I think amidst all the negativity from the pessimists, and all the unwarranted optimism from the self-proclaimed "true fans", there is a middle ground of what should be considered realistic about Culpepper's situation.
Culpepper was never as good as hyped before signing in Miami, but he isn't as bad as he has played in the first two games, either. The truth is, Culpepper is a massive individual with amazing physical talent, a rocket arm, and good mobility. At the same time, Culpepper is also a guy who struggles under pressure, makes slow reads, and is prone to turnovers. These things are what Culpepper is, and always will be.
So, why the bad performance in Miami to date? I think there are several reasons, varying from rust to playcalling and the offensive line. However, the major factor here, is that I simply don't feel Culpepper is mentally able to play right now. Now before you flame me, at least hear me out.
Culpepper has always depended on his mobility to make plays. He would scramble to buy time for receivers to get open. He would run for solid gains when coverage got tight. He had a number 1 wideout that was always open, even when he was covered. He didn't have to throw until he was ready. He escaped pressure and was relaxed on the move, throwing from the pocket when he had to. The problem is, he has none of this in Miami.
Culpepper's knee is not 100%. This is a medical fact. Unfortunately, Culpepper's brain isn't anywhere near as healthy from the injury as the knee is itself. Culpepper is getting killed, because he doesn't trust his knee. Instead of buying time by rolling out of pressure, he stands in the pocket and takes the sack. When he does decide to move, it is usually after the pressure has encroached too much, and he gets taken down anyway. Staying in the pocket has revealed his poor field vision, that normally would be negated by a good scramble. Unfortunately, all he knows is that when he tries to run, he gets hit, and if he stays in the pocket he gets hit, so he dumps it off to the hot route or gets nothing at all. In short, no matter what the OL does, or what the OC calls, Culpepper is ALWAYS out of his element. This is a MENTAL problem.
This is a real catch-22 for Miami. They have a guy they know can be good, but he is going to abysmal until he is mentally ready to play HIS game. Right now, Daunte has hobbled himself, and asking him to run this offense is like asking Fiedler to convert to a deep passing game...it just doesn't work. So, do you bench him? That can damage his psyche enough that he may never play well again. Do you leave him in? If you do, every unsuccessful run he makes will make him doubt his knee all the more, removing him far from his game and generating more struggles.
It's just not as simple as benching him or playing him until he gets it right. The mistake here was in evaluating him for his first start and allowing him to get on the field before he was really healthy. Harrington should have started, not Daunte. This is a very delicate situation...I hope coach handles it well. I don't envy this coaching staff right now :shakeno:
Anyone clinging to hopes of a Superbowl or deep playoff appearance this year, it's time to let that go. Mental limitations are much harder to overcome than physical, and they take time. Expect a repeat of last year...slow start, strong at the end, but too little, too late. IF the Culpepper experiment is going to work, you won't see it until at least mid-season. Unfortunately, by next year, it's hard to say what our defense will have left in the tank :shakeno: It is the neverending fate of being a Dolphin's fan :tantrum:
Culpepper was never as good as hyped before signing in Miami, but he isn't as bad as he has played in the first two games, either. The truth is, Culpepper is a massive individual with amazing physical talent, a rocket arm, and good mobility. At the same time, Culpepper is also a guy who struggles under pressure, makes slow reads, and is prone to turnovers. These things are what Culpepper is, and always will be.
So, why the bad performance in Miami to date? I think there are several reasons, varying from rust to playcalling and the offensive line. However, the major factor here, is that I simply don't feel Culpepper is mentally able to play right now. Now before you flame me, at least hear me out.
Culpepper has always depended on his mobility to make plays. He would scramble to buy time for receivers to get open. He would run for solid gains when coverage got tight. He had a number 1 wideout that was always open, even when he was covered. He didn't have to throw until he was ready. He escaped pressure and was relaxed on the move, throwing from the pocket when he had to. The problem is, he has none of this in Miami.
Culpepper's knee is not 100%. This is a medical fact. Unfortunately, Culpepper's brain isn't anywhere near as healthy from the injury as the knee is itself. Culpepper is getting killed, because he doesn't trust his knee. Instead of buying time by rolling out of pressure, he stands in the pocket and takes the sack. When he does decide to move, it is usually after the pressure has encroached too much, and he gets taken down anyway. Staying in the pocket has revealed his poor field vision, that normally would be negated by a good scramble. Unfortunately, all he knows is that when he tries to run, he gets hit, and if he stays in the pocket he gets hit, so he dumps it off to the hot route or gets nothing at all. In short, no matter what the OL does, or what the OC calls, Culpepper is ALWAYS out of his element. This is a MENTAL problem.
This is a real catch-22 for Miami. They have a guy they know can be good, but he is going to abysmal until he is mentally ready to play HIS game. Right now, Daunte has hobbled himself, and asking him to run this offense is like asking Fiedler to convert to a deep passing game...it just doesn't work. So, do you bench him? That can damage his psyche enough that he may never play well again. Do you leave him in? If you do, every unsuccessful run he makes will make him doubt his knee all the more, removing him far from his game and generating more struggles.
It's just not as simple as benching him or playing him until he gets it right. The mistake here was in evaluating him for his first start and allowing him to get on the field before he was really healthy. Harrington should have started, not Daunte. This is a very delicate situation...I hope coach handles it well. I don't envy this coaching staff right now :shakeno:
Anyone clinging to hopes of a Superbowl or deep playoff appearance this year, it's time to let that go. Mental limitations are much harder to overcome than physical, and they take time. Expect a repeat of last year...slow start, strong at the end, but too little, too late. IF the Culpepper experiment is going to work, you won't see it until at least mid-season. Unfortunately, by next year, it's hard to say what our defense will have left in the tank :shakeno: It is the neverending fate of being a Dolphin's fan :tantrum:
