Obviously Lawrence Phillips will continue to get second, third, seventh, gazillionth chances so long as he can produce. But it appears that the leading rusher in the CFL has pulled another disappearing act! Hey Alouettes, I hear OJ Simpson is available and has been working out!From ESPN.com:

[quote]Lawrence Phillips is missing in action again.

The CFL's leading rusher skipped practice Sunday with the Montreal Alouettes. On Monday, he complained of knee pain in a brief phone call to an Alouettes trainer.

That's about all the Alouettes knew as they prepared for a flight to British Columbia, where they play the Lions on Wednesday.

"I really don't know anything," GM Jim Popp said Monday. "I haven't spoken to him, no one from our organization has except for our trainer.

"He called our trainer this morning complaining his knee was bothering him. That's no reason why he hasn't been there for the last couple of days. If it is, he surely hasn't told us."

The CFL's leading rusher with 594 yards, Phillips is best known for his much-publicized off-field problems. The Als brought him to the CFL in attempt to rehabilitate his career.

Phillips has now walked away from the team twice.

During the first week of training camp, he left the team after accusing Popp and coach Don Matthews of dishonesty in their dealings with him. He later returned and won the starting job from popular incumbent Mike Pringle.

While a star tailback at the University of Nebraska, Phillips pleaded no contest to domestic violence in a confrontation with a girlfriend. Still, Phillips was selected in the first round of the 1996 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams.

He played 25 games for St. Louis before being released for insubordination in 1997. His 19 months with the team were marked by three arrests and 23 days in jail for violating his probation after a drunk-driving arrest in California.

Phillips signed with Miami later in the '97 season, but was released after pleading no contest to hitting a woman in a nightclub.

Phillips appeared to be on the way back in 1999 with NFL Europe's Barcelona Dragons. He ran for 1,021 yards and scored 14 touchdowns -- both league records -- and was voted the league's top offensive player.

He then signed with San Francisco, but was released during the '99 season for missing practice.

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[ August 19, 2002: Message edited by: George_vikingfan ]

Where does he go when he disappear like that? Does he have a double life?

Don't know if OJ could play in the CFL... he would have to try a pair of gloves to see if it fits.

[quote] Where does he go when he disappear like that? Does he have a double life?

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I think I saw him at 2-for-1 night at Le Stud last night. (Hey! My very first rumor!)

Phillips had apparently been complaining that "the Als were not paying him enough" and that their training staff was "not adequate for his needs," whatever that means. Coaches and players interviewed on tonight's news still had no idea where he is and kept mentioning his "personal problems." Already suspended, the team plans on fining him and winning without him this week.

lawrence phillips is in a safe, undisclosed location.

as for his reasons for being awol, well, we obviously have another case of a pro athlete demanding to be paid what they think they're worth, rather than what they are worth, based on output. if i were an als fan, i'd say good riddance to the distraction.

Last thing I heard is that Phillips might be back on the team and playing this weekend in Regina.