Rams Won’t Start Phillips In Backfield

Sun., Sept. 29, 1996

Associated Press

The St. Louis Rams have decided against an all-rookie backfield for today’s game at Arizona and will start Harold Green at tailback ahead of Lawrence Phillips.

Phillips has been slowed in practice by a sore knee this week, and coach Rich Brooks also wanted at least one veteran in the backfield to help quarterback Tony Banks - at least for this week.

“I don’t think there will be any less playing time for Lawrence,” Brooks said. “He’ll play a lot.”

If the Rams had started an all-rookie backfield, it would have been the first time in the NFL in 20 years. The last time was Nov. 28, 1976, when New York Jets coach Lou Holtz started Richard Todd, Clark Gaines and Louie Giammona against the Baltimore Colts in a 33-16 loss.

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Rams Won’t Start Phillips In Backfield

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