MOBILE, Ala. \u2014 The focus of this week\u2019s Senior Bowl will be the practices that start Tuesday, four days ahead of Saturday\u2019s game. But don\u2019t discount the value of in-person interviews NFL teams will conduct this week. These interviews could be difference-makers.<\/p>\n
Miami Dolphins<\/a> 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\u2019t dispute.<\/p>\n Fortunately, Paul won over former general manager Chris Grier during his interview at the Senior Bowl<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cChris Grier, he loved me from the Senior Bowl,\u201d Paul said last season. \u201c(Former coach) Mike McDaniel, he loved me. \u2026 (Barry) had to get to know me a little bit. And then he started liking me.\u201d<\/p>\n As it turned out, Barry and Paul ended up getting along so well that they did pilates classes together<\/a>\u00a0last offseason.<\/p>\n Score one for Paul and his magnetic personality.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Still, the interview process can\u2019t be understated.<\/p>\n \u201cI can say this \u2014 information is power in this profession,\u201d said Joel Thomas, the New Orleans Saints\u2019 running backs coach who is coaching the American team at the Senior Bowl. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re 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\u2019re like, \u2018That\u2019s our guy.\u2019 Where we\u2019re sitting right now, I\u2019d say it\u2019s the first leg, it\u2019s the first gate so to speak.\u201d<\/p>\n Players can make lasting impressions by interviewing well with teams this week. And they\u2019re aware of that fact.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to some of those meetings, just having fun being myself,\u201d Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia said. \u201cBut I want them to know whatever organization I go to, they\u2019re going to get all I\u2019ve got and more. Whoever takes a chance on me, we\u2019re going to win.\u201d<\/p>\n Pavia, who is listed at 5 foot 9, 198 pounds, thinks he can win hearts and minds with good interviews and good play.<\/p>\n \u201cMy size has been doubted my whole life,\u201d he said. \u201cI feel like the only thing the NFL cares about is can you win.\u201d<\/p>\n Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, a projected first-round pick in April\u2019s NFL draft, said he looks forward chopping it up with team officials.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s definitely more of a conversation and guys just talking about football,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Rodriguez, a former quarterback, said he\u2019ll definitely ask questions of the teams.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything\u2019s 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\u2019d expect from me I\u2019d like to know,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The Dolphins will undoubtedly do their due diligence this year under they new regime as they have in previous years.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m gonna keep that in between our meetings,\u201d he said with a slight smile. \u201cI appreciate the question. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Cleveland quarterback Dillon Gabriel was a draft prospect from Oregon a year ago when he interviewed with the Dolphins at the Senior Bowl.<\/p>\n \u201c(We had) great conversations,\u201d said Gabriel, a third-round pick by the Browns. \u201cThey learned a lot about me, but I also learned a lot about them so it was really good.\u201d<\/p>\n The interview process can work to a player\u2019s advantage if he has the right personality and knowledge. It can also possibly right a wrong or two.<\/p>\n Texas safety Michael Taaffe wants to enhance his image during the team interviews at this week.<\/p>\n \u201cI think there\u2019s a lot of stereotypes around me as a player,\u201d said Taaffe, who is White. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Taaffe said he can play nickel\/slot, safety and cornerback.<\/p>\n \u201cI can do it all,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He hopes that includes nailing his in-person interviews with NFL teams.<\/p>\n Hurtt hasn\u2019t heard from Dolphins<\/p>\n