Daunte Culpepper clearly will be the focus Sunday at Dolphin Stadium if,
as expected, he winds up starting for the Oakland Raiders. Culpepper
didn't address the media prior to Oakland's first three regular season
games, but that changed this week because of the expected change in his
role. Here is what Culpepper had to say about facing his former team.
Q: Is this an exciting time for you, with Josh McCown having two bad
feet and it looking like you might start?
Culpepper: "Well, the thing is Ill be prepared no matter what my role
is. If thats to start the game and be ready to be play, Ill be ready."
Q: Lane Kiffin said you knew where Miami was on the schedule? How badly
do you want to beat the Dolphins?
Culpepper: "I think football wise, we just want to get another win. But
me personally, I was there and it will be a little different in that
fact. But as far as just going out and playing football, I just want to
go out there and get a win."
Q: How much easier is it to play when you get first-team reps, unlike
last week?
Culpepper: Its definitely easier when youre getting more reps; when
youre preparing, its definitely easier. But the thing is when you get
out there, youve still got to do it when you get in the game."
Q: There has been a suggestion that you've had problems learning the
offense; is that true?
Culpepper: "I guess its different for every guy. Me, personally Ive
been in a lot of different offenses. Like I said before, I think me
being able to not have to go out and play early like that and get bits
and pieces, that helped me out. Ive done a lot of studying and a lot of
film watching, being able to look at everything and not be put into it
from the jump and I think thats helped me."
Q: Is there any personal desire to beat the Fns?
Culpepper: "The thing is Im a Florida guy, Im from Florida.
Unfortunately, I didnt get a chance to play healthy in front of the
people down there in Miami. But other than that, I feel like now I get a
chance to show them who I am healthy."
Q: Did you decline to the media in the first three weeks because you
were not playing?
Culpepper: "Ive always been the type of guy where I dont have a whole
lot to say. And I still dont have a whole lot to say right now. Its
all about getting ready to play. And I feel like since I touched the
field that, yeah, its obvious I need to address you guys a little bit."
Q: Are you ticked that Miami waited so long to release you?
Culpepper: "To be honest about it, everything, all my feelings and
thoughts about everything that happened in the past when I was down in
Miami, is well documented. Youve got to do some homework if you want to
know my thoughts and feelings. I know yall get the AP. Its on the
wire. I know yall read it. So if you want to know all that, do a little
homework. But as far as us doing what weve got to do to win this game,
Im willing to tell you about that."
Q: Are you fueled by the experience in Miami after Cam Cameron chose
Trent Green over you?
Culpepper: Absolutely. Absolutely. Because, obviously you get a chance
to play against a team that you played for. Thats the bottom line. But
football wise, like I said, its all about getting the victory."