First off, what have been your plans for the offseason?
It’s been great – I’ve been training here in Arizona and am flying to San Diego today. I’m going with my girlfriend to a wedding in Cancun from there. It’s my first vacation this offseason – I’m excited!
Why did you decide to sign with the Steelers this year?
I don’t think it was even a question when my agent called and told me the Steelers called him and wanted to sign me. Watching film on them when I was with the Patriots – I really like the scheme they use. It fits with how I played with the Patriots. Striking hands – using those to get off blocks – that’s my style. A lot of teams don’t like their defensive linemen use their hands – they want them to just try and penetrate as fast as they can.
And, I’m really looking forward to playing next to Hall of Fame players like Cam and TJ.
Know anyone on team?
I’ve known Isaac Seumolo since college – we talk a lot. And I’ve been working out too with Eku Leota.
Excited to play with Cam – he or anyone reach out yet?
Cam actually texted me a couple of days after I signed with the Steelers welcoming me to the team. I was on the golf course with a group of my boys I have hung out with for years and showed them the text. I had goosebumps when I got it, knowing the player he is and how crazy it is.
He’s played at such a high level for so many years. Just knowing the kind of person he is, I want to get as much knowledge as I can from him and learn how he takes care of his body and has played at that high level for so long.
Who have been your mentors in the NFL and what was your biggest learning curve?
In Cleveland Myles Garrett was in his second season when I was there and Larry Ogunjobi was there too. They, Olivier Vernon- they all taught me how to be pro. Especially as an undrafted free agent, they showed me how to do things the right way – how to study as a pro and do everything the coaches asked me to do.
It was really about how to approach each day and knowing what to do. And knowing what guys to stay close to to learn to do things the right way,
Now you may be taking Larry’s spot on the Steelers line, rght?
It’s a small world. Me and Larry connected in Cleveland – we stayed in touch even after I left Cleveland. We still keep in touch – he even sent me a text congratulating me for signing with the Steelers.
I know in college you had to learn English even as you adjusted to college coming from American Samoa – how difficult was that all for you?
I was fresh off the boat from the island in 2013 when I went to Washington State. I didn’t know a lick of English then. I was homesick for the first two-to-three weeks. I called my mom and dad and told them I didn’t think this was for me. I struggled to fit in – I had a tutor for all of my classes to stay on top of things. And they made me learn Spanish on top of that all too!
But I wouldn’t trade it for the world – it was a great learning process.
You seem to have taken steps every season and have had a bigger impact every year why is that and where do you see that taking you this season?
I think for me, every year I feel like I’ve had a bigger impact. I see things on the field more now – the game has slowed down every year and I’ve been able to elevate my play. Now the plays come to me – I’m better at studying film and see the details – that all helps me have a bigger impact.
I’ve spoken to a lot of Polynesian players on the impact of the Polynesian culture on them on and off the field. Why has that impact meant to you and how has it affected you the most?
For me, it’s a lot about pride. Coming from a small island we didn’t have many things. When we get to this point we want to take advantage of every opportunity we get to prove we belong.
A lot of us speak to each other and support one another and keep in touch. If we see a young player doing stuff on social media we try to support them with.
What is the role you expect to have on the Steelers line- nose versus tackle, etc?
Honestly, my role is just to come in and help this team win and do whatever I can. Nosetackle, five-technique, three-technique… Mike T. when we spoke on the phone praised the way I played and said a lot of good things about my technique at all of those spots. I don’t see myself as a one-position player.
In those Cleveland and New England games – any good memories of how those teams prepared for Pittsburgh and on your particular experiences?
In New England and in Cleveland we didn’t take the Steelers lightly. In New England Bill Belichick stressed a lot of the details. We had pictures of Cam and TJ posted on the board and he told us not to let those two guys beat us. It was always a highly anticipated matchup.
The last time we played the Steelers I had a torn bicep and couldn’t play.
How’s that bicep now?
Oh it’s great now. I’m excited to go and play ball!
What do you think are the strengths of your game and how they fit with some of the troubles the team had in the run game last season?
My gap discipline. New England preached good gap discipline – to not play peek-a-boo with the running back and allow them to find creases to run through. We need to play sound defense and hold our ground to let linebackers make the plays.
Lastly, what makes you tick outside of football?
Well, of course football, training and my family. But I’ve been playing golf for two years now and I’ve never been addicted to anything like I am golf. When I was younger I would go out and party, but now I cut that out. I love golfing – it’s brought peace to my life.