Former Hawaii Football Player Mana Silva Signs with the Dallas Cowboys

Former University of Hawaii football player Mana Silva has signed with the Dallas Cowboys and will be used starting this weekend when the Cowboys play the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Silva has followed a unique path to the NFL.  A Kamehameha-Hawaii quarterback to walk-on at Oregon State and Hawaii, to fringe roles with the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills, to the Dallas Cowboys’ active roster, which by all accounts is exactly what he wanted.

Silva, who was most recently with the Buffalo Bills, stated that he learned a lot in Buffalo, but felt it was time to move on.

This past Sunday, Dallas safety Barry Church was injured. The next day, the Cowboys contacted Silva. A practice-squad player may be signed by another team. The Bills made a counter offer, but Silva signed with the Cowboys.

Silva says he is excited to be with the Cowboys and also stated that Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan was outgoing and making jokes.

Silva will be used on special teams, but if he plays well he may be able to get more time on the field with the main defensive unit.