Satele agrees to pact with Dolphins
His off-field business complete, Samson Satele can now focus on cementing his status as the Miami Dolphins' starting center.
Satele (with agent Leo Goeas handling the negotiations) and the Dolphins came to agreement yesterday on a four-year contract worth close to $3 million. The guaranteed money is $1,225,000 for the rookie from Kailua High School and the University of Hawaii.
"I'm so happy everything's done," said Satele, who became the first second-round draft pick to sign. "I feel the same. Shucks, I guess if I look at my bank account I'll feel a little different."
Satele said he won't be making any major purchases right away; his focus is on staying atop the depth chart at center. He reports to preseason camp Sunday.
"I'm happy they moved last year's center (Rex Hadnot) to right guard to make room for me," Satele said. "At the same time, I still have to keep working my way up. Now I've got to keep the job and not let someone take it from me."
Satele said he and fellow Dolphins rookies Tala Esera and Reagan Mauia -- both also UH alums -- have been too busy to explore the Miami area.
"I tell everyone it's like Hawaii without the mountains," Satele said.
Satele was a two-time All-WAC performer and a UH team captain last season. He started a school-record 53 consecutive games.