The first day of NY Giants vs. Detroit Lions practices was filled with almost too many fireworks to keep count of. Yes, there were several brawls, as these two teams weren't as friendly as we all thought they might be.
Things got started with Jared Goff completing a pass to Jameson Williams. On that same play, Giants rookie Dru Phillips went toe-to-toe with Amon-Ra St. Brown, one of the best young wideouts in the NFC. St. Brown didn't like how Phillips acted after the whistle, though, which played a big role in all hell breaking loose. While speaking to the reporters, Phillips decided to get another proverbial shove in on the Detroit standout:
#Giants rookie CB Dru Phillips on his rep vs #Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams' reaction and the ensuing fight: “I mean, it was a really good rep by me. So I kind of expect him to get mad. I mean, I’m a rookie. So I think I just did my job well and maybe he didn’t like…
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 5, 2024
Dru Phillips is still talking over his practice fight with Amon-Ra St. Brown
"I mean, it was a really good rep by me. So I kind of expect him to get mad. I mean, I’m a rookie. So I think I just did my job well and maybe he didn’t like it. But at the end of the day we’re just out there competing. So I expected it."Dru Phillips via Pat Leonard
That's the kind of confidence you love to see out of a youngster. We have a feeling St. Brown is going to have a bit of a different take to that quote above, though. A star out of Kentucky, Phillips was taken in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft by Joe Schoen.
With Week 1 sneaking up on us, the youngster is in a prime spot to win the slot CB job for Brian Daboll and new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen. There have been some ups and downs for Phillips, but it's surely a confidence boost for him knowing that he can go one-on-one with someone of St. Brown's caliber.
Once the preseason tilt arrives too, something tells us Phillips and St. Brown will be fired up for even more battles to come with pads on. Phillips is going to keep on talking. Hopefully he'll be able to back that up the rest of the summer and then once the regular season gets here too.