There's one technicality in the University of Hawai'i football team's competition for the starting free safety's job.

Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin's system does not employ a true free safety. McMackin, who ran the UH defense in 1999, is back this season, succeeding Jerry Glanville.

While most defenses use a strong and free safety, the Warriors' safeties are designated as "left" and "right." The jobs are interchangeable.

Rich Miano, who coaches the defensive backs, said Jacob Patek, Desmond Thomas and Keao Monteilh are competing for the two starting positions. Last year's free safety, Leonard Peters, completed his eligibility after the Hawai'i Bowl in December.

Patek, who started at strong safety last season, appears to have the edge for one spot. He has been practicing as the No. 1 right safety. But last week Patek missed three practices to attend summer-session classes. In Patek's absence, Thomas and Monteilh were the No. 1 safeties.

"The biggest thing is we know everybody has a chance to be a starter," Patek said. "I know my job's not sealed just because I was a starter last year and was through spring. Whoever's better will be out there. If Keao and Des are better than me, they'll be out there. It adds to a sense of competition, and pushes everybody to be better."

Thomas, a converted wideout, and Monteilh, a former cornerback who redshirted last season, have split time at left safety when Patek is practicing. Thomas and Monteilh are fourth-year juniors. Patek is a senior.

"We're all getting reps, so nobody is going to complain," Monteilh said. "The thing is, if Desmond is to start, I'll back him up. If I start, the same thing. It's not like we hold grudges against each other. We help each other out."

Thomas said: "Leonard's gone. We have a new DC. Everything is fresh. Everyone is working hard. Everything will fall into place."

Miano acknowledged that Patek "is the leader back there." Patek has the speed to cover an inside receiver and the strength to sneak into the tackle box as a surrogate linebacker.

It is because of those qualities that Patek is the partial answer to this puzzle. When the Warriors align in a nickel defense involving five defensive backs, Patek can play nickelback while Thomas and Monteilh are used as safeties. Monteilh also can play nickelback.

"We're learning all of the positions," Monteilh said. "If we need to blitz, we'll know what to do. If we have to rock and roll, we're ready for that."

Thomas said the interchangeable safety responsibilities make it easier to counter multiple offenses.

"We always look at the strength of the (offensive) formation," Thomas said. "If the play is coming to my side, I have to know my responsibilities. If the play is going to the other side, I have to know the back-side responsibility. It's pretty intense, but coach Mac is a real organized person. He makes sure we're in the correct position."

The knock against Monteilh and Thomas was their lack of aggressiveness. But both appear to be playing with more confidence and assertiveness this year.

"I'm trying to step up," Thomas said. "The main thing is to work hard and not take anything for granted. I know tomorrow is not promised. We're all living for today."

LINEBACKERS AILING

None of the three starting linebackers competed in the light scrimmages yesterday.

Strongside linebacker Blaze Soares is recovering from a deep bruise in his left shoulder. His left arm is no longer in a sling, and he is expected to resume practicing Monday or Tuesday.

Middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian sat out because of a tweaked hamstring. The discomfort is not considered to be serious.

Weakside linebacker Adam Leonard, who underwent arthroscopic surgery in June to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, was held out as a precaution.

He said there was stiffness in his right knee.

"No matter what I did this summer, it didn't prepare me for three hours of practice," Leonard said. "There's nothing wrong with the knee. If we had to play today, I would be out there. It was one of those things that I felt I needed to rest. It's better to be safe than sorry. I'm ready to go on Monday."

Defensive end David Veikune, who was wearing a padded neck brace Friday, practiced yesterday.

Center John Estes, who is recovering from a sprained left elbow, did not participate in contact drills. He is expected to be at full strength tomorrow or Tuesday.

SCHOOL COMES FIRST

Defensive tackle Chris Leatigaga, a transfer from Foothill College, resumed practicing yesterday.

He had worked out Aug. 4, but missed the next five days of practice because of summer-session classes. He is taking sociology and anthropology classes.

"Summer school is so tight because it's only five weeks," Leatigaga said. "At the end, they hit us with a lot of work."

Before the start of defensive-line drills, assistant coach Jeff Reinebold said: "Everyone, this is Chris." Leatigaga and his teammates have been living together in the dance studios for the entire training camp.

HAKA NEEDS WORK

Timo Paepule said the Warriors need more work before they perform the haka in public again. At the urging of offensive line coach Dennis McKnight, the Warriors performed the haka to start yesterday's practice.

"We didn't want to do the haka until everybody knew it," Paepule said. "A lot of people are still not up to it. A lot of people forgot it."

Paepule emphasized that "the haka is not for entertainment."

He said a poor performance does not honor the traditional Maori dance.

"Something like this is sacred," Paepule said. "We don't mean any disrespect to the Maori people. We love what they stand for. Our team doesn't want to disrespect them.

"We do (the haka) because we're part of Polynesia," Paepule added. "We're trying to pay our respect, plus this gets us together. This is unity. Hawai'i is cool because we have so many different cultures."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.