Phillips in 2010

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Phillips in 2010

Written by Paul Burke

Thursday, 11 March 2010 20:54

Much has been discussed, debated and hypothesized about Phillips since we went out early this past season regarding his condition.

Mainstream media has reported and speculated the severity of the injury and the probable impact on his career. Pete recently discussed this issue this past Wednesday and went on record as stating that "I think that Phillips will play. Every time that Rolle does an interview he talks about "me and Kenny." He should know whether Phillips will play and his comments are telling." Well this past Wednesday night Vacchiano ran this story: "Phillips insists those fears are completely unfounded. In fact, he told the Daily News earlier Wednesday that his recovery from left knee surgery is on track to have him on the field for the start of training camp in July."

From what has been written and disclosed it appears that the treatment for Phillips was the following:

"If there are holes in the articular cartilage called defects, it may be possible to repair the damage. A newer technique called autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has had favorable results. Normal, healthy cartilage is removed from a nonweight-bearing portion of the knee joint. The cells are taken to a lab where they are used to grow more cells. The cells are then transplanted back into the patient to fill up the hole."

We can all debate and speculate from the above on whether Phillips will be back to his level of play this season or he cannot be counted on period. None of us are in the know as most of us don’t possess a medical degree specializing in orthopedic medicine nor have we been fully involved in the examination of his case. What we can go by is what the patient and his teammate have communicated.

In preseason alarm bells were rung on this blog about the lack of depth at safety as the #1 concern going into the regular season not the wide receiver unit. Please search archive at your will to confirm, but I will go on record to in stating that they don’t need to go high in the draft for a DB as what they have will suffice. A roster that includes Ross, Rolle, Phillips, Johnson, Webster and Thomas is plenty. Although another safety in rounds 4 or 5 would be nice. Let’s fix the middle of the front of this defense with an MLB and a nose tackle.

Comments (8) Add Comment

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written by gman17, March 11, 2010

Paul,

What makes this blog so special? The passion for Big Blue is palpable. And the knowledge of the blog writers and readers is second to none. In addition, the readers respectfully agree to disagree here. Without question, it is the best Giants blog on the Net.

Pete's comment about Phillips was prescient. Coincidentally, as Paul points out, Ralph V. ran a story the next day clearing the air about Phillips' condition. As a former NFL scout, it is my judgment, Pete sees things through a different lens as compared to others including myself. Based on the new information about Phillips, the Giants sense of urgency to draft a safety in round one for the most part has abated.

On the other hand, the Giants do need to draft a safety with similar skill set as Phillips and Rolle. Apparenty, Fewell wants interchangeable safties. Currently, the Giants have two guys. After that, they are thin at this position.

Here are my thoughts about the safety position:

More offenses are going with multiple wide receivers on first down. Last year, John Madden pointed this out. A team needs quality safeties to combat this.

Because the passing game has become so sophisticated, the defensive back positions have evolved. Bill Belichick said: “The safety position is becoming more and more of a corner position.” Former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi once said the following: “A third corner is more important than a starting strongside linebacker because a third corner is on the field more often.”

The safety position is now a hybrid position.

Lastly, I live in the New Orleans area. With a Super Bowl win, the Saints are all the rave. On sports talk radio, when they talk about the Giant game, this game put them on the map. Payton came up with game plan to neutralize the Giants defensive line ie max protect. And exploit the safety position.

...
written by I Bleed Blue, March 12, 2010

I agree with Paul. The Giants have no middle linebacker on the roster who is capable of starting right now! Goff shows potential but I do not believe he is ready.

Don Banks of SI.com had an interesting post Thursday about the impact of free agency on the upcoming draft. Here is what he said about the Giants.

"New York chose to not pursue Karlos Dansby as an option to fill its need at inside linebacker, but the Giants are certainly glad it was the Dolphins who landed the ex-Cardinal. That's because it might just put New York in the driver's seat to draft Alabama inside linebacker Rolando McClain with its No. 15 pick. It would be a perfect union of need and first-round value if that scenario unfolds. Having signed another ex-Cardinal free agent in safety Antrel Rolle, the Giants are no longer a potential home for either Texas safety Earl Thomas or USC safety Travis Mays. If McClain isn't available when New York's turn rolls around, defensive tackle is the likely focus, with Tennessee's Dan Williams carrying a solid mid-round grade."

There is no guarantee that McClain will be there when they draft. Are they prepared to move up? Or will they be satisfied with Dan Williams?

