Rookie Hau’oli Kikaha has plenty to learn, but Saints ‘love the quickness, the passion, the way he plays the game’

Attached Thumbnails · 07-06-2015, 10:07 AM

Hau’oli Kikaha is no workout warrior.

Kikaha, who ran through positional drills at the NFL combine but declined to do any of the eyeball-catching physical tests, posted pedestrian numbers at his pro day. None of his numbers, from the 40-yard dash to the bench press to the jumps, would have put him at the front of the line in Indianapolis.

His athleticism shows up most when he’s wearing a helmet. Kikaha, like any rookie who has to mix it up on the line of scrimmage, still has plenty to prove when the Saints put on full pads in training camp, but the pass rusher is able-bodied enough to handle any role defensive coordinator Rob Ryan asks him to play.

“I’ll say this: I’m not really a drill guy,” Kikaha said after the Saints wrapped up summer practices. “But when it comes to playing football, that’s a different story.”

Read more: Rookie Hau’oli Kikaha has plenty to learn, but Saints ‘love the quickness, the passion, the way he plays the game’ | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

dizzle88 · 07-06-2015, 10:17 AM

Measurables are overrated to some capacity.

The biggest thing that tells me this guy belongs is 32 sacks in 2 seasons, including 19 last year.

He has similar workout numbers to Terrell Suggs and look how he turned out.

I hope Kikaha turns into a beast for us!!

Rugby Saint II · 07-06-2015, 05:04 PM

I'm a little worried that he doesn't like running drills. He has great potential but does he have the integrity to force himself to train hard and learn from drills? Drills are essential to make sure everyone does the same thing the same way. I'm a fan of the old saying you play like you practice.

As a rugby player and coach it is important to me that everyone do whatever it takes to get better. I will not tolerate someone who is too good to run drills with the rest of the team. And he better love studying film.

crawgator · 07-07-2015, 02:26 AM

Kind of reminds me of Ninkovich, we got rid of him and look what he has done in NE.

SloMotion · 07-07-2015, 05:51 AM

Island warrior ... one of those guys blessed with a lot of natural ability, he lives for the fight, practice/drills are just something you do in the meantime to stay in shape,

... I'm looking forward to seeing how this guy progresses, does he have good initial success until there's enough tape on him or is he able to be a true star in the league? The only knock I have on these koa moku-type guys is being injury-prone at times and IDK if that may be from the lack of practice/working-out ethic because of all the natural ability.

If his numbers are good, won't matter.

hagan714 · 07-07-2015, 07:26 AM

injury-prone? that is the biggest concern

SloMotion · 07-08-2015, 06:51 AM

Originally Posted by hagan714

injury-prone? that is the biggest concern

By that I kinda' mean they're always pulling something, straining something, tearing something, et... and part of that may be due (IMO) to all that natural ability/physique and stuff possibly predisposes them to really not practicing/training that hard (as indicated with Kihaha) because they don't need to in order to get results ... like not doing your stretching before a run or whatever ... but most the guys in the NFL are playing with a torn-something or another, I suppose, so it's probably not that big an issue.

jeanpierre · 07-08-2015, 09:02 AM

In assessing Hau’oli Kikaha, there were a few things that popped out to me in his scouting reports that I'd comment...

'Hau’oli Kikaha is injury prone' - yes, he's had injury history, but it all stemmed from one injury and his rehab and recovery was terribly mis-managed after the initial damage to his knee; he took charge after re-injurring his knee and sought a competent physician of his choosing , followed that physician's directives and has remained major injury free since...

Hau’oli Kikaha has slow times in his workouts, combine - This was of greater concern to me; but I've started to realize in what I've seen of him in limited, accessible reports so far is that while some of these extremely fast players slow down some when the pads go on, Kikaha's strength is his strength and he's still has effective playing speed with no noticeable slow down when suited up...

Scott Shanle was a smart, instinctive, underappreciated linebacker for the Saints who was maligned by fans because he played with average speed and was usually tasked with assignments that required more than what his body was Blessed; Shanle really put his name out there when disclosing he'd worked-out Kikaha and gave enthusiastic, positive reviews about the Washington linebacker...

I'm betting on Shanle and that we hit gold in the second round...

AllSaints · 07-08-2015, 01:14 PM

I've got a good feeling about this guy for some reason... I think he can make an impact if healthy

blackangold · 07-08-2015, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

In assessing Hau’oli Kikaha, there were a few things that popped out to me in his scouting reports that I'd comment...

