Hawai’i Football Fanatics
Don Aweau’s Hawai’i Islanders & Polynesian Football Blog
Posts tagged paul fanaika
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.
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 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)
HFF Monday Night Football: Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins
Oct 26th
Both teams are heading downhill in mid-season and haven’t found the football magic yet to save their season. Redskins coach, Jim Zorn, is in the hot seat for the team’s pathetic game performances. Eagles coach, Andy Reid, was embarassed last week with an offense that needed a spark from veteran quarterback, Donovan McNabb. The Phillies they are not. If only that “mana” could cross the street to Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles might have a chance.
Former Hawai’i Warrior, Colt Brennan, is on injured reserve and seems to have missed his chance to play this year. Boy! Would he had made an impact if he was playing now. Fellow Polynesian, Mike Sellers, continues to impress with his special teams play.
Unfortunately, all the Philly Polynesians are off the active roster. Fenuki Tupou is on injured reserve. While Marcus Mailei and Paul Fanaika have been put on the practice squad. Chances are they may not see game play unless something drastic happens in the depth chart.
Game Watch Links:
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles - Offense
Injured Reserve
#78 OT Fenuki Tupou (Oregon)
Practice Squad
#63 OG Paul Fanaika (Arizona State)
#41 RB Marcus Mailei (Weber State)
Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins - Offense
#5 QB Colt Brennan (University of Hawai’i)
#45 RB Mike Sellers (Walla Walla CC)
The game is being televised at 2:30pm HST (ESPN22)
Portland 5:30 PM PDT (ESPN35)
Seattle 5:30 PM PDT (ESPN31)
