Quotes from Samson

About Miami finally winning a game after losing their first 13, Samson said:
"We finally got one and I'm real happy about it. We did it with more effort, by playing harder. We had a Christmas dinner (for the Dolphins' offensive linemen on Monday) and I can say it was a better dinner (than it would have been). It was real cool, real fun." (HSB)

Asked if there is a bigger pot of gold down the road for the Dolphins, Samson said:
"Yeah. This is a business and I can't just quit. This is my team and this is my job. Everybody hates to lose. Of course it would be better to be 12-0 like the Warriors instead of (1-13). It's all the little stuff that every coach talks about. All the little stuff that sets you back and you lose by three points. It's been close." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Ahhhh ... three points. That was the magic losing number in six of Miami's games. Regardless of the won-lost record, Satele has made his presence felt with the Dolphins, having started every game so far, and he feels he's firmly on the right track."

About how he's adjusted to Miami's offense, Samson said:
"I came from the run-and-shoot and now I'm in an offense with a power I back and two tight ends, and sometimes two running backs. It was pretty confusing at first, but I'm getting better at it all the time. We go up against some cats who are 6-4, 6-5, 320 to 350 pounds who can move so quick. But that's what this league is all about, and it's not like college where there can be a big difference between the starters and backups and the scout-teamers. Everybody's good, so you've gotta bring your A-game every play. I get a feel for every guy (opponent across the line) and what they do. Sometimes, they surprise me and hopefully sometimes I surprise them." (HSB)

Vince Wilfork (6-2, 325 pounds), New England's beast of a nose tackle, is somebody Satele won't forget anytime soon.
About New England's NT Vince Wilfork (6'2", 325 pounds), Samson said:
"He's the one guy that stands out. For a man his size, he can handle the middle and he can move and he can make you think twice." (HSB)

About Miami's unofficial Polynesian club (Samson, Reagan, Tala, Steve Fifita, and Paul Soliai), Samson said:
"We see each other out there on the field and we all stay together. The five Polynesians have a close bond. We're starting to spread out and feel comfortable with everyone else, too. It's great to have Reagan, who was my teammate for two years, be the guy who's right there next to me in the locker room. There's a video of him on 'You Tube' crashing through a wall. Out here, he's running through linebackers. He's doing a pretty good job." (HSB)

About how he doesn't have the same leadership role in Miami that he had with the Warriors, Samson said:
"Some guys have been here 17 years (defensive tackle Keith Traylor is in his 16th season) and I'm just a rookie." (HSB)

About getting to meet Michael Jordan through teammate Jason Taylor, Samson said:
"Here's a guy I watched for 22 years on TV in Hawaii and then all of a sudden, there he was. He was a regular guy. He talked about leadership. He said you've got to lead by your actions, and said, 'If you take a day off, then other guys are going to take a day off.' That stuck with me." (HSB)

About being able to go to the Sugar Bowl since their season ends on December 30, Samson said:
"I love it man. I'll be there to support them. I've been talking to (cousin) Hercules (Satele, UH starting guard) and wishing him luck every week. I hope I get a sideline pass from my old head coach." (HSB)

About the long NFL season, Samson said:
"The hardest thing in this league is that since August I haven't stopped playing and thinking about football. Compared to college, the NFL season is a long, long thing. We've had four preseason games and training camp before that and then 16 games, and maybe more if (in future years) you make the playoffs. I've got to get used to that." (HSB)