MOBILE, Ala. — The focus of this week’s Senior Bowl will be the practices that start Tuesday, four days ahead of Saturday’s game. But don’t discount the value of in-person interviews NFL teams will conduct this week. These interviews could be difference-makers.

Miami Dolphins left tackle Patrick Paul thought he left a bad initial impression on offensive line coach Butch Barry two years ago during his in-person interview at the NFL scouting combine. Paul thought he came across as arrogant, an account that Barry didn’t dispute.

Fortunately, Paul won over former general manager Chris Grier during his interview at the Senior Bowl.

“Chris Grier, he loved me from the Senior Bowl,” Paul said last season. “(Former coach) Mike McDaniel, he loved me. … (Barry) had to get to know me a little bit. And then he started liking me.”

As it turned out, Barry and Paul ended up getting along so well that they did pilates classes together last offseason.

Score one for Paul and his magnetic personality.

So, yes, building the trenches will be a priority for the Dolphins, according to new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. And that process will continue in earnest at the Senior Bowl.

Still, the interview process can’t be understated.

“I can say this — information is power in this profession,” said Joel Thomas, the New Orleans Saints’ running backs coach who is coaching the American team at the Senior Bowl.

“We’re always trying to get together information so it might be the second, the third, the fifth interview where all of a sudden something pops and it might be the thing like you talked about that takes him over the edge and we’re like, ‘That’s our guy.’ Where we’re sitting right now, I’d say it’s the first leg, it’s the first gate so to speak.”

Players can make lasting impressions by interviewing well with teams this week. And they’re aware of that fact.

“I’m looking forward to some of those meetings, just having fun being myself,” Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia said. “But I want them to know whatever organization I go to, they’re going to get all I’ve got and more. Whoever takes a chance on me, we’re going to win.”

Pavia, who is listed at 5 foot 9, 198 pounds, thinks he can win hearts and minds with good interviews and good play.

“My size has been doubted my whole life,” he said. “I feel like the only thing the NFL cares about is can you win.”

Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, a projected first-round pick in April’s NFL draft, said he looks forward chopping it up with team officials.

“It’s definitely more of a conversation and guys just talking about football,” he said.

Rodriguez, a former quarterback, said he’ll definitely ask questions of the teams.

“Everything’s a relationship so asking them kind of where they see me fitting on the defensive side of the ball, and also where I fit on special teams and anything they’d expect from me I’d like to know,” he said.

The Dolphins will undoubtedly do their due diligence this year under they new regime as they have in previous years.

Last year New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, the first-round pick who was a finalist for Rookie of the Year honors, refused to disclose whether he interviewed with the Dolphins at the Senior Bowl.

“I’m gonna keep that in between our meetings,” he said with a slight smile. “I appreciate the question. I’m sorry.”

Cleveland quarterback Dillon Gabriel was a draft prospect from Oregon a year ago when he interviewed with the Dolphins at the Senior Bowl.

“(We had) great conversations,” said Gabriel, a third-round pick by the Browns. “They learned a lot about me, but I also learned a lot about them so it was really good.”

The interview process can work to a player’s advantage if he has the right personality and knowledge. It can also possibly right a wrong or two.

Texas safety Michael Taaffe wants to enhance his image during the team interviews at this week.

“I think there’s a lot of stereotypes around me as a player,” said Taaffe, who is White. “I hope a lot of them are good. But I want to show more than just those stereotypes. I want to, first of all, be real. I think GMs, I think scouts, I think coaches can see through the fake.”

Taaffe said he can play nickel/slot, safety and cornerback.

“I can do it all,” he said.

He hopes that includes nailing his in-person interviews with NFL teams.

Hurtt hasn’t heard from Dolphins

Clint Hurrt, the Philadelphia Eagles defensive line coach who is coaching the National Team, interviewed with the Dolphins to become their defensive coordinator Saturday.

Hurrt, the former Miami Hurricanes player and defensive line coach who served as the Seattle Seahawks’ defensive coordinator for two seasons, said he hasn’t yet heard back from the Dolphins.

The Dolphins most recently hired wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert from the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.