"Samson is an experienced, productive and highly competitive offensive center," said General Manager Ryan Grigson." He has all the necessary traits to be one of the top centers in the NFL. He is not only a great player, but a great person and family man as well. We wanted him and we got him. We couldn't be happier that he will now be a Colt for years to come and help us reach our ultimate goal."
Satele, 6-3, 300 pounds, will enter his sixth NFL season. He was originally selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft and played in two seasons (2007-08) with the Dolphins before being traded to the Oakland Raiders (2009-11). He has competed in 78 career games (74 starts) and was a fulltime starter the last two years with the Raiders.
"It's a brand new team," said Satele. "In talking with Coach (Pagano) and everyone else, it feels like a family. It's a fresh, new start for me and a fresh, new team. I can't wait to get this rolling."
Satele and the Oakland offensive line paved the way for the Raiders to finish second in the NFL in rushing in 2010 and seventh in the league last season. He blocked for running back Darren McFadden's first career 1,000-yard season in 2010 as McFadden ranked 12th in the league and 8th in the AFC in the category. In 2007, Satele started all 16 games and became the first rookie in Miami Dolphins history to start every regular season game at center.
A four-year letterwinner at the University of Hawaii, Satele started each of the 53 games he played in during his collegiate career marking a streak that was the longest among active players in college football in 2006. He served as a team captain during his senior season and was named a first team All-Western Athletic Conference selection.
