Culpepper emails me statement about status
Quarterback Daunte Culpepper sent me an emailed statement about his status earlier today. I will be writing about it in tomorrow's Miami Herald, but here is the statement in full for you now, my loyal bloggerheads:
From Daunte Culpepper:
"There has been a lot of speculation about my status with the Dolphins so I thought it best to weigh in on the matter. Since I am a player/agent and there are discussions about my career taking place, I expect to be included in those discussions sooner rather than later. As it pertains to being traded or released I don’t get to make that call so I will await the Dolphins decision. I am sure that they will do what is in the best interest of the team. While those decisions are being made, I am continuing to do everything I can to prepare to play at the level of expectations of the Dolphins (if they keep me), the NFL fans and most importantly myself. Until this week it never entered my mind that I wouldn’t be the starting quarterback of the Miami Dolphins this coming season.
"I have been frustrated since last year about the way that my injury and rehab have been portrayed. I want to take this opportunity to clear things up. When my initial injury happened with the Vikings I was told to expect a 12-18 month process of healing from the time of surgery which was in November 2005. The Dolphins were told the same thing. When I was cleared to practice and play ahead of schedule that meant that my ligaments were stable. However, I was not 100% by anyone’s evaluation in terms of mobility. During the Buffalo game of 2006, while being tackled, I injured my knee cap which had nothing to do with my three ligaments. Even though it was somewhat painful, I wanted to continue playing since my knee was continuing to get stronger. Coach Saban felt that "I could not protect myself” so he sat me down. I disagreed but submitted to his plan. I remember saying then that "everything that is good for you doesn’t always feel good to you". I hated not being allowed to play but in hindsight it was the best decision for my health.
"As I continued to rehab during the 2006 season the pain under my knee cap did not go away. I visited my surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who gave me good news and bad news. The good news was that my initial three surgically repaired ligaments were progressing very well. The bad news was that I would need a scope procedure to fix the knee cap pain. The thought was that since I was in the midst of healing and not expected to play I might as well get it fixed. Dr. Andrews let me know that it would be 4-6 months of healing. In comparison to the major surgery to fix three ligaments this procedure was considered to be “minor”.
"Last month I was encouraged about my progress as I was doing extremely well. I had spent three months working 5 days a week on my own and with the Dolphins training staff. My surgeon asked me not to push the process. Specifically, I have been told to begin to ease into things after May 1st. This is the plan based on Dr. Andrews’s timeframe. I must say based on how I feel, I am right on schedule. It may not meet the timeframe of some peoples expectations, and if not I understand. I just won’t let those expectations cause me to make the same mistake again. I plan on playing at a high level for a lot longer in this league, so I want to do what is necessary to get healthy and stay healthy. "
Wow. What do you think?
From Daunte Culpepper:
"There has been a lot of speculation about my status with the Dolphins so I thought it best to weigh in on the matter. Since I am a player/agent and there are discussions about my career taking place, I expect to be included in those discussions sooner rather than later. As it pertains to being traded or released I don’t get to make that call so I will await the Dolphins decision. I am sure that they will do what is in the best interest of the team. While those decisions are being made, I am continuing to do everything I can to prepare to play at the level of expectations of the Dolphins (if they keep me), the NFL fans and most importantly myself. Until this week it never entered my mind that I wouldn’t be the starting quarterback of the Miami Dolphins this coming season.
"I have been frustrated since last year about the way that my injury and rehab have been portrayed. I want to take this opportunity to clear things up. When my initial injury happened with the Vikings I was told to expect a 12-18 month process of healing from the time of surgery which was in November 2005. The Dolphins were told the same thing. When I was cleared to practice and play ahead of schedule that meant that my ligaments were stable. However, I was not 100% by anyone’s evaluation in terms of mobility. During the Buffalo game of 2006, while being tackled, I injured my knee cap which had nothing to do with my three ligaments. Even though it was somewhat painful, I wanted to continue playing since my knee was continuing to get stronger. Coach Saban felt that "I could not protect myself” so he sat me down. I disagreed but submitted to his plan. I remember saying then that "everything that is good for you doesn’t always feel good to you". I hated not being allowed to play but in hindsight it was the best decision for my health.
