Q&A with Manase Tonga

It sounds like everyone is having a great time reading these Q and A posts. I am glad that we have been able to feed your never ending hunger for BYU Football.

LastTuesday morning I was able to have a great conversation with a player that I have the up most respect for, Manase Tonga. Manase has had a great journey at BYU as a player, student and especially as an individual. He has always been the silent leader and I assure you he has the respect of anyone he has ever played with, past and present. He is one of those guys you would want along side you in any battle.

On with the interview…

DSOB: Who are the biggest vocal, outspoken team leaders who won’t be seniors this year [on offense]?
MT: Obviously Harvey. I don’t know about vocal leaders, I have only been back for two practices, but our linemen up front are doing a really good job. RJ and Matt are the more experienced O Linemen and they are doing a great job leading their group and letting everyone know what needs to happen.

DSOB: Who is the next Fui Vakapuna (hard-working behind the scenes team-first player who will still end up making millions in the pros)?
MT: I think the next one coming up will be uh…we have dome good freshmen coming in and the guy to watch for will be Anthony Hemuli. He is going to be a stud.

DSOB: For Any Offensive Player: Would you like to incorporate more “Trick” plays into the offense?
MT: I really don’t know. I guess trick plays would be good, keep the defense more honest. Honestly I would like to see more just to keep it more interesting.

DSOB: Is there anything unique we can expect to see play-wise this year on offense?
MT: As far as scheming and offensive plays it is going to be the same thing. The only thing different is the execution is going to be a lot more crisp and you are going to see a lot more players stand out this year.

DSOB: Are there plans to make the Offense less predictable and the Defense more aggressive?
MT: As of right now there are some plans, messing around with our different formations, running plays out of different sets.

DSOB: Are any of the 2nd string running backs good enough to be a reliable, solid, option when Unga is out for a rest?
MT: Well yeah we have Bryan Kariya coming back and JJ. They saw some good time last year and they are getting a lot better this year so we are hoping for great things from them.

DSOB: What kind of shape is Manase Tonga in after having a year off?
MT: Right now I am probably 85%. I have been doing a little and trying to stay busy working out. I did not get too out of shape and so I feel good at the moment.

DSOB: Is Covey working out well in his new position or has it been a bust so far (I hope he is doing well there, have the coaches ever tried Diluigi at this position)?
MT: Actually Covey is looking pretty good. Running around making plays. He looks like he is going to fit just well.

DSOB: What are the best things about being back with the team?
MT: Aside from just being able to play football, one of the best things is just being around the guys, being around the team. Just the atmosphere is something that I took for granted, something that I missed a lot.

DSOB: What did you miss least while away?
MT: Winter workouts. Running gassers.

DSOB: Who is the most underrated player on the team?
MT: I don’t know.

DSOB: Who is the most underrated coach?
MT: I don’t think that any of them are underrated.

DSOB: How do you feel about your grades now?
MT: I am good. Everything grade wise will be 100%

DSOB: What did you improve on during your year out (besides school)? Mainly just focus.
MT: Making sure that I take care of business.

DSOB: How would you compare the shape you’re in now to a year ago? To two years ago?
MT: I think I am up there actually. We’ll see when the pads come on but I feel good.

DSOB: How has your game improved over a year ago? Two years ago?
MT: I don’t really know. I am anxious to see how I have improved. I have not really had a chance to run around and pad up. I guess once the pads come on then we will see for sure, but as of right now I don’t know yet.

DSOB: BYU missed having a slot receiver last season. Who would be the best guy to fill that role this year?
MT: This year, we have a lot of good guys, a lot of them at the split position. I don’t know. I think the coaches know better than me, and they know who will be the best at fitting in that position.

DSOB: Have any players asked the coaches for more padded and live-speed hitting practices?
MT: No not that I know of.

DSOB: BYU fans are a diverse group, and so are the players. What school do you follow/root for, outside of the Y?
MT: I usually just stick to BYU. My school that I have always watched in the past is Cal, but I have not really watched them recently. But that was my school before I came to BYU.

DSOB: Besides Utah, who do you consider BYU’s biggest rival to be?
MT: TCU. I think there is starting to become a little rivalry there. Along with every other MWC team

DSOB: The USC-UCLA game last year featured two teams wearing home jerseys. Wouldn’t this be great to see in the Holy War? Has anyone suggested this to the coaching staff?
MT: I don’t think anyone has suggested it but I don’t know. I think that’s just, well, me personally I don’t really care what uniforms we wear for a game. But I guess that would be a lot more interesting.

DSOB: Are there any expectations of players at the games? For instance, I have noticed that many fans do not know when to cheer at the right times (or at least aren’t willing to give the effort to do so). Like on third downs. Many fans start cheering when the QB is in his cadence, but by then the home field advantage of noise is gone. Is there anything in particular that players would like to see from the fans?
MT: The only thing we would expect from our fans is to be there and to support us. Home games wear blue and support the team regardless. At least they’re cheering. It would be nice for them to cheer at the right times but for the most part support. Just continue showing up and selling out the seats.

DSOB: Do you yourself do the Haka before the game? Why or why not?
MT: I do it. I was a freshman when we first started doing the haka before games. I appreciate it because it is a culture thing, but it is also something that the team decided to do. So that is why I do it.

DSOB: This year, BYU will likely start the season just outside the Top 25. Are the experts making a mistake, or does the team have to earn their way back in?
MT: I think every year we always go in with the mentality that we have to prove ourselves. It doesn’t matter how the experts want to rank us. We have to prove it to ourselves that we belong among the elite groups.

DSOB: Does [Coach Mendenahll] seem to be getting softer/easier on [the team]?
MT: I don’t know. I just barely started being around the team. So I don’t know.

DSOB: What is your pregame ritual? Do you have any rituals/superstitious acts that must be done in a certain way before playing? I.e. putting pads on in certain order? Lucky Socks? Etc
MT: No I don’t know. I don’t if it is superstition but I am always sleeping before the game. I take a little nap. I helps me calm down.

DSOB: How much influence can the fans have on a game?
MT: Oh the fans can have a lot, a huge impact. Mainly like we were saying before, in certain situations we look for our fans for a boost of energy. When the fans are behind us it makes us do more and give the extra effort.

DSOB: Rivalry game vs. Utah: would you rather you beat them on a last second touchdown (i.e.: Harline) or blow them out of the water by 50?
MT: I would rather blow them out. But I will take it however it comes.

DSOB: What is your least favorite conditioning drill?
MT: Gassers

DSOB: Were you always a BYU fan? If so, who was your favorite BYU player growing up? If not, who did you like growing up?
MT: Growing up I never really followed college football that much and I never really followed BYU but the players I grew up watching and idolizing were roger Craig and Ronny Lott who played for the 49ers. They were kind of my all time favorite players.