Dolphins let tailback Phillips go
Johnson says play, not off-field problems, prompted move
Posted: Saturday July 25, 1998 05:37 PM
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Phillips rushed for 44 yards in two games last season with the Dolphins AP |
DAVIE, Florida (AP) -- Talented but troubled running back Lawrence
Phillips was released Saturday by the Miami Dolphins, four
days into training camp and four weeks after his latest brush with the
law.
"I just feel like he's not going to fit into our plans," Dolphins coach
Jimmy Johnson said in announcing the move. "This gives him an opportunity
to find another team, get himself another opportunity."
Early in camp, first-round draft choice John Avery has been impressive, as
has last year's starter, Karim
Abdul-Jabbar.
Plantation police are still investigating allegations that Phillips hit a
woman at a lounge in Plantation on June 27. Michelle Black accused the
6-foot, 220-pound Phillips of hitting her twice after she refused to dance
with him. She said the blows chipped a tooth, cut her lip and knocked her
unconscious.
Phillips never commented publicly but told Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson he
did not hit the woman. Johnson said he believed the player and reiterated
Saturday that the incident had little impact on his decision to cut
Phillips.
"Really, no one incident played a part in this decision," Johnson said. 'I
think when we looked at the entire picture and how he fit into the
Dolphins, that was the reason."
Police said a decision on whether to file charges against Phillips could be
made next week.
Johnson had praised Phillips' work in camp this week and was pleased that
the running back had lost weight. But Johnson also had noted that Phillips
fumbled during a Friday workout and said, "We can't have that."
Phillips, who grew up in the Los Angeles area, has been a controversial
figure since his college days at the University of Nebraska.
He was considered a Heisman Trophy contender as a junior before his
suspension two games into the 1995 season after he pleaded no contest to
assaulting a former girlfriend. He was reinstated for the Fiesta Bowl, then
skipped his senior season to turn professional.
St. Louis chose Phillips as the sixth pick of the 1996 draft, but he was
arrested three times and spent 23 days in jail during 19 months with the
team. The Rams released him last Nov. 20 after he reacted to being benched
by skipping a team meeting and practice. The Dolphins signed Phillips
within two weeks of his release by St. Louis.
Phillips' agent, Steve Feldman, declined immediate comment on his client's
release.
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