Nov/05/08 11:11 PM Filed in:
Kenny
Phillips
The New York Giants' Kenny
Phillips is not afraid to aim high. He chose
uniform number 21 with the hope of emulating the
on-field accomplishments of late Washington
Redskins safety Sean Taylor.
"I respected the way he played," Phillips says, "and I
respected him as a person." Taylor was shot to death
last November during a break-in at his Miami-Dade home.
Phillips is wearing Taylor's number well. The 31st
overall pick has been a steady contributor for the
defending Super Bowl champions, who are riding high at
7-1 after a 35-14 pounding of the Dallas Cowboys last
Sunday. And his first career interception was a big
one, helping the Giants to a 21-14 victory in
Pittsburgh in Week 8.
THE PLAYER
• Hometown: Miami
• Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 197
• College highlights: Made 33 starts in three
seasons at Miami. His 203 tackles included 133 solo
shots and 15 stops for losses. He also made one fumble
recovery and forced three fumbles to go with seven
interceptions and 13 passes defensed. Fourth Hurricanes
safety drafted in the opening round this decade,
following Ed Reed, Taylor and Brandon Meriweather.
• Scouting report: Looks to have everything
necessary to develop into top-level safety. Covers a
great deal of ground. Relishes opportunity to level
ballcarriers with huge hits. Coaches had to constantly
remind him during training camp to refrain from taking
shots at teammates. Willing to do whatever is needed to
stuff the run.
• Quotable: "He makes his share of mistakes, but
we never complain about guys who play fast and make
mistakes and Kenny does that. He plays fast and he's
been making some big plays and hopefully he continues
to do that." —Defensive coordinator Steve
Spagnuolo
THE PERSON
• I knew I was in the NFL: "The first game of the
season (against Washington), when we ran out of the
tunnel and hearing the crowd screaming and seeing the
guys all excited. I said to myself, 'This is what I've
been waiting for.' "
• Biggest adjustment: "Learning the scheme
defensively. There is a lot of detail I need to get
down."
• Best advice: "A lot of guys in the secondary
have been telling me, 'It's a long season. Get your
massages. Eat right. Take care of your body.' "
• First purchase after signing: "I bought my
mother (Taranda Wilson) a black Mercedes Benz for her
birthday. She was shocked."
• Role model: "Ed Reed is one of the guys I really
admire. I watched him at Miami and with me going to
Miami, I keep in touch with him. I can call him up and
ask him about anything and he'll have the perfect
answer."
• Favorite off-field activity: "Bowling. I'm not
really good, but I'm working on it. My high score is
140- or 150-something."
• Can Giants repeat? "I definitely think so. Even
though the guys have one ring, I can tell they are
still hungry for another one. I'm going to do my best
to help them get it."
• NFL dream: "Ten interceptions, Pro Bowl, Super
Bowl."