The New Orleans Saints have released veteran safety Kenny Phillips, according to the NFL transaction wire.

Phillips, who started three games for the Saints this season, is likely being released to make room for punter Brandon Fields, who will fill in for an injured Thomas Morstead.

Morstead strained his quad against the Cowboys, according to coach Sean Payton. If the injury isn't long-term, the Saints will likely keep two punters on the roster until he is healthy.

Phillips' release is also good news for safety Jairus Byrd, who returned in a limited capacity against the Cowboys after being out a year with a knee injury. It's a sign that Byrd is likely ready to resume his full role this weekend against the Eagles.

Phillips was released following training camp while the Saints played an numbers game with their roster, but returned Week 2 after starting free safety Rafael Bush went on injured reserve. Phillips filled in as the starter until Byrd was ready to return in Week 4. 


(nola.com)

Safety Kenny Phillips might not have imagined two weeks ago that he would play a key role in Week 2 for the Saints. After all, that team had just cut him.

But Phillips, who re-signed earlier this week and landed a starting assignment after a season-ending injury befell Rafael Bush, indeed made eight tackles (five solo) in the loss to Sunday to Tampa Bay.

Phillips, a former first round pick, hadn't played in an NFL game since 2012, but he was around the ball often Sunday. With Jairus Byrd's injury status still up in the air, Phillips could again be in line for significant playing time in Week 3 against run-based Carolina, making him an interesting sleeper option in IDP leagues.


(cbssports.com)

It has been a wild ride for Kenny Phillips the last week. After making the 53-man roster, he was cut a day later when the team picked up two players on waivers.

However, when Rafael Bush suffered as season-ending pectoral injury, Phillips got the call from the Saints and he re-signed with the team earlier this week. He practiced with the team on Wednesday, and he could start on Sunday when the Saints take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"When they spoke to me, they told me they thought I did everything they wanted to see,” Phillips said to Evan Woodberry of NOLA.com. “So it was a little confusing when I didn't make the team," Phillips said. "But I'm just happy I'm back."

Phillips originally signed with the team in January, and by the way he was working with Jairus Byrd, there were thoughts that he was going to make the team. But the Saints decided to go another direction and keep Jamarca Sanford as the backup for both safety positions.

Phillips has learned a lot in the last 10 days. He said there are a lot of great players who will never get a chance to comeback once they are cut. So he’s grateful he got the call back.


(247sports.com)

The New Orleans Saints remain snakebitten in the secondary.

Safety Rafael Bush tore a pectoral muscle in Sunday’s 31-19 loss at Arizona, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday.

Bush, who made two tackles, has been starting at free safety in place of injured starter Jairus Byrd, who is battling a knee injury. Byrd reportedly is expected back in the next couple of weeks.

Bush got hurt in the second quarter after failing to make a tackle on Arizona tight end Darren Fells, then getting hit by the Cardinals tight end Jermaine Gresham as he continued his pursuit.

“We don’t address (injury issues on Monday),” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “Wednesday you’ll get an injury report.”

With Bush down, the Saints will re-sign safety Kenny Phillips, a league source told The Advocate. Phillips, whom the Saints released last week, has not played in a game since 2012 with the New York Giants.

Strong safety Jamarca Sanford played free safety against the Cardinals after Bush was injured and was not credited with a tackle while playing 41 downs.

Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer was 19-of-32 for 307 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions.


(theadvocate.com)

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WEST VIRGINIA (WVUE)- - An under-the-radar signing for the Saints this offseason was veteran safety Kenny Phillips, who hasn't played a down since the 2012 season. 

Now that he's with the team in West Virginia, he's grateful to be back in the NFL and with this particular organization.

"I kind of put all my eggs in this basket, trying to take advantage of it. A lot of guys that I'm competing with are pretty good, [Rafael] Bush and Kenny [Vaccaro], but it's been fun. It's been competitive and I'm looking forward to what comes next," Phillips said.

After knee problems nearly ended the former first round draft pick's career, he showed up on the black and gold's radar.

Sean Payton appreciates the mindset of a player with Phillips' perspective.

"When you are removed from the game for a stretch and you've played it for quite a while. There is that hunger if you will to take advantage of the next opportunity," Payton said.

As for why Phillips signed with the Saints, he said the reason was simple, "They were the only team that wanted me."


(fox8live.com)

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- After two years away from the NFL, New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Phillips isn't fooling himself.

"I came here because nobody else wanted me," admitted the former New York Giants first-round draft pick, whose career was derailed by a series of knee and quadriceps injuries.

Phillips, 28, went too long without the phone ringing -- too long riding what he called an "emotional roller coaster" of hope and doubt -- to pretend like he had any choice to make when the Saints offered him a futures contract in January after working him out late last season.

"It was the first workout, the only workout. And it worked out," Phillips said as a wide grin passed across his face.

"It's a blessing the Saints gave me that opportunity," said Phillips, who credited Saints secondary coach Wesley McGriff for extending the lifeline. McGriff coached Phillips at the University of Miami.

Phillips, who worked out in Miami with trainer Pete Bommarito during his hiatus, said he never stopped trying to come back -- though he admitted, "There was times that, man, I was on the verge of, 'You know what, I'm done.'"

"My family, they stayed behind me, they pushed me. Because I couldn't do it by myself, because it was tough," Phillips said. "It was an emotional roller coaster for two years. You're sent home, you want to play, and you talk to your agent and he says, 'Yeah, they say you're a good player but they're scared to bring you in.'

"One minute you're excited and the next you're down. ... It was taking a toll on me, my family. And just before I threw in the towel, Coach McGriff, 'Crime,' he gave me a call, and the rest is history."

So far, Phillips has been making the most of his opportunity.

The 6-foot-2, 217-pound safety has looked very good throughout the first week of training camp practices, rotating in with the first-string defense at times while starter Jairus Byrd is out with an injury. He snagged the first interception of full-team drills the other day with the second-string defense.

Phillips is still firmly on the "bubble," especially in such a crowded position group. But his arrow has been pointing in the right direction.

"So far he's done a good job of handling the system. I think he's in better shape than he was in the spring," said Saints coach Sean Payton, who said both Phillips and running back Tim Hightower (another great comeback story in this year's camp) earned positive reviews during the team's first full-staff review over the weekend.

"I think it would be pretty normal for a player like [Phillips] or maybe a Hightower, when you're removed from the game for a stretch and you've played it for quite a while, there is that hunger to take advantage of the next opportunity."

Phillips was last in camp with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013, but he was released after battling a quadriceps injury. He said he had surgery soon after to repair a quad tendon. He also had microfracture surgery on his left knee in 2009 and missed a large part of the 2010 season with a sprained MCL in his right knee.

