The Giant Dream is Alive

Giant Dream Alive

The Giants dream of pairing big money free agent Antrel Rolle with Kenny Philips (yes, with a healthy Kenny Philips) to form an athletic, bal-hawking tandem of safeties on the back line of the defense remains alive.

To quote Kenny (courtesy of the New York Post): “I understand it’s a business and the way our secondary performed last year it’s only right you do something,” Phillips today told The Post. “I don’t think they’re panicking by bringing in all these guys, I don’t think I should panic. I know when I get to 100 percent it’s going to be competitive and I don’t mind competing.”
If nothing else, Kenny’s attitude is refreshing, here is a young guys who gets it and is putting in the time and focus to recover and return to the field. While Philips return to 100% health is anything but guaranteed, Giants fans have to appreciate his optimism and will continue to hold out hope that Philips will not start the season on the dreaded PUP (physically unable to perform) list, which would put Philips’ return, at a minimum, eight (8) weeks deep into the season.

On another front, major questions before the draft continue to get answered: First, Donovan McNabb gets shipped not so far away to Washington, instantly improving the Skins (though Jason Campbell has not yet been dealt, but it seems like his departure is inevitable, and I can see the Raiders or Bills come calling on that front). Second, talented and troubled Denver wide receiver Brandon Marshall has been sent to South Florida where he will give Miami a true no. 1 receiver, reports indicate that Miami gave up a 2nd round pick in this year’s draft and a 2nd round pick in next year’s draft. Denver removes a major headache who they weren’t going to pay big money to keep, Marshall gets a new lease and likely a big money deal from the Dolphins, and the Dolphins give quarterback Chad Henne a true stud receiver (Marshall’s addition can’t be good news for former no. 1 pick Ted Ginn, who has been a major disappointment thus far).

On the Giants draft front, more and more folks believe that Rolando McClain may very well fall to the middle of Round one, so if Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin truly are in love with the all-american McClain, they might just get what they want. Why do I think that Perry Fewell may only have one year to turn this defense around? Here’s why: If the Giants draft McClain and Perry’s defense end up being a bust, the pieces are almost there for a nice little transition to the 3-4 defense (Canty and Tuck would take on the defensive end spots, McClain could still be a beast on the inside, Sintim is a natural fit on the outside, Alford could also play defensive end), so the cupboard would not be bare. Osi could be shipped out for picks, same with Kiwi, and the return could be great for both. Just saying.
Eight days until the start of the NFL draft, Stay Blue!