Culpepper released by the Dolphins

Michigan

MIAMI - The Miami Dolphins released quarterback Daunte Culpepper on Tuesday, ending the former Pro Bowler's short stint in South Florida and wrapping up what became a contentious split between the player and the team. The Dolphins made the move in a one-sentence release, without further comment.

Miami tried for weeks to trade Culpepper, the former Minnesota star who was acquired by the Dolphins before the 2006 season even though he was coming off major knee surgery. Culpepper never regained his form last year, struggling in four games before the team shut him down so he could continue rehabilitating the knee.

A breach-of-contract grievance filed by the NFL Players Association on Culpepper's behalf against the Dolphins was scheduled to be heard Wednesday, after the team told Culpepper he couldn't fully participate in offseason practices. That move came shortly after Miami traded with Kansas City for quarterback Trent Green, who's expected to be the new starter for the Dolphins.

Culpepper said his attorneys were told by the Dolphins on Monday night that he would be released, and the veteran formally became a free agent Tuesday.

"As I was going through this process I heard about a quote by Gandhi that best expresses my thoughts about this victory: 'First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win,'" Culpepper, who serves as his own agent, said in an e-mail. "Now that I have won my freedom and I get to choose my next team, I am just like many other people who have to go out and find employment so that I can take care of my family."

The Jacksonville Jaguars are thought to be among the potential suitors for Culpepper; coaches there told quarterbacks Byron Leftwich and David Garrard earlier this offseason that they would consider acquiring him before training camp if he was available.

"I just hope that there is still a team or two out there that has an opportunity for a hard working quarterback who is willing to come in and contribute wherever needed," Culpepper said. "I am ready to get into a training camp so that I can prepare for the 2007 season."

The Dolphins would have owed Culpepper $5.5 million this season.

It's not known if they came close to moving him in a trade; Culpepper vowed to block any such moves, saying he wouldn't accommodate the Dolphins by agreeing to a new contract. His existing deal, which would have paid him $51.5 million through 2013, surely made it nearly impossible for Miami to find a team to trade with.

In 84 games as an NFL starter, Culpepper completed 64.2 percent of his passes and thrown for 21,091 yards and 137 touchdowns.

perkdog

Culpepper is DONE imo, injuries and the inabilaty to perform without a Prime time type player (IE: Moss when he was a stud) helping him out is just taking its toll on him. He is all done, have a great retirement!

ArnyVee

With Vick having legal issues (to say the least) and Atlanta having dealt their stud backup, would the Falcons consider Culpepper? I don't like Culpepper's chances on being a successful NFL QB, but at least someone will give him a chance with an incentive laden contract I'm sure.

stitzen

Culpepper shouldn't have played last year - plain and simple. But a coach with a foot out the door was more worried about his own hide than a player's career.

Culpepper would (and should) sit out this year and come back healthy for the 08-09 season.

As far as the 'unable to perform without a stud receiver' comment, exactly how many great QBs have we seen without one? Brady's the exception, not the rule. Montana had Rice, Marino had an array of very good receivers, etc. etc. Where there's a great QB, there's like a very good receiver.

perkdog

Why would anyone take a chance on him? Last year Miami was a major part of many conversations about how they were ready for a Super Bowl run! Culpepper's bad decision making coupled with his gift of turning the ball over consistently and his bum knee is a sure fire recipe for failure.

drewsef

pretty easy decision like I said a month or two ago

stitzen

<< <i>Why would anyone take a chance on him? Last year Miami was a major part of many conversations about how they were ready for a Super Bowl run! Culpepper's bad decision making coupled with his gift of turning the ball over consistently and his bum knee is a sure fire recipe for failure. >>



Wait a minute...what athlete isn't a competitor who wants t get on the field as soon as possible? Why didn't the coaching staff look long term at his health? That's right - they were on their way out the door and couldn't have been bothered with things like that.

You honestly think that a healthy Culpepper would have helped the mess in Miami?

perkdog

You honestly think a Healthy Culpepper is going to be succesfull again? The guy has been a BUST ever since Moss stopped playing Pro-Bowl calibre ball. I dont hold his knee against him but he turns the ball over better than he leads his team down the field, one of the reasons he was effective earlier in his career was his ability to turn himself into a wrecking ball and run down field, that will prolly not happen again anytime soon.

Bosox1976

Atlanta will get in on the bidding. At minimum, Culpepper was at one time what Vick should have been.