Breaking News (sort of): Culpepper finally freed from slavery...

News out of Miami is that Daunte Culpepper has finally earned his right to become a free agent. I'm actually happy for the guy. The Dolphins essentially did the exact same thing to him that they were complaining about Kansas City doing to Trent Green.

....With one major difference....

Unlike the Green situation, Miami wasn't able to con anyone into trading for Culpepper.

Here's the sticky part....

Miami basically cried foul when the Chiefs refused to release Green, or give him up right away when they were offered a 6th round draft pick by the Dolphins. Instead, they practically held Green hostage until they finally realized noone would give up what they wanted, which was a 4th round pick. All along, it seemed so obvious that the two sides should just meet in the middle, and agree on a 5th round pick as compensation.

So how is what Miami did to Culpepper really any different? Other than coming to their senses and giving up their pipe dream of actually convincing a team to trade for him, it's pretty much the same thing. But of course, since Miami was the team doing the screwing over this time, they don't think they did anything wrong.

Now, for the twist....

All reports indicate Culpepper is on his way to joining the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he could potentially win the starting job, assuming he's 100% healthy.

Here's what I don't get. Culpepper has small hands. He has always had small hands. I wondered out loud at the time (luckily, a few friends actually thought I was speaking to them) why a guy with small hands would want to play in Florida, where the ball gets wet and sticky from all the moisture in the air.

I realize there aren't many starting jobs out there, but if a dome team (perhaps Atlanta may be in the market for a QB all the sudden?), or a team further north (rumor has it the Ravens may have some interest in him as their #2) comes calling, I think Culpepper should listen very closely, and think about the side effects of playing in Jacksonville vs. a more accomodating home field.

In other NFL news....

How about that Mike Vick indictment? As recently as a week ago, we were led to believe Vick was going to escape any potential criminal charges, indictments, or accountability.

Now, he could face some real problems with both the law and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. From watching various TV programming in the past couple hours, some of the ESPN NFL specialists seem to think that Vick won't face punishment from the NFL because he is not a repeat offender.

Excuse me? Isn't this the same guy who was detained temporarily at a Miami airport because he had a secret compartment in a water bottle with a substance that smelled like marijuana?

Isn't this the same guy who was waving a gun around at a McDonalds or something (or was that his little bro, Marcus?)?

Isn't this the same guy who knowingly gave a gal #### (and wasn't she underage to boot?)?

If this guy isn't a repeat offender, I'm next in line to be Pope.

What would it mean for the Falcons if he is suspended for half, or all, of the season?

You don't suppose the Falcons are kicking themselves for dealing Matt Schaub now, do you? Maybe not a majority, but a fair amount of Atlanta fans believed he was a better QB than Vick anyway (no, not athlete, just QB). Now, who do they have to fill the void?

Oh yeah, Joey Harrington. There's a savior if ever I saw one.

Wouldn't it be hilarious if the Falcons did sign Culpepper, and the two competed for the starting job in Atlanta, just like they did in Miami?

Probably not if you're a Falcons fan, a Vick fan, or a Fantasy Football player.

More NFL news...

The deadline for signing franchise players to long term deals came and went yesterday, and neither Asante Samuel or Lance Briggs got a deal. Shocking I tell you.

The Patriots have been well known for being cheap when it comes to handing over cash to their own players (those not named Tom Brady anyway). This offseason, they made a huge splash in free agency, and added even more salary by trading for Randy Moss. You almost would have thought they'd pony up the dough to sign one of their more important players on the defensive side of the ball. You'd almost be wrong.

Samuel probably isn't worth $8 million a year for the next 5 years, but who is? He wants to get paid, but instead of accepting the franchise offer and becoming a free agent again next year, he'd rather sit out 10 games, and lose almost $5 million in salary, just to prove a point. Smart guy. Real smart.

Pretty much the same can be said about Briggs, who will earn approximately $7.2 million this year. He'd also rather sit out 10 games and lose about $4.5 million than play out the year and prove to other teams he'll still be worth a long term deal at more than $8 million per season.

It's a good thing these guys have super agents to help decide what's best for them. If they didn't, I'd hate to see how badly they'd get #### over by the franchises they play for.