MIAMI — When he popped up, with his second rushing touchdown of the day
in the books, Culpepper pointed at the Dolphin fans who were howling at
him in disbelief. He pointed to his knees and made the "OK" sign with
his thumb and forefinger. And he ran back to the bench with such passion
and energy that for a second it looked like he might take a full Jeff
George-style victory lap. Except that's not cool Culpepper's style.
And despite the muggy, thunder-and-lightning weather, it reminded some
of the old proverb about revenge.
"It's best served cold," teammate Warren Sapp said, cackling. "And it
was freezing out there."
Sunday's game was about a lot of things: the Raiders' commitment to the
running game - even after LaMont Jordan was injured. How the Raiders
remained composed and poised while the Dolphins melted down. It was
about the Raiders' first road victory since Nov. 20, 2005. About the
team reaching .500 for the first time since the fourth game of 2004.
But mostly Sunday's 35-17 victory was about Culpepper returning to South
Florida. Returning to face the team that had him escorted off the
practice field by security last June.
Culpepper is the kind of guy who likes to downplay the interesting
twists and turns in his back story. But he was keenly aware of the Miami
game on the schedule, mentioning it to Coach Lane Kiffin the second time
they met. ("I didn't know he was going to tell everyone," Culpepper
said. "But I did notice it on the schedule.")
And you just had a feeling that if Culpepper had any greatness left in
him it would surface in this game.
"Daunte was extremely motivated," Kiffin said. "But - and I don't know
if you're going to buy it - I don't think it was because he was playing
Miami. I think that's who the guy is. He's a great competitor."
I don't buy it. Yes, I believe that he would be happy with any win as
the Raiders' new starting quarterback. But I also believe he was
ecstatic to beat the Dolphins in what amounted to a storybook scenario:
his first start against the team that released him in July and
outperforming the quarterback they chose over him.
"I didn't say it didn't feel OK," Culpepper said. "It feels great. It
was my first game starting in a long time."
It was Culpepper's first start in a year. Last season, he started the
first four games for the Dolphins, going 1-3. Culpepper threw two
touchdowns and three interceptions, but his most damning statistic was
21 sacks, an indication of his immobility and still-recovering knees. He
was benched and when he suffered another knee injury, he didn't play
again - and Joey Harrington started the rest of the way.
Even though there was no future for Culpepper under Miami's new coach,
Cam Cameron, the Dolphins held onto him in hopes of making a trade,
while signing Trent Green. A trade never worked out and when Culpepper
showed up at mini-camp, the Dolphins forced him off the field with a
security escort.
"Most Florida boys walk with a chip on our shoulder," said Sapp.
"There's not too many chances to redeem yourself when somebody does you
like they did him, escorting him off the field when he was trying to go
to work."
Oh did he ever redeem himself, with five touchdowns - two passing and
three rushing. It was the most points the Raiders have scored since a
win in Nashville in 2004.
He only passed for 75 yards, but it was more than enough. And he let his
legs do the rest of the work. Lying in his bed Saturday night, Culpepper
came up with the "A-OK" knee gesture.
"Everybody always asks me about my knees," he said. "So I thought I'd
let them know."
Green, the quarterback chosen over Culpepper, passed for 158 yards and a
touchdown, but threw two interceptions. The Dolphins defense was
impotent against the Raiders runners - who ground out 299 yards, even
though Jordan left with a back injury in the first half and was replaced
by Justin Fargas. And Cameron, when asked about Culpepper, said, "I wish
him well" a few hundred times.
"In my opinion I wouldn't have let me go," Culpepper said. "But that's
how it goes."
Culpepper might have been doing cartwheels on the inside, but on the
outside he played it cool. The man who acts as his own agent said he
learned a lot during his time in Miami.
"I really understood more than ever that it's just a business and you
can't take it personal," he said. "I would be a fool to do that."
Someone asked Kiffin about a quarterback controversy, but there's no
controversy right now. Josh McCown is out with a broken toe. JaMarcus
Russell is a long ways away.
And Culpepper still has greatness in him. It's not surprising that he
revealed it on a Sunday in South Florida.
