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NFL Draft Prospect
Interview: Jamie Silva, S, Boston College
by Paul Eide, 2/17/08. Statistics
and accolades don’t always paint an accurate picture of a player’s
impact on the football field, but in Jamie Silva’s case they do a
pretty good job. The 5-11, 220 pound safety was named All American
after an impressive ’07 season where he accumulated 125 tackles, 1.5
sacks, eight interceptions and scored two defensive touchdowns. A
natural ball-hawking type safety with a knack for big plays at crucial
times, Silva is forecasted by most draft experts to be a middle round
selection.
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What was biggest difference between your
solid 2006 season and 2007 when you took it to another level?
“I think it was just being healthy. I got hurt in the third or fourth
game of the year in ’06 where I sprained my knee so I missed the
following game and wasn’t 100% the rest of the season. I healed pretty
quickly but didn’t really practice at full speed for almost the rest of
the year, but injuries are part of football. They needed me out there
to play but it was a long process to get back in. This year I was able
to stay healthy so that was the biggest difference.”
The
media always looks at statistics to define a successful season. As a
player what do those numbers mean to you?
“Yeah you want to go out and make plays and be the best at your
position. As a defensive back you always want to be at the top of the
picks throughout the country and tackles, etc. So yeah, it’s important,
but you go out there to make plays more than anything. I’ve had games
where I gad double digit tackles and didn’t think I played well, and
then I’ve had games where I had two tackles and thought I played pretty
well. How you play matters more than the stats and more than anything
you’re out there to win.”
With
the Combine coming up, is there a particular part of your game you are
trying to improve?
“I’m
not gonna run a 4.3 like some guys but I feel the way I will make a
team is by being a good all around player. I’m down here in Orlando and
there’s a bunch of Pro guys helping us out specifically Ike Taylor, so
I’ve been listening to him and he’s been helping me with my footwork
which is something I’m trying to improve upon and I think it’s going
well.”
Is it almost surreal to be in your current
situation after having a great college career?
“It’s cool. I’ve always dreamt of playing in the NFL. As a little kid I
would always say that my goal was to play in the NFL and as you get
older it becomes less of a possibility for most, but I would still
always say that’s what I wanted to do. But people would say “no
way”
or laugh but here I am. I’m doing everything I can to make it a
reality.”
With
the success of you, Matt Ryan and a few other BC football players,
what’s the feedback you guys hear from the Pros at this stage?
“It’s pretty limited. When they come down to BC they really don’t talk
to us too much, but the interview process really began at the All Star
games. Basically they just say they see me as a football player who
goes out there and makes plays. Some teams may like the 6-2, 230 pound
safety and other teams may like my style better. I’m going to fit into
a lot of team’s schemes and that’s basically what I’ve been hearing.”
How
does a guy like you sell yourself in a world where numbers (40, Bench
Reps, etc) rule a lot of times over on field performance?
“I feel like these scouts watch the film and when they watch the film
they see I can make plays and move around the field well. I’m not gonna
run the fastest 40, but I can run with anybody on the field. My field
speed is faster than track speed and you know, we play football, we
aren’t running track.”
What
is your greatest strength as a football player?
“My instincts and the fact that I don’t make mistakes. And I’ll help
the team anyway I can.”
What
feedback have you gotten from former or current NFL players about
preparing for the NFL?
“After the bowl game I talked to a few alums. Mathias (Kiwanuka) called
me and told me ‘Just focus, work hard and do what you’ve been doing and
you’ll be fine.’ He also put a heavy emphasis on the interviews. It’s
good to have friends in the league that can give you advice and
re-enforce your confidence.”
What
NFL player do you compare yourself to?
“Rodney Harrison. He goes 100% every play and never gives up. He comes
up and hits, he plays coverage, he does it all. I’ve watched a lot of
his film.”
What’s
the number one thing you’ll miss about college?
“The atmosphere. You came in with 25 guys and you’re always with these
guys. You grew together and matured and people are going their own ways
and you won’t be with these guys you basically lived with 11-12 months
of the year for several years anymore.”
Is
there a particular team you’d like to play for?
“Whoever wants me the most and wants to draft me is the team Id like to
play for!”
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