"As I continued to rehab during the 2006 season the pain under my knee cap did not go away. I visited my surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who gave me good news and bad news. The good news was that my initial three surgically repaired ligaments were progressing very well. The bad news was that I would need a scope procedure to fix the knee cap pain. The thought was that since I was in the midst of healing and not expected to play I might as well get it fixed. Dr. Andrews let me know that it would be 4-6 months of healing. In comparison to the major surgery to fix three ligaments this procedure was considered to be “minor”.
"Last month I was encouraged about my progress as I was doing extremely well. I had spent three months working 5 days a week on my own and with the Dolphins training staff. My surgeon asked me not to push the process. Specifically, I have been told to begin to ease into things after May 1st. This is the plan based on Dr. Andrews’s timeframe. I must say based on how I feel, I am right on schedule. It may not meet the timeframe of some peoples expectations, and if not I understand. I just won’t let those expectations cause me to make the same mistake again. I plan on playing at a high level for a lot longer in this league, so I want to do what is necessary to get healthy and stay healthy. "
Wow. What do you think?
posted by Armando Salguero at 1:56 PM
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41 Comments:
The Dolphins are treating Daunte very disrespectful by not making some commitment to him during this time. They traded for him when he was in the process of healing. Why all the questions? Let's give our homegrown hero a fair chance to play healthy!
What do I think? I think Daunte's days in Miami are over, and Daunte realizes it. Good riddance, it's time to move on.
I think the whole Culpepper situation falls on Saban. Some people blame Culpepper for rushing back and think that he should have known better but I don't agree with that. If i'm building a football team I want tough players who WANT to play regarless of pain or injuries. I don't want players like Donte Stallworth who miss a game every time they feel beat up. Whether or not they actually play is up to the coach, trainers, and doctors. I want the guy who wants to be on the field when they are banged up and aren't content hide in a hole because they can sit and still collect their paycheck. After the player says yes you talk to the doctors, the trainers, and evaluate what you see on the field because thats whats they are paid to do.
I still think cutting Culpepper immediately after picking up Green is a mistake. They should see if he can get healthy and maybe after that he will have some limited trade value.
"Until this week it never entered my mind that I wouldn’t be the starting quarterback of the Miami Dolphins this coming season."
----
He must have finally heard something definitive, judging by this key sentence.
A shame, he's a good kid. I wish him well on his future team.
Although I believe we need to pickup a young QB in the first two rounds, Giving up on Culpepper before he can prove he is healthly may not be wise. The Fish should wait awhile and see how he comes along to at least get something for him for that 2nd. I don't know when but I do believe he will be back and with an axe to grind. That said it seems to be his new MO to send emails or letters to the media for his own agenda. But it can't be a bad thing, maybe some team likes what they hear and makes an offer. I also would not be surprised if Miami encourged him to write it to drive up interest before the draft. Which is also a good move. Bottom line you either give him the chance to heal or get something for him. Not just release him.
I think if the Dolphins can't get Green as a Free Agent from being released then they should stick with Daunte this year. Come on, you know KC isn't going to keep him on the roster! Don't blink Miami!
And if for some reason KC keeps Green - give Culpepper a shot this year with Lemon and Quinn backing him up. :-)
First of all, good riddance is a phrase you would use for someone who has deliberately done wrong by the team. Daunte has done nothing TO us. If he doesn't work out it will be unfortunate for both parties, but to insult the man is plain ignorant. So to john michaels, I say, take your narrow minded thinking and buy a Jets jersey with it. YOU are no Dolphan!
I thought when cam came on board he said there was a lot of offensive talent on this team they are just not executing well. Now he is basically dismanteling the whole offence for a bunch of old guys that are at the end of their careers.
Its stupid to release DC without seeing him healthy. And its even more stupid to give up any draft picks for Trent Green.
