Salave’a is warrior in the trenches for Redskins

By David Murray  |   Sunday, July 23, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Washington Redskins
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!
Joe Salave'a is surrounded by high-priced free agents on the defensive line in Andre Carter, Phillip Daniels and Cornelius Griffin; Some think his days as a starter for the Washington Redskins may be coming to an end. But don't count this warrior out just yet.

Salave'a contributed greatly to the Redskins' magical run and return to the playoffs in 2005. He had his best season as a pro despite playing on a painfully injured foot. A number of new defensive tackle hopefuls will be on hand to challenge the veteran for his spot when training camp opens July 30, and only time will tell if Big Joe can hold off the youngsters once more.

Salave'a was born in American Samoa, and his Pacific island home is memorialized by the tattoo encircling his huge right bicep. His parents made the move to San Diego when he was a freshman in high school, and he quickly became a star at Oceanside High, and then at Arizona, where as a senior he was captain of the team and an All-Pac-10 selection.

Selected in the fourth round of the 1998 draft by the Tennessee Titans, Salave'a labored in the trenches in relative obscurity for four years before finding himself cut loose and out of football for the entire 2002 season. Fortunately, Salave'a had caught the eye of a Titans' assistant coach named Gregg Williams, so all was not in vain.

He hooked on with the San Diego Chargers for the 2003 season, but wasn't offered a contract to return for 2004. Salave'a had started a grand total of two games in his five years in the NFL, but the Redskins and Gregg Williams liked the exceptionally quick, 6-3 317-pound tackle as an insurance policy for their defensive line. Little did they know they were getting a starter in the bargain.

In 2004, Salave'a appeared in 15 games, starting nine of the contests. Last year, he had thirteen starts. In the Redskins' huge 17-10 playoff win against Tampa Bay, it was Salave'a who forever entered Redskins lore when he pressured Chris Simms into throwing an interception to former 'Skin LaVar Arrington.

Now, the Redskins have brought in a number of youngsters to challenge for playing time in the middle. First and foremost is Anthony Montgomery, a well-thought of defensive tackle who was picked in the fifth round out of Minnesota. The 'Skins used their sixth round selection to pick up another potential tackle in Kedric Golston out of Georgia. There will also be more than a few undrafted rookie free agents in camp including Mania Brown from BYU and Vaka Manupuna out of Colorado. Veterans Cedric Killings and Ryan Boschetti will also be in the mix and battling for playing time.

Salave'a is tough, intense and dedicated. He is not about to give an inch.

In 2001, he established the Joe Salave'a Foundation which benefits more than 700 Samoan kids each year (see joesalavea.com for more information).

When his playing days are over, he'll return to his Pacific island roots. But that time isn't at hand just yet. Even if the 31-year-old does lose his starting job, there should still be a spot for him as a valuable backup in a regular rotation for years to come. No. 95 has a big heart, and that goes a long way with Joe Gibbs, Gregg Williams and the rest of the Washington Redskins.

- Get more original Washington Redskins coverage at Realfootball365.com
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report