Wan'Dale Robinson remembered the first time he saw Dru Phillips during their lone season at Kentucky. It was 2021 and Robinson had just transferred after two seasons at Nebraska.
The two didn't match up often but Robinson saw early promise in Phillips, then a freshman defensive back.
"It was like, OK this kid's really athletic," Robinson recalled Sunday. "Just really waiting to see what he can do when he actually gets his opportunities out there on the field."
Phillips remember being impressed with his future Giants teammate. He wanted the challenge to face him but as a backup, that chance never came with Robinson leaving Kentucky after one season.
"They didn't let me go against him," Phillips recalled. "But he's always had that burst and that quickness to him."
Those matchups are now more common the past two seasons. With Robinson lining up as a slot receiver and Phillips at nickel back, they've had plenty of time to measure themselves. It's added another layer of competition in practices where they're looking to prove something.
It's helped Phillips get more comfortable in his second year learning the nickel role. For Robinson, it's given him a different appreciation, or rather, friendly frustration with Phillips.
"He gives me a handful of problems during camp. He's like a little pest, I like to say.," Robinson joked. "But no, he's a really, really good football player, though."
Players often talk about the game within the game. It's the personal battles that they take pride in winning as much as the final score. Think of a 1-on-1 matchup against one of the NFL's best at their position or facing someone who was a rival from college.
Robinson and Phillips take that concept further in practice. They've been NFL teammates longer than in college but that edge to prove something remains. Phillips naturally has a bit more edge since his Kentucky coaches denied him a chance to guard Robinson in practice.
Now he's doing it every day to show his fellow Wildcat how much better he's gotten, especially after offseason LASIK surgery to improve his vision. At the same time, Phillips marveled at how Robinson established himself entering his fourth season.
"He's really good on his releases and what he can bring to the table as a slot receiver because he can stretch the field and work down low," Phillips said. "I've been going against him for a while but it's good work. Every day he brings it, too."
Robinson's also taken notice. When Phillips was drafted last season, Robinson was glad to welcome him. Yet it didn't take long to see how much changed when they practiced.
"We were definitely going back and forth." Robinson recalled. "He was like, 'I'm not the same kid I was at Kentucky,' that I saw at least, but it's been definitely great to go against him for the past two years."
It's also iron sharpening iron at a pivotal time for both players. Robinson is entering his last season of his rookie contract. Phillips is trying to prove himself after a solid rookie season where he was a bright spot on a defense that struggled.
Thus creates more stakes in the reunion. Both need this upcoming season to make a statement on their value to the team. So expect those battles to pick up with preseason over and the Giants shifting their focus to the regular season.
Robinson expects nothing less. Four years ago, he was intrigued by Phillips' potential and now he's thrilled both have the chance to make each other better in practice and in games.
"He's definitely come into his own, and I'm really, really excited to see how he plays this year," Robinson said.
The Giants placed defensive back TJ Moore on injured reserve Sunday following his leg injury in Thursday's preseason finale. Moore had surgery on Saturday and coach Brian Daboll said he was in good spirits being at the facility on Sunday. The team also released safety K'Von Wallace, who was signed in July after a mini-camp invite in June... tight end Theo Johnson and offensive lineman Joshua Ezuedu weren't present Sunday during portions of practice open to the media. Neither suited up for the Giants' preseason finale and Daboll declined to give specifics.