In between, Phillips still managed to help the Giants win a Super Bowl as a starter on their 2011 team. He has eight career interceptions, 26 passes defensed, one forced fumble and 263 tackles.

"I knew I was a pretty good player when I was healthy, and I know the reason I was sent home. It wasn't 'cause I couldn't play," Phillips said. "It was because physically I couldn't get the job done. So the biggest thing was get those [injuries] right and give myself a chance."

Phillips he knew he had to be humble coming back, knowing his body wouldn't respond the same way it did in his prime. And he admitted it's been frustrating at times. But he said teammates have been encouraging, and he feels like, "every day I'm doing something better."

"I kind of put all my eggs in this basket, and I'm gonna try to take advantage of it," Phillips said. "It's been fun. It's been competitive. And I'm looking forward to what comes next."


(espn.com)

The New Orleans Saints secondary has been off to a strong start in training camp, with a good amount of rejected passes. But it wasn’t until Day 4 of practice that safety Kenny Phillips finally broke the seal with the first interception in full-team drills.

Phillips undercut a pass thrown by quarterback Ryan Griffin (who might have been sacked on the play). Phillips practically looked like the intended target on the play, reading it the whole way while crashing down from his center field position.

The pick was the latest promising sign for the 28-year-old Phillips, a former first-round pick of the New York Giants who is attempting to crack a NFL roster.


(bayoubuzz.com)

He once was one of the premier safeties in the NFL. Kenny Phillips is now just trying to salvage his professional football career.

Phillips, a first-round pick of the New York Giants back in the 2008 NFL Draft, has been out of the league the past two years as he's battled a multitude of injuries. 

A knee injury sidelined Phillips part of the 2012 seasons while he was still with the Giants. After leaving New York as a free agent, he signed with the rival Philadelphia Eagles, where his surgically repaired knee hampered him throughout training camp leading to his release in August of 2013. 

Phillips, 28, has not had a single NFL tryout up until the New Orleans Saints worked him out in December 2014 and signed him to a reserve/future contract. 

A very humbled Phillips is well-aware that the NFL is a business and that injuries have derailed what was once a promising career. Still, the safety refuses to let go of those aspirations and is confident he'll make the most out of his current opportunity.

"I know why I was at home. It wasn't because I couldn't play, but because physically injuries kept me off the field," Phillips said. "If I was healthy, I'd still be playing football and at a high level. Unfortunately for me, the injuries kept me at home on the sofa the last two years."

"I'm finally healthy," he proclaimed. "I'm finally good to go."

The 31st pick in the 2008 draft, Phillips became a full-time starter in New York in 2010, when he registered 60 tackles and recovered three fumbles. A year later, he improved those numbers to 63 tackles, 11 pass defenses and four interceptions.

During the 2011-12 season, however, a knee injury derailed Phillips' career. Phillips sprained his left MCL in that December, an injury that should have cost him only two weeks. Instead, a problematic rehabilitation process prolonged how long he was sidelined. By Week 12 of that season, Phillips played but was forced from the game.

That offseason marked the end of Phillips' rookie deal, and after spurning the Giants' contract offer he became an unrestricted free agent. 



The Eagles signed Phillips to a one-year deal only to see the safety leave OTA practice with an injury two months later. His knee continued to slow him down and eventually led to his release before Week 1 rolled around. 

Phillips wouldn't disclose much about the rehab process the past two years, but said he was finally at 100 percent. 

"It's truly a blessing. I'm finally good to go, and I'm enjoying being back here playing football," he said. "The last two years I've been home praying I get another shot, and I'm definitely excited about the Saints giving it to me."

In those two years at home, Phillips and his wife had their first child, which was a welcomed distraction while he couldn't play football. It was a "blessing in disguise," Phillips said.

Phillips is under the impression that everything happens for a reason, from having his child while he was rehabbing his knee to getting a tryout with the Saints now. 
Now, Phillips is competing for a spot for a free safety spot with Pierre Warren behind starter Jairus Byrd and backup Rafael Bush. Once considered one of the best at his position in all the NFL, he realizes what he's fighting for and is comfortable in his own skin, and he remains confident in his chances.

"This is part of the game, unfortunately, and it's the route I had to take," Phillips said. "I'm thankful to be here with the Saints. They have a great secondary, guys that can really play. They have questions and I tell them basically what I know and vice versa, because I haven't been around the game in two years.

"It's definitely exciting to be back. This is where I'm supposed to be and I'm going to take advantage of this opportunity."


(nola.com)

The Saints have added a former first-round pick to their roster.

The club has signed Kenny Phillips, a 43-game starter in five seasons with the Giants, to a reserve/future contract, per the NFL’s Wednesday personnel notice.

The No. 31 overall pick in 2008, the 28-year-old Phillips recorded 263 tackles and eight interceptions in 53 games over five seasons in New York. He signed with the Eagles in March 2013, but he was released a little more than five months later. He has not appeared in an NFL regular-season game since 2012.

Phillips has dealt with injuries to both knees in his pro career and had microfracture surgery on his left knee in 2009.


(profootballtalk.com)

Kenny Phillips, S: Phillips has gradually drifted into the Bob Sanders Zone. Sanders, a Colt from 2004-10 before a brief stop in San Diego, had all the talent in the world and simply could not stay on the field. Phillips has had similar issues, though he started 15 games in both 2010 and ’11.

Lingering knee woes led to the Giants letting Phillips walk this offseason, and he was then unable to secure a spot in the Philadelphia secondary. He’s an extremely solid player when healthy … which has not been often enough.


(cnnsi.com)

According NYG Cap Central last night, the New York Football Giants will be limited by salary cap concerns if the team seeks to bolster its roster in the wake of injuries to safety Stevie Brown, offensive tackle David Diehl, and running back Andre Brown. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, teams must have their entire roster, practice squad and injured players under the cap by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4th.

OvertheCap.com explains the new rule, "By 4 PM on September 4 the cap valuations change. For salary cap purposes rosters expand to include everyone under contract. At a minimum that pushes the roster to 53 players plus a Practice Squad, which every team fields. The cost of two players adds at least $810,000 to the roster and a PS costs a team another $816,000. For teams that have players on Reserve lists such as PUP or IR the salary for the players who are replacing them will now count. For some teams that can be an additional four to five players that will now be accounted for. It quickly adds up and it all adds up by Wednesday."

Taking this rule into account, NYG Cap Central stated, "After adding in the practice squad, injured reserve, injury settlements, the entire 53 man roster and the physically unable to perform (PUP) list they'll be about $2.5 million over [the salary cap]."

