Now that the national soap opera that was the Trent Green trade has ended...what did it all mean? In an attempt to sort out this deal and its ramifications, here are some ever so lovely bullet points:
- From all indications it sounds like the Dolphins had been offering a 6th that would turn into a 5th, and the Chiefs wanted a 4th rounder for Green. In the end the Dolphins gave up what, barring an injury that prevents Green from playing at least 70% of the offensive snaps, will end up being a 4th rounder. What was the big hang up? Granted, each front office has the right to have their own opinion on a player's worth, but if you look at the recent trades a 4th rounder seems just right. In Oakland the Raiders gave up a 4th to get Josh McCown to come in and be their QB for a season, or less, until JaMarcus Russell is ready. The Dolphins want Green to come in for a season, or two, until John Beck is ready to lead the team. Seems to me that a 4th rounder is a pretty fair price for your starting QB for the next two years combined with the ability to bring along your QB of the future at your own pace.
- Has any QB in recent memory fallen farther or faster than Daunte Culpepper? Just three seasons ago Culpepper was 1b to Peyton Manning's 1a in terms of all of the QBs in the league. And that is by no means hyperbole, look at the stats: 4717 yds, 39 TDs, 69% comp., 110.9 QB Rating. Culpepper was out of this world, and now a knee injury appears to have ruined Culpepper's career. Bear in mind, Culpepper is only 30 years old. Barring a career resurrection however, Culpepper may have just become the QB equivalent of Ricky Williams: a phenomenal, record breaking performer for 5 seasons who went out sadly and uncerimoniously from the game.
- So where is Culpepper going to end up? This is the most interesting aspect of this entire situation to me, as some team has the potential, if Culpepper truly is as healthy as he says he is, to get a Pro Bowl caliber QB. Or, if Culpepper is not trul healthy, some team has the potential to get a gimpy backup. The Dolphins have come out saying that they are going to attempt to trade Culpepper, but lets be honest here: if a healthy QB such as Green or McCown nets a 4th rounder, what can they expect to get for a perinially injured QB with a contract in excess of $5 million? "Future considerations"? A conditional 7th rounder? It is obvious that Culpepper will be released, at which point he is going to have to either come to terms with the fact that he is going to be a backup for the foreseeable future, or he is going to have to retire. It's that simple.
