Lawrence Phillips is disappointed he was passed over by five teams in the first round in the NFL draft. Gee, Lawrence, you’ve got problems!

I think the only team that might have missed a big opportunity to grab Phillips was the Baltimore Ravens. They did get a great lineman in Jonathan Ogden, who will be knocking defenders flat for the next decade, but unfortunately for the Ravens, they don’t have anyone to run through the holes Ogden will be making (Leroy Hoard?).

The way I see it, being picked in the top 10, regardless if it’s sixth or whatever, is a great honor.

It could have been worse, you know.

Just look at Leeland McElroy. He was regarded by many draft experts as the top back in the draft just days before the draft began.

As it turned out, McElroy didn’t get drafted until the second pick of the second round, going to the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals have potential backs in Garrison Hearst and Larry Centers, but McElroy was too good to pass up.

In my opinion, there were many teams that could’ve used McElroy as their first-round pick, but I guess the organizations that passed on him don’t agree. No reason was given for this snub.

Another example would be Phillips’ former teammate, quarterback Tommie Frazier.

The runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting, Frazier didn’t have the tools to be a professional quarterback, but there is no argument that he has the athletic ability to fit in somewhere in the NFL.

Frazier went undrafted last weekend for one reason. He is too big of a medical risk.

His mysterious blood clots that come and go are keeping Frazier out of football of any kind for the next calendar year.

This is an unfortunate thing, as Frazier showed a lot of courage coming back from this ailment to lead Nebraska to a national title last season.

He could’ve played running back, if nothing else, for some of the teams in the NFL.

And then there’s the tragic death of Brook Berringer. A good player and a good person who is no longer with us. It’s truly a shame.

Mr. Phillips, you should feel lucky that a team paid the high price of the sixth overall pick in the draft to select you.

The Rams are willing to overlook your past and place their trust in you.

Look at what the New England Patriots did with one of your former teammates.

Christian Peter, a defensive tackle from Nebraska, was cut by the Patriots only three days after they drafted him in the fifth round.

Peter has a lengthy history of trouble with his violent demeanor, particularly incidents with women. He was recently convicted of disturbing the peace at a Kearney, Neb. bar when he grabbed the throat of a woman. He was also found guilty of third-degree assault of a former Miss Nebraska in May 1994.

After examining these incidents, the Patriots decided he was not compatible with the organization. A very gutsy move, but very honorable at the same time.

It’s cool to see a team concerned with something besides how it looks in the standings.

I would think that Phillips is skating on thin ice already, and complaining about being selected when he did is foolish.

If NFL teams are going to crack down on players with a negative image, the best thing for Phillips to do is do his talking on the field.

Christopher Clair is a senior from Waukon, Iowa.