Therefore, while various outlets state the G-men appear to have $3.2 to $3.3 million left under the cap, and with veterans like Kenny Phillips, Brandon Jacobs, Jonathan Dwyer and Willis McGahee as unsigned free agents, the fact is that currently New York has no money to ink any of these players, unless a current player or two restructures his contract.

NYG Cap Central highlighted the situation, if nothing changes, last night, "[The team] will need another $2.5 million in space plus $1 million in 'breathing room' by Wednesday at 4 pm. They'll probably turn to Snee again."

There are very few options for the Giants to turn to for cap relief. For example, of the ten ten paid players on Big Blue's roster, Victor Cruz, Matthias Kiwanuka and Will Beatty are already operating under new contracts. In addition, Cruz's contract is very cap friendly this season as well.

Don't expect another Eli Manning restructuring until next season, when a restructuring would most likely come with an extension.

Center David Baas has been injury prone in his tenure with New York, it remains doubtful that the Giants would extend a contract that already expires in 2016.
Corey Webster already restructured his contract, and David Diehl and Justin Tuck are in the final year of their contracts. That seemingly leaves only Antrel Rolle and Chris Snee available for restructuring.

For his part, Rolle has never had his deal restructured, and because New York has had salary cap issues over the period that he has been a Giant, it is reasonable to assume that the veteran safety has been approached by the team in the past, and declined.

NYG Cap Central believes that a Snee restructure makes the most sense, "Snee can give them give them as much $2.93 million more in cap space. His deal has two years left on it, and his base salary in 2013 is $6.7 million. Snee's $6.7 million base can be reduced to as little as $840,000. That's a $5.86 million difference. Divide that by two and you get the $2.93 million gain."

And while fans clamor for a big name or two to be brought in before playing Dallas on September 8th; less than $3 million has to last the entire season, and Big Blue also has to account for Will Hill's salary when he comes back from suspension in four weeks. So is it worth it to bring in a veteran safety for what will amount to a three-week audition?

The Giants' salary cap risk only grows if the team considers an injury-prone player like Kenny Phillips, assuming as well that Phillips would accept the veteran's minimum salary ($715,000). If he injures himself again, his salary will count against the cap in one shape or form; fully guaranteed if he's on the roster on opening day.

On the running back side, Willis McGahee, as a ten-year NFL veteran would command a $940,000 salary which would be guaranteed if on the roster on opening day as well. Signing the injury prone McGahee, before opening day especially, would pose a risk given both a guaranteed salary and injury history.


(examiner.com)

NFL teams are cutting their rosters down to the final 53 but also adding to their rosters.

OL Tyler Horn was released by the Texans.

TE Chase Ford who was cut by the Minnesota Vikings was SIGNED to the Vikings practice squad. WR Tommy Streeter who was cut by the Ravens has been signed to the Buffalo Bills practice squad. DL Marcus Forston was signed to the Patriots practice squad. DE Adewale Ojomo who was previously cut by the NY Giants was signed to the Giants’ practice squad.

LB Rocky McIntosh was released by the Lions. LB/DE Baraka Atkins was cut by the New Orleans Saints. DB DeMarcus Van Dyke who was cut by the Steelers and then placed on IR, was waived off of IR with a Settlement. TE Richard Gordon was cut by the Raiders. DL Antonio Dixon was cut by the Eagles. DL Micanor Regis was cut by the Falcons.

Previously, after the third NFL Pre Season game, four proCanes were cut. Ravens WR and RB Tommy Streeter and Damien Berry were waived respectively. Eagles Safety Kenny Phillips was waived. Raiders DB Cory Nelms was also waived.

Shortly after the Philadelphia Eagles released safety Kenny Phillips on Sunday, he was on the phone with his former New York Giants teammate, Antrel Rolle. And although he stresses that the decision is not his to make, Rolle said, emphatically, that he would "absolutely" want Phillips back with Big Blue.

"Would I like to see him? Absolutely. But it’s not my call, it’s not my call to make and you have to leave that up to personnel, the owners and GM," Rolle said on Monday. "They’ll do the right job, I’m more than confident they’ll make the right choice as far as who they want to bring in or what they want to do as far as our defensive personnel in its entirety."

It's no surprise that Rolle — who displays an incredible amount of respect for every current and former teammate — would want his friend back with the Giants. And given that they've recently lost Stevie Brown (knee) for the season, there's no denying that depth at the position is now not only a concern, but a need.

Still, the Giants allowed Phillips to walk largely due to chronic injuries — the same reason he currently finds himself without a team. And given his inability to practice most of the offseason, it would appear as if he's not yet ready to return to the field. And when asked if his friend is healthy, Rolle passed on the question, saying "I don't know."

General Manager Jerry Reese maintains that the team will always "investigate everything," but unless Phillips' medical records check out, a return to the Giants seems unlikely.


(sportsmedia101.com)

After the third NFL Pre Season game, five proCanes have been waived. Ravens WR and RB Tommy Streeter and Damien Berry were waived respectively. Eagles Safety Kenny Phillips was waived as was Steelers DB DeMarcus Van Dyke. Raiders DB Cory Nelms was also waived.

The Philadelphia Eagles have released safety Kenny Phillips, ProFootballTalk is reporting.

The team signed the 26-year-old former Giant to a one-year deal in the offseason after Phillips played just seven games in 2012 due to knee injuries.

He also missed all but two games of the 2009 season — after being selected in the first round in 2008 — with arthritis in his knee that required microfracture surgery.

With the Eagles, he competed for a starting safety spot, but has been out of action for the past two weeks with a quad injury.


(si.com)

PHILADELPHIA — Kenny Phillips’ return from a quad injury lasted for less than an hour Tuesday before he had to sit out practice again Wednesday.
That could be imperiling his chances to make the Eagles’ final roster.

Phillips, the safety signed as a free agent after five seasons with the Giants, has a long history of knee injuries. While his knee doesn’t seem to be an issue now, Phillips did miss the Eagles’ second preseason game with the quad, and there’s a good chance he’ll miss another Saturday if he can’t practice today.

“It does make it harder to evaluate when you get less looks at a guy,” defensive coordinator Bill Davis said. “That goes without saying. But Kenny’s got a lot of tape out there. We’ll have a good feel for Kenny.

“Hopefully, he can play in the preseason game.”

Davis said if Phillips is healthy, he would be a candidate to start at safety. But that hasn’t happened much in training camp for the former first-round draft pick.
And it didn’t happen last season as Phillips played in just seven games because of his knee problems.

Phillips’ knee required him to take some rest days during the spring organized team activities. It appears the knee hasn’t been an issue so far in training camp.

“Nobody wants to be on the field more than Kenny right now,” Davis said.

“He’s an experienced vet, which helps, but not experienced in this system.”


