Connecting the Dots On the Kenny Phillips Situation

To put it lightly, the Giants are handling safety Kenny Phillips’ rehabilitation from microfracture surgery on his knee at a snail’s pace.

The 23-year-old Phillips, who was selected in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Giants, is currently not practicing with the team.  He watches the action from the sidelines in-between his rehab exercises.

"We’re just being cautious right now” said Phillips recently. “The doctors and trainers have given good reports. I feel great – no pain, no swelling.”

This is common with arthritis sufferers. One day they feel great, the next day they can’t move.

That is what Phillips has – arthritis. Patellofemoral arthritis in his left knee, to be exact.  It is not an injury.  It is a condition.  The surgery was performed to relieve the symptoms of the arthritis, not to repair anything.

Basically, the procedure was aimed to give Phillips a chance at strengthening the knee and stave off further arthritic deterioration.  So far, he feels as if it has been a success, and even though he’s chomping at the bit to get back on the field, he knows he has to be patient.

“There’s no reason to rush it. We’re just taking our time. I do the normal conditioning, same thing the team does – but not with the team, so I’m in pretty good shape.”

In the meanwhile, Phillips will continue to workout individually. He will not participate in team drills at next week’s mini-camp.

When asked if he expects to be out on the field come training camp, Phillips didn’t hesitate (“Yes, that is my goal.&rdquo

A reporter asked if he was on track for that.  He answered with an affirmative “Yes, sir.”

The Realities………..
Safeties coach David Merritt was guarded in his analysis of Phillips. Like everyone else, he seems to hoping for the best, but is preparing for the worst.

“He and the doctors have all stated that he should be ready to go in training camp.  Now whether that’s one a day, whether that’s two a days … The kid is running right now. I don’t know how much cutting he’s doing on the knee, but I’m looking for him to come back in training camp. I’m not looking to put him in mini-camp or anything like that.

Phillips has a condition that will have to be managed for not only the remainder of his career, but for the remainder of his life.  Arthritis is unpredictable.  He can be a Pro Bowl- caliber safety one week, and then the knee could flare up causing him to either sit or be rendered ineffective.

The Giants are not saying this aloud, but they’ve been thinking it.  Their rush to get safety help in the off-season reflects their inner thinking.

They gave an enormous contract to free agent Antrel Rolle.  Then they signed reliable veteran Deon Grant.  Rolle was the prototype safety at the U of Miami before Sean Taylor and Kenny Phillips.  Grant was the player the Sporting News compared Phillips to before the Giants drafted him.  Go figure.

The Giants also added LSU’s Chad Jones in this year’s draft.  They still have Michael Johnson and Sha’reff Rashad, and free agent rookie Mike Greco from Central Florida has been praised by Merritt this spring.

GM Jerry Reese and coach Tom Coughlin are still very high on Phillips, but their actions are showing otherwise. Perhaps they are buying time right now for Phillips, which is a good thing.  If he can come back this season, it’s a bonus.  If not, the Giants are prepared.

Click here to order Kenny Phillips' proCane Rookie Card.



(giantsfootballblog.com)