Mike Garafolo has some bitter-sweet tweets this morning regarding Kenny Phillips’ first practice at Giants training camp. Don’t worry, it’s not that bitter:
"NJ_Giants Phillips slips … and gets right back up.NJ_Giants And slips again … and gets right back up again."
Good to see he’s out there in coverage and in pads, regardless of the slick field. He’s going to have to really be realistic about competition though… Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant have had great camps thus far. Rolle has been especially impressive in every aspect… picking up runs, making stops, interceptions, defending passes – Phillips is going to have to continue to take it slow and “get his feet back under him” at his own pace.
Phillips was interviewed over the weekend and discussed his intentions for today’s practice. Phillips will be participating once a day until further clearance. Here are some of the highlights:
"Q: Do you know if you’ll be going with the first teamers ?A: Not sure. To tell you the truth, it really doesn’t matter. I don’t care. They could put me on fifth string. I just want to be out there.Q: Do you think you’ll have any thought in your head or any moment where you’ll realize you’re okay?A: I don’t know. Maybe the first hit.Q: How is the secondary looking?A: They look great. I mean, when you’re forcing the quarterback to throw a check down with seven on seven, then you’re really doing a good job. I’m just looking forward to getting back out there with those guys.Q: What are they missing?A: Nothing. Not even me. I think they could do it without me but I’m going to go out there and try to help out anyway.Q: Last camp we saw a lot of balls being thrown up the deep middle but it doesn’t seem like there are right now – do you notice that?A: Yeah. I think it’s because the secondary is doing such a great job. The cornerbacks getting a hand on the receivers and the safeties are making plays on the ball so I think they’re making it real tough for the quarterback.Q: At any point in the last year was there ever a doubt that you would be able to come back?A: No, not at all. Not at all. The trainers and doctors assured me that I could make a full recovery and that kept me positive throughout the whole rehab.Q: Are you ready to get on the field with Rolle?A: Yeah, it’s something we’ve talked about, like I said, before it even came out that he was leaving Arizona so I look at it as a privilege and I just can’t wait to get out there.Q: Some of the people have talked about your positive and optimistic attitude throughout this whole process – how were you able to stay so upbeat?A: Just because the trainers reassured me that everything would be okay, that I would make a 100% recovery, and my teammates – they rallied around me, even when I first got hurt they would still come to the house and just watch tv with me and everything so just the people around me have been great.Q: Have you heard a lot nationally about all the things that the Giants can be if Kenny Phillips can return? There seem to be a lot of ifs about you…A: I hear it, but like I said, the secondary is doing such a great job right now that I don’t think it really matters if I come back or not. I hope it does – I’m looking to go out there and make an impact – but they’re just doing so well right now.Q: You don’t believe that, though, do you? I mean, your team and the front offices don’t believe that. They’re waiting for you to come back.A: Yeah, I’m waiting to come back, too. I’m really looking forward to it though.Q: You believe you’re a difference maker though, right?A: I do. I do. I think that when I get out there, there are a lot of plays that I can make. Even though we’re doing a good job out there now, I still see some things that we can get better at and I’m going to try to go out there and improve.Q: What are you seeing in Antrel Rolle on this team?A: Just his leadership. He’s talking to the guys, he’s real vocal. He’s a playmaker. Yesterday he got an interception in the two-minute drill, ran it to the house. He’s just a difference maker."
[full transcript here]