(courierpostonline.com)

Speaking to reporters prior to Wednesday's practice, defensive coordinator Billy Davis said the upcoming session would be an important one for safety Kenny Phillips.

"Today is a big test for him," Davis said. "He's gonna see where he is."

Fifteen minutes later, Phillips took the field and was right where he has been most of training camp- on the sideline.

Phillips missed practice yet again on Wednesday with a quad injury, which flared up during Tuesday's practice. Davis said that Phillips did some work on Tuesday before going in once his quad started to bother him.

It's unclear if Phillips will play on Saturday in Jacksonville, but things certainly don't look promising- something that doesn't seem to be overly concerning to Davis.

"Nobody wants to get out on the field more than Kenny," said Davis. "Anybody that goes through the injury process, that doesn't get into the games or practices- it does make it harder to evaluate when you get less looks at the guy. But Kenny has got a lot of film on him and a lot of tape, so we'll have a good feel for him."

The Eagles knew the risk they were taking when they signed Phillips, who has missed nine games last season. His history of injuries is a big reason why his contract included zero guaranteed money. When healthy, however, Phillips is arguably the best safety on the roster.

"He's an experienced player, which helps- but not experienced in this system," Davis said.

The safety position is very much up in the air right now for the Eagles, with Nate Allen, Patrick Chung, Earl Wolff, Kurt Coleman and Phillips all battling for a starting spot. Despite his experience in the league, the reality is that the longer Phillips is out, the further behind he falls in that competition.

"Everybody is in the competition right now," Davis said. "As we go forward with these preseason games, as they play out and get out on the field, everyone has got a fair shot."

A shot that seems to be slipping away from Phillips the longer he remains on the sideline.


(nj.com)

It was regarded as a coup of sorts when the Eagles lured safety Kenny Phillips away from the Giants via free agency.  But Phillips may be back with the Giants soon — or one of the other 30 teams.

As recently explained by Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com, Phillips faces the possibility of being cut, due in large part to a quad strain that has kept Phillips out of action since August 11.  Though he plans to be back on the field Tuesday, Nate Allen and rookie Earl Wolff have taken over the starting job earmarked for the 2008 first-round pick.

“I’m just hoping to get out there as soon as possible,” Phillips said.

Mosher writes that there’s no guarantee Phillips will even make the final 53-man roster.  And Phillips seems to realize that.

“You have to compete day-to-day, but this is a new team, new coaches.  They want to see what you can do,” Phillips said.  “Being on the sideline doesn’t help the cause.”

Phillips says his quad injury is unrelated to knee problems that have plagued his career.  Regardless of the specific problem, an inability to practice and play could get Phillips cut.  But if he can get and stay healthy, Phillips could be in the starting lineup.

It’s a wide range of outcomes for a guy who, when 100 percent, can cover a wide range of ground in the secondary.


(profootballtalk.com)

Kenny Phillips was on the field Tuesday for the first day of the Philadelphia Eagles' mandatory minicamp. He was not on the field last week for OTAs, though he was in the building working with team trainers. I did not catch Phillips after practice Tuesday, but Tim McManus did, and he's got the lowdown on what Phillips and the Eagles are going through with regard to his troublesome knee:

“They don’t quite understand it yet,” said Phillips following minicamp practice Tuesday. “It’s kind of building that trust. They are trying to take my word for it, and thus far it’s been working out. But I know it’s been hard on them, just as it’s been hard on me, to get through this process.”

“To go out there and try to be a hero right now, it wouldn’t benefit me or the team,” said Phillips. “I do need to put something on film, the coaches do need to see me, so I’m just trying to be smart when to go out there and when not to. Right now they are trusting me with my own reps, telling me to get the reps that I can get and just be smart, and right now it’s working.”

The good part of all of this is that Phillips is a smart veteran player whose track record as such merits some level of trust. The bad part, of course, is that some days his knee isn't going to let him practice or play, and it doesn't seem to offer any helpful patterns of behavior that let him know in advance when those days are going to be. This is not news to the Eagles, of course. Had it not been for concerns over the knee, it would have cost them much more to sign Phillips than it did. Heck, had it not been for concerns over the knee, the New York Giants likely would never have let Phillips hit the market in the first place. But the knee is a fact of Phillips' life, and for this year at least it appears it will be a fact of Chip Kelly's as well.

Phillips is a good enough player, and the Eagles' safety position needs enough help, that the Eagles will give him a lot of rope on this. If Phillips can play at all, he'll make the Eagles' defense better when he's on the field. If he can somehow get that knee through a full 16-game season, his impact on the defense could be incalculably helpful. But it's going to be a painful, halting process no matter how it turns out, and Phillips and the Eagles are just at the beginning of it.


(espn.com)

Word around the Eagles last week was that safety Kenny Phillips would be participating in the team’s minicamp this week after missing most of the team’s recent OTAs in order to rest his oft-injured right knee.

Those reports were proven correct on Tuesday when Phillips joined his Eagles teammates on the field for practice. Phillips, who left the Giants as a free agent this offseason, said that he didn’t feel like he’s fallen behind when it comes to comprehending a new defense and insisted that his absences have been cautionary rather than the result of any current issue with his knee.

“I had a few days off and I feel good,” Phillips said, via the team’s website. “This is something I’ve been doing the last two years and I’m not going to change it. Even though I feel good, I want to be smart. We get a lot of reps out here every day and to get out there and keep running and running and running … I’m not going to push it. I know what works for my knee so that I’m good for training camp and the season.”

Phillips is certainly right that there’s no reason to push things too far in May, but his confident words about the knee won’t do much to ease concerns that the knee will continue to be a problem for him come the regular season.


(profootballtalk.com)

Kenny Phillips is, as you might expect, taking time off from OTAs to rest a sore knee.

But a source close to Phillips said he’s expected to be back on the field next week when the Eagles have a mandatory minicamp, according to Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com.

Phillips missed nine games last year with knee problems, leading to the Giants allowing him to walk out the door.

He’s been a good player when well, but that’s not the kind of thing you can count on at this point.

When he did work early in OTAs, he was on the second team behind Nate Allen and Patrick Chung, in what could be an indication the Eagles aren’t banking everything on him playing.


(profootballtalk.com)

Eagles FS Kenny Phillips missed Tuesday's OTA practice with an undisclosed injury to his surgically repaired knee.

Coach Chip Kelly wouldn't go into detail, only saying Phillips was "out with (a) knee injury." It's possible he suffered a setback, but until the Eagles elaborate we're inclined to believe it's due to general soreness. Phillips has battled knee injuries since entering the league.


(rotoworld.com)

THE EAGLES and the Giants exchanged players this offseason. Not formally, of course, but New York signed Eagles free-agent defensive linemen Mike Patterson and Cullen Jenkins, and the Eagles signed former Giants first-round safety Kenny Phillips.

