Jaguars' Alualu will put money where his faith is

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. » Tyson Alualu has big plans for his big signing bonus.

The 10th overall pick in April's NFL Draft and a cornerstone of Jacksonville's revamped defense, Alualu wants to use part of his $17.5 million signing bonus to create a better life for his parents and eight siblings in Hawaii. He also intends to build a new church for his father's congregation in Kalihi. He already has a piece of land picked out.

"I'm going to use it to help my family, my parents and also the community," said Alualu, a former Saint Louis School standout. "Building a church is important for me so that others can have the opportunity to worship God. We'll see how it works out."

The Jaguars selected Alualu so high partly because of his character and work ethic. They also believe he can play, confident he'll slip right into the starting lineup and offset the loss of two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle John Henderson.

The 6-foot-3, 304-pound Alualu, who played collegiately at California, arrived in Jacksonville early yesterday, five days into training camp and one day after agreeing to a five-year deal worth $28 million. He signed his contract during the morning practice, met briefly with coach Jack Del Rio in the hallway and then headed to position meetings.

He got his left eyebrow shaved off in the locker room a few hours later, then showed little rust during his much-anticipated debut in full pads.

His first real test -- the "Oklahoma drill" against Vince Manuwai, a former Farrington High and University of Hawaii star -- is scheduled for this afternoon.

"We're pleased to have him in," Del Rio said. "Think he's going to be a good player for us. Like the rest of his teammates, it's time for him to get to work. We'll ease him in a little bit, get him some action."

Ease him in?

Del Rio threw first-rounder Eugene Monroe into three one-on-one matchups the night he arrived following a 12-day holdout in 2009. The left tackle from Virginia dominated the competition, getting the best of defensive ends Julius Williams, James Wyche and Derrick Harvey.

When Monroe heard about Alualu's extra time, he took his concerns straight to Del Rio.

"He said, 'Wait a minute. I didn't get any time. You threw me straight into the drill,' " Del Rio said. "I said, 'Yeah, but you were different. You held out a long time and made a lot of people angry."'

Alualu may have to wait a day, but he's eager for his matchup with Manuwai.

"Oh yeah. That's all I've been hearing these past couple of days, even back home just because we grew up in the same neighborhood," Alualu said. "I'm just excited to be here. I love the contact. I love the physical part of the sport, so I can't wait to get out there and have fun with my teammates."

Alualu welcomes the challenge of being a high pick and being counted on to immediately bolster a defense that missed countless tackles last season and ranked last in the NFL with a franchise-low 14 sacks.

"The pressure on me, being the 10th pick, I got a lot to do to meet those expectations," Alualu said. "All I got to do is do my best. That's what I plan to do, just go out here, practice hard with my teammates and give it my all."

Alualu's wife and two children will join him in Jacksonville tomorrow. He's already buying a house from former Jaguars guard Chris Naeole. His next major purchase likely will be back in Kalihi.

"I knew from the get-go that when I got picked here that God has a purpose for me and the money that I'm going to get," Alualu said. "I have to use my wisdom from Him to spend it wisely."

Alualu on board

Tyson Alualu has a surprise waiting for him when he gets to Jacksonville's training camp: a matchup in the "Oklahoma drill" against fellow Hawaii standout and childhood friend Vince Manuwai.

Alualu, the 10th overall pick in April's draft, ended a five-day holdout yesterday by agreeing to a five-year contract worth $28 million. The deal, which came a day after the Jaguars prematurely announced it, includes $17.5 million guaranteed.

The former California defensive tackle, who played high school ball at Saint Louis School, is expected to arrive in Jacksonville today. He should be on the field a short time later.

And Manuwai will be waiting.

The 333-pound guard, an eight-year veteran, who played at Farrington and the University of Hawaii, requested a matchup against Alualu in the one-on-one drill that has become an annual tradition during Jacksonville's first full-pads practice. Alualu missed that session Sunday night, but coach Jack Del Rio honored Manuwai's request and scheduled a special edition today.

