Feature article on Samson

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070824/SPORTS/708240357/1002/SPORTS


About how the preseason games have taught him that he canot be too aggressive, Samson said:
"Sometimes, I have a guy in front of me and . . . I just want to kill him. I've just got to slow myself down and just play football. Just do what I do." (Florida Today)

FT Note: "The coaching staff has told Satele he did much better in last week's game against Kansas City than the preseason opener against Jacksonville. But Saturday, when the starters are expected to play the first half and possibly into the third quarter, could be the truest test to see just how far the second-round pick from Hawaii has come.

Dolphins coach Cam Cameron would like to see the 6-foot-3, 300-pound Satele play with more leverage and patience. A player who is overly aggressive can get overextended, allowing the defender to get the upper hand -- particularly in pass protection.

Instead of trying to knock a guy through a wall, Cameron wants Satele to realize when it comes to protecting his quarterback, he doesn't necessarily have to beat his man. All he really needs is a tie."


About how Samson gets too aggressive at times, Cam Cameron said:
"He's a physical guy. He's almost like the boxer that wants to come out and starts flying that haymaker in the first round, and then you have nothing left in the fourth quarter, so he's got to be a little more cautious. He doesn't want to be overly physical, and that's a delicate balance there, so he doesn't get overextended. If you get overextended, then in pass protection you don't stand a chance. He's just got to become more patient." (FT)


About how he told Samson that he needed to talk more, as Samson would just point his finger without sayhing a word when he'd recognize a blitz and ask questions to rookies instead of vets, Carey said:
"He needed to talk more to the guys who are playing, because that's what he's going to be doing -- he's going to be playing. I told him he needs to start talking, (stop) whispering, because he's real quiet. He needs to be more vocal, because the guy who is the center is really more vocal during the game.

He's the one calling this out, calling that out during the game -- and everyone else follows his lead. That's the position he has to take. I told him, he's got to be loud. He can't be shy." (FT)


About how he never said a word about the 6 root canals he had done (4 on 1 day, 2 more 2 days later) and didn't miss any practice time, Samson said:
"Uh-uh . . . I couldn't. I wasn't going to complain to anybody. It's something I wanted to do, play in the NFL, for a long time. I'm not a guy who complains about injuries. I just want to show coaches they can count on me. I'm accountable. No matter if I'm injured, I'll give them 110 percent every play. I just want to do that silently, by actions." (FT)


About how the rest of the line has asked him to be more vocal, Samson said:
"They want to hear me. They want me to make the call. If it's wrong, they'll correct me." (FT)

FT Note: "Carey and Hadnot haven't been the only ones giving Satele advice. Defensive tackle Keith Traylor has been counseling the rookie as well, telling him, for example, when his stance may give something away. As a 16-year veteran, Traylor knows a few things about beating up on centers. He believes Satele -- who could join Jeff Uhlenhake (1989) as the only two centers to start as rookies in franchise history -- has got what it takes."


About the 300-pound Samson, DT Keith Traylor said:
"He's going to be a good one. He's a competitor. He's a little undersized, but in due time they're going to put some muscle on him and he'll be solid. I can tell he's got good techniques and he works hard. He's definitely going to be a decent player in this league." (FT)