injury. Alama-Francis played defensive end and nose tackle for the Lions, and played significantly at nose tackle in college at Hawaii, where he was a teammate of Dolphins receiver Davone Bess.
Paul Fanaika
Polynesian and ASU fans will also rejoice that Paul Fanaika may finally get to start soon. Unfortunately, he is playing against his former (practice squad) and my favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles, this weekend. Hmmm, makes you think about the timing of this trade. They probably wanted the inside "scoops" to the Philadelphia gameplan. Congratulations! Paul!
Redskins Sign Guard Paul Fanaika from Eagles' Practice Squad
Football Hangouts
This might be a slightly dated article (Sep. 2008) by Tracy Chan but it sums up most of the sports bars in Honolulu that you can venture to in case you have "cabin fever" and need to get away. Sometimes it's good to get away. Oops! Sounds like an airline commercial. Anyway, I digress.
I love these Metromix Honolulu articles. Especially, those by fellow blogger and friend, Melissa Chang (she's the one that makes us drool all the time with her local food specials). Check her it out at her Urban Mix Plate Blog!
Remember also, please don't drink, if you drive or call someone for a pickup. Be safe this weekend and look out for each other.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Nov 25th
Happy Thanksgiving! to all Hawai'i Football Fanatics Readers. I don't have any reviews for today's games but I'll be back up on the weekend. Enjoy the holiday and be safe as you visit family and friends.
HFF Monday Night Football: Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans
Nov 22nd
Monday night is an intense rivalry between two teams with strong ties to Houston, TX. The Titans, who were formerly the Houston Oilers and the Texans, the newest NFL franchise. The Texans are looking for chance to have a winning season and a possible wild-card contention. The Titans may be just able to salvage their season by winning the rest of their games. They always seem to get close to winning but can't close it out.
I'm going with the Titans on this one as its a no-brainer for me. Ex-warrior, Ryan Mouton, is finally getting the hang of it. But I can't fault him since this is his rookie season and a lot of criticism from fans are unwarranted. Kevin Mawae is like a workhorse. Brought out of retirement, the former LSU player with island ties is solid as a poi pounder.
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans - Offense
Tennesse Titans - Defense
Houston Texans
Hoka! (Too Bad) Texans have no island players!!
Game on: 3:30 PM HST (ESPN22)
Portland 5:30 PM PDT (ESPN35)
Seattle 5:30 PM PDT (ESPN31)
*For complete NFL Polynesian/Hawaiian/Island Ties players, see HFF Pro Teams .
NFL Sunday Night Football (November 22)
Nov 22nd
This game is a toss-up as both teams have a contingent of Polynesian players. Eagles are attempting to get a wild-card spot in the playoffs and the Bears are playing to avoid any more losses to squeeze into the game too. Cowboys avoided a loss today (barely with a 1 pt win), so they lead the division, but Philly still has a chance with a win over the Bears. I’m rooting along with the rest of my ‘ohana though for the Eagles on this one (since we lived in Philly). Go Eagles!!!
As of the past few weeks, all the Philly Polynesians on the Eagles squad are still nursing injuries or relegated to the practice squad. Fenuki Tupou is on injured reserve. Marcus Mailei and Paul Fanaika are hoping to see game time tonight.
Due to time constraints (have to go see my cousin, Kupono, of “So You Think You Can Dance” fame, return to Hawai’i), I’ll have to place a link for the Bears Polynesian/Islander contingent. I apologize for that, I got too engrossed in watching the Cowboys/Redskins, Colts/Ravens and Steelers/Chiefs matchups. What a shocker in the Steelers/Chiefs game!
Game Watch Links:
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles - Offense
Injured Reserve
#78 OT Fenuki Tupou (University of Oregon)
Practice Squad
#63 OG Paul Fanaika (Arizona State University)
#41 RB Marcus Mailei (Weber State University)
Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears - #57 Olin Kreutz, #73 Donovan Raiola (practice squad), #75 Matt Toeaina, #59 Pisa Tinoisamoa, *#46 Al Afalava, *#45 Will Ta’ufo’ou (practice squad) & *#62 Johan Asiata (practice squad)
The game is being televised on NBC at 3:20pm HST (KHNL8)
Portland 5:20 PM PDT (KGW8)
Seattle 5:20 PM PDT (KING5)
*For complete NFL Polynesian/Hawaiian/Island Ties players, see HFF Pro Teams .
NFL Sunday: Repeat Matchups
Nov 22nd
The games for late afternoon are repeat matchups from early in the season. NY squeezed out a win against New England the last time. Kind of an ugly win but they pulled it off. Denver was proving themselves against doubters and won the SD game. Let's see if this will be a win for our favorite team. NY Jets @ New England Patriots I'm going with the Jets again as the Polynesian connection is really doing well in NY. Lots of coverage in the last few weeks on NY Jets Sione Pouha. He's continuing to develop his game and at times is inconsistent but in time I believe he'll get better.
