[vincesanity82]

Greg Bedard of the Palm Beach Post reports that Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper has been escorted off of the practice field during a team minicamp by Stu Weinstein, the team's security chief.

Culpepper has been working out on the side. His sudden departure, with an escort, suggests that he either has been released or traded.

The other possibility is that the team has decided not to risk exposing Culpepper to injury, since if Culpepper were to suffer a serious injury the team would be on the hook for his full $5.5 million salary. Last year, the Titans locked quarterback Steve McNair out of the facility for that very reason.

Weeks later, McNair won a grievance regarding the matter. But, in the interim, the Titans didn't have to worry about Steve popping an Achilles' tendon. So it was in hindsight a smart move.

ProFootballTalk.com -- The Best Pro Football Scoop on the Internet

[Lefty Noob]

Well, a move was expected by the weekend. I'm sure we'll hear something about it shortly.

[vincesanity82]

Barred from practice drills, Culpepper says he will block any trade

Quarterback Daunte Culpepper said he has taken his last practice snap for the Dolphins.

Culpepper left the practice field early during today's minicamp practice and didn't return. He was escorted by Dolphins security director Stu Weinstein to the team's locker room.fter the session, Culpepper said that quarterbacks coach Terry Shea told him that he wouldn't be receiving any repetitions beyond one-on-one drills early in the practice.

"I understand totally what's going on," Culpepper said. "Instead of wasting time out there watching practice, I went into the weight room and got a little bit stronger."

While NFL rules prevent the Dolphins from barring him from participating outright in the minicamp, Culpepper said he would not practice in this weekend's remaining four practices under those circumstances.

Culpepper also said he would refuse to restructure his current contract, which would essentially block the Dolphins from trading him to any other team. Culpepper is set to earn $5.5 million in base salary in 2007, which is considered too lofty a figure for a quarterback who has experienced major knee problems the past two seasons. Culpepper is serving as his own agent and would almost assuredly need to They're going to do what's best for them. Obviously, I'm going to do in my opinion what's best for me," Culpepper said. "I'm going to work out every day I'm here and continue to get myself healthier and physically better the best way I can."

Coach Cam Cameron refused to shed light on the situation following practice because he didn't want to "jeopardize" anything regarding Culpepper's status.

"We're working to get something done," Cameron said. "Comments can be misconstrued in negotiations and we're not going to go there."

Culpepper briefly participated in position drills today along with the team's other four quarterbacks (Trent Green, Cleo Lemon, John Beck and Gibran Hamdan). Culpepper took snaps from center and either handed off the football or threw short swing passes. He also wasn't wearing a brace on his surgically repaired right knee.

It was Culpepper's first notable on-field work of the offseason, as he hadn't received medical clearance to practice this offseason until Tuesday while recovering from a November knee surgery. The Dolphins could potentially be responsible for all of Culpepper's 2007 salary if he were injured during a minicamp session.

Culpepper said he was happy he got to briefly test his knee during today's session but still has "a ways to go" to regain the form that made him one of the NFL's top quarterbacks. Culpepper tore three knee ligaments while playing for Minnesota in October 2005 and said he injured his patella tendon in the second game of the 2006 season.

He was benched for the rest of the season after two more games and ended the year on injured reserve.

Culpepper said that he already has spoken with other teams about potentially signing as a free agent.

"I'm not saying I'm angry because I understand that's how this business goes," Culpepper said. "The main thing is I know I've got a lot of football left in me. When the day comes I'm released, I'm going to sit down and [again] have some conversations I've already have with different clubs."

In an e-mail sent to select news media Thursday, Culpepper said he didn't want to get traded and preferred being released so he can "not bring the excess baggage of my present contract to a new team." Culpepper's contract runs through 2013 and is worth a total of $51.5 million.

Culpepper's departure from the squad is considered inevitable, as Green was acquired in a trade with Kansas City on Wednesday to become the Dolphins' new starter.

In his Thursday e-mail, Culpepper said the Dolphins showed "impatience" while "encouraging me to rush back on the field last year and then rushing me out the door this year is disappointing. However, I understand that they have the right to make that business decision. It is now my turn to make some decisions." agree to a restructured contract before a trade could be completed.

Barred from practice drills, Culpepper says he will block any trade: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

[Lefty Noob]

Culpepper's got to realize his options are limited at this point. Not too many teams would be in the market for a QB who wants a big payday and a chance to start. Now, if he'd accept a back-up role outright, maybe Tennessee or Cleveland would come in to play, but unless he changes his attitude, he's gonna be out of work in 2007.

[vincesanity82]

I think his best bet is to sign a 1 year somewhere, rehab and be a backuo, then the season after he may get pulled for a starting job, when healthy hes a good qb, but hes rushing things right now, thats why he got hurt last season..

[Haynr8dr]

I'm with Culpepper on this. The Dolphins have sent the message that they're not confident in Culpepper's ability to rebound. So, who in the hell is going to want to trade for Culpepper's current deal?

Culpepper is wise to not restructure, it could force the Fins hands to release him - and they should do that as a matter of good faith. That way, there will be teams interested in him, in which they'll have no risk related to his current inflated contract.

[simple simon]

this is awesome ........ most of you know i think he is an over-rated ☻☻☻☻ ....... i almost wish the Fins would keep and start him so i could watch the Pats crush him twice a year

[ThePundit]

Why did he need an escort? What was he going to steal the playbook?

The Knicks did the same thing when they fired Don Chaney.

Ridculous.

[Bette]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Why did he need an escort? What was he going to steal the playbook?

The Knicks did the same thing when they fired Don Chaney.

Ridculous.

Actually, tonight on Access, the manager said that he went off the field and a security guard went with him. They did not escort him off the field.