Culpepper Could Change Division's Dynamic

Culpepper Could Change Division's Dynamic
By Tim Sullivan
Posted: 12:30 pm PDT 2006-07-02

Daunte Culpepper has been through many a challenge in his career.

A tremendously gifted, multi-sport high school athlete, Culpepper, a native Floridian, had to digest the fact that the state's big three universities - Florida, Florida State and Miami - just didn't want him.

No problem. Culpepper went to Central Florida, rewrote the Orlando school's record books and groomed himself into an NFL first-round pick.

Then, he just happened to be selected by the Minnesota Vikings, a team that already had two proven quarterbacks in Randall Cunningham and Jeff George.

No problem. Culpepper bided his time, learned the system and in 2000 - his first season as a starter - led the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game.

"If you think about 2000, a lot of people were questioning, where did this guy from Central Florida come from? He's now in the NFL, hes with these great players, whats he going to do," asked Culpepper, a Pro Bowler who was traded to the Miami Dolphins this offseason.

"You look at the archives; we had a chance to go to the Super Bowl. Now, I feel like the same thing. There are a lot of great players around me, a great coaching staff. Now its just me doing my role, not being Superman, just doing my part and helping us to be successful.

Therein lays quite possibly his biggest challenge. Not because he's on a Miami team that can certainly push the incumbent Patriots for the AFC East championship. Not because after seven seasons in the Great North, he's now amongst friends and family in his pressure-packed home state.

No, his mission is difficult simply because of modern medicine. Just how will his balky right knee respond to the extensive surgery he underwent last Nov. 15? That's when renowned surgeon James Andrews repaired three torn ligaments and possibly altered the career of one of the game's best - and certainly most explosive - quarterbacks.

"He's doing very well physically," Dolphins coach Nick Saban said. "Does he still have work to do? Absolutely. Are we ready to make any predictions about his future? Not really, because that's all week-to-week and hopefully he'll continue to make progress."

After participating in Miami's Offseason Training Activities and minicamps, however, Culpepper appears on schedule to start Week 1. And that would only enhance the Dolphins' value as a sleeper team to win the division or even a conference title at any sportsbook.

"There are so many changes in our division," said New England coach Bill Belichick, whose Patriots (10-6) just edged the Dolphins (9-7) last season. "There are a couple of new head coaches, six new coordinators, some new quarterbacks. We'll need to adjust."

No more than the fleet-footed Culpepper, who has rushed for more than 400 yards five times, has to adjust. His knee may prevent him from scrambling much. And the presence of Ronnie Brown, Miami's second-year running back, coupled with Saban's run-first strategy, may hinder Culpepper's mobility anyway.

"Ive done a lot of preparation to get here," he said. "Ive been out running around, cutting, and doing different things to see where I am. I know my limits, and I know pretty much how far I should push it."

Speaking of limits, enter the rest of the division. Both the Bills and Jets - long shots to win the East at any sportsbook - are undergoing franchise makeovers. Buffalo coach Dick Jauron and New York coach Eric Mangini are in their first year and have inherited teams that combined for 23 losses last season.

And they also have quite the quarterback controversies on their hands. Jauron must decide between steady yet unspectacular Kelly Holcomb and possible first-round bust J.P. Losman. Mangini has a recovering Chad Pennington and an inconsistent Patrick Ramsey. None seem like a safe bet.

Something has to give, however. And in the end, perhaps the Jets and Bills will impress. But for now, the class of this division still lies in New England, with Culpepper's Dolphins not far behind.

CHESTER'S CHANCE: The Vikings haven't had a rock steady running back since Robert Smith retired in 2000. Incidentally, that's the last time they were in the NFC title game.

Chester Taylor hopes to change that. Anxious for his chance after being Jamal Lewis' backup in Baltimore, he signed a four-year; $14.1 million contract to be the workhorse.

"He's a low-mileage back who is big and physical," Coach Brad Childress said of the 5-foot-11, 213-pound Taylor, who rushed for 487 yards last season. "It's a good chance for him, and it's good for us, as well."

Especially considering Childress' run-heavy schemes will take precedence in Minnesota.

"We need to set a foundation that we're going to be able to run the ball and then stay away from turnovers in the passing game," quarterback Brad Johnson said. "We need to be able to get our running game going early in the season, be able to score points early and set a tone."

Keep in mind, however, that Taylor has never had more than 160 carries in a season and has only eight starts in four years. And if he struggles during training camp - a possibility since he was a tad out of shape during the team's OTAs - the reliable, if unexcitable, Mewelde Moore (1,041 yards in two seasons) will be waiting to take over.

NO PLACE LIKE HOLMES: The Steelers envisioned first-round pick Santonio Holmes as an immediate starter at wide receiver and a perfect game breaking complement to Hines Ward.

The may still happen. But right now, they're just trying to keep him out of handcuffs.

Holmes, who missed the Steelers' OTAs because he was finishing his coursework at Ohio State, has been arrested twice since being selected by the Super Bowl champions, including a domestic abuse charge. Needless to say, his acts haven't sat well with the Black and Gold, typically one of the league's more conservative franchises.

"I understand that being a Pittsburgh Steeler," Holmes said, "carries along with it the demands for responsible behavior off the field."

But if Holmes doesn't start living the way he's talking, veteran reserve Cedrick Wilson, who had 26 catches and 451 yards last year, may be lining up across from Ward come Week 1.

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