What's a dash without spice?

The University of Hawai'i football team officially initiated training camp with the "220s" — 10 220-yard dashes with segment limits and rest intervals based on a player's position.

Some ran in bare feet.

Quarterback Inoke Funaki ran the last leg piggy-backing a teammate.

At the end of a sprint, defensive lineman Fale Laeli collapsed to the ground. A trainer used what appeared to be a kitchen rolling pin to press away the spasms in his left thigh.

When it was over, 74 of an estimated 100 Warriors completed their required number of dashes. (Thirty-five players who were deemed to have worked hard this summer and reported to camp in great shape needed to run six or eight sprints.)

Mel deLaura, who coordinated the summer conditioning program, said he was pleased with the completion rate. "This showed the guys who took things seriously," deLaura said.

DeLaura noted that more than a dozen who failed to meet the requirements were in their first UH training camp.

"A lot of them thought this was like high school, and they didn't really do what they needed to do," deLaura said.

Quarterback Colt Brennan said he completed the discipline for the third consecutive year.

"No problems," Brennan said.

UH is trumpeting Brennan as a Heisman Trophy candidate. But while it appeared his calendar was filled with promotional activities linked to the campaign, Brennan insisted he spent the offseason trying to improve his strength.

"I was working out the whole summer," Brennan said. "If you're running and lifting and going to the beach, your lifestyle has you outdoors and working out a lot. It makes running easier. I'm a skinny kid. I don't mind running."

DeLaura said Brennan's approach matches the intent of the conditioning program.

When deLaura joined the coaching staff in 2000, he wanted to create a test that would measure a player's offseason work. He consulted with assistant coach Wes Suan, who previously served as offensive coordinator at Linfield College. Suan recalled how Linfield players were required to run 10 sprints of 240 yards on the first day of training camp.

"We decided to cut it down to 220 over here," deLaura said.

DeLaura then crafted a 10-week training program that emphasized sprints, resistance work and hill climbing.

"Every day is a different workout," deLaura said.

DeLaura's program calls for players to follow specific training guidelines on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. "They run on their own on Wednesdays," he said.

He added: "We don't want them to train every day because your body has to recover. You can't wear it down. This program is not strenuous. But if you follow it, you're going to get into shape."

The players receive the workout books near the end of the spring semester. DeLaura said he was discouraged by the players who opted to ignore the program.

"It doesn't make sense to give some guys books if they're not going to follow them," deLaura said. "It seems every year we have people who want to do other things. We made the test. We know what it takes to pass the test. If you want to go out and do something else, that's fine. You can tell who went on their own."

There are 105 players on the training-camp roster. Five did not attempt the 220s yesterday.

Starting weakside linebacker Adam Leonard, who underwent surgery in June to repair a torn meniscus, said he was excused because the 220s would be stressful on his right knee.

He said there were no medical problems that led to the decision.

"Everything is good," Leonard said. "I can run. My knee is fine."

Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said: "We're being cautious. What does it prove to have him go out there and sprint on the first day? He's a great player. We know what he can do."

Leonard, who will practice today, said he will attempt the 220s later in camp.

Running back Leon Wright-Jackson also had to postpone his 220s while he awaits results from his physical examination. While he did not participate in the sprints, he received "conditional approval" to practice yesterday.

The coaches said they were impressed with the overall condition of the players.

"I'm so proud of the guys who worked here all summer," McMackin said. "They really took it seriously. It certainly showed."

Erik Robinson, a safety who transferred from Navarro College in Texas, did not finish within the specified time limits. But he did complete all 10 laps.

"I'm getting in shape," Robinson said. "Around that eight mark, I was thinking about hitting the wall. But I knew I couldn't quit. The coaches had faith in me to bring me out here. I knew I had to keep pushing and finish. I'm no quitter."

After the 220s, the defense returned to the athletic complex for meetings and video sessions.

The offense split into two groups: the linemen and running backs worked on blocking schemes; the quarterbacks and receivers worked on pass routes.

The Warriors are seeking to replace three offensive linemen who are now on NFL rosters. The new No. 1 tackles are Keoni Steinhoff and Keith Ah Soon.

While Steinhoff practiced mostly on the right side during spring training, he opened camp as the right-armed Brennan's back-side blocker.

"I don't mind making the change," Steinhoff said. "I'll play anywhere. If coach wants me to play on that side, I'll stick with it."

Brennan said: "Keoni was a guy who played well last year. I've always heard coach Jones say a lot of nice things about Keith Ah Soon. He has a bright future. We have plenty of offensive linemen. It's finding the right guys in the right positions and the right mesh. As far as talent and numbers, we've got plenty of that."

Offensive line coach Dennis McKnight said the Warriors, ranked No. 24 in the coaches' poll, are motivated to duplicate Boise State's success last year.

"The best thing was to watch a team from our conference do that," McKnight said. "I can sense the excitement in our players, the enthusiasm."

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Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.