http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/13736 Recent articles about Kenny Phillips en-us With both Michael Strahan and Osi Uminyiora gone, the Giants 'D' suffered a severe blow that could cripple other teams. But, then, the Giants aren't just some other team. They didn't stumble into the Super Bowl, they fought their way to The Championship by being tough, smart and resilient. They still have Justin Tuck and can move Mathias Kiwanuka back to End — a very talented and formidable duo. But, the problem is, they won't enjoy the luxury of the depth they had last season. But that doesn't mean the season's over. Far from it. The Giants job now is to 'HOLD THE FORT,' until the cavalry arrives; and, yes, the cavalry is on the way. They'll be here in November. Championships aren't won in August or September or October; they're won in November, December, January and February. A 5-3 or 4-4 or 3-5 or even a 2-6 record heading into November doesn't preclude a championship run. The trick will be to get to November in a position to make that run. So, assuming Tuck and Kiwanuka are the Defensive Ends, what are some other possibilities? Possibility#1 — The Giants talk Strahan out of retirement. Word is he'd be willing to come back for about 8 million or so, But he won't be ready to play for a while because he's not in football shape. So, without pushing him and assuming he stays healthy, he could be rounding into form by November. Possibilty#2 — Osi doesn't have the Meniscus repaired but, rather, has it removed. According to some specialists, that could put him back in 6 to 8 weeks. At that point, having been away for a while, he'd need some time to get back into football shape — again, along about November. Possibility#3 – Jerry Reese brings a player in via the waiver wire or a trade — maybe just a journeyman or youngster who hasn't yet 'made his bones' yet, like Hixon, Mitchell and Hedgecock last year. Reese specializes in finding 'gems in the rough' and this Giants coaching staff specializes in 'coaching them up.' They could have a new guy — or guys — ready to contribute by November. Possibility#4 — By November, look for Kenny Phillips to be starting alongside James Butler at Safety with Corey Webster and Aaron Ross at Corner and with plenty of depth behind them. This years secondary could be much strongest than last years group that had their deficiencies covered up by a super pass rush. Possibilty#5 — Spagnuolo does his usual 'D' 'thing' and — with the guys already on the roster and no new additions — mixes and matches and, like the original mad scientist, Bill Bellichick, comes up with schemes and coverages that befuddle the opposition. In this century's NFL, the strength of a team lies not in their personnel — all teams have good players and salary caps and roster size limitations. The strength of a team, these days, resides in their management staff. The Giants have a terrific young GM who finds talent and a great coaching staff that molds that talent into tough, smart, resilient champions who simply won't quit. The Giants are a team that never seems to know they're not supposed to win and as the Roman philosopher Seneca said more than 2000 years ago, "They can because they think they can." So, memo to the NFC East — don't count the Giants out! They can because they think they can. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:52:55 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/312419 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/312419 The 2008 installment of the annual Giants/Jets preseason rivalry unfolded like a plodding heavyweight club fight between two palookas who know how to throw a punch but also know how to take one as well. The Giants, who were playing their second game in six days — this time without defensive leader Antonio Pierce — lost the split decision 10-7. Plaxico Burress didn't play — what else is new — and, although Amani Toomer started he was very quickly replaced by Domenick Hixon who, again, had a fine showing. During the 1st half, neither team could mount anything offensively. The Jets due to a load of penalties — 12 penalties on the night — including one that negated a beautiful TD pass from Brett Favre. But, the Jets pass rush was a factor all 1st half — helped by a blown blitz pickup by Brandon Jacobs. The Giants had only one sustained drive toward the end of the first half but Eli Manning held onto the ball too long on 3rd down and took a terrible 16 yard sack by Calvin Pace — who was very disruptive all night. This left the Giant's with a 42 yard FG opportunity which Josh Huston promptly blew, wide right. If Tynes doesn't get back to soon, look for the Giants to bring in a couple of kickers. But, by far, the most dramatic — and possibly disastrous — play of the first half for the Giants was the injury to Osi Uminiora who went down rushing Brett Favre. He seemed go down courtesy of a D'Brickashaw Ferguson shove but got back up, continued his rush, then went down again and eventually had to be taken off the field on a golf cart. Initial reports indicate he couldn't bend his knee or put weight on it but it doesn't appear to be a ligament tear. Tests will have to done. Once he went out, the pass rush definitely suffered. The rush defense, however, remained stout throughout whether it was the 2nd or even the 3rd units. The second half between the Giants and Jets 2nd and 3rd teams was also a defensive struggle. Kellen Clemens started the 2nd half for the Jets and, in spite of four procedure penalties managed to mount a 16 play drive that resulted in a field goal. The Giants later scored on a short Ahmad Bradshaw run after a Renaldo Wynn interception on a zone blitz. The veteran defensive end dropped back into coverage and pulled down his first pick ever. The Giants couldn't get anything else going throughout the rest of the half though because the Jets pass rush consistently harried the Giant's quarterbacks who often held the ball too long — primarily David Carr. After a terrible Jeff Feagles punt — his only bad one of the night — the Jets took over in Giants territory and Brett Ratliff, shaking off his earlier pick by Wynn, tossed a 24 yard TD pass to rookie Paul Raymond, putting Jets up 10-7. Rookie Andre Woodson came in after Carr for the Giants in the 4th quarter but couldn't put any points on the board. By the way, he still looks like he has a definite 'hitch' in his delivery. All in all it was a pretty forgettable game for the Giants but, on the positive side, a lot of the youngsters looked good. Mario Mannigham caught 3 passes for 41 yards and Domenick Hixon caught 3 passes for 51 yards. Ahmad Bradshaw ran well and Kenny Phillips flashed on a few plays. Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:55:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/311720 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/311720 I have the "unofficial" Lions depth chart going into tonight's game. Just click to enlarge. The only thing that really stands out to me is Marinelli's not having any rookie higher than 2nd string. Considering his well-known aversion to giving rookies major responsibilities, it's to be expected. I doubt players like Gosder Cherilus, Kevin Smith and Jordon Dizon will remain low on totem pole for much longer. The NJ Star Ledger lists their 3 things to watch for on the Giants side of the ball: The passing game, the progress of the G-Men's 1st round pick, safety Kenny Phillips and their backup QB battle. For more of the Giants POV, head over to Fan Sided Blogs' G-Men H.Q. I have a feeling they are expecting a walkover tonight… Mlive's list of things to watch is pretty much the same as their sister paper. It includes watching for the progress of Keith Smith and Jordon Dizon, how the new defensive backfield holds up and the backup QB battle between Dan Orloxsky and Drew Stanton. The Detroit News mentions much the same items as Mlive (Smith, Dizon, the QB's), and adds the OT position battle between 1st round pick Gosder Cherilus vs. illegal prodecure specialist George Foster and the revamped d-line post Shaun Rogers. Personally, I'm most interested in seeing Kevin Smith. I fully expect the 3rd round pick from Central Florida to carry the rushing burden this season.  The Lions claim they have a renewed commitment to run the ball. Tonight is our first opportunity to see if they can do more than just talk about a good running game, and actually develop one. As for what's up tonight at SLR, I'm live blogging the game on a tape delay basis (God damn draconian NFL broadcast rules!). As this is my first gameday as lead blogger, I'll be using the exhibition season to see what works and what doesn't in blogging the Lions. It's my preseason too! See you in the gameday thread, which will be going live shortly. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:23:56 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/302718 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/302718 The Giants moved Jeremy Shockey Monday, and today made a minor headline as reports say they have come to terms with first round pick safety Kenny Phillips.  The rookie could be a starter right away, as the team needs help in the secondary with the departure via free agency of Gibril Wilson, who left to go play for the Raiders this offseason. Phillips was selected with the 31st pick of the draft out of the Univ of Miami.  He comes to the team at  6-2, 210 pounds.   He was the first safety chosen, and while director of college scouting Marc Ross refused to categorize him as a "need pick," general manager Jerry Reese and head coach Tom Coughlin did so. He is a big and strong safety looked at to play the free safety position, although according to Ross he has played strong safety and even some cornerback. He'll compete with Sammy Knight, who was signed in the offseason, at the strong safety spot, though long-term he is penciled in as the starter, and if he can impress his coaches, he may be able to be the opening day starter vs the Redskins. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:09:55 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294006 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294006 The Giants moved Jeremy Shockey Monday, and today made a minor headline as reports say they have come to terms with first round pick safety Kenny Phillips.  The rookie could be a starter right away, as the team needs help in the secondary with the departure via free agency of Gibril Wilson, who left to go play for the Raiders this offseason. Phillips was selected with the 31st pick of the draft out of the Univ of Miami.  He comes to the team at  6-2, 210 pounds.   He was the first safety chosen, and while director of college scouting Marc Ross refused to categorize him as a "need pick," general manager Jerry Reese and head coach Tom Coughlin did so. He is a big and strong safety looked at to play the free safety position, although according to Ross he has played strong safety and even some cornerback. He'll compete with Sammy Knight, who was signed in the offseason, at the strong safety spot, though long-term he is penciled in as the starter, and if he can impress his coaches, he may be able to be the opening day starter vs the Redskins. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:09:55 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294006 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294006 The New York Daily News is reporting that the G-Men have inked third-round draft pick WR Mario Manningham.  The contract means that he will be suited up and ready to go when the team reports to Albany on July 24th.  The signing of Manningham means the Giants have two players yet to be inked - first-round safety Kenny Phillips and second-round corner back Terrell Thomas.  "The wide receiver position for a rookie is probably one of the most difficult to learn, so we all felt it was important for him not to miss training camp," Don Yee, Manningham's agent, said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.  Manningham caught 137 passes for 2,310 yards and 27 touchdowns at Michigan. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:25:41 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290946 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290946 Training camp is almost here and its time to take a look at the season ahead; particularly the competition in the NFC East. Several teams have made some key off-season additions. Let's look at them team by team. Dallas Cowboys – (13-3 in 2007) The Dallas Cowboys didn't go crazy this year, but did add two key [...] Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:00:58 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290583 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290583 UPDATED list of the top 20 picks in the NFL Draft. Miami through Tampa. Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:56:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/76797 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/76797 Due to some changes (Jets keeping Pennington, Laurinaitis staying, etc) the top 13 picks of my NFL draft coverage has been edited. Check out the new 1-13 and look out for more updates and picks 14-20 later this week. Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:50:46 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/73228 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/73228 Picks 7-12 in the constantly updated BearDown Mock Draft Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:35:58 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/72193 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/72193