By PFW staff
July 23, 2008

Now that Kenny Phillips, the 31st pick in the draft, has signed a five-year contract with the Giants, he can try to win a starting job on the defending champions' defense.

Phillips earned rave reviews for his play in minicamps, specifically one diving interception he made that wowed the coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said he's looking forward to the safety competition and what Phillips will add to it. "Yeah, especially after we saw Kenny (Phillips) make that play in the spring," Spagnuolo said. "I think a lot of you guys were around there to see it. That was a tremendous play."

Added safeties coach David Merritt, "I haven't seen a play like that, and I've been around the NFL, not for a long time, but for over 13, 14 years. But for this kid to be playing half-field (coverage) on the right (side of the field), speed-turn, run, track the ball in the air, and jump over everybody's head, fly Superman … whether he caught it or not, I don't know. I started running after him, giving him a high-five, but an unbelievable play.

"It's enough for you to say that's why we drafted him. That's what we were looking for."

The deal can earn Phillips upward of $11 million. He was the final pick in the first round, but he was the 31st player taken overall because the Patriots relinquished No. 31 as punishment for their involvement in the Spygate incident.