Phillips next in long line of great Miami safeties?

When NFL teams assemble a defense, they generally adhere to a long-standing philosophy: build from the ball out. Get the linemen first. Linebackers and cornerbacks figure as high priorities. Then what?
Safeties. Can't forget them.

But safeties last? That's almost an affront to the University of Miami (Fla.), which tends to turn out safeties first.

"Da U" has produced a number of safeties who were first-round picks, including perennial Baltimore Ravens All-Pro Ed Reed, late Washington Redskin Sean Taylor and the New England Patriots' Brandon Meriweather.

Kenny Phillips would like to expand that number.

Sure, the tradition of great safeties is, well, great. But how does it help Phillips, widely viewed as the only likely first-round pick in a weak 2008 class at that position?

It has already been beneficial in several ways. Meriweather, says Phillips, befriended him from the start at Miami and helped him learn how to learn.

"When I first came in, he was the one that taught me the plays. He really took me under his wing and taught me everything I know. I talk to him every week," Phillips says. Click here to continue reading...