Atlanta Falcons Free Agency: Tatupu & Manuwai Bring a Pacific Island Influence

With people freaking out about the Falcons not going out and quickly signing a huge free agent, this is the perfect opportunity to look at the two newest Falcons.

These guys both are possible diamonds in the rough and could bring a toughness that is seen in a lot of players who come from the Pacific islands of American Samoa and Hawaii.

American Samoa and Hawaii have had a huge influence in the NFL throughout the years, and the players who come from Samoa tend to be quiet off the field with a mean streak in them on the field. There are over 100 Samoan athletes in NFL history and almost the same from Hawaii.

Troy Polamalu, Domata Peko, Rey Maualuga and Paul Soliai are some of the players who have shown this tendency in the current NFL. Some of the most notable Samoans of the past NFL are Junior Seau, Kimo Von Oelhoffen, Edwin Mulitalo and Mosi Tatupu—Lofa Tatupu's Pro Bowl dad.

Ma'ake Kemoeatu, Chris Kemoeatu, Isaac Sopoaga, Pisa Tinoisamoa and Samson Satele are just some of the Hawaiians who have made it into the NFL and lasted. There is a long time Pacific Island influence in the NFL.

Lofa Tatupu, who is of Samoan descent, could very well be the Falcons starter at middle linebacker in 2012. Tatupu has been to three Pro Bowls as the middle linebacker for the Seahawks. He has that quiet toughness about him, and is a true leader like what the Falcons have had in Curtis Lofton.

Tatupu was one of the best middle linebackers in the league and decided to take a year off to spend with his family and get healthy. Before 2011, he has only missed 11 career games, knocked seven balls loose, racked up 8.5 sacks and intercepted 10 passes in his six-year career.

Tatupu has been a team captain for the Seahawks and has the ability to come into Atlanta and be that true leader at the middle linebacker position that the team is losing if they let Curtis Lofton walk. It should be interesting to see how he plays next to Sean Weatherspoon and Stephen Nicholas.

Vince Manuwai, who is of Hawaiian descent, should bring some toughness to the Falcons offensive line. As a large 6'2" 330 pound guard, he has started over 100 games in the NFL. Manuwai could end up winning the right guard role for the Falcons and would be a big upgrade in pass protection and run protection.

Manuwai and Tatupu have an underlying aggressiveness on the field—paired with the off-the-field relaxed, humble attitudes that most teams would love to have. The Falcons were lucky to sign them, especially at the values they got them at.