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image taken from seattletimes.com

This is a post that I would have done last year and would have been confident in with S Kenny Phillips. But last year got put on hold and now Kenny Phillips has to come back in 2010 from an injury that people thought might cost him his career, not just one season.

But all reports indicate that he his making good progress and that he will likely be ready to play this year, and may even be near or at full strength.

Let’s hope so becuase the sky is high for young Mr. Phillips.

Before we can look into his future, let’s look at his past.

Fantasyfootballtoolbox.com

like Sean Taylor heading into the NFL Draft, but the safety is not far behind. Phillips is widely considered the best safety available this year and the Florida native ended his productive collegiate career at Miami a year early to try his luck in the big leagues.

At 6-2 and 210 pounds, Phillips has great size and will not need to work on anything from a physical standpoint to be a big contributor in the NFL, or even a perennial pro bowler. He is extremely aggressive and quick and will use those skills in pass coverage and covering the run. In this day and age of big hitting safeties, Phillips certainly fits the bill, but he did have seven interceptions during his three year career in Miami and his coverage ability is often overlooked in favor of his big hits.

The only possible downside of the 2007 All-ACC First Team honorees game is he can occasionally look to make the big play over the reliable play. Yet, that is getting a little too picky. Phillips will go in the top half of the first round and will likely be a top ten pick if his pre-draft numbers are as good as expected.

armchairwikigm.com

Phillips is considered by many to be the best safety prospect in the 2008 NFL Draft class. He is a knowledgeable defender and a quick learner, as evident by his ability to start 11 games his freshmen season. Phillips is excellent in run support and as sure a tackler as any defensive back. He is a big hitter and a very physical safety. Phillips is not all brawn though. He has excellent speed and range in coverage and a nose for the ball. His coverage skills are good enough where, if necessary, Phillips could play cornerback. As some Miami coaches have said, Phillips has “the body of Sean Taylor and the knowledge and speed of Ed Reed“. High praise. Look for Phillips to be the first defensive back taken in this years draft and for him to play strong safety in the NFL.

walterfootball.com

Strengths: Phillips has great size for the safety position to go along with excellent athleticism…Has a ton of experience starting his first two years at Miami…Phillips is a big hitter and makes his presence known on the football field…Has good football IQ thanks to the coaching of Randy Shannon…Has the ability to play free safety and possibly cornerback in a Cover 2 scheme…Is all over the field and can cover a lot of ground with his legs…Doesn’t make a lot of coverage mistakes.

Weaknesses: Doesn’t have an elite 40 time, but this is being really knitpicky…Has average ball skills and doesn’t have a lot of upside in this area.

Notes: Phillips, right now, is the consensus No. 1 safety in the 2008 NFL Draft class, if he chooses to commit…It is rare to see a player as polished as Phillips is and it just proves that he really works on his game.

Player Comparison: Adrian Wilson

I thought Kenny Phillips was an absolute steal at the end of the first round in 2008 based not only on scouting reports, like the ones above, but of my own impressions of the N.F.L. Draft.

Phillips is a physical player who had good ball skills and no huge weaknesses in his game. In 2007 he had 83 tackles 3 FF and 2 INT. In 2006 he had 4 INT to boot, so he was also productive in college.

Phillips carried that over to 2009 where he played in all 16 games and even started 3 games. He registered 67 tackles and an INT.

Phillips, according to profootballfocus.com, Phillips was the 17th best rated Safety in the league, in a rating system that is cumulative (meaning that the more you play the more chances you have to get a positive ranking) which is impressive.

In 2007 he was ranked better against the rush (a positive 4.4) than he was the pass (-1.4), but his pass coverage was uneven. He had some games that he were great in pass coverage and some games where he was poor. But that is the life of a rookie.

In 2008 Phillips, was drawing rave reviews from even the tight lipped Coughlin’s and Reese. Kenny Phillips was playing with confidence. Phililps was playing like he no longer had to think about what he was doing, but react more all throughout the offseason and was hoping to carry that through the season.

In 2009, Phillips started off great with 9 tackles and 2 INT within two games. Embarassingly, Kenny Phillips finished the season tied for SECOND in INT with 2 with Bruce Johnson.

What does the future hold for Kenny Phillips?

Well that depends on how well he can recover from his injury. Kenny Phillips can play vs the run, he plays well in coverage he has abundant talent he has a reputation for a great work ethic.

On top of that Kenny Phillips will be under the tutelage of Perry Fewell has done a lot with far less superior talent at the Buffalo Defense.

The return of a 100 percent Kenny Phillips to the 2010 NY Giants defense might the NY Giants best “acquisiton” for the 2010 N.F.L. season.

But he might be the Osi Umeinoyra situation from last year.

Kenny Phillips breakout candiate #8

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