It will be interesting to see which organization had a better read on the other squad's talents. Patterson, a smallish defensive tackle, didn't fit the Birds' new defensive scheme. Jenkins just seemed to be wearing down at 32, and seemed expendable to a rebuilding team. Both men were solid, character guys on a 2012 defense that wasn't overflowing with those.

Phillips, 26, probably has the most upside of the trio, could fill a huge need here, but he also might come with the most risk.

A lot of fans would have been happy had the Eagles drafted Phillips in 2008, instead of trading down and letting the Giants grab the 6-2, long-armed former Miami star 31st overall. But there wasn't a lot of rejoicing when the Birds finally did acquire Phillips in March, signing him to a 1-year free-agent contract. The reason wasn't hard to understand: Phillips underwent microfracture surgery after a bad knee injury in 2009, then suffered medial collateral ligament and posterior cruciate ligament injuries that limited his play last season. In between, he was a standout on the 2011 Giants team that won the Super Bowl.

The Giants wanted to bring him back, but apparently they didn't make much of an effort, since Phillips ended up signing a make-good 1-year deal with the Eagles. One factor in his departure could be that he indicated late last season he felt his rehab had been mishandled.

So far, the Eagles seem to be taking a cautious approach with Phillips in OTAs, though he said yesterday that his knee feels fine.

"My knee is good," Phillips said. "MRIs show that it healed up nicely. Right now, we're just taking it one day at a time."

Phillips hasn't been working with the first-team defense during the 2 days reporters have been allowed to watch spring drills. He declined to shed any light on that, but agreed that coaches "most definitely" are easing him in.

"They're definitely letting me take my time, trying to just monitor me right now, so I can be good when it really counts, which is training camp and the season," Phillips said. "It's different, it's a lot different [from being an established starter with the Giants]. I'm not with the first group, but I'm still getting the same amount of reps as those guys, basically going out there and making plays and showing the coaches that I am a starter."

A reporter asked Phillips if he is the player he was a few years ago. His answer was typical of a veteran who has suffered serious injury.

"I'm better, because I'm smarter; I know what it takes to get from Point A to Point B. I know when my body needs rest," he said. "I feel like I have a long career ahead of me, as long as I just be smart with it. It's definitely something I have to be conscious of when I'm in the weight room or when I'm on the field, how many reps I take."

Phillips, mainly a free safety with the Giants, said new Eagles defensive coordinator Billy Davis requires more interchangability.

"That's what I like about it so far. I'm not going to just be designated in one area," Phillips said. "I'm going to get a chance to show that I'm capable of making plays."


(philly.com)

PHILADELPHIA — Instead of drafting a big-time safety in the first round, the Eagles signed a safety drafted in the first round.

The acquisition would have meant more if Kenny Phillips, a first-round choice in 2008, didn’t check in the way wide receiver Steve Smith did a couple of years ago. That is to say with a suspect knee and a thick medical file stamped “New York Giants.”

“I feel like I have a long career ahead of me as long as I just be smart with it,” Phillips said after organized team activities Tuesday. “The surgery and everything went well. I have some MRIs looking great or else I wouldn’t be here right now. So right now I’m just taking everything one day at a time.”

Phillips, 26, is the eternal optimist. The 6-2, 208-pound product of the University of Miami signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Eagles, half of which is in the form of a roster bonus.

After watching tape of the 2012 safety play, the Eagles decided to upgrade. They added veteran Patrick Chung in free agency and selected Earl Wulff in the fifth round of the draft. Still on the roster are safeties Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman, Colt Anderson and David Sims.

If Phillips is healthy the Eagles have someone to build around.

Phillips ran a 4.48 and bench-pressed 225 pounds 19 times at the 2008 scouting combine. He was the top-rated free safety in the draft, and the only one selected in the first round, albeit right before Round 2.

For now, the best safety from that draft is Thomas DeCoud, the late third-round choice of the Atlanta Falcons.

The Eagles drafted a safety in 2008. Remember Quintin Demps? The Birds took him off the board in the fourth round.

Phillips was just finding his groove when he underwent serious microfracture surgery on his left knee in 2009. Two years later he was back in the starting lineup for the Super Bowl XLVI champion Giants.

Last season Phillips sprained the MCL in his right knee tackling Eagles running back LeSean McCoy in the first quarter of their Week 4 Sunday night game at Lincoln Financial Field.

Phillips played in just two games the rest of the season and with eight interceptions in five seasons and 41 starts, is picking up the pieces.

“It’s different, it’s a lot different,” Phillips said. “Right now I’m not with the first group. But I’m still getting the same amount of reps as those guys. So it’s just basically going out there and making plays and showing the coaches that I am a starter.”

Phillips isn’t pushing the knee just yet. The plan is to be fully prepared for training camp and the regular season.

“It’s definitely something I have to be conscious of when I’m in the weight room or when I’m on the field, how many reps I take,” Phillips said. “But at the same time I’m going to get my work done. I’m never going to just tap out. I’m going to do what I have to do so coach can see that I’m ready to work and that I’m a starter in this league.”

Phillips is encouraged he’ll get a shot to showcase more of his skills than during his tour with the Giants. Veteran safety Antrel Rolle, his teammate with the Giants, gave Eagles defensive coordinator Billy Davis a glowing recommendation from their time with the Arizona Cardinals.

“The first thing he said is ‘you’re going to make a lot of plays,’” Phillips said of his chat with Rolle. “He said (Davis) has a lot of little tricks up his sleeve. He’s looking for me to have a big year.”

Phillips needs a solid year to resurrect his career. He’s now playing special teams, which wasn’t part of his job description with the Giants.

Phillips has his fingers crossed the knowledge he picked up over the past few years will speed his ascent back into the limelight. When healthy, Phillips is one of the top deep pass defenders in the game, a centerfielder with ball skills second to veteran Ed Reed.

“It’s definitely been a lot of ups and downs,” Phillips said of his career. “But at the end of the day everything happens for a reason. Maybe it was meant for me to be here. Right now I’m enjoying it. I like the opportunity I’m getting with the defense. This year I feel like it will be a big year.”


(delcotimes.com)

Kenny Phillips and Connor Barwin were the Eagles' highest-profile free agent signings this offseason, but Barwin's resume doesn't match that of Phillips, a key player on the Giants' Super Bowl winning team two seasons ago.

A lot of fans would have been happy had the Eagles drafted Phillips in the first round in 2008, instead of trading down and letting the Giants grab the big, long-armed former Miami star 31st overall. But there wasn't a lot of rejoicing when the Birds finally did acquitre Phillips in March, signing him to a one-year free agent contract. The reason wasn't hard to understand: Phillips underwent microfracture surgery after a bad knee injury in 2009, then suffered MCL and PCL injuries that limited his play last season.