'Hau’oli Kikaha is injury prone' - yes, he's had injury history, but it all stemmed from one injury and his rehab and recovery was terribly mis-managed after the initial damage to his knee; he took charge after re-injurring his knee and sought a competent physician of his choosing , followed that physician's directives and has remained major injury free since...

Hau’oli Kikaha has slow times in his workouts, combine - This was of greater concern to me; but I've started to realize in what I've seen of him in limited, accessible reports so far is that while some of these extremely fast players slow down some when the pads go on, Kikaha's strength is his strength and he's still has effective playing speed with no noticeable slow down when suited up...

Scott Shanle was a smart, instinctive, underappreciated linebacker for the Saints who was maligned by fans because he played with average speed and was usually tasked with assignments that required more than what his body was Blessed; Shanle really put his name out there when disclosing he'd worked-out Kikaha and gave enthusiastic, positive reviews about the Washington linebacker...

I'm betting on Shanle and that we hit gold in the second round...

I was never a fan of Shanle, but you could never doubt his football IQ. Shanle would have been a solid NFL LB coach so Ill take his word on Kikaha.

07-06-2015, 10:07 AM	#1
Threaded by papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,754 Rating: (0 votes - average) Hau’oli Kikaha is no workout warrior. Kikaha, who ran through positional drills at the NFL combine but declined to do any of the eyeball-catching physical tests, posted pedestrian numbers at his pro day. None of his numbers, from the 40-yard dash to the bench press to the jumps, would have put him at the front of the line in Indianapolis. His athleticism shows up most when he’s wearing a helmet. Kikaha, like any rookie who has to mix it up on the line of scrimmage, still has plenty to prove when the Saints put on full pads in training camp, but the pass rusher is able-bodied enough to handle any role defensive coordinator Rob Ryan asks him to play. “I’ll say this: I’m not really a drill guy,” Kikaha said after the Saints wrapped up summer practices. “But when it comes to playing football, that’s a different story.” Read more: Rookie Hau’oli Kikaha has plenty to learn, but Saints ‘love the quickness, the passion, the way he plays the game’ \| Saints \| The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana Attached Thumbnails Halo and crawgator like this.
Views: 3090

07-06-2015, 10:17 AM	#2
dizzle88 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 11,358	Re: Rookie Hau’oli Kikaha has plenty to learn, but Saints ‘love the quickness, the passion, the way he plays the game’ Measurables are overrated to some capacity. The biggest thing that tells me this guy belongs is 32 sacks in 2 seasons, including 19 last year. He has similar workout numbers to Terrell Suggs and look how he turned out. I hope Kikaha turns into a beast for us!! st thomas and frydaddy like this.

07-06-2015, 05:04 PM	#3
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,073	Re: Rookie Hau’oli Kikaha has plenty to learn, but Saints ‘love the quickness, the passion, the way he plays the game’ I'm a little worried that he doesn't like running drills. He has great potential but does he have the integrity to force himself to train hard and learn from drills? Drills are essential to make sure everyone does the same thing the same way. I'm a fan of the old saying you play like you practice. As a rugby player and coach it is important to me that everyone do whatever it takes to get better. I will not tolerate someone who is too good to run drills with the rest of the team. And he better love studying film.
	There Are Two Kinds Of People In This World Being A Rugby Player Is Better Than Both Of Them

07-07-2015, 02:26 AM	#4
crawgator 100th Post Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ridgecrest, Ca Posts: 187 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Rookie Hau’oli Kikaha has plenty to learn, but Saints ‘love the quickness, the passion, the way he plays the game’ Kind of reminds me of Ninkovich, we got rid of him and look what he has done in NE.

07-07-2015, 05:51 AM	#5
SloMotion 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 6,776 Blog Entries: 15	Re: Rookie Hau’oli Kikaha has plenty to learn, but Saints ‘love the quickness, the passion, the way he plays the game’ Island warrior ... one of those guys blessed with a lot of natural ability, he lives for the fight, practice/drills are just something you do in the meantime to stay in shape, ... I'm looking forward to seeing how this guy progresses, does he have good initial success until there's enough tape on him or is he able to be a true star in the league? The only knock I have on these koa moku-type guys is being injury-prone at times and IDK if that may be from the lack of practice/working-out ethic because of all the natural ability. If his numbers are good, won't matter.

