Diego Pavia faced the media Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine and the first question was about his height. The Vanderbilt quarterback was listed an even six-feet tall in the team's media guide, but there were rumblings when Pavia came in a 5-9 and 7/8 at the Senior Bowl.
Instead of arguing over what his actual height is, Pavia decided to let his body of work speak for itself: "Watch the tape," he said. He then said he was well prepared fo rthe NFL because “It’s not like we’re not playing these guys that are going first round, second round on Saturdays in the SEC. So, I know the SEC and the Big Ten probably have the most guys getting drafted in the first and second round. So, we’re playing those guys and ain’t nothing going to change."
"I've seen a lot of football, " Pavia added later. "I feel like I can process a defense really fast. Get the ball where it needs to go. Check us into good plays. Stay out of bad plays."
Pavia will throw at the Combine, but will save all running and agility drills for Vandy's pro day.
My take: Pavia is sorely mistaken when he thinks "ain't nothing going to change." The confidence is admirable, but he's about to discover that everyone he faces in the NFL is as good and likely better than the select athletes he faced in the SEC. Height isn't an absolute deal-breaker — Russell Wilson is the shortest to win a Super Bowl and just under 5-11 — but it is an obstacle. Career backup, if he makes it at all. He would make a great CFL quarterback.
THE ASYLUM
Pavia not short on confidence
Diego Pavia faced the media Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine and the first question was about his height. The Vanderbilt quarterback was listed an even six-feet tall in the team's media guide, but there were rumblings when Pavia came in a 5-9 and 7/8 at the Senior Bowl.
Instead of arguing over what his actual height is, Pavia decided to let his body of work speak for itself: "Watch the tape," he said. He then said he was well prepared fo rthe NFL because “It’s not like we’re not playing these guys that are going first round, second round on Saturdays in the SEC. So, I know the SEC and the Big Ten probably have the most guys getting drafted in the first and second round. So, we’re playing those guys and ain’t nothing going to change."
"I've seen a lot of football, " Pavia added later. "I feel like I can process a defense really fast. Get the ball where it needs to go. Check us into good plays. Stay out of bad plays."
Pavia will throw at the Combine, but will save all running and agility drills for Vandy's pro day.
My take: Pavia is sorely mistaken when he thinks "ain't nothing going to change." The confidence is admirable, but he's about to discover that everyone he faces in the NFL is as good and likely better than the select athletes he faced in the SEC. Height isn't an absolute deal-breaker — Russell Wilson is the shortest to win a Super Bowl and just under 5-11 — but it is an obstacle. Career backup, if he makes it at all. He would make a great CFL quarterback.
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