Rams News

Vermeil disappointed to hear of Phillips' release

07/25/98

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

MACOMB, Ill. -- In case you were wondering, Dick Vermeil is not interested in re-signing running back Lawrence Phillips.
Phillips was released Saturday by the Miami Dolphins.
``No, not now,'' Vermeil said. ``We've got too many things going our way right now. Our running back situation is going very well. It's a very competitive situation.''
Vermeil said he was disappointed to learn of Phillips' release.
``I can't believe that he isn't good enough to play,'' Vermeil said. ``Hopefully somebody will pick him.''
Heyward fined: The Rams have notified fullback Craig ``Ironhead'' Heyward by letter that they will fine him $5,000 a day for each day of training camp that he misses.
Heyward was a no-show Friday for a scheduled weigh-in, prompting the club to place him on the reserve/did not report list.
The newest Ram: Defensive back Tony Stargell, an eight-year NFL veteran from Tennessee State, has been signed by the Rams and will be on the practice field Sunday.
Stargell, 31, was a free agent, with past NFL stints with the New York Jets, Indianapolis, Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Chicago.
He has played in 94 NFL cames with 39 career starts, but appeared in only one game (for the Bears) last season.
Stargell, 5 feet 11, 192 pounds, was a third-round draft pick by the Jets in 1990.
Injury update: Cornerback Joe Rowe and offensive guard Ethan Brooks missed their second consecutive day of practice because of strained backs.
Brooks was sent to St. Louis for tests.
Meanwhile, starting middle linebacker Eric Hill practiced in the morning but sat out in the afternoon for the second consecutive day -- also because of a strained back.
Hill, a free-agent pickup from the Arizona Cardinals, is being counted on to provide toughness and leadership on defense. Vermeil appeared impatient to get Hill back on the field.
``He can't afford to miss many practices,'' Vermeil said. ``We didn't bring him here to watch practice.''
Wide receiver Tony Horne, a rookie free agent from Clemson, suffered a bruised nerve in his elbow during Saturday morning's workout and watched practice with his arm in a sling Saturday afternoon.
Zebra alert: College referee Jim Keeney, whose full-time job is director of camps and recreation at Western Illinois University, is working 22 practice sessions at Rams camp to keep the players thinking about penalties -- and how to avoid them.
``He caught us lined up offsides three times on defense Friday,'' Vermeil said.
Reunion: As a high school student, Lana Phares filed and typed material for Vermeil when he was coach at Hillsdale High in San Mateo, Calif.
That was in the 1960-61 and '61-62 school years.
They met for the first time since then Saturday afternoon between practice sessions.
She now lives in Florissant.
``It was fun,'' Vermeil said. ``She brought a couple yearbooks, and we went through pictures.''

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