NY Giants rookie DB takes growing up comments to heart after costly errors

In the aftermath of the New York Giants' narrow 27-22 loss to the Washington Commanders, rookie cornerback Andru Phillips didn’t shy away from taking responsibility for his performance.

The defeat, the Giants’ fourth consecutive loss and fifth at home underscored their ongoing struggles with consistency and costly errors, often in critical moments. Phillips’ missed tackle on a pivotal third-and-18 allowed Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin to score his second touchdown of the game, a mistake the young defender couldn’t brush off.

“If I get that tackle on that third down, that doesn't happen,” Phillips admitted. “I’ll take it on the chin; I don't care. I gotta be better. I gotta be better on my details. I gotta grow up.”

Dru Phillips takes "growing up" comments to heart

Phillips’ candid reflection is a testament to the message delivered by Giants defender Brian Burns just a week earlier.

Following their Week 8 loss to the Steelers, Burns had publicly challenged the team to “grow up” and play with more discipline. This week, Phillips demonstrated that the message didn’t go unheard, as he held himself accountable for the critical third-down error that proved costly for the Giants' defense.

The Giants’ defensive lapses were visible throughout the game. Head coach Brian Daboll acknowledged the breakdowns on key plays but chose not to go into specifics, saying only, “Those are some big plays. But make no excuse, they made them, and we didn’t.”

Phillips, however, fully took responsibility for his mistakes, adding, “I’m supposed to take the underneath… I have to grow up and apply what we do in practice to the game.”

The rookie’s blunt self-assessment reflects a broader frustration within the Giants’ locker room as they sit at 2-7, with postseason hopes quickly slipping away. Phillips’ remarks, echoing Burns’ earlier comments, demonstrate a determination among younger players to learn from mistakes and contribute to the team’s turnaround.

As the Giants look to salvage what remains of their season, it’s clear that some players are listening and responding to Burns’ call for maturity. For Phillips and the Giants' defense, these growing pains may be the first steps toward building a more disciplined, resilient unit.

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