Hitting some new heights

At East Providence (R.I.) High, where he starred for four years at running back and linebacker, Jamie Silva said he played football at only one speed: "all-out."

A 5-foot-11-inch, 207-pound redshirt freshman, Silva took that same approach in Boston College's preseason camp to earn a starting spot at strong safety ahead of sophomore Ryan Glasper.

Silva, whose older brother Steve is a senior running back at Holy Cross, has made quite an impression on his BC teammates as a hitter with a voracious appetite for contact.

"Everyone saw in the spring that this kid was a hitter," said senior defensive tackle Tim Bulman. "He comes at you like a torpedo -- just selling out his body. I think he had an incredible camp, made plays all over the place, and won a spot. I remember Doug Bessette was like that, always making bone-crushing hits."

Just like the one Silva made in practice on an unsuspecting receiver who had just made a sideline grab.

"I don't remember who it was, but the receiver goes up and makes this catch," Bulman said. "He was just about to get one foot in when [Silva] came flying in -- like `The Rocketeer' -- and knocked the kid all the way to the pavement [lining the outskirt of Alumni Stadium's surface]."

Asked to identify the receiver, Silva broke into a smile and said, "Taylor, Taylor Sele. He held on to the ball, though."

Silva's punishing hits and strong performances in scrimmages got the attention of the coaching staff. With the Eagles set to open their season Thursday night against Ball State in Muncie, Ind., Silva has leapfrogged Glasper on the depth chart.

"I worked hard in the winter on the skills I was lacking to get on the field," said Silva, who had to get accustomed to backpedaling and breaking on the ball. "I felt like I got my chance in the spring to show the coaches that I could play. Learning the system, that was the biggest part. It wasn't the physical part."

Silva's ascent to a starting role was no small feat, considering that the talented Glasper, a 6-foot, 190-pound sophomore, gained considerable experience playing as a true freshman last year. Glasper was selected to The Sporting News's Big East All-Freshman squad and was 10th on the team in tackles with 52 (29 solo).

"I felt like I wasn't ready to play last year," said Silva. "I was happy that I redshirted because I obviously wasn't ready and he was, so that was great for him, and seeing him play as a freshman, all credit goes to him because he's a very good player."

Now Silva will be expected to provide a safety net for the cornerbacks, one of whom will be Will Blackmon of Cranston, R.I., a high school rival from Bishop Hendricken.

"I think it's huge to have Jamie back there," Blackmon said. "Jamie and I have been friends since we were in eighth grade and we've been playing against each other since our freshman year in high school. I consider him my best friend.

"To have him back there, I can definitely trust Jamie and he can trust me."

Once Silva learned the system and honed his technique, it was just a matter of time before he trusted his instincts.

"Before, I was thinking," said Silva. "And as [defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani] says, `If you're thinkin', you're stinkin',' and that's true.

"If you're thinking, then you're a step slow, and in this league you can't afford to be a step slow. The offense knows where they're going, so you have to be that much quicker to get to the place where you have to be."

Over the summer, Silva studied film of hard-hitting Patriots safety Rodney Harrison.

"He really inspired me," Silva said. "I watched him play and watched how he went after people with his tenacity."

So where did he develop his appetite for contact?

"I really don't know," said Silva, who rushed for 2,100 yards and 29 touchdowns as a high school senior and recorded 16 career interceptions and 300 career tackles. "I always liked to hit people, even when I was on the offensive side of the ball. I've always been a defensive-type of person. I just like the feeling of hitting somebody and then getting up and knowing you delivered the hit."

Then, with a laugh, Silva added, "But I'm not a violent person, don't get me wrong."

He's just a football player who prides himself on going all-out.

All the time.