"Oh yeah, he'll definitely have one," Del Rio said. "Mr. Vince Manuwai would like to welcome him. Since they grew up in the same ... neighborhood, he'd like to welcome him to the NFL, and so they're going to have an Oklahoma drill."

"That should be fun," Alualu told the Star-Advertiser just before boarding the plane yesterday afternoon. "I'm excited about that. That sounds nice."

Alualu and Manuwai grew up across the street from each other in Kalihi. Both made it to the NFL, although Alualu's path wasn't nearly as smooth.

One of nine children raised in a Polynesian culture that centers on family and faith, Alualu was badly homesick when he left for college at Cal. He considered dropping out as a freshman, but instead, went home, married his high school sweetheart and returned to Berkeley with their newborn son.

The decision paid dividends.

Alualu started 39 of 51 games for the Bears and finished with 16 sacks and 190 tackles. Most draft pundits considered him a late first-round pick, mostly because there were questions about whether he would play tackle or end.

He played end as a senior, but the Jaguars believe he can team with Terrance Knighton and form the kind of tackle tandem Pro Bowlers Marcus Stroud and John Henderson gave the franchise for years.

"I definitely feel I can come in and give them what they are looking for," Alualu said during offseason workouts. "I don't want to disappoint anybody. I will definitely give them my all. I'm ready to come in and compete and try to earn that spot."

Although no one projected Alualu to get drafted so high, he silenced some critics with his performance in minicamp and organized team activities. He showed solid footwork, even better hands and dominated matchups with veteran offensive linemen.

"No one had him projected as a first-rounder," agent Kenneth Zuckerman said. "For him, this has been an amazing story."

The Jaguars had hoped to get Alualu in camp on time, especially after lengthy holdouts by first-rounders Derrick Harvey (33 days in 2008) and Eugene Monroe (12 days in 2009), but negotiations were slow last week. Things heated up when several of the top-10 picks started to sign, and the Jaguars offered the $28 million deal.

Alualu's agent told team officials he liked the deal and would suggest that his client accept. But Alualu wanted time to talk to his family and "pray on it." The Jaguars seemingly got mixed signals, though, believing Zuckerman told them Alualu had signed off on the deal.

Del Rio and general manager Gene Smith announced after practice Sunday night that Alualu had agreed to terms and was getting on a flight from Honolulu. But Zuckerman quickly dispelled the notion, saying Alualu was still mulling the offer.

He eventually accepted -- and now has a much-hyped showdown looming with Manuwai.

"I feel good," Alualu said. "It's all God's timing. I'm just happy it's over and now I can get to play for my team and get back and practice with them. Get out there and start to bang."

Raiola commits to Lions for 4 years

His immediate future secure, Dominic Raiola is returning to his roots to continue his preparation for the coming season.

Raiola was 15 when he started working out with fellow Saint Louis lineman Olin Kreutz at the home of Kreutz's grandfather in East Oahu. With a contract extension finalized, Raiola's summer plans include training at the same site when he returns to Hawaii.

"That's a big reason I got this today," Raiola said after his four-year extension with the Detroit Lions was announced yesterday.

Raiola, the Lions' starting center, said he's scheduled to arrive in Hawaii today having signed the extension valued at $20 million, including $9 million guaranteed. He was entering the final year of his contract and will make $13 million this season. It'll be his ninth year with the Lions, the team that drafted him in 2001.

"I'm definitely excited," said Raiola, who is represented by Kenny Zuckerman of Priority Sports. "They brought it up and we wanted to get it done because I really didn't want to go anywhere. At least I know where I'll be after next year.

"I'm not a big fan of moving. My family's here, Olin's not too far down the road (in Chicago). Who knows what can happen in the free-agent market. That wasn't really an option."

The Lions just finished a mini-camp . Next up will be training camp in late July.

With a new coaching staff led by Jim Schwartz in place, Raiola said the Lions are ready to move on from last season's 0-16 campaign.

"I think it's behind us," Raiola said. "It happened, and like I said at the end of the season, the only thing that's going to erase it is winning."