Brown on Giant roll as Phillips set to make return

All those games, all those plays made by Stevie Brown, all were seen by Kenny Phillips with just a tinge of wonderment and envy.

Phillips started the first four games of the season, did not have a single interception and then missed the next four games with a strained knee ligament. His replacement stepped in and suddenly leads the NFL in turnovers with seven thanks to five interceptions and two fumble recoveries. From afar, Phillips was thinking “that could have been me’’ or something along those lines.

“Of course you have to say that,’’ Phillips said yesterday. “In my mind, I’m thinking like, ‘If I was there, they probably wouldn’t have threw it. I don’t get that lucky.’ You know what I’m saying. But like I said, he’s making the plays and he’s catching the ball, so my hat’s off to him.’’

The smile is back on Phillips’ face, replacing the hangdog expression that signified his inability to get in the game. He casually and confidently said, “Oh, I’m playing,’’ when asked about Sunday’s game against the Steelers. A few lockers down, Antrel Rolle said he’s good to go after getting medical clearance from the concussion he might have suffered in Dallas. That means defensive coordinator Perry Fewell can go back to the three-safety look he used so often and effectively last season, if he wishes to do so.

He does.

“Definitely,’’ Fewell said. “Really because Stevie’s emerged and come on like this it gives me more ideas to have the three safety package and now we can go forward with that.’’

Just like that, the Giants’ defense has a new/old look. Rolle, Phillips and Deon Grant were on the field together more often than not throughout last year’s Super Bowl run. Grant was not re-signed and Fewell’s plan was to use linebacker Jacquian Williams as a bigger version of the third safety. Williams hasn’t been able to stay healthy — he won’t play this week — and Brown has been such a revelation that he has not only earned playing time, but perhaps a starting job even with Phillips back on the scene.

“I think Brown’s been playing really well right now and so it’s hard to unseat him right now,’’ Fewell said. “But we’ll find a way for Kenny to be on the field.’’

Most likely, Brown will start and Phillips will be eased back in as the third safety. A few weeks ago, that was not considered an option — before Brown became a one-man turnover machine.

“He did what he was supposed to do,’’ Phillips said. “He took advantage of an opportunity. It’s rare that a guy loses his position to an injury, but I mean it’s possible with the way he’s playing. But I’m not worried about it. Whatever role they give me, I’ll take it. If I have to back up my backup, I’ll do it.’’

Phillips said he did not want to return until he had full confidence in his knee.

“It’s been a long, long process, but I feel like it’s good enough for me to get back out there and make some plays,’’ he said.

As for watching Brown make play after play, Phillips laughed and said: “I just was trying to figure out, like they couldn’t see him. Half the time he’d be sitting in the middle of the field and they’d just throw the ball. He’s making the play for it. He’s done a great job for us. He’s made a whole lot of plays. But I’m glad I’m back.’’

No offense taken, Brown said.

“KP is like 6-2, I’m barely six-foot,’’ Brown said. “It’s a lot easier to see him on the field than me.’’

What if he doesn’t remain the starter?

“If that’s how it goes, that’s how it goes,’’ Brown said.

“I felt like I played well and everything like that and if they come up with packages to allow me to continue to play then hopefully I’ll still be able to continue to play.”

He does feel he has done enough to stay on the field.

“With me coming back, I think that just gives Perry another toy to play with in his defense, another package we can put out there,’’ added Phillips. “We haven’t seen the 3-safety package this year – there’s a chance you could see it this week.’’