The New York Giants chosen Kentucky cornerback Andru ‘Dru’ Phillips within the third spherical of this 12 months’s NFL draft to fill a significant emptiness on their protection.
That emptiness is on the skin at boundary cornerback, throughout from final 12 months’s prime decide, Deonte Banks. One downside, although. Phillips won’t be assuming that position.
On the Giants’ organized crew actions (OTAs) this spring, that position is being stuffed 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 skin this 12 months. They’re assured.
This week, secondary coach Jerome Henderson informed reporters that if the season began at present, Flott can be within the beginning lineup on the skin.
“The younger man is a employee, a conscientious child, he desires to do proper, he desires to play nicely, he’s naturally powerful,” Henderson stated. “If he was 200 kilos, he can 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 select of LSU who the Giants inserted into packages and within the slot in his first two seasons.
“I’m at 177 proper now,” stated Flott. “The purpose is 180 clearly. However clearly to get snug within the weight. I don’t need to acquire weight and or not it’s unhealthy weight and be out of practice and never be capable of transfer round. I really feel good up to now, proceed to construct with the weights workers.”
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 turn into the perfect participant he could be.
“We’re two several types of corners,” Flott stated of him and Banks. “So, with this transition, Tae, study from him and his press methods. Nickel, you’ll be 5 yards off reasonably up on the road and likewise use the sideline as a nook, too. Simply taking notes mainly 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. Loads of the rookies are nonetheless older than me.” He’s bought quite a lot of rising to do on a number of fronts. What helps is the boldness the crew is exhibiting in him this spring.
“It offers me confidence too that the coaches have faith in me, that the crew has confidence in me,” he stated. “Like I stated, simply proceed to be the perfect model of myself.”
