Two out of three, Kenny
Phillips says, isn't bad.
He set some goals when he went to the University of
Miami (Fla.), he took his shot at achieving them and
now he's focused on the NFL.
"I wanted to lead my team in interceptions one year. I
did that one year. I wanted to be an Alll-American. I
did that one year," Phillips says. "I wanted to win a
national championship but that didn't happen. Sometimes
it's like that."
Phillips, entering the NFL draft as a junior, probably
timed his exit properly, even if he and the Hurricanes
failed to win a title. The 6-2, 212-pound free safety
is the best available player at his position almost by
default.
"It's not a good year for safeties," says Eric DeCosta,
director of college scouting for the Baltimore Ravens.
"In fact, it's a bad year if you're really trying to
upgrade at that position."
Phillips could be the exception, the only safety likely
to go in the first round. Just ask him if he can handle
the move to the NFL. Confidence must count somewhere in
this equation.
"I can do everything," he says. "I can cover pretty
good. I'm physical. I'm a sure tackler. I can play
special teams. I'm pretty much the complete package."
He follows a line of other Miami safeties who were top
picks. Brandon Meriweather was the New England
Patriots' No. 1 choice a year ago and Sean Taylor went
fifth overall to the Washington Redskins in 2004.
Ed Reed, a No. 1 pick by the Ravens in 2002, is a
four-time Pro Bowl choice and the NFL's Defensive
Player of the Year in 2004.
Meriweather hasn't yet become a starter but played in
all 16 games for the Pats. Taylor, a gathering force
with one Pro Bowl behind him, was killed during a
burglary at his home last November. He was again named
to the Pro Bowl and declared the starter to honor his
memory.
Phillips says he never got to know Taylor but admires
the way he played the game. Meriweather has been a
consistent source of advice and tutoring, as have the
many other Miami players in the NFL, who return to
train and maintain their association with a storied, if
now somewhat battered, program.
"It's a big advantage. They pretty much prepare us for
what we should expect when we get into the league,"
Phillips says. "They help us so much that when we get
into the league, we're very successful."
Meriweather was of immediate assistance when Phillips
arrived at Miami, showing him the basics. Reed added
the dimension of studying game tape endlessly.
"Him and Brandon have taught me how to watch film,"
says Phillips, estimating he spends three to four hours
a day at it.
It's no small thing to have professional tutors
available in person and by phone. Phillips says he
talks to Meriweather every week and the idea of
institutional memory is something scouts at least look
at.
"Guys like Kenny get to be around Ed Reed and Brandon
Meriweather and that camaraderie keeps building,"
DeCosta says.
Last season's 5-7 record ended Miami's streak of nine
consecutive bowl appearances and marked the Hurricanes'
first losing record since 1997. But the Hurricanes have
produced No. 1 draft picks for 13 consecutive years and
Phillips and defensive end Calais Campbell are the best
hopes for continuing that enviable run.
"I don't want to be the one who messes up the
tradition," Phillips says. "Nobody wants to be the one
who messes up it."
So he has one more goal as a Hurricane. Three out of
four wouldn't be bad.
(usatoday.com)