The New York Giants chosen Kentucky cornerback Andru ‘Dru’ Phillips within the third spherical of this yr’s NFL draft to fill a serious emptiness on their protection.
That emptiness is on the surface at boundary cornerback, throughout from final yr’s high choose, Deonte Banks. One downside, although. Phillips is not going to be assuming that position.
On the Giants’ organized group actions (OTAs) this spring, that position is being crammed by third-year defensive again Cor’Dale Flott, a 6-foot-2, 177-pound enigma of a participant.
Flott is lengthy and lean however his recreation depends on his aggressiveness and intelligence. The Giants are transferring him from the slot, the place Phillip will play, to the surface this yr. They’re assured.
This week, secondary coach Jerome Henderson advised reporters that if the season began in the present day, Flott could be within the beginning lineup on the surface.
“The younger man is a employee, a conscientious child, he needs to do proper, he needs to play properly, he’s naturally powerful,” Henderson mentioned. “If he was 200 kilos, he could be hell on wheels.”
Flott is hoping to get to 180 kilos first. He started his profession two summers in the past as a 174-pound, 20-year-old third-round pick of LSU who the Giants inserted into packages and within the slot in his first two seasons.
“I’m at 177 proper now,” mentioned Flott. “The aim is 180 clearly. However clearly to get snug within the weight. I don’t wish to acquire weight and or not it’s dangerous weight and be out of practice and never be capable to transfer round. I really feel good to this point, proceed to construct with the weights employees.”
His transition to exterior nook has been a gradual course of however now could be on the quick monitor. He’s working with Banks and Henderson to hone his expertise to grow to be the perfect participant he may be.
“We’re two various kinds of corners,” Flott mentioned of him and Banks. “So, with this transition, Tae, be taught from him and his press methods. Nickel, you’ll be 5 yards off moderately up on the road and in addition use the sideline as a nook, too. Simply taking notes principally from every man and the opposite veterans within the room and that’s what I’ll proceed to do.”
Flott reminded reporters that, “I’m nonetheless 22. Numerous the rookies are nonetheless older than me.” He’s obtained a number of rising to do on a number of fronts. What helps is the arrogance the group is displaying in him this spring.
“It offers me confidence too that the coaches have faith in me, that the group has confidence in me,” he mentioned. “Like I mentioned, simply proceed to be the perfect model of myself.”
