 Kenny Phillips Combine Interview There seems to be an endless list of Miami Hurricanes who have gone on to make a big impact in the NFL. Safety Kenny Phillips is hoping he can add his name to that list. Phillips spoke with the media at the recent NFL Combine. Are you doing everything and where did you train? "I worked out in Atlanta at a place called P&E and also at Perfect Competition in Miami. I plan to do everything here." The streak Miami has of consecutive first round picks, how important is it for you and Calais Campbell to be the players to continue it? "We really don't worry about it too much. We know we're going to go out there and do our best and whatever happens, happens." Why do you think the Hurricanes have had so much success with first round picks? "The program that's there. The guys work really hard. We have great coaches and perform well. Coaches see we can play on that level and take us in the first round." Why did you decide to come out? "I felt like I had accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish in college. I sat down with my coaches and family and they felt like I was mentally ready to take it to the next level." What were those goals? "I wanted to lead my team in interceptions one year. I did that one year. I wanted to be an All-American. I did that one year. I wanted to be an All-American, I did that one year. I wanted to win a national championship, but that didn't happen. Sometimes it's like that." How much has fellow UM teammate Brandon Meriweather helped you throughout your career? "When I first came in he was the one that taught me the plays. He let me stay with him in the summer so I didn't have to go back and forth. He really took me under his wing and taught me everything I know. I talk to him every week." Are you concerned that the disappointing season the Hurricanes had last year will impact how teams look at you? "It might. I think about it a little bit. But the way I played speaks for itself. Even though I didn't have a good season I feel I performed well this season." Did you play much at cornerback? "I played a little bit" Do you feel a premium is being placed on cover safeties? "I think they are. You have a lot of guys, I don't want to say can't cover, but they can't cover. (Laughter). They are asking a lot out of safeties. They want you to support the run and also be able to cover a tight end and a slot receiver, so they definitely put a premium on it." Have you talked to any teams? "My interviews start tonight. I have 10 tonight, and 12 tomorrow." The word is you study a lot of film. How much time do you spend doing that? "It's hard to say. I spend so much time in the film room. I got that trick from Ed Reed. When I first got there me and him talked a whole lot and he told me to stay in the film room. Actually, him and Brandon have taught me how to watch film. I spend probably three, four hours a day [watching film]." What are some of the things they told you? "I'm not going to give out the secrets." Would it be exciting for you to be teamed with Brandon Meriweather again? "I would definitely enough it. I got used to playing with him, but of course his time came and he went onto the next level. If we were reunited that would be great." Did he give you any advice about coming out early? "He just told me make sure it's the right decision for you. Don't do it just because of the money situation or anything like that. Just make sure that you feel in your heart it's the right decision." How much pride would you take in being that player who keeps the UM streak alive? "It would be real good. I don't want to be the one who messes up the tradition. Nobody wants to be the one who messes it up." Do you feel it's important for you to get your last name changed? "Not really. My father wants me to change it, but deep down inside he knows I'm his son." How difficult was the passing of Sean Taylor? "I was really shocking. I didn't expect him to pass like that. I never got a chance to meet him. He was definitely the guy I looked up to, and modeled my game after him. I definitely wanted to get a chance to meet him and it's sad I never got that chance." Would you like to get drafted as high as him? "I'm going to try. He was a great athlete. There's only one Sean Taylor out there. Hopefully I will, but you never know." What do you see as the future of the Hurricanes program? "I think we're going to bounce back. Probably not this year because we have a lot of young guys, but definitely next year. We've got a lot of great recruits who are going to help us. I think it's going to take maybe a year, but we'll be right back on top." How helpful is it to be able to reach out to the Miami pros anytime you need them? "It's a big advantage. They pretty much prepare us for what we should expect when we get into the league. They help us so much that when we get into the league we're very successful." Why do you guys have such a tight community? "It's a love. We're a family. As soon as I got there Ed Reed wasted no time coming to talk to me, sharing tips with me because he wanted to see me succeed. He wanted to see me be successful. That's the brotherhood we have at the University of Miami." What is it about you that makes you the elite safety of this draft? "I can do everything. I can cover pretty good. I'm physical. I'm a sure tackler. I can play special teams. I'm pretty much the complete package." Do you enjoy specials teams? "YES" Even if you didn't would you say no? "I really enough some specials teams, let's just say that."
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