So far, the Eagles seem to be taking a cautious approach with Phillips in OTAs, though he said Tuesday that his knee feels fine.

"My knee is good," Phillips said. "MRIs show that it healed up nicely. Right now, we're just taking it one day at a time."

Phillips hasn't been working with the first-team defense during the two days reporters have been allowed to watch spring drills. He declined to shed any light on that Tuesday, but agreed that coaches "most definitely" are eaqsing him in.

"They're definitely letting me take my time, trying to just monitor me right now, so I can be good when it really counts, which is training camp and the season," Phillips said. 'It's different, it's a lot different (from being an established starter with the Giants.) I'm not with the first group, but I'm still gettting the same amount of reps as those guys, basically going out there and making plays and showing the coaches that I am a starter."

A reporter asked Phillips, 26, if he is the player he was a few years ago. His answer was typical of a veteran who has suffered serious injury.

"I'm better, because I'm smarter; I know what it takes to get from Point A to Point B. I know when my body needs rest," he said. "I feel like I have a long career ahead of me, as long as I just be smart with it. It's definitely something I have to be conscious of when I'm in the weight room or when I'm on the field, how many reps I take. At the same time, I'm going to get my work done. I'm never going to just tap out. I'm going to do what I have to do."


(philly.com)

The New York Giants selected Kenny Phillips in the first-round of the 2008 NFL Draft after the departure of Gibril WIlson left the team with a void in the defensive backfield. It took Phillips over half of a season to emerge as a starter, but he eventually made the most of the Giants' investment in him, as his eight interceptions and 263 tackles over five seasons established him as one of the best over-the-top safeties in the NFL. In fact, it was Phillips who knocked down Tom Brady's final Hail Mary to the end zone in Super Bowl XLVII, sealing the Giants second Super Bowl victory in five seasons.

However, Phillips' time as a member of the Giants was marred by a series of serious knee injuries. In 2009, Phillips was diagnosed with patellofemoral arthritis in his left knee, a condition the forced him to receive microfracture knee surgery and miss the final 14 games of the season. Last year, Phillips sprained his MCL against the Philadelphia Eagles and was never able to return to form. After rejecting an offer from the Giants as an unrestricted free-agent this offseason, Phillips signed with the Eagles.

Giants safety Antrel Rolle says that while he's disappointed to see Phillips in another uniform, he respects his former teammates decision to seek a fresh start in a new city.

"It hurts me everyday," Rolle said. "It's a business, and we all understand that it's a business. I just want Kenny to go out and make the best of the opportunity and get a huge pay day. That's all I've ever wanted for him. That's all I've wanted for any of my teammates."

The Giants did make Phillips a "modest" offer to return in 2013, but Phillips elected to sign a one-year, $2 million contract with the Eagles. It was a deal that raised suspicions regarding Phillips desire to return to the Giants, as it's unlikely the team was not offering a contract of a similar wage. Phillips had previously expressed his disdain with how the Giants medical staff handled his knee injury last season, which could have played a role in his decision to leave in the offseason.

With the emergence os Stevie Brown, Will Hill and the acquisition of Ryan Mundy, the Giants will be able to use multiple safety sets once again this season. Additionally, the team drafted Richmond safety Cooper Taylor in the fifth-round, whose combination of size and speed will allow the Giants to develop and slowly integrate him into the defense. Taylor's arrival may not have an impact on the defense in 2013, but given Rolle's $7 million salary cap hit next season, it's possible Rolle follows in the foot steps of Ahmad Bradshaw, Chris Canty and Michael Boley in being kicked to the curb in favor of cheaper talent.

"Whether or not I'm next [to get cut], that's not my call to make," Rolle said. "I'm here to wear a Giants uniform and whenever I put it on, I just try to give 120 percent when I'm on the field. I don't make the decisions."

Without Kenny Phillips on the roster, the Giants will look to Rolle to lead the group of young and inexperienced safeties and transform them into a strength of the defense. However, the better job Rolle does at helping the talent behind him on the depth chart improve, the greater his chances are of being asked to take a significant pay cut before next season, or possibly even released. As general manager Jerry Reese made abundantly clear with his moves this offseason, nearly every player on the roster is expandable, regardless of past contributions to the team.


(giants101.com)

Former Giants safety Kenny Phillips didn't just settle for a short-term deal with the Eagles. He did it without pocketing any guaranteed money.

Details of Phillips' deal show the oft-injured safety signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the NFC East rival, according to multiple reports. Phillips could earn another $1 million in incentives if he meets a variety of performance bonuses, including making his first career Pro Bowl.

But the deal does not contain a traditional signing bonus, meaning the Eagles can cut Phillips before the season begins without any substantial financial penalty. Phillips was limited last season with recurring knee injuries. He's still currently rehabbing.

If Phillips does remain on the Eagles' roster for the entire season, the 2008 first-round pick will collect an $850,000 base salary, $1 million roster bonus (to be paid out over 17 weeks) and a $150,000 workout bonus.

Phillips, 26, has struggled with knee injuries the past few seasons. Clearly that affected the market for his services.

The Giants recently offered him a deal, but Phillips jumped within the division anyway. The 26-year-old said he wanted a "new start." He gets that with the Eagles, but he'll have to prove himself once again if he wants a long-term deal next offseason.

Philadelphia may also re-sign Phillips during the season if he can stay healthy and be productive. In the meantime, his signing is of the low-risk, high-reward variety. The Eagles believe Phillips is on the road to recovery and there is a good chance he returns to form.

"We do think he's fine," general manager Howie Roseman said. "Kenny is a talented guy. The Giants, a very smart organization obviously, drafted him in the first round. We've seen a lot of Kenny. Kenny will tell you he was not 100 percent last year when we saw him in Week 17. That wasn't who he was.

"But give a lot of credit to his agent Drew [Rosenhaus] and Kenny for the willingness to come here and basically try and show us what he has because we do like the player."

And the player must like the Eagles considering there's no guarantee he sees any of the money they committed to him in that new deal.


(nj.com)

Free agency can make unexpected bedfellows.

Longtime Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings just signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots. Marcus Allen went from the Oakland Raiders to the Kansas City Chiefs. The list goes on.

Former New York Giants safety Kenny Phillips, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles last week, reportedly said he has to adjust to sleeping with the enemy.
"I just knew I didn't like the Eagles," Phillips said at introductory press conference Friday, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia reported. "You're playing against them for so long, that's what you were taught as a Giant. Just like the Eagles were taught, you don't like the Giants. That's just how it goes.

