1. According to this article from the Miami Herald, the Miami Dolphins could sign QB Steve McNair in the offseason to become their new quarterback. This would be a terrific addition since they will have nearly $25 million in salary cap room this upcoming offseason.
Posted on Thu, Dec. 22, 2005
TENNESSEE TITANS | STEVE McNAIR
Titans' once-mobile QB may move
A constant with the Titans, Steve McNair might not be retained by the team after this season -- a scenario that could lead the 32-year-old to play for the Dolphins.
BY DAVID J. NEAL
dneal@MiamiHerald.com
As the Houston Oilers slowly transformed into the Tennessee Oilers nomads, then the contending Tennessee Titans and the rebuilding Titans, the roster's constant has been quarterback Steve McNair.
If McNair is still on that roster March 2, he can enjoy a $50 million bonus from the Titans.
Because that's about as likely as millions of college students getting $50 million windfalls from aliens landing with technology that turns Ramen noodles into crude oil, the question becomes where will McNair play next year?
''That's out of my hands,'' McNair said. ``I want to be back here. That's got to do with management. I don't get involved in that. If they decide to renegotiate my contract, that's fine. If not, we'll just have to work somewhere else.''
That somewhere else could be Miami. It's not a stretch to say the Dolphins could be searching for not only an upgrade at starting quarterback, but a tutor/role model for whatever young quarterback prospect they begin developing next season.
McNair will be 33 in February. The once-mighty Titans have been forced to jettison many valuable veterans because of the salary cap and replace them with a mixture of youth and free agents. Either backup Billy Volek or a quarterback they draft might be a future option.
The combination of such and the chest injuries that caused the tough McNair to miss eight games in 2004 started speculation he would retire before this season. Yet there he was under center on opening day and every Sunday except Oct. 23, when back problems brought in Volek.
''My decision to come back was [based on] my health and dealing with my family,'' McNair said. ``That's it. It wasn't about who we got rid of or who we were going to bring in.''
And he dismissed any idea that he would alter his play to protect one of the most battered quarterbacks the past decade.
''I'm not being careful,'' McNair said. ``I'm playing the same game I've been playing since I got in.''
Dolphins coach Nick Saban said, ``He still has the ability to move. There's no question about that. He scrambles to throw a little bit more now than when he was younger, but he can run it if he needs to.''
Now, though, the NFL's 2003 co-MVP is doing it for a one-time Super Bowl contender going through a second consecutive season in which it isn't a playoff contender.
From opening day 2004, injuries whittled the Titans' roster that returned most of the cast from a 12-4 2003 season. This season, youthful mistakes have hurt the Titans, who went 10 quarters without an offensive touchdown until last week's loss to Seattle.
``We knew it was going to be a challenging year. We're just dealing with it the best we can.''
2. In addition, the Palm Beach Post reported this morning that the Dolphins could try to make a trade that would land them star Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper. Even though this has been stated as an unlikely move, the possibility still remains for the Dolphins to make this move. That would lead the Dolphins back into the playoffs next season. Here is the report.
Calling Culpepper? Could Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper be interested in leaving the Vikings next year? The Florida native ? and former student of Dolphins offensive coordinator Scott Linehan ? reportedly hinted as such during an interview with ESPN.
On ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown, it was reported that Culpepper said: "I want to play where I'm wanted. Whatever team gets me next year, the team where I'm wanted, they'll get a bigger, better, faster Daunte Culpepper."
Culpepper, who starred at the University of Central Florida, played for Linehan during the assistant's stint in Minnesota.
However, any potential reunion between Linehan and Culpepper should be considered unlikely. Culpepper, who blew out nearly every ligament in his knee early this season, has yet to prove how effective he will be upon his return.
Also, Minnesota newspapers reported that Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said Tuesday that Culpepper will be part of the team in 2006 ? whether or not his surgically repaired knee has healed by training camp.
Dolphins coach Nick Saban cannot comment about other teams' players. Culpepper's agent, Mason Ashe, did not return calls Wednesday.
QUESTION: Which quarterback would you prefer the Dolphins to acquire as their starting quarterback next season? Steve McNair without risking any players and signing him to a deal or risking giving up good players as well as high draft picks for a very risky QB with a torn-up knee and serious legal issues? I would take Steve McNair since he has lead the Titans to two Super Bowls in his career with a similar team as the Dolphins.