Hiring Cameron was the mistake!!
Daunte Culpepper has demonstrated that he has class and integrity. May 1 marks the 18th month after he had surgery in Minnestoa (11/05-05/07). He is now rehabbing exactly the way a valuable asset should be allowed. There are quite a few impatient 'Fins followers who would have given a horse (Barbaro) more of a break to get healthy than a human. People who are impatient need to stick to videogames where you can push the reset button when things go wrong. In real life, you must take time to work things out and let things heal.
I guess this mean our esteemed blogger was indeed correct when he kept telling us Daunte was outta here.
But it's sad that Daunte only now got the drift. Too bad because he seems to be a class act.
How many more W's would Trent Green mean to the Dolphins? If Green is healthy and isnt succeptible to post concussion syndrome, maybe 1 or 2? I would hate to see Duante become the QB he was somewhere else.
Great to see the sudden turn of the tide in opinion on Daunte. Am glad for him. I have been almost a lone wolf on this blog comment section in recent weeks in my defense of Daunte.
He is not just a class act, but he is a great, great quarterback who WILL recover and if arrogant Armando is correct that he is being dumped as soon as Green becomes a Dolphin then true Dolfans will suffer a serious loss. A healthy Daunte is easily a better QB than Green. (not to mention the stark age difference)
Great to hear people acknowledge Daunte as a class-act; he really is. I think if Cameron cuts or trades him, he is making a serious mistake. Daunte is a tried and true pro-bowl quarterback who deserves and has earned the chance to be starter of the Dolphins. Keep your head up, Daunte!
I don't think the Trent Green move is a win/loss move. Its more of a "protecting" the rookie issue. The problem the Dolphins have right now is they don't know if Culpepper can come back this year and play or come back at all. They are obviously in the "let the rookie learn from the bench" group as opposed to throwing him in the fire and that's where the Culpepper issue becomes a real problem. If Culpepper can't play the only thing keeping the rookie from being thrown in the fire is Cleo Lemon. If he can't handle it the Dolphins don't have much of a choice except throwing the new guy in. Green will play well enough to keep starting and if he gets banged up a little Lemon can handle starting a few games.
Teams don't carry 4 QBs because its just too much of the roster. Teams with the QB position solidified for years like the Pats/Colts don't even carry 3 QBs anymore. I want to see Daunte given a shot but I just don't see how it can happen.
Cam is bringing his own boys from the past, much like Saban did... I don't think DC was given a fair chance as a Dolphin. I wish him the best and hope he proves his critics wrong.
Jimmy, I've been feeling some negative energy from you on my blog, buddy.
First you say I'm arrogant and that's neither nice nor true. For instance, I admit everyone that comes to my blog on a daily basis is probably smarter than me -- excluding, you of course.
You've accused me of a being a son of a #$%^&*, you've said my journalism is "piss poor," and you said you'd have a good laugh if I was wrong on Culpepper getting cut or traded. Why are you such a hater?
Did I dump your sister at some point?
Finally, you state I have written Daunte will be cut, "as soon as Green," joins the team. I never put that timetable on it and what you're doing is trying to rewrite what I said so that when it happens, you can squirm like a worm out of having to say you were wrong.
Now, I don't mind you calling me out in this forum. Lots of people do, in case you haven't noticed. But let's do it in a good-natured manner and have some fun with it, OK?
im all for culpepper too, but im starting to wonder if maybe the dolphins know something about him the rest of us dont...if daunte is correct in his statement, not wishful thinking, then lets keep him for sure!! hes a great guy...oh and nice job getting called out by the sportswriter jimmy haha
I think we should keep Daunte. Just let him get healthy so he can come back and prove that he can still get the job done. When healthy he's one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Nuff said...
