Mahalo for reading the Hawai’i Football Fanatics blog. I apologize for not posting and letting you know that I’m just taking a break as I work on the Abercrombie for Governor 2010 campaign. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Most likely in April when the NFL draft begins. NFL free-agency is ongoing right now and it’s interesting to see acquisitions and trades for players.

Not much to be said but . . . Wait for it . . . GO EAGLES!!!

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles - Offense
Injured Reserve

#78 OT Fenuki Tupou (University of Oregon)

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 3:00pm HST (KHNL8)
Portland 5:00 PM PDT (KGW8)
Seattle 5:00 PM PDT (KING5)

A Happy New Year to all Hawai’i Football Fanatics readers! Thank you for your support the past year and here’s to a prosperous year ahead for everyone. Rose Bowl! Go Ducks! Don’t forget to watch all the NFL games on Sunday for playoff matchups! As for me, I’m watching the game of the week, Eagles v. Cowboys.

Go Ducks!

Go Eagles!!

Mahalo nui loa,

Don Aweau

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

• #68 Kevin Mawae

Tennesse Titans - Defense

• #29 Ryan Mouton
  

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 .

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 .

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.

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)

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)

Another game filled with Polynesians and islanders that features Max Unger (Oregon - Hawai’i Prep (Hawai’i)), Dominic Raiola (Nebraska - St. Louis (O’ahu)), Jordon Dizon (Colorado - Waimea (Kaua’i)) and former USC standout, Lofa Tatupu. We also lost former islanders in Detroit (Ikaika Alama-Francis & Toniu Fonoti) during the season. Rookies and veterans in this game will be fun to watch. Good luck guys and wishing you the HFF best!!

Game Watch Links:

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks - Offense
#60 OC/G Max Unger (University of Oregon).

Seattle Seahawks - Defense
#51 LB Lofa Tatupu (University of Southern California)

Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions -  #51 C Dominic Raiola (Nebraska) & #57 LB Jordon Dizon (Colorado)

Game on: Portland 1:00 PM PDT (KPTV12)
Seattle 1:00 PM PDT (KCPQ13)

*For complete NFL Polynesian/Hawaiian/Island Ties players, see HFF Pro Teams link.