Chargers Set Phillips Free, End Dispute : Football: Nose tackle now hopes to join another team and play this seson.

The Chargers gave nose tackle Joe Phillips his freedom Monday less than two weeks after saying they would not release him until after the 1992 season.

“It’s a relief,” Phillips said. “Maybe I’ll finally get to play this year.”

Charger General Manager Bobby Beathard denied Phillips’ release had anything to do with a claim Phillips and nine other unsigned players filed in Minneapolis last Wednesday. The claim was filed in the wake of the Freeman McNeil decision against the league and it would grant the 10 players immediate free agency.

Federal Court Judge David Doty is expected to rule on the claim today.

“If there hadn’t been a judge’s decision, we’d have done the same thing,” said Beathard, who decided to release Phillips Monday rather than try to move him before the Oct. 13 trading deadline.

Beathard and Phillips’ contract dispute in training camp soon escalated with Phillips demanding to be traded. After attempting to make a trade for almost two months, Beathard said he had run out of options.

Originally, Beathard said he attempted to get another starter for Phillips, a starter for the Chargers since 1987. But Beathard said Phillips’ value decreased with time.

“We made one last effort last week,” Beathard said. “We took the only action we felt we had. I don’t know what we were going to gain by holding on to him.”

Phillips was skeptical of Beathard’s explanation.

“It’s very important for them to retain some facade of control,” Phillips said. “But part of it was they didn’t want to go through it anymore.”

He added: “Why the sudden change? Is it because their options have run out? I question their honesty, their veracity for truthfulness.”

Phillips, signed as a replacement player during the 1987 strike, believes the Chargers had little chance to retain his rights through the courts.

“Conventional wisdom says that you should give a guy a chance to play somewhere else,” Phillips said. “The Chargers never paid anything for me. I think they probably saw that coming up (today).”

Two weeks ago, Beathard offered Phillips a two-year deal, but when Phillips wavered and missed his signing deadline, Beathard pulled the offer and declared the Phillips saga over for the year. Phillips said he is thankful his claim gave him an out.

“I knew (Beathard) was serious,” Phillips said. “I knew he was locking me into a position.”

Phillips said he found it hard to believe Beathard couldn’t get anything for him.

“They were out there asking for a Lee Williams type deal and that’s not realistic,” Phillips said. “Maybe all they could get for me is a draft pick, but it’s something.”

But Beathard said lately he has been unable to get even that for Phillips, 29.

Phillips’ release means there are four unsigned players who have not been granted free agency.

David Morway, Phillips’ agent, said he has been contacted by several teams, including the Dolphins, Colts, Packers and Bills.

“I’m physically ready to play,” Phillips said. “I feel like I could go help a team Sunday. I feel like I could go help the Chargers Sunday.”

Although the Chargers have begun the season with three losses, Charger Coach Bobby Ross said Phillips’ help is not necessary.

“We’re playing the run pretty good right now,” Ross said. “I don’t think that is something that’s going to make us or break us as a football team.”