Just reading the email that he sent & seeing how much Culpepper is putting into his rehab makes me realize he can't really be the "bad seed" that Minnesota fans were making him out to be. Last season, the doctors cleared him to play & he rushed back from his rehab. That doesn't make him a bust either. In fact, that shows me he is more of a "competitor." Was playing last season the right call, absolutely not. Culpepper and Saban both realized that too late. But, I like a player that isn't afraid to play just because he is feeling a little bit of pain. More & more, I am seeing Daunte as a class act player and Miami would be completely stupid to release this guy without seeing him play again at 100% (or very close to it). I mean, we gave up a 2nd round pick for him last year.
And even if we bring in Trent Green, I think it's crazy to just dump Culpepper. So what if we have 4 QB's on the roster? If Culpepper gets healthy, then he & Green put pressure on each other to perform their very best to earn and keep that starting job.
That being said, IF Culpepper is not healthy after the 2007 season, THEN AND ONLY THEN do you get rid of him. If he can't get back onto the field in two years after surgery, then I think it's a safe (and smart) move to release him & try to find someone better.
RESTRUCTURE his contract and see what he has in the preseason...then make a decision. But don't just let him go for nothing!!!
I feel much better about C-Pepp now after hearing his side of the story. If this is a seperate injury and Dr. Andrews predicts he will be healthy, then I would say stick with Pepp. I think cutting him at this point would be like a baseball team cutting a pitcher after his first year back from tommy John surgery, those always take 2 years to full heal, and the timeframe was always 18 months for his surgery, which is now... Let him have one more year to show his health, we have too much invested in him and I think his health is on track, people just were expecting too much when he tried to play 9 months after major reconstruction surgery...
Finally some straight answers and no "coach speak" about Dante's injuries. the Dolphins will not much better next year so bringing in a stop gap quarterback like Green makes no sense. You really have lost nothing by waiting to see if Dante is healthy this year. What's the worst that can happen if he isn't healthy, we play Cleo for a year. We suffered through Fiedler, Frerotte, Harrington etc., we can deal with Cleo too.
From the beginning, Cam hasn't given D.C. the proper respect and chance to be the QB for the Dolphins. I fail to believe that any other QB with D.C.'s statistics would be handle this way. It causes me to wonder what is the motivation for Cam to treat D.C. with this much disrespect. I don't believe it because of familiarity with Green, but because he doesn't believe D.C. is smart enough. Why not? Check the statistics! Why would you get rid of a 30 yr. old Pro-bowl QB who has yet to fail under your coaching, for a 38 yr. old QB at the end of his career? Is it that your uncomfortable with his color rather than his ability? It's the only noticeable difference between the two QB's who both are coming off of a injury plague season. I hope that isn't the case. I would like to think we have gotten past that ignorant thinking when judging the QB position. Unfortunately it seems we havent. But only time will tell!!!
I have thought from the begining that we should keep CP and Lemon and draft a qb.
whether it being quinn or a lower draftpick if we can't manage to steal quinn.
you can't just get nothing for CP ,you have to atleast see if he pans out, or get at least get something for him.
dumping CP is like shooting out your lottery card before you check the numbers to see if you have won and find out that some one found your winning lottery card in the trash.
Course of action should be:
Continue to monitor DC's progress.
Forget the whole TG deal.
Wait at #9 to see if BQ is on the board. (Do not trade up).
If not, draft best available or trade down.
Draft QB in the next rounds.
DC should be given an opportunity, especially when the alternative is ONLY TG.
Hey Armando see if you can guess who this blogger is.
GO X-CLUB, 1981
Miami Senior High
ozinmiami
Is it just me or does it seem like cutting/trading DC makes no sense. He has the possibilty to be the QB till he's 37, seven more years, if the Dolphins think 37 year olds have what it takes. Green is old old old, and who knows what youre getting with Quinn. The Dolphins should draft a QB later in the draft so there would be no need to rush him in. DC threw 39 TDs in 04, he has to be worth something.
You know, I really hate it when people question my loyalty to the Miami Dolphins. I am as loyal as a fan as most of you all, if not more. So, to the "anonymous" person that told me to go buy a Jets jersey..... You don't know me, you won't ever know me, so get off your damn soapbox and stop labeling me as something that I am not!
