DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -Daunte Culpepper is still with the Miami Dolphins. For now, anyway.
Culpepper was on the Dolphins’ practice field for about the first hour of a weekend minicamp Friday, one day after asking for his release and two days after Miami completed a trade with Kansas City for Trent Green – who’s taking over at quarterback.
Culpepper, accompanied by a team security official, left the field about 45 minutes before practice ended. Culpepper said he went to lift weights after a position coach told him he wouldn’t get any snaps with the rest of the team.
“I’m not going to say I’m angry because I understand that’s how this business goes,” Culpepper said. “But I believe I’ve got a lot of football left.”
The Dolphins, apparently, disagree. Culpepper said the entire team was told during a meeting Friday that he wouldn’t be in Miami for long.
Dolphins coach Cam Cameron said he couldn’t give any details about the team’s plans for Culpepper, who isn’t expected to be on the field during any other practices this weekend.
“There’s a human side to this business and a football side to this business as well,” Cameron said. “I think we all know that. … We’ve got to do what we think is in the best interest of the Miami Dolphins with the player in mind and his family in mind. That’s where we’re at.”
Culpepper – like the other four quarterbacks on the roster – wore a red jersey, indicating he was not to get hit in any drills. He, Green, Cleo Lemon, John Beck and Gibran Hamdan all warmed up together, lofting easy passes to a few receivers.
Green said he and Culpepper spoke briefly before practice, but only mainly about past knee injuries and rehab stints – avoiding the Dolphins’ current quarterback situation.
“I didn’t think it was strange,” Green said. “He was out there going through some reps and individual drills, but there was no awkwardness on my part.”
But when the team gathered for stretching about 15 minutes into practice, Culpepper remained to the side and did agility drills with a member of the Dolphins’ staff. He rejoined the offense after the stretching portion, but was basically a spectator until leaving the field, possibly for the final time.
“He’s still a great guy,” Dolphins defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday said. “He’s been a great teammate. But this is a business … and I feel for him.”
The Dolphins want to trade Culpepper, telling him so Wednesday just before completing the Green trade and essentially giving last year’s marquee quarterback acquisition notice that his time in South Florida was ending.
But Culpepper, who is his own agent, wants to choose his next destination himself.
“Any team that’s interested in my services, just sit tight,” Culpepper said. “I’m not going to agree to a trade.”
Culpepper suffered a serious right knee injury in 2005, was traded by the Minnesota Vikings to Miami for a second-round pick that offseason and surprised many by starting the Dolphins’ first four games last season. He was hampered by knee problems, was sacked 21 times in those four games and ultimately was shut down for the remainder of the year.
He was cleared to resume practice this week, after missing most of the Dolphins’ offseason sessions because of continued knee rehabilitation.
“I still have a ways to go,” Culpepper said.
Green was on the field with his new team for the first time. He wanted out of Kansas City because he felt the Chiefs wouldn’t give him a fair chance to beat Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard for the starting QB job there this year, and worked out a contract with Miami several weeks ago.
“It was good to get out there,” Green said. “I’ve been anticipating this for some time. It was nice to get out there.”
It took more than two months for the Dolphins and Chiefs to agree on terms. Kansas City eventually settled for a fifth-round pick in exchange for Green, and could wind up with Miami’s fourth-round selection in 2008 depending on how the 36-year-old quarterback fares this season.
Culpepper is owed $5.5 million for the upcoming season and said the structure of his current deal will make it nearly impossible for another team to trade for him.
“I definitely expect to be released,” Culpepper said. “I will not be traded.”
Add A Comment