A member of the Giants’ secondary may make a big leap this year.
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra recently chose one potential first time Pro Bowler for every team across the NFL.
When it came to the Giants, he went with second-year cornerback Dru Phillips.
”Head coach Brian Daboll has already said he sees Phillips making a “big jump” in Year 2, and teammates have praised the slot corner’s upside,” Patra wrote. “In 2024, Phillips showed potential as a run defender and generated a -7.2 target EPA — the best mark on the team, according to Next Gen Stats (min. 200 coverage snaps). Phillips’ aggressive, physical style plays well near the line of scrimmage. Stepping into a bigger role with a better understanding of the defense, the 23-year-old has the chance to grow into one of the better slot defenders in the NFC.”
Phillips played in 14 games with six starts in his first NFL season. He registered 71 total tackles (46 solo), seven tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, and one interception.
According to Pro Football Focus, the slot corner allowed just 41 receptions for 373 yards and one touchdown on 335 snaps in coverage.
Of the 77 corners from across the league that played at least 600 snaps this season, Phillips finished as PFF’s seventh-best cornerback overall and the second-best among rookies, behind only Philadelphia’s Cooper DeJean.
As Patra noted, Daboll has already praised Phillips for the jump he’s seen the young corner make since the conclusion of the 2024 campaign.
“He’s made a big jump from year one to year two, just the overall communication in that area in particular,” Daboll said towards the start of training camp. “I think he’s got a lot of confidence right now. He’s a good football player. He’s got a lot of physical traits that help him play that spot that he plays. It’s the nickel position and you’re part defensive back and at times part linebacker. He’s tough but I would say his communication and his process of how he does things and he’s taken a good step and we need him to.”
Training camp notebook | Commanders scrimmage chance for coaches to ‘level up’ – Zach Selby, Commanders.com
Practice serves to develop both players and coaches in Washington.
The Washington Commanders’ intrasquad scrimmage earlier this week was another unique opportunity for players to compete, but it wasn’t the only thing happening on the team’s practice field.
Head coach Dan Quinn went a step further in splitting up the roster by throwing the coaching, equipment and strength and conditioning staffs into the mix. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. served as the head coaches for the Burgundy and Gold teams, respectively, while the assistant coaches were assigned to roles they don’t normally have in the traditional setup.
And there was a distinct reason for that: Quinn wanted the staff to view the scrimmage as a chance to compete and grow as well.
“I think at the core, if you’re a developmental coach, then you also want to develop the staff and give them chances to level up and to do things,” Quinn said ahead of the scrimmage.
The Commanders have prioritized player development as one of their culture’s most important pillars. They want players to know that if they are drafted or sign with the team, they will be put on a path that leads to improvement and given the tools to reach their career goals. It’s also a promise they have lived up to, as several players on last year’s roster, such as Frankie Luvu, Dorance Armstrong and Brian Robinson Jr., had some of their best seasons with the Burgundy & Gold.
To Quinn, that process starts with the coaching staff, as he wants to give them chances to advance their careers as well. “I think of us as a developmental team,” he said, and believes that is true for everyone on the team.
“I think if we raise the tide of the coaches and get them better, then of course that’s going to filter down to the players,” Quinn said.
Eagles’ Landon Dickerson serves beers at practice while recovering from knee surgery – Associated Press via NFL.com
Both his knee and the drinks are on ice for the Eagles’ lineman.
PHILADELPHIA — Landon Dickerson played bartender and served cold ones for the Super Bowl champion Eagles with the injured offensive lineman’s career temporarily on ice.
The Eagles can’t wait for Dickerson to resume his day job.
Dickerson passed around beers Thursday at the end of a joint practice with the Cleveland Browns — with a brace on his right knee following meniscus surgery that will keep the three-time Pro Bowl lineman sidelined at least through the end of training camp.
Dickerson was injured at the end of Sunday’s open practice at Lincoln Financial Field. There is no set timetable for his return, and Brett Toth took first-team snaps at left guard this week at practice.
Toth likely will start for the Eagles when they play their second preseason game Saturday against the Browns.
“Whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to step to the plate and give it the best I got,” Toth said. “Hopefully I can perform to the standard that was before me.”
Beyond that, there are no guarantees. The Eagles remain hopeful Dickerson could return for the season opener when the Eagles raise their championship banner on Sept. 4 against Dallas.
“Don’t have to name any starters or any backups at any position,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “Brett’s done a nice job and I like the depth that we have at that position and I know we have options there, but you asked about Brett, I think Brett’s doing a really good job and he’s got a lot of versatility.”
Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson remained confident that Toth could handle the spot but was relieved that Dickerson wasn’t necessarily expected to remain sidelined deep into the season.
“It was alarming but I’m glad we got a good-case scenario,” Johnson said. “Make no mistake, Landon’s one of the, if not, the best guard in football.”
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