As the NFL approaches its annual college draft, "it has a
time bomb on its hands and doesn't know where to throw it,"
according to Will McDonough of the BOSTON GLOBE. Lawrence
Phillips is the best player coming out, but he is the focus of
controversy after an assault on his girlfriend at Nebraska last
fall. The NFL has not invited Phillips to attend the draft in
New York, despite the fact he could be one of the top picks
(BOSTON GLOBE, 4/14). The league-produced NFL REPORT has a draft
preview, with shots of future stars such as Leland McElroy,
Jonathan Ogden, Keyshawn Johnson, Kevin Hardy, Eddie George,
Bobby Hoying, Simeon Rice, Terry Glenn and Tim Biakabutuka.
Phillips is not included (THE DAILY)....Many NFL personnel chiefs
would like the draft moved to early March to reduce scouting
costs, now between $700,000 and $1M per club (Len Pasquarelli,
ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 4/14)....The WLAF drew 16,258 for their
opener against the Claymores in London, almost double that of
last year. The Galaxy beat the Rhein Fire before 32,000 in
Duesseldorf and the Dragons drew 32,000 at Barcelona's Olympic
Stadium (AP/Mult., 4/14).
