The Chiefs traded Green to the Dolphins for a conditional 2008 fifth-round pick that turns into a fourth-round pick if the quarterback plays in 70 percent of Miami’s offensive plays.
So 70 percent is Kansas City’s magic number. If Green meets the number, it means that the Chiefs would have an extra pick in the fourth round, where they have drafted standout players such as linebacker Donnie Edwards and defensive end Jared Allen.
While Kansas City waits to find out exactly what it will receive, Green already knows what he is getting from Miami. Two months ago, Green and the Dolphins agreed to a three-year contract that is weighted heavily in Year 1 and leveled greatly in Years 2 and 3.
The contract’s length is not accidental. The 37-year-old Green is heading to Miami hoping to play three more NFL seasons. Green is scheduled to sign the contract on Thursday, one day before he takes part in his first minicamp with the Dolphins. Now the Green saga is, basically, over. But the one involving Daunte Culpepper is just beginning. Now that Green is a Dolphin, Culpepper has turned into Trent Green, waiting to see when and if he will be traded.
As of Wednesday night, the Dolphins were in discussions with three teams about a potential Culpepper trade. One source with knowledge of the trade talks estimated that there is a 50-50 chance that Miami will be able to deal Culpepper.
It’s not as if the Dolphins are seeking a lot in return, either. All they are asking teams for is a late-round draft choice, perhaps a sixth-round pick. Teams involved in the trade talks also know that Culpepper is willing to reduce the $5.5 million base salary he is scheduled to make this season, enhancing the chances of a trade.
Who the teams are is the most intriguing mystery in the NFL right now. None want their identities exposed due to the issues it would raise. Any team that acquires Culpepper would be sending a message to the rest of its quarterbacks that their jobs are in jeopardy.
None want to be identified, but some teams not interested in Culpepper can be named. Atlanta, Chicago, Minnesota, the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders, teams that, at various points, have been linked in some way to Culpepper, all said Wednesday that they have no interest in trading for or signing the soon-to-be former Dolphins quarterback.
Possible destinations for Culpepper according to NFL personnel men that speculated on the matter still include the Detroit Lions, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the New England Patriots and the St. Louis Rams.
But no teams were willing to come forward to claim they had any interest in Culpepper. There also is no reason for the Dolphins or other teams to fabricate any interest in Culpepper; the asking price for his services is too low.
So now that the Green question has been answered, the Culpepper one is up next.
The answer should come soon enough. The Dolphins and Culpepper want the matter resolved sooner rather than later, and the current game of musical chairs at quarterback could be wrapped up by the weekend.
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