They could go another way and sacrifice a 3rd round pick and sign Kirk Morrison of Oakland. I'm always skeptical of a player with good stats on a bad team.

I hope Jerry Reese is just laying low and will do the right thing.

D-backs still need help
written by Bukka, March 12, 2010

Yes, on paper they look strong if Phillips returns. But the injury history doesn't bode well for this group. Besides Phillips, Webster sprained his knee late last season, Ross has recurring hamstring problems, Thomas missed four games his rookie year from a torn hamstring, Bruce Johnson just had wrist surgery,and Michael Johnson missed time with a groin injury last year. It is unrealistic to think that the top five guys (Rolle, Phillips, Webster, Thomas and Ross) can make it through a season unscathed. The dropoff after them is pretty steep. I think a pick in the first three rounds for a d-back is necessary. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be a safety, but a guy who can hit a little would be nice. If McClain is gone, I would have no argument with trading down to get Earl Watson later in the first round (who supposedly can play corner and safety), then using the extra pick (maybe a low third-rounder) on a lineman. A linebacker has to be chosen in round one or two, whether McClain is there or not and even if a lb or two is signed in free agency. But more defensive backfield help is needed.

Rookie
written by psffur, March 12, 2010

It would be lucky if McClain is indeed there when we choose. There were a bunch of pro days last week and Coughlin chose to go to Alabama. To his credit,Coughlin was personally at the Sr. Bowl,the Combine and now Alabama pro day.It solidifies in my mind that McClain is certain to be the target He got a look at Mt Cody and several players from an outstanding Alabama defense. Someone went to all or will go to almost all the pro days but the fact Tom went to Bama speaks volumes.
I just want to remind you that even if we get McClain he will be a rookie with a lot to learn. Rarely if ever does a guy step in to the middle and start as a rookie.It takes time to learn your defense never mind the league. My bet is that even if we get lucky that Goff will be the starter at least for awhile, There could be a trade or free agent but,I think it became obvious that McClain is the target.

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written by Craig, March 12, 2010

Ive read a lot about him and everything i've read says he's on track. not ahead of schedule but not behind schedule

call me nuts
written by xtian, March 12, 2010

but i still wouldnt mind having thomas--please, no mays--in the 1st if mcclain is gone. why? safety still thin. phillips still questionable. put all 3 out there cuz rolle can drop to cover as a cb if needed--lots of mystery and blitz potential.

that being said, if mcclain is not there, the nyg probably will draft a dt or ot, or trade down to pick up who they think is the 2nd best mlb.

...
written by irishmacmystic, March 12, 2010

our reserve corps at safety still poor....let's not forget how wide open opposing receivers were last year, and thus draft another S in round 3 (darrell stuckey if he is there) or round 4....i just don't see how cc brown or even michael johnson deserve to get a position on our squad without at least bringing in some serious competition....we need to make good use of at least our top 5 picks in this draft or we have no shot....a strong safety makes perfect sense in round 3 or round 4...

Defense, Secondary, McClain...
written by The Mayor, March 14, 2010

Giants for sure still need to draft another safety, preferably I would like us to nab Chad Jones, Stuckey, or Kam Chancellor from Va Tech in one of the middle rounds. All 3 of these guys can play.

I have a feeling the Giants will go after a LBer with a few years under his belt in free agency. To me it is a must. I think they realize that given the core of players we have at Linebacker. There is no veteran leadership at the position now that Pierce is gone. Nor are there any sure tacklers that get after the quarterback or ball carrier. We need a solid starting linebacker for 2010. It is imperative for us to win. Right now, if we do not draft LBer in rounds 1&2, 2&3, 1&3 we are in deep shit. Saying that we still need another veteran LBer desperately. You would have to think if we on this site can all realize this then how could Jerry Reese or Tom Coughlin not. Then again Kildrive is still making the offensive decisions for 2010.

McClain, I think will be there at 15 after his pro day and release of him having Crohns. Do we want a guy with a disease as our first round pick and supposed long term solution at linebacker? I do realize he has had the disease since his freshman year of high school and it may not affect him now. But who's to say it doesn't affect him in the future? I mean it affected him on his biggest day prior to the NFL Draft. His pro day on his own turf where all eyes were on him and he had to cut his workout short due to fatigue and cramping from the disease. Which makes me skeptical, if you're going to say the disease from which you suffer from has no effect on you playing football, yet the one day out of the 4 months you have before the draft to prove that it doesn't, you can't!? It makes me nervous. I wouldn't be surprised if his stock drops and he goes into the 2nd round cause of this.

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