Daunte likely out before camp

BY JEFF DARLINGTON

jdarlington@MiamiHerald.com

It might be time to install a revolving door at the Dolphins' facility in Davie.

Hours after quarterback Daunte Culpepper left the building for one of his final times Wednesday, quarterback Trent Green arrived as his eventual replacement. Culpepper likely will be released or traded before this weekend's minicamp.

Dolphins coach Cam Cameron and general manager Randy Mueller informed Culpepper during an early-morning meeting Wednesday that they are ''going in a different direction,'' Culpepper said.

'They would like to trade me in order to `get something for me,' '' Culpepper said in an e-mail Wednesday. ``However, it is my position that I have already been down that road and I am not interested in being traded.''

Whatever happens, Culpepper's one-year career with the Dolphins will soon come to its end.

Culpepper's trade value isn't likely to be very high, considering the team just gave him medical clearance to practice Tuesday.

Cameron was cryptic about his plans for Culpepper on Wednesday, as he attempted several times to deflect the attention during a news conference toward Green's arrival rather than Culpepper's departure.

Cameron and Mueller did not indicate to Culpepper how long they would attempt to shop him, but several reasons likely will lead to quick action.

First, Culpepper is scheduled to earn $5.5 million next season. If he sustains a significant injury during minicamp this weekend, they would be responsible for that payment.

The team could attempt to bar him from participation, but an arbitrator ultimately ruled against such actions last offseason when the Titans attempted to keep former quarterback Steve McNair out of their facility in a similar situation.

Culpepper said he has every intention to work out at the Dolphins' facility, which likely will force the Dolphins to move quickly.

''They have told me throughout the offseason that I am under contract to the Dolphins,'' Culpepper said. ``Therefore, it will be up to them to either keep me under contract or release me. In the meantime I will continue to work out at the facility.''

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