Piecing together the University of Hawaii football tab starts the first day of spring practice and ends the last day of fall camp.

In between, ideas are tossed around the room like a football on a practice field. Some are completed, some are dropped and some are picked, with as many as a dozen people involved in some phase of the operation. The tone for graphics and photos is set by the stories we tell. Both departments contributed mightily to this polished product, particularly graphics artist Bryant Fukutomi and photographer Jamm Aquino. We throw out some vague ideas and they catch and run with them.

There is plenty of meat and potatoes for those faithful football followers and we even take a spin or two through the drive-through to give our readers a variety of choices they have come to expect. Columnists Dave Reardon and Ferd Lewis offer their unique perspectives for the coming campaign. Lewis predicts a bit of a struggle and Reardon lets us know we’re not in Jonesville anymore.

There will be a running game all decked out with a tight end. Oh sure, you’ll still see the forward pass, but not 58 times a game as we’ve grown accustomed to around here. Play-action is a word all UH fans will come to know over the course of the season.

Beat writer Stephen Tsai and right-hand man Jason Kaneshiro delve into all the details. Kaneshiro takes a hard look at the 12 opponents the Warriors will face as they move into the Mountain West, Tsai provides an in-depth look at new man Norm Chow and both break down the offense and defense. Deputy sports editor Curtis Murayama and managing editor/design Mike Rovner applied the finishing touches as they guided our ship safely home.

It promises to be a difficult opening season for a 66-year-old rookie head coach as the Warriors join a new conference that looks strikingly similar to the old one we once knew.

So, find a comfortable spot on the sofa, turn the page and get ready for the most complete University of Hawaii football package on the planet. Enjoy.