saban's vote of confidence?

[adamprez2003]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this but this sounds like one weak endorsement of choosing Culpepper over Brees. The article starts by saying that Brees was the coaching staff's first choice but our medical evaluation made us choose Culpepper



The Dolphins medical opinions that compared Brees and Culpepper were not only that Culpepper would have a better chance of recovering this season but also that he had a smaller chance of sustaining a reinjury.
That remains to be seen as does the inevitable long-term comparison between the players -- a comparison Saban won't be making.
''Hindsight is always 20/20,'' he said. ``Let's wait until we're 10 miles down the road on this instead of right now before we decide which guy was the right guy.
``We thought both were good players, and we still think Daunte will be a good player for us. That's all we're concerned about. We're not looking at what anyone else on another team is doing, because our concern is our players.''
Saban is not comfortable with the comparison between Culpepper and Brees but knew it would be a topic of conversation this season. He also realized once Brees had his 353-yard day, Culpepper's struggles would reflect poorly by comparison.
''We can't worry about what went right or what went wrong [in the offseason],'' Saban said. ``We're going to try to make what we have here work and that's what we're going to do.''

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/football/nfl/miami_dolphins/15569267.htm

 

[RenoFinFan]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this but this sounds like one weak endorsement of choosing Culpepper over Brees.

Sounds like Saban being Saban. One of his best assets is to stay in present and look for solutions based on the current situation. He consistently avoids questions about "what if..." and hypotheticals.

 

[islandah]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this but this sounds like one weak endorsement of choosing Culpepper over Brees. The article starts by saying that Brees was the coaching staff's first choice but our medical evaluation made us choose Culpepper

You're right, it sounds weak, but in fairness, DC hasn't YET given Nick much to endorse. Regardless, he is who we chose and he is our qb. Brees could easily reinjure that shoulder this wkend, at which point the comparison's stop.

However, I do believe that both being healthy, Nick would've chosen Brees(of course, if they were healthy they probably wouldn't have been available, at least not for anything we would've given up).

 

[Blurch]

Wait until #8 gets wind of this. It will shake him up even more.
There goes what little self confidence he had left.

 

[adamprez2003]

You're right, it sounds weak, but in fairness, DC hasn't YET given Nick much to endorse. Regardless, he is who we chose and he is our qb. Brees could easily reinjure that shoulder this wkend, at which point