bubba9497 Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Skins' Pacific product shows heart for home With foundation, camp, Salave'a helps children of American Samoa BY PAUL WOODY http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031778114000 Tackle Joe Salave'a, listed at 6-3 and 295 pounds, supplies power on the Washington Redskins' defensive line. "I try to be a guy the team can count on," he said. In the land where Joe Salave'a grew up, he was closer to New Zealand than New England. And while some NFL players might be able to tell stories about coaches with volcanic tempers, Salave'a can tell stories of living on a chain of volcanic islands. Salave'a, a Washington Redskins defensive tackle, grew up in American Samoa, a United States territory that consists of a chain of five islands in the South Pacific, located just below the equator. American Samoa is not exactly right next door. From Salave'a's hometown of Leone, it takes 12 hours to fly to San Diego. Salave'a file Height: 6-3 Weight: 295 Age: 29 Position: Defensive tackle College: University of Arizona Hometown: Leone, American Samoa Previous NFL teams: Tennessee (1998-2001); San Diego 2003. He was out of football in 2002. Salave'a knows about that flight because he made it when he began high school. His parents wanted their children - Salave'a has seven brothers and sisters - to have an opportunity for a better life. So Salave'a went to live with an aunt in San Diego when he was 14 years old. It worked out well. The young man who never had played football before earned a scholarship to Arizona. He became a fourth-round draft choice of the Tennessee Titans. He is in his sixth NFL season, but he never has forgotten where he came from. Each year, the Joe Salave'a Foundation holds a football camp for children 5 to 17 years old. "As a professional athlete, I think you have to ask yourself if you are doing your part to mold the younger generation," Salave'a said. "We want to make sure kids understand that sports and education go hand in hand." Salave'a backs up his words with deeds. He graduated from Arizona in four years with a degree in sociology with a minor in ethnic studies. And when he says "we," he's referring to the players who go to American Samoa to help him with his clinic. Former teammates such as Jevon Kearse, Kenny Holmes and Josh Evans have made the trip, as well as fellow Samoans, and present or past NFL players, Chris Fuamatu Ma'afala, Kaulana Noa and Sale Isaia. The players tend to get as much out of the experience as the children. Through a spokesman for the Philadelphia Eagles, Kearse said, "It was an eye-opening experience. It really made me appreciate how good we have it back here. It was great to see how thankful all of those kids really were. I had a great time. "You really see how things are in other countries, and it makes you feel good to help those little kids. Those big, little kids." Some of the young men in American Samoa do grow up to be rather large. Salave'a is 6-3 and is listed as weighing 295. But he appears to carry at least 20 more pounds. And he carries it well. Salave'a has been quite a find for the Redskins this season. He was released by San Diego after the 2003 season, and the Redskins wasted little time in signing him. Salave'a had played for Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams in Tennessee. Williams was well aware of Salave'a's skills. Salave'a plays with a turbo-charged motor. He explodes off the ball, uses good technique and can jam the middle against the run or push the pocket against the pass. "I try to be a guy the team can count on," Salave'a said. "This is our profession, and I think it's our responsibility, not just to our team but also to ourselves, to study this game well enough to hone in on our craft. If I can continue to do that, I think they can count on me to always do my best." Hundreds of children in American Samoa can count on Salave'a to do the best for them as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cphil006 Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 He has played solid. I have been pleased. I think Gregg Williams has taught him to play at his best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cskin Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 I've noticed how quick he is for a big man. On more than one occasion I've seen him slice into the backfield and disrupt plays. A solid contributor to the DL.... and a standup "Redskin" player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 It seems all these Samoans in the NFL have reputations as hard-working guys with non-stop motors. I can think of a lot of guys who could take a lesson from the Samoan players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskool Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 He’s been solid and impressed me at times (and most of you know how I feel about our DL). Seems like a player of good character as well. Glad to have him aboard for more than one reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bird_1972 Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Originally posted by Oldskool He’s been solid and impressed me at times (and most of you know how I feel about our DL). Seems like a player of good character as well. Glad to have him aboard for more than one reason. Oldskool, You should change your handle to "D-line" or "Defense" or something like that. Whenever I see commentary on shoring up our D - you're right there. You're like an extremeskin subspecialist or something. You take insurance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matador36 Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 He's been a nice surprise specially with Noble not at 100%, Jermaine Haley is doing well also (Pierce Int) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Salave'a has been the second biggest surprise for us this year with Pierce beating him out. Salave'a is strong and quick and has been HIGHLY effective controlling the interior with Griffin. It's amazing to think this guy hasn't been in the league with how strong he appears to be for us right now. I suspect teams will identify some weaknesses and end up exploiting him a little as the season goes on. He's actually not showing up statistically as well as he's playing right now. Griffin, on the other hand, is playing at a Pro Bowl level through two games and is showing up statistically as well. If these two can continue that way, our defensive line actually becomes a strength of the team. I suspect there'll be some decline. It's been encouraging so far though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskool Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Originally posted by Art If these two can continue that way, our defensive line actually becomes a strength of the team. If you mean on the run defense that is true, however through 2 games they are still having issues collapsing the pocket and getting a consistent pass rush. They are better than I expected then to be to this point but not close to what they need to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Originally posted by Oldskool If you mean on the run defense that is true, however through 2 games they are still having issues collapsing the pocket and getting a consistent pass rush. They are better than I expected then to be to this point but not close to what they need to be. Our defensive line has been a strength of the team since April in terms of it's prospects against the run. So far it happens to be better than any line in football in this regard, which is a surprise, but it's no surprise the line plays the run well. As for pass rush, it's certainly been hard to be overly critical considering how often we're hitting the opposing QB early on. A lot of that is with blitz help in the form of additional bodies coming at the QB. I doubt this line will ever be a great pass rushing line, though. But, overall, the level of play through two games, should it continue, alters how one views the defensive line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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