Pads go on today for the first time

The Hawaii football team will be putting on the hits this afternoon when it practices in pads for the first time this spring.

Coach Norm Chow said the third practice of spring training will provide more time to evaluate defensive players and for the offense to work on ball security. In Tuesday’s morning practice, Chow muttered in frustration whenever a receiver dropped a pass or a ball carrier fumbled.

But Chow praised his players for responding after a short break between their first two spring practices. They left the grass field at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and returned to the Ching complex at 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday.

“We didn’t mean to do it that way,” Chow said, referring to the accommodations for class schedules. “We were forced to do it. They were tired from (Tuesday), but they came back the next morning and did well.”

Once again, Chow was a stickler for details. He was agitated after a player’s indecision “wasted 50 seconds getting ready for the next drill.”

Chow said: “I’m old enough to think that it all matters. That’s one of our rules. Every second counts. Everything matters. Maybe when the game comes, they’ll understand what they have to do, and how much discipline counts.”

Muir learning his trade

Blake Muir is, hand’s down, an improved offensive tackle this year.

In the Warriors’ pro-set offense, all of the linemen are in a three-point stance, a change from the past 13 seasons when the tackles were in a crouch at the snap.

Aligning with a hand on the ground is “better than coming out of a two-point stance,” said Muir, an Australian who redshirted as a freshman in 2011. “You get off better. It’s good.”

Muir is admittedly in the learning stage of the sport, which he had played for only two years before sending a highlight video to UH.

“I was doing a lot of unusual sports back then,” said Muir, noting football fell into that category. It is only a club sport in Australia.

Muir received offers from UH and Southern Methodist, which wanted him as a defensive lineman.

“I could play there, but I felt in the long run, I would make a better offensive lineman.”

He also felt, in the long term, Hawaii was a better fit.

There was a catch. If Muir enrolled in January 2011, he would have to pay his own way for a semester. His family picked up the expense, enabling Muir to learn the system earlier. Muir made two road trips last year on a need-to-play basis. He was never activated.

“It prepared me for this year,” Muir said.

Last year’s starting left tackles, Brett Leonard and Clayton Laurel, completed their UH eligibility this past December. Jordan Loeffler moved from left tackle to right tackle. Muir has worked with the No. 1 offensive line in UH’s first two spring practices.

“He’s a very athletic guy,” Chow said. “We like him a lot.”

The Art of the deal

Strong-side linebacker Art Laurel took little time to request — and receive — jersey No. 41, worn by linebacker Corey Paredes in 2011. Paredes graduated in December.

“It’s my high school number,” said Laurel, a Leilehua High alumnus.

The Warriors are counting on Laurel, who will align mostly near the line of scrimmage this year.

“I like the system,” Laurel said.

Laurel is on a restricted-workout basis today. He tweaked an ankle running down Koko Head last week.