Now, onto the matter at hand. You know, originally I felt like writing some extremely long manifesto about why Culpepper should no longer be our quarterback, but considering with what I'm dealing with, I feel I'd be wasting my time. So this is how I see it. If you don't like it, I really don't care.
Coach Cameron and Randy Mueller have both watched enough game film both before the injury and after the injury to make a determination that Daunte Culpepper is NOT someone that is capable of running the new offensive system being put in place. Think about it, if Daunte Culpepper was capable of what Coach Cameron wanted from him, do you think we'd be having this discussion right now? Do you think the Dolphins would be trying to trade for Trent Green right now? Do you think Daunte would've e-mailed the ENTIRE South Florida media if there wasn't any questions about his role in this new offense or the team in general?
I don't know about the rest of you, but I am sick and tired of dwelling on what could've been and wishful thinking! As unfair as it may be, Coach Cameron and Randy Mueller don't owe anything to Daunte Culpepper. He isn't owed another shot, he isn't owed squat. That's not just the business of the NFL, these kind of things happen in everyday jobs across the world. New management comes in, decides the company needs to move in another direction, and sometimes good, and reliable, employees get let go. Not because they're bad employees, but because they just don't fit the direction the company wants to go in.
If you guys want to continue to sit here and cry for Daunte Culpepper go right ahead. I'm moving on from this, and focusing on the future.
"The jettisoning of Culpepper has no timetable, although it would be quickened by the Green acquisition."
-- Armando Salguero, April 16, 2007
I just call it like I see it, Armandito.
No, you didn't dump my sister, it was my friend's brother...HaHa
I agree I should refrain from the jibes if possible (that said, I have had plenty of people launch insults at me in this blog. I let it bounce off me. Let it go, man.). Its just that I find your attitude about Daunte pretty f-cked. And I have both read it and heard it from you over and over and over and it gets to you after awhile.
Yours,
Jimmy
Okay, let's face facts people. The future for Miami is not DC. It's a rookie. DC is not going to fit into Cameron's offense. Let's just say, if you had to have a qb to menor a rookie, would you raher have Trent or DC? I would take TG. Trent is a prototypical qb in this league and would be a better mentor then DC. DC is out for himself, not for the future of the phins. He doesn't want to give up the reins. Face it, if you could have someone groom the future of this franchise who would it be? Cameron is doing right. Let him do what is necessary.
I agree with most here, that yes C-Pep is a class act and he will recover. The problem is this, he does fit Cam's style of offense. There is no direspect toward the great quarterback, or Cam for not wanting him, the two just don't fit and that is the bottom line. Cam should have that decision, it's not like he brought him here to be his quarterback. The phins do, however, need to hold on to him until he recovers and get some value back in return. That would be best for all parties involved. Pep gets healthy, we get value, and Cam is allowed to move in the direction he feels will benefit the Dolphins for years to come. This is a business, to be successful in business you have to be able to make the hard decision without letting emotions get involved. Emotional decision making is what Rick Spielman does, and look where that got us. Go phins, I hope Sat is a huge success for us!!
Dear Daunte Culpepper,
He who represents himself has a fool for a client.
Get an agent,
CC
Armando...if indeed DC drafted that well crafted, articulate (sorry, couldn't resist) email, then why all the talk from certain circles that Daunte would "have a problem" deciphering Cams somewhat complicated play book. Gosh, the guy sure seems intelligent enough to me. i think Cam's has floated that kind of talk around as an excuse to lose another coach's "baggage"...he wants his own guy in there. True, Daunte's QB style may not exactly fit Cam's system, but whether he stays or goes, his point is well taken. Cam and Randy need to step up like men and give DC the low down.
Even if they plan to shop him or just drop him, a word to Daunte, even privately would be doing the Right Thing. Something our previous administration assiduously avoided.
Oh yeah, Culebra...you are so correct...again.
X club 1965...
