Giants Raving About Kenny

Before we get to the practice report, here's some of what safeties coach Dave Merritt had to say about his prized pupil:

"Whenever I'm looking at him I see a special player. I truly believe that he's going to have an impact on the Giants team as well as the community."

"Kenny, athletically, without a doubt, is one of the best ones that I have seen. The kid has unbelievable range. He can get from the middle of the field to the sideline just like that. And then for him to show up ... with the tackling ability, you just put that kid on turf he's that much quicker and faster."

There's more.

"Plaxico said something funny the other night to me. He said 'Coach Merritt, I'm going to be honest with you: I hate seeing guys like Kenny back there in the post because they're so fast and so rangy.' That intimidating factor, that there alone coming from a guy like Plaxico, means a lot. Overall, I look for great things out of him."

Merritt would not say that Phillips will be a starter in the opener on Sept. 4, but he said if he isn't it will be shortly thereafter. It's not very common to hear coaches talk about a rookie in these terms. Kenny Phillips is not a very common player.

(newsday.com)