Saban, Culpepper had riftDaunte Culpepper and Nick Saban had a heated argument Friday, two days before the quarterback was benched for the Patriots game.
BY JEFF DARLINGTON
jdarlington@MiamiHerald.com
JOE RIMKUS JR. / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - A once-euphoric atmosphere turned dramatically tense when Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper and coach Nick Saban engaged into a heated argument during Friday's practice.
The exchange comes less than seven months after Culpepper's celebrated arrival in South Florida. The reasons for the argument, including how or why it began, were unclear. Several players confirmed the incident took place, but simply called it ``family business.''
Wide receiver Chris Chambers said Culpepper came into Sunday's game with an optimistic attitude, even after Saban placed him on the team's inactive list as a result of health concerns.
''I felt sorry for [Culpepper],'' said Chambers, who wouldn't elaborate on details. ``I know he wanted to play. It was the coach's decision, so we just went with it. We support whatever Coach wants to do, and we'll support Joey [Harrington] when he gets in the game.
``I'm sure he was more frustrated than anybody. He was real positive when he came back today in the locker room. He tried to help as much as he could on the sidelines.''
DESIRE TO PLAY
After a 20-10 loss to the New England Patriots, Saban declined to comment specifically about the argument. However, during his post-game news conference, he spoke generally about Culpepper's desire to play leading up to the game.
''He's a pit bull, kicking in the corner, giving his last breath,'' said Saban, who cited struggles with mobility and a bruised right shoulder as his reasons for the decision to bench Culpepper. ``He'll put his career on the line for the team. I love that in the guy. I love it.''
Culpepper declined to comment after the game.
The argument was left mostly unsettled Friday, and defensive end Kevin Carter warned that a conflict between the coach and the player -- like the one that occurred Friday -- could be detrimental to a team.
He remained hopeful, however, that Saban wouldn't let that happen.
''I think it can [fracture a locker room] if it's not handled the right way,'' Carter said.
``But the one thing about Coach Saban, he does a good job of communicating with the team and conveying the things we need to do.''
The day of the exchange was Culpepper's first practice since sitting out most of Thursday's workout. Culpepper didn't practice Thursday because of a right shoulder injury that has been nagging him since the team's game against Buffalo on Sept. 17.
MOBILITY ISSUES
However, Saban said his final decision to sideline Culpepper had more to do with mobility issues.
''To me, it's not about just [the shoulder],'' Saban said. ``This guy was a tremendous, elusive guy. Right now, I think anybody could make the determination that he's not quite as elusive as he once was. We'd like to get him closer to that so he can play the way he's capable of playing with that style.''
This isn't the first time Culpepper has struggled to see eye-to-eye with a head coach this year. Before being traded to the Dolphins by the Minnesota Vikings, Culpepper clashed several times with coach Brad Childress.
''I never had a conversation with him about this football team,'' Childress told The Minneapolis Star Tribune in March. 'It was always about what he needed financially and money. I never heard `team,' I always heard 'me' and 'I' and 'I need $10 million dollars. I'm a $10 million-dollar-a-year quarterback.' ''
Culpepper, however, has impressed Saban since his arrival. The coach has often publicly praised his quarterback for his constant desire to return from major knee surgery. However, as Carter said after Sunday's game, the coach and his quarterback must find a way to resolve the issues quickly -- before this becomes a resonating issue.
''Time isn't going to wait for us to fix things,'' said Carter, asked after the game if the situation had been resolved yet. ``We need to move on. We inserted Joey into the lineup, and we stand behind him. No matter who's on the field, we're all teammates.''
