New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - New Orleans Saints Q & A: Fullback Marcus Mailei

Marcus Mailei is a fullback in his second year with the Saints. He played in two games for New Orleans last year, making one solo tackle on special teams. He originally signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2009 but was waived at the end of the preseason and re-signed to the practice squad. He was signed by the Saints off the Eagles' practice squad Dec. 9 and put on injured reserve Dec. 21. He recently spoke with staff writer Robert Stewart.

"I would have to say Barry Sanders. He was small, he got the job done, and he was basically David amongst Goliaths. He was pretty inspiring as

Do you have any pregame or in-game superstitions?
"No. No superstitions. I just always want to feel good."
Who is your favorite coach from college or high school?
"I'd have to say ... I can't answer that one, man. I don't want to hurt any feelings. I'll just keep that one inside. I have a lot of respect for Coach (Ron) McBride out of Weber State. Good man. I felt like he helped the town more than the football team, and he did wonders for the football team. We broke a lot of school records. He was a good man -- a good coach, too."
Who is your favorite artist?

"I have a lot of favorite artists. I want to say, a new and up and coming artist I'd have to say that I'm a big supporter of now is Teki. T-E-K-I. I went to high school with him."

What is your favorite pregame meal?

"No. Just a big breakfast that morning. Maybe four or five eggs, a sausage if I'm feeling extra in-shape -- and orange juice for sure."
What is your best football memory?

"I'd have to say my first touchdown. Just catching it from (Donovan) McNabb. I used to watch him growing up -- and getting the shot of me diving into the end zone, football in the pylon. It was picture perfect."
Who is your biggest fan?

"I'd have to say my wife. She's my biggest supporter; she's ready to up and move whenever I get cut or picked up. I've got to give it to her."
If you weren't playing football, what would you be doing right now?
"I'd either be doing some MMA (mixed martial arts) or coaching. I'm really into MMA."

What other position would you want to play if you weren't playing fullback?
"I'd be playing linebacker, just because I like to hit. Once I get going, I just love the contact. I feel like I'm built for it more than others. That's why I like both positions."

What is your favorite sport besides football?

"Rugby. It's lots of fun. The moral of the sport is, it's usually pretty clean for the most part. There aren't pads, so people are a lot smarter when they hit, and there's a lot more room to run. It's just not as, I don't know what it is about football, but people get very angry so fast -- but not on the rugby field."