Terrell Owens ate the lunch of whoever defended him on one leg in that Super Bowl. Samuel and the rest of the secondary got roasted among the best WR's/TE's in the NFL in 2005. Randy Moss (130 yards, 1 TD), Hines Ward (110 yards, 2 TD's), Brian Finneran (103 yards) and Alge Crumpler (99 yards, 1 TD), Gates (108 yards), Rod Smith (123 yards, 1 TD) and Ashley Lelie (81 yards on 3 receptions), Eric Moulds (125 yards, 1 TD), Harrison (128 yards, 2 TD's) and Wayne (124 yards, 1 TD) in the MNF massacre, and Marty Booker (102 yards) who lit them up for big games. This is not counting some players that had multiple TD's in a game. They then gave up big passing plays in Denver Divisional Round to put them out of their misery. They were a big reason why they limped to a 10-6 record. You may want to re-watch that season. Samuel was not very good in his first year starting and I don't think anybody was thrilled Bill stood Pat on that secondary going into 2006.
Samuel's breakout year in 2006 was a surprise.