"It's weird. It's definitely weird. But at this point I can't say I hate the Giants. When I was with the Giants I kind of disliked the Eagles. But I can't just say right now I hate the Giants. I guess I'll have to learn to hate them."

The Giants made Phillips a first-round draft pick in 2009, and they won a Super Bowl in 2011. He was a playmaker when healthy, but recurring knee problems made him expendable. The Eagles were cautious themselves with a one-year deal.


(nfl.com)

Kenny Phillips admits "it's weird" being on the other side of a bitter NFC East rivalry.

And he is going to "have to learn to hate" the Giants. Phillips left the Giants for the Eagles on Thursday for a one-year deal.

"I just knew I didn't like the Eagles," Phillips said at his introductory news conference on Friday, according to CSNPhilly.com. "You're playing against them for so long, that's what you were taught as a Giant. Just like the Eagles were taught, you don't like the Giants. That's just how it goes.

"It's weird. It's definitely weird," he added. "But at this point I can't say I hate the Giants. When I was with the Giants I kind of disliked the Eagles. But I can't just say right now I hate the Giants. I guess I'll have to learn to hate them."

Phillips, 26, was drafted by the Giants in the first round in 2008. He underwent microfracture surgery on his knee in 2009 and has been trying to regain the explosive playmaking abilities he had prior to the surgery.

The Giants, who are limited by their salary cap, let Phillips walk in free agency with bigger priorities, like free agent left guard Kevin Boothe, still unsigned.

The Giants have Antrel Rolle, Stevie Brown (a restricted free agent who was tendered a second-round RFA tender), Will Hill, newly signed Ryan Mundy and Tyler Sash at safety.

"Just basically a new start," Phillips said when asked why he left New York for Philadelphia. "I'm thankful that the Giants drafted me. I won a Super Bowl with the team, had some great friendships and they're a great organization.

"But it's just time for a new start," he continued. "I looked at the season (the Eagles} had last year, and I heard a lot of good things about (them) before I signed. And they're bringing in guys to make this team better, and I just want to be a part of it."

So now Phillips has the next several months to try to develop some hatred for his old team.

One thing he hopes to show this coming season is that his knee is healthy.

"It feels good," said Phillips, who also missed nine games last season with an MCL injury. "Since the season ended, I’ve been rehabbing five days a week and continue to get strong.

"I took my physical (Friday), and the doctors liked what they saw," he added. "If they didn't, I wouldn't be sitting here. I'm 100 percent right now, and I'm just ready to get back to work."


(espn.com)

The Giants made an offer to safety Kenny Phillips in the hopes of keeping him off the open market. But it wasn’t nearly enough, according to an NFL source, and any chance of Phillips re-signing in the next few days appear gone.

Phillips, according to the source, will become an unrestricted free agent when the market opens on March 12, barring a last-ditch effort from the Giants. He would still prefer to re-sign with the Giants, the source said, and it appears the Giants would like to keep him.

But the price, so far, has not been right.

It wasn’t immediately clear what Phillips is looking for in a new contract, but the Giants are apparently being cautious with the 26-year-old who missed nine games last season with a sprained right MCL. He also had major surgery on his left knee back in 2009 and hasn’t really been the same player since.

Still, the Giants value the player they took in the first round of the 2009 draft and believe he’s young enough that he can still fulfill his potential. They hoped he’d return and join veteran Antrel Rolle and restricted free agent Stevie Brown as part of a strong, three-safety rotation.

With Phillips now likely heading elsewhere, that explains why the Giants have reportedly reached out to veteran defensive back Charles Woodson, a 36-year-old who was recently cut by the Packers and now plays safety. According to ESPN, the Giants are one of four teams that have called to express an interest in him – joining the Seahawks, Dolphins and Jets.

The Giants likely wouldn’t be interested in Woodson for much more than a minimum-salaried deal. He would add depth and experience to a defensive backfield that is young and struggled often last season.


(nydailynews.com)

The Giants are "continuing to see" if they can work out a new contract with free agent FS Kenny Phillips.
Per reporter Jason La Canfora, Phillips is unlikely to be franchise tagged ahead of Monday's deadline. With Antrel Rolle and Stevie Brown to fall back on at safety, the Giants will likely only bring Phillips back at their price.


(rotoworld.com)

The New York Giants very rarely let their free agents walk away without at least making them an offer, and safety Kenny Phillips will be no exception. Although it's essentially a foregone conclusion that he plays for a different team in 2013, the New York Post is reporting that the Giants have made their former first-round draft pick a "modest offer."

A "modest offer" is essentially a way of saying "we appreciate all you've meant to the team, we'd like you to stay, but we're not paying you big money." It's the same tactic taken with wide receiver Steve Smith, running back Brandon Jacobs and a number of other free agents that have been lost in recent years. However, it doesn't always result in the player walking away. Two years ago, the Giants made a "modest offer" to running back Ahmad Bradshaw, who went and tested the market. After drawing little interest, he returned to the Giants and accepted said "modest offer."

Unlike Bradshaw in 2011, Phillips is likely to receive a big offer here in 2013. Despite his injury concerns, he's an extremely talented and highly-rated safety when he's on the field, and someone out there will take an expensive flier on him. But, in the event that doesn't happen for whatever reason, the Giants will at least have an offer on the table waiting for him.


(giants101.com)

So, I get this email this morning from Paul Kuharsky, who's got the Colts and Titans looking for help at safety and was working on this column about how the market could dry up quickly because the franchise-tag number for safeties is going to be so low. Something like $6.8 million, lower than any position but tight end and kicker/punter. Paul wanted to know what I thought the chances were of the New York Giants using their franchise player designation on safety Kenny Phillips.

I don't think they will, and I have a few reasons.

First of all, the Giants don't really use the franchise player designation very often. And when they do, they tend to employ it according to the original spirit of the rule -- as a means of buying themselves extra time to work out a long-term deal on which they're already at work but haven't had time to complete. This is what they did last year with punter Steve Weatherford, who got the franchise tag but soon thereafter had the long-term deal that was in progress at the time of the deadline. The Giants don't have a history of franchising guys just because the number is low, and keeping them around on one-year deals just because they can.

Secondly, as low as that safety number might be, it might not be low enough to make sense for the Giants. They need money to sign free-agent offensive linemen Will Beatty and Kevin Boothe. They are working on long-term deals with star wide receivers Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, and they'll need money for that. If they franchise any of their free agents, it'll probably be Beatty, since it seems clear that they'll be interested in doing a long-term deal with him anyway. Left tackle is a position of significant importance in Jerry Reese's mind. Safety, likely less so.

