Randy Phillips: Back in Action

Junior cornerback Randy Phillips was kept out of practices recently with a slightly injured hamstring. Today, he practiced in full pads with the rest of the team and continues to work his way towards retaining his starting job. Today he participated fully in practice.

“It’s very exciting,” Randy Phillips said about being back at practice.

Phillips earned a starting job at cornerback as a freshman after coming to Coral Gables projected as a safety from Belle Glade High School. He is a physical cornerback who depends more on technique and strength than raw speed, but a hamstring injury for a corner (or any football player) can be an extreme nuisance because it limits explosiveness. Phillips insists he is over the injury.

“I’m healthy,” Phillips said.

Phillips had been participating in light rehabilitation drills during his time out. “[I was doing] rehab drills, just the normal rehab drills. Stuff that pertained to my hamstring, trying to get it stronger.”

“It feels alright. I’m going. I have to go.”

Now that he’s healthy, Phillips’ attention is on the season. The Hurricanes open up against Marshall at the Orange Bowl on September 1st.

“I’m very excited, it’s a new year,” Phillips said about the season. “Coach Shannon has a lot of good things going. Everyone is excited to go out there and give 110%.”

Phillips also insisted that the team was not distracted by the recent decision to move games in 2008 from the Orange Bowl to Dolphin Stadium. When asked if the team was going to ‘win one for the Orange Bowl’, Phillips had a simple answer:

“We’re going to win one for everybody.”