Culpepper Returns to Miami, Porter Guarantees Dolphin Victory
Danny Dabiri |Sep 26,2007
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Oakland Raiders quarterback Daunte Culpepper will likely make his first start against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Culpepper returns to Miami for the first time since being cut by the Dolphins in July. His brief tenure in South Beach was marred by injury and inconsistent play.
This week’s matchup provides Culpepper with an opportunity to prove the Dolphins hierarchy made a mistake in cutting him loose. A toe injury to starting quarterback Josh McCown has paved the way for Culpepper. The Raiders storm into Miami looking to build upon the success of last week’s 26-24 victory over the Cleveland Browns .
The Cam Cameron era in Miami is off to a dreadful start. The offense, led by veteran quarterback Trent Green has lacked explosiveness. Running back Ronnie Brown has put up some nice numbers, mostly in garbage time. The Dolphins defense must share the blame for the team’s 0-3 record. Coming into the season, the defense was considered to be the team’s strength. The free agent acquisition of former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, joining perennial Pro Bowlers Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor, energized the Dolphin fan base. After surrendering 31 points to the lowly New York Jets and losing their third consecutive game, it is painfully clear that the Dolphins are in desperate need of a spark.
Enter Joey Porter. The outspoken defender guaranteed a victory over the Raiders.
“Write it how you want to write it,” Porter said. “We will win on Sunday.”
While guaranteeing a victory over the Raiders might not be the boldest declaration, consider this: the Raiders actually enter the game playing better football. With that in mind, it should be interesting to see how the game plays out. Will Daunte triumph over the club that quit on him? Or will Porter come through on his promise and firmly establish himself as one of the leaders of the defensive unit.
My money is on Porter this week. Expect the Miami defense to bring much more pressure on the quarterback. The Dolphins only have four sacks in three games. As Porter sees it, the Phins must impose their identity on the game.
“The strength of our defense is going out there and letting us fly around, blitzing, getting after the quarterback, putting pressure on the quarterback,” Porter said.
Memo to Miami defensive coordinator Dom Capers, take your player’s advice. The Dolphins secondary is average at best. As a result, the objective of the defense should be to get to the quarterback so that the secondary only has to cover for two or three seconds. It is not that complicated. For Miami to earn its first victory and for Porter to make good on his guarantee, the defense must get after the quarterback. The fact that Daunte Culpepper is the quarterback on the menu is icing on the cake.
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