In the salary-cap era, teams must establish priorities for places to spend their significant resources. The Giants do this almost religiously. They invest heavily at quarterback and pass-rushing defensive end, and I think the cornerback, left tackle and No. 1 wide receiver positions are also very important to them. They get by at other spots, such as running back and linebacker and safety and tight end (which is why I don't think they'll franchise or bid big to keep Martellus Bennett). At those spots, they decide on numbers they think are justified by the market, replacing players who think those numbers are too low with qualified guys who think they aren't.

In the case of Phillips, I think this could be a mistake. I think Phillips is a do-it-all safety who makes other players on the defense better, and I think the Giants' relative performance at cornerback, linebacker and even among their great defensive linemen the past couple of years was affected by whether Phillips was or was not on the field. I think Phillips is an important player for the Giants and that they should work to keep him.

However, they're not operating in a vacuum. They're paying Antrel Rolle a lot of money. They might have seen enough from Stevie Brown and Will Hill in 2012 to convince themselves they're deep enough (and spending enough) at safety to weather the loss of Phillips. And there is the matter of Phillips' knee, which has been a major problem for him and can't necessarily be counted on to improve in the future. All of these factors likely will lead the Giants to tell Phillips he's welcome back at their price, but that if he'd prefer to try and find more on the open market they will go in a different direction.

So no, I don't think the Giants will franchise Phillips, and I think there's a good chance he'll be available on the market. If he is, I am fairly certain some team will look past the knee issue at the quality of the player and pay him more than the Giants want to pay him. The Giants' best hope of keeping him is if he decides their offer is fair and that the injury problems he had in 2012 are going to keep him from cashing in big in free agency. Unless they feel as though they're closing in on a long-term deal with him when the franchise deadline arrives, I'd be surprised if they tagged him.


(espn.com)

One league observer feels the Giants could let SS Kenny Phillips walk in free agency this offseason because of Phillips’ wear and tear the past three seasons and the money he might be seeking. The Giants typically set a number, and if the player isn’t willing to work with it, the club just moves on.



(profootballtalk.com)

Around half of the Giants' 2012 roster has a realistic chance of moving on this offseason. General manager Jerry Reese was asked on Monday if he'd put the number around 23 players in total.

“It's a pretty big number, but nothing we can't handle,” Reese said.

The truth is, that number is a touch low.

But Reese and the Giants have been in this position before and by making some tough choices and getting a handful of players to renegotiate cap-friendly deals, the franchise has remained competitive.

This year could be different, though. The Giants have a wave of cheap, young talent (RB Andre Brown, WR Victor Cruz, S Stevie Brown, among others) that will likely enter restricted free agency, and then there's a group of veterans that include DE Osi Umenyiora and S Kenny Phillips who might be too expensive to retain.

“We evaluate everybody,” Reese said. “There's going to be changes. There's changes every year. It's part of the business.”

Phillips: Phillips battled knee problems again this year, but said he showed teams he was healthy by returning for the final game of the season. When asked if he'll be back, though, Phillips didn't seem confident.

“It's hard to say,” said Phillips, who had a brief conversation with Reese on Monday. “I don't know. After they move some people around and make some decisions, there's no telling. Maybe they want me back. Maybe not, but that's up to them.”


(profootballweekly.com)

Kenny Phillips hopes to play this Sunday against the Eagles. But he also hoped to play against the Ravens, too.

Just like this week, the Giants safety practiced each day leading up to the Ravens game and was listed as questionable with a right knee that has been ailing him since Week 4. But Phillips was inactive for the game.

"I was shocked. I had a great week of practice. The coaches were telling me how well I was doing," Phillips said. "I guess it just came down to, I guess, a numbers game, I’m not sure. Once again, they made the decision, and I just have to deal with it."

A "numbers game" must not have sat well with the former first-round pick and starter.

"Yeah, I was pretty (ticked) off," Phillips said. "But at the end of the day, there’s nothing I can do about it. I’ll just come to work and practice and work hard and let them make a decision."

Coach Tom Coughlin explained earlier in the week the decision to sit Phillips was based on if they thought he could play at a high enough level, and also filling the necessary roles on special teams -- the numbers Phillips referred to. It was the latest example of what Phillips described as a "long, frustrating year," since he injured his knee against the Eagles in September.

"Going into your last year (of your contract), you want to go out there, make a big splash, and just play as well as you can," Phillips said. "Especially coming off the Super Bowl. You feel good about your chances of repeating, get hurt early and then... Like I said, it’s been real frustrating. You’re on the field, and you’re off the field; you can play this week, you can’t play this week. It’s just been a long season, I’ll put it like that."

Phillips said he has been dealing with both an MCL sprain and a PCL injury. He was vague on the specifics other than to say, "I had some things, I’ll leave it like that." He said he won't need offseason surgery -- "that's one of the biggest things I was trying to avoid," he said -- but aspects of his rehab and return to the field have frustrated him.

Phillips wound up sitting out six games, through the bye, before re-injuring the knee in his return against the Packers. He played in a very limited role the following week against the Redskins but has not returned to the field since. Phillips repeated what he said earlier in the season, that he wished more rest was part of the initial rehab.

"There's a lot of things I would change, but like I said, a lot of it is out of my control," Phillips said. "I just have to listen to what the trainers say and the doctors say. Even though they’re not perfect, they’re humans also. So they’re capable of making mistakes, and I understand that. So, I'd definitely do a lot of things over, I think they’ll say the same thing. It is what it is now."

He added: "We had a few guys on the team with PCL injuries; it’s new for our team just trying to figure out how to handle them. And they're all different, none of them are the same. It’s hard to say sit out or rest or you're OK, or maybe run this week. It was just one of those processes with all of us. It probably hurt me the most, to be honest with you."

Stevie Brown stepped in ably as a starter in Phillips' absence, recording seven interceptions, and Will Hill has allowed the Giants to still be able to use their three-safety package. But Phillips' absence has been tangible.

"When you don’t have your playmakers on the field, it’s going to show," Phillips said. "I feel like I've played a big part on this defense. I don’t want to say it's a drop-off because Will Hill played great, Stevie played great. But you're just used to playing with a certain group, chemistry is built, morale. Your play feeds off each other. I think it’s a difference."

Phillips' five-year rookie contract is up after this season. He admits the possibility of this being his last game with the Giants has "crossed my mind" -- but his main focus is being able to play this week. Phillips hasn't asked his agent if there have been contract talks with the Giants yet, but he is confident in his NFL future, despite the frustration of injuries in a contract year.

"Whether it be with the Giants or someone else, I feel that what I've showed over my career, I feel like I will be able to play football somewhere," Phillips said.
Would he prefer to stay with the Giants? Phillips grinned and laughed.

"I'm just trying to get back on the field," he said.

When it was pointed out to him that's a different answer than players usually give, Phillips repeated, "I'm just trying to get back on the field."


(nj.com)