New England Patriots - *#47 Jake Ingram
New York Jets - #78 Wayne Hunter, #91 Sione Pouha & #79 Ropati Pitoitua
Game on: 11:00 AM HST (KGMB7) San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos This one will be a "who-you-want-to-win" for islanders in the Pacific Northwest. Although, my choice would be the Chargers. SD has the advantage with their late season momentum. Although SD beat one of my favorite teams last week, the Eagles, Denver has no island players!! So I say, Go Chargers!!
San Diego Chargers - #86 Brandon Manumaleuna
Game on: Portland 1:00 PM PDT (KOIN6) Seattle 1:00 PM PDT (KIRO7)
Byes: None
*For complete NFL Polynesian/Hawaiian/Island Ties players, see HFF Pro Teams link.
HFF NFL Sunday: Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Nov 15th
This game is a toss-up for me as both teams have a contingent of Polynesian players who are both fighting for first place in the AFC North division. Got caught watching the game and what a stunner! Both teams are tied right now with just field goals so far. Polynesian Bengals Jonathan Fanene and Domata Peko are having a great game too. Both defenses are critical to the game right now. The matchup between Steeler Chris Kemoeatu and Bengal Jonathan Fanene is something to see.
Game Watch Links:
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh - Offense
#68 C Chris Kemoeatu (University of Utah)
#44 RB Frank Summers (University of Nevada-Las Vegas) on Injured Reserve (no pic)
Pittsburgh - Defense
#43 SS Troy Polamalu (University of Southern California)
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati - Defense
Cincinnati Bengals - *#58 Rey Maualuga, #68 Jonathan Fanene, #94 Domata Peko & *#37 Fui Vakapuna
Game on KGMB7
*For complete NFL Polynesian/Hawaiian/Island Ties players, see HFF Pro Teams .
HFF Monday Night Football: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos
Nov 9th
This game is all Pittsburgh Steelers as the defending Superbowl champs are fighting for the lead in the AFC North division. A good bunch of Polynesians are playing for them and unfortunately, none for the Broncos. Denver is on top the AFC West and attempting to spread their lead from the rest of the division opponents.
I’m rooting for the Steelers on this one because I love Troy Polamalu and the rest of the Polynesians on this great team! Go Steelers!
Game Watch Links:
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh - Offense
#68 C Chris Kemoeatu (University of Utah)
#44 RB Frank Summers (University of Nevada-Las Vegas) on Injured Reserve (no pic)
Pittsburgh - Defense
#43 SS Troy Polamalu (University of Southern California)
Denver Broncos
Hoka! (Too Bad!) Denver has no island players!!
Game on: 3:30 PM HST (ESPN22)
Portland 5:30 PM PDT (ESPN35)
Seattle 5:30 PM PDT (ESPN31)
NFL Sunday Night Football (November 8)
Nov 8th
The big rivalry between Philly and Dallas will be renewed as they fight over who will dominate the NFC East in first place. The Eagles and Cowboys are tied with the same win-loss records. Someone has to lose tonight and with the Chargers upset over the Giants in the last remaining seconds of today’s game, either Dallas or Philly has a chance to get a game ahead.
Dallas has ex-Hawai’i Warrior punter, Matt McBriar, who is third in the NFL with a 41.3 yds punt average. Auwe! that’s a mean leg! and huge Polynesian, Junior Siavi’i, who looks to start this evening with Jay Raitliff on the sidelines. Watch out for these two to make a difference in the game.
On the Eagles squad, all the Philly Polynesians are still nursing injuries or relegated to the practice squad. Fenuki Tupou is on injured reserve. Marcus Mailei and Paul Fanaika are hoping to see game play if something happens in the depth chart tonight.
I’m rooting along with the rest of my ‘ohana for the Eagles on this one (since we lived in Philly) while my son-in-law, Akiona IV (Ala Akiona), is rooting for the Cowboys. The mana (power) may have very well have crossed over from the Phillies camp (sad about that one, Darn Yankees!) to the Eagles camp. So here goes. . . Go Eagles!!!
Game Watch Links:
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles - Offense
Injured Reserve
#78 OT Fenuki Tupou (University of Oregon)
Practice Squad
#63 OG Paul Fanaika (Arizona State University)
#41 RB Marcus Mailei (Weber State University)
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys - Offense
#1 P Matt McBriar (University of Hawai’i)
Dallas Cowboys - Defense
#78 DT Junior Siavi’i (University of Oregon)
The game is being televised on NBC at 3:20pm HST (KHNL8)
Portland 5:20 PM PDT (KGW8)
Seattle 5:20 PM PDT (KING5)
