Q: Can you break down briefly how this all transpired? Did the Raiders show interest right away as soon as free agency started? Were they on a team on your radar at all?
Maiava: Well, you know, everything went through my agent and stuff so we had a few teams interested. Raiders wanted an interview really quick, they were the first ones to schedule one, so I took the trip. Coming into it, I always grew up a Raiders fan, being from the Islands, we always watched Raiders and San Fran games so it was definitely a team I was familiar with. My ears definitely perked up when my agent told me about Oakland being interested. I already came in with high hopes and fortunately we got a deal done. I’m very excited about it.
Q: What do you think you’ll bring to the table for the Raiders? What are they getting?
Maiava: “I’m a hard-nosed guy. I came to work every day and I lead by example. I’m not the ‘rah rah’ guy leading with speeches and stuff, but I lead by example. I come to work every day and I’ll play hard. I’ll go to war with anybody, man, and I feel my teammates will appreciate that. They’re getting a tough guy. I pride myself on being one of the tougher players and I’m here to win. Hopefully everything works out in that aspect.
Q: Do you think you’re better suited for a 3-4 or 4-3 [defense]? Are there any talks about what your role is going to be?
Maiava: We haven’t really gotten into scheme-wise and all the details on what I’m going to be doing, but I’m glad to get the business part out of the way and now we come back, we can work on actual football. I’ll play anything. Whatever the coaches need me to do, whatever it takes to win; I’ll play whatever spot they need me at.