Doesn't anyone here think that it's odd that the Dolphins have said NOTHING about Daunte Culpepper's health and his prospects for returning? Don't you think that maybe--just maybe--it's because he's much closer to never playing again than to returning to the form he had, what, three years ago? Anyone who thinks Culpepper will come back and amount to anything needs to think long and hard about this: What starting QB in NFL history has been out injured and ineffective as long as Culpepper has and returned to be successful? When you come up with nothing, you'll have your reason why the Dolphins are smart to trade him for anything they can get or cut him and move on.
Chad Pennington with a shoulder injury. Played 13 games and got hurt. Came back the next year and played 3 but got hurt again or was still hurt. Came back this year and played fairly well. You also have McGahee at RB.
Yes, but the big difference with Pennington is that he was having a great season (QB rating 91.0, 16TDs/9INTs) when he went out injured the first time. Culpepper was having a wretched season (72.0/6/12). Pennington was not out injured *and inffective*--as the original post said--as long as Culpepper has been. The point is not only that Culpepper will have been on and off the field over the course of two seasons due to injury, but that he was playing horribly before that. If Pennington is the best answer, you've proved the point.
And Willis McGahee wasn't a starting QB last time I check the rosters.
A couple of things on Dante...
First, without being healthy, the Dolphins can not maximize any trade with him if they decided to go that direction.
Second, for the steps back this franchise has taken since Dante's acquisition, they are foolish to consider trading/waiving him just as his rehab is coming to an end.
Trent Green is one hit away from another concussion, and who is Plan B? A less than number one experienced QB? We could be walking into an identical situation if we aren't careful...
The Dolphins and Dante should sit down and renegotiate his contract, they have honored the one he arrived from Minnesota with, they haven't had much of a return on their money and if Dante is a team guy, he should be willing to reduce his cap number so the team can improve itself while his future is still in limbo.
Nothing would set things back more for Miami than to "Dump" Dante get little to nothing in return and watch him go to another team and have the success the Dolphins and their fans had visioned would happen here...
>>>The Dolphins and Dante should sit down and renegotiate his contract, they have honored the one he arrived from Minnesota with<<<
No, they didn't. The first thing the Dolphins did when they acquired Culpepper was to rework the ridiculous contract he signed with the Vikings. Reworking his contract now is the worst thing the Dolphins can do, because the incentive for the player is always a lump sum. That would just increase the salary cap hit the team would take if they cut him.
So your criteria is:
Had to have played at a high level for at least a year or two. (You don't list this but if the guy was bad his whole career he won't be given much of a chance)
Had a bad season
Got injured in the bad season
Missed significant time because of that injury.
and you wonder why it hasn't happened before? Thats pretty specific criteria if you ask me. So I have to ask: name a QB who was out injured and ineffective as long as Culpepper and failed to come back. The QB had to at least have shown ability prior to being ineffective.
I agree that Culpepper should be given another shot. Let him prove what he is worth. A class guy who has shown Pro Bowl ability in the past.
We can then draft elsewhere and take care of other needs. OL, DL, etc.
Storybook headline: "Culpepper leads Fins to Super Bowl....."
Whatever team Daunte Culpepper is on will be my favorite team while he is with them for the rest of his career. I'm loyal to him and not any team. (I live in Utah, so there are no NFL Teams around here.) If the Dolphins are not patient with him, they will regret it for many years to come. For goodness sakes, they've never given him a chance to get healthy! It's a shame that I bought all of this Dolphins attire, because I will burn it, if they give up on Daunte. If Daunte does go somewhere else, then I'd love to see him in Oakland playing with Randy Moss again. As a former Minnesota Vikings fan when they had Daunte, I vividly remember touchdown after touchdown after touchdown from Daunte to Randy. I'd love to see that again. To hell with the Dolphins if they give up on Daunte!
It is almost stupid to get rid of Culpepper in any circumstance. He is here. Cam is doing all this flapping about competition, but he gets rid of Trents only real competition before camp even starts? That doesn't help anyone. The ideal situation would be for Cam to let them compete. A healthy Daunte is way better than a healthy Trent.
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