Culpepper Starting To Practice

Culpepper practices on limited basis for Dolphins

By Alex Marvez
Sun-Sentinel. com
Posted May 18 2007

 

DAVIE -- Having taken what he describes as "small steps" in his ongoing recovery from knee surgery, Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper practiced Friday on a limited basis during an organized coaching session at team headquarters. While he didn't participate in team drills, Culpepper was involved in other quarterback work that saw him taking drops and firing short passes to receivers. The OCS' are essentially scaled-down versions of minicamp practices, with each NFL team allowed to conduct 14 throughout the offseason in preparation for training camp. "I just want to get my feet wet as far as throwing to some of the guys and working on some of the footwork with the [running] backs," said Culpepper, who wasn't medically cleared to participate in a minicamp held two weeks ago. "I feel good. There's no real pain, which is a good sign." Culpepper, who underwent knee surgery last November, said he still must receive medical clearance from sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews to participate in the Dolphins' next minicamp June 8 to 10. Andrews also operated on Culpepper in Nov. 2005 after the latter had torn three knee ligaments while playing for Minnesota. Culpepper struggled to return from that injury last season and was benched for the rest of 2006 after starting the first four games. "I feel a lot better than I did last year at this time [when] I was taking every rep and doing everything," Culpepper said. Culpepper's future with the Dolphins remains uncertain with the franchise actively pursuing a trade with Kansas City for quarterback Trent Green. Dolphins coach Cam Cameron said there was "no doubt" that Culpepper was getting better but "until he's 100 percent, it's not fair to evaluate him." Asked about his Dolphins status, Culpepper said, "The thing is I'm under contract. That's what I've been told and how I'm looking at it. Individually, I'm going to work to get better and mentally and physically get into the best shape I can and go from there." INJURY UPDATE: Defensive end Matt Roth (groin), nose tackle Keith Traylor (ankle), running back Patrick Cobbs (hamstring), and tackles Joe Toledo (foot) and Anthony Alabi (knee) were held out of today's practice but are expected back for the June minicamp. Cameron said cornerback Andre' Goodman wasn't expected to return until some point in training camp after undergoing surgery last week on his left shoulder. Defensive tackle Vonnie Holliday, cornerback Will Allen, and safeties Cameron Worrell and Travares Tillman missed the practices for personal reasons. All OCS are voluntary. MOVING ON: Ronnie Brown said some of his Dolphins teammates were "shocked" when news surfaced last week that fellow running back Ricky Williams reportedly wouldn't be allowed to immediately apply for NFL reinstatement after failing a drug test for marijuana. Brown, though, said Williams isn't a regular topic of conversation in the locker room. "I think we're beyond that point," said Brown, who teamed with Williams to rush for 1,650 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2005. "We've all been here for the offseason working together and trying to make sure the guys we have here are all focused on one thing. That's being the best we can be when the season starts." Williams was suspended in April 2006 for failing a fourth drug test under the league's substance-abuse policy. Williams, who has only played in 12 games for the Dolphins in the past three seasons, reportedly won't be allowed to apply for reinstatement until at least September. "I'm a little selfish because I would like him on the team," Dolphins middle linebacker Zach Thomas said. "But I'm moving on and trying to worry about what we've got instead of [getting frustrated] every year. I'm not going to do that any more." Staff writers Harvey Fialkov and Matt Baker contributed to this report.

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