Kenny Phillips making big plays in expanded role

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Before the play, Kenny Phillips told Corey Webster he was going to jump the hook route if Domenik Hixon showed it. As a safety, Phillips had deep coverage, so he needed Webster -- a cornerback -- to give him help up top if Hixon faked the hook and went long.

When Hixon planted, Phillips broke to the spot.

"I didn't think he was still going to throw it," the Giants' second-year safety said of quarterback Eli Manning. "When he threw it, I was like, 'Okay I'll go.'"

The end result was the first of two interceptions in the first practice of training camp for Phillips, last year's first-round pick who played only sparingly as a rookie but is now a starter opposite Michael Johnson.

And if you think that first one was a sign of great teamwork between Phillips and Webster, wait until you hear about the second one, which appeared to be a lucky bounce off Webster's hands on a fade route from David Carr to Steve Smith.

"He tipped it to me," Phillips said. "He saw me coming and he tipped it right to me."

Phillips made plenty of plays in the spring and is now off to a terrific start in training camp. Last year, he made a bunch of plays in practice but not many in the regular season when he recorded only one interception. One reason was his limited opportunities as a part of only the defense's nickel and dime packages.

The other reason, he admitted Monday, is he was being held back by safeties coach David Merritt.

"He kept me on a tight leash," Phillips said. "It's hard to gain the coach's respect as a rookie. This year, he's letting me play, he's letting me do my own thing."

So far, he's doing it well.



(nj.com)