University of Louisiana's Sampson headed for New England

<blockquote><p align=justify>CROWLEY — He’s soft-spoken and doesn’t blow his own horn, but the New England Patriots knew where to find Walter Sampson Sunday.

The senior Louisiana defensive tackle, who wrapped up a five-year career with the Ragin’ Cajuns last fall, signed a free agent contract with the 2002 Super Bowl champions Monday.

The Patriots didn’t waste time, calling Sampson at his home in Crowley less than a half-hour after the conclusion of the NFL Draft Sunday evening.

“It was a pretty wild day,” said Sampson, who had 44 tackles including nine for minus yardage and three sacks for the Cajuns last season.

“Someone from the club called me right after the draft. They’d been in touch with me since January, but I didn’t expect them to call that soon.”

Soon also describes the rest of Sampson’s week.

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Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@lafayette.gannett.com <!--

The former Crowley High standout will head to Foxboro, Mass., on Thursday for the club’s rookie mini-camp this weekend, where the Patriots’ 10 draft picks and the rookie free agents will get their indoctrination with coach Bill Belichick at Gillette Stadium.

“Not too many people get this chance,” Sampson said. “It’s a pretty good opportunity. No one knows what the future holds, but I’m going to take advantage of it if I can.”

Sampson totaled 135 tackles in his Cajun career as well as 32 tackles for losses and 17 sacks, and the 6-foot-4, 285-pounder said that Louisiana’s concentration on speed and quickness in last year’s defensive alignment will help him in New England’s 3-4 alignment.

“We’ve played a lot of defenses in five years,” he said, “so I think I’ll pick it up pretty quick. It’s just getting used to the speed of the game.”

Sampson won’t be the only South Louisiana native in the Patriot locker room. Former LSU standout running back and Carencro product Kevin Faulk enters his fifth year with the club, and ex-Tiger quarterback Rohan Davey and defensive end Jarvis Green were rookies last year. Also there is Metairie native Otis Smith, a 13-year veteran.

“They showed the most interest in me from the start,” Sampson said, “so I’m pretty familiar with them. I know Kevin a lot from summer league basketball and a lot of other guys from around here are up there. I’ve kept working out and getting ready mentally and physically in case something like this happened.”
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