Culpepper Now a Potential Cut

The fall from grace has been rapid for former Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper. Remember when some Vikings fans were outraged that the team only got a second-round pick in trading him to Miami? Just over a year later, Miami is looking likely to outright release him.

Miami’s future quarterback situation should come into focus much more clearly following this weekend’s NFL draft.

But here’s what is known after Miami’s first minicamp: Kansas City’s Trent Green is on his way in, Daunte Culpepper almost assuredly is on his way out and Miami plans to select a quarterback at some point in the draft.

The only thing stalling Green’s arrival in South Florida is Kansas City’s continuing insistence on a first-day draft choice even though Chiefs president Carl Peterson’s demand is excessive. Green will have to get cut by the Chiefs eventually because that franchise won’t be willing to pay his $7.2 million salary for 2007 now that Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle are the top two quarterbacks on the team’s depth chart. Plus, Miami can’t be expected to surrender an early pick for a 36-year-old player who probably won’t start for more than a season before moving to a backup role.

Still, Green’s future looks brighter than that of Culpepper, who wasn’t cleared by his doctor to participate in Miami’s first minicamp under new coach Cam Cameron. With his health uncertain because of continuing problems with his right knee, combined with a $5.5 million base salary in 2007, Culpepper’s departure seems imminent once Green is acquired.

As for their quarterback of the future, the Dolphins assuredly would take a long look at Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn if he were available when Miami picks with the No. 9 overall selection. If not, the Dolphins could look toward Stanford’s Trent Edwards, Brigham Young’s John Beck or Michigan State’s Drew Stanton in the second round.

“There are five or six (quarterbacks) who are probably first-day worthy,” Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller said. “All have the ability to play in this league. I think the hardest part is sorting out the intangibles, and we’ve spent a lot of time on that.”