Latest Blogs
2023 New Orleans Saints: Training Camp Last Blog: 08-01-2023 By: MarchingOn Puck the Fro Browl! Last Blog: 02-05-2023 By: neugey CFP: "Just Keep Doing What You're Doing" Last Blog: 12-08-2022 By: neugey

07-07-2015, 07:26 AM	#6
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Re: Rookie Hau’oli Kikaha has plenty to learn, but Saints ‘love the quickness, the passion, the way he plays the game’ injury-prone? that is the biggest concern

07-08-2015, 06:51 AM	#7
SloMotion 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 6,776 Blog Entries: 15	Re: Rookie Hau’oli Kikaha has plenty to learn, but Saints ‘love the quickness, the passion, the way he plays the game’ Originally Posted by hagan714 injury-prone? that is the biggest concern By that I kinda' mean they're always pulling something, straining something, tearing something, et... and part of that may be due (IMO) to all that natural ability/physique and stuff possibly predisposes them to really not practicing/training that hard (as indicated with Kihaha) because they don't need to in order to get results ... like not doing your stretching before a run or whatever ... but most the guys in the NFL are playing with a torn-something or another, I suppose, so it's probably not that big an issue.

07-08-2015, 09:02 AM	#8
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: Rookie Hau’oli Kikaha has plenty to learn, but Saints ‘love the quickness, the passion, the way he plays the game’ In assessing Hau’oli Kikaha, there were a few things that popped out to me in his scouting reports that I'd comment... 'Hau’oli Kikaha is injury prone' - yes, he's had injury history, but it all stemmed from one injury and his rehab and recovery was terribly mis-managed after the initial damage to his knee; he took charge after re-injurring his knee and sought a competent physician of his choosing , followed that physician's directives and has remained major injury free since... Hau’oli Kikaha has slow times in his workouts, combine - This was of greater concern to me; but I've started to realize in what I've seen of him in limited, accessible reports so far is that while some of these extremely fast players slow down some when the pads go on, Kikaha's strength is his strength and he's still has effective playing speed with no noticeable slow down when suited up... Scott Shanle was a smart, instinctive, underappreciated linebacker for the Saints who was maligned by fans because he played with average speed and was usually tasked with assignments that required more than what his body was Blessed; Shanle really put his name out there when disclosing he'd worked-out Kikaha and gave enthusiastic, positive reviews about the Washington linebacker... I'm betting on Shanle and that we hit gold in the second round... K Major likes this.
	It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way... Last edited by jeanpierre; 07-08-2015 at 09:05 AM..

07-08-2015, 01:14 PM	#9
AllSaints Breakin Records Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Deville, Louisiana Posts: 2,167	Re: Rookie Hau’oli Kikaha has plenty to learn, but Saints ‘love the quickness, the passion, the way he plays the game’ I've got a good feeling about this guy for some reason... I think he can make an impact if healthy

07-08-2015, 02:57 PM	#10
blackangold 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 3,422	Re: Rookie Hau’oli Kikaha has plenty to learn, but Saints ‘love the quickness, the passion, the way he plays the game’ Originally Posted by jeanpierre In assessing Hau’oli Kikaha, there were a few things that popped out to me in his scouting reports that I'd comment... 'Hau’oli Kikaha is injury prone' - yes, he's had injury history, but it all stemmed from one injury and his rehab and recovery was terribly mis-managed after the initial damage to his knee; he took charge after re-injurring his knee and sought a competent physician of his choosing , followed that physician's directives and has remained major injury free since... Hau’oli Kikaha has slow times in his workouts, combine - This was of greater concern to me; but I've started to realize in what I've seen of him in limited, accessible reports so far is that while some of these extremely fast players slow down some when the pads go on, Kikaha's strength is his strength and he's still has effective playing speed with no noticeable slow down when suited up... Scott Shanle was a smart, instinctive, underappreciated linebacker for the Saints who was maligned by fans because he played with average speed and was usually tasked with assignments that required more than what his body was Blessed; Shanle really put his name out there when disclosing he'd worked-out Kikaha and gave enthusiastic, positive reviews about the Washington linebacker... I'm betting on Shanle and that we hit gold in the second round... I was never a fan of Shanle, but you could never doubt his football IQ. Shanle would have been a solid NFL LB coach so Ill take his word on Kikaha.

LinkBacks (?) LinkBack to this Thread: https://blackandgold.com/saints/73078-rookie-hau-oli-kikaha-has-plenty-learn-but-saints-love-quickness-passion.html
Posted By	For	Type	Date	Hits
The Latest New Orleans Saints News \| SportSpyder	This thread	Refback	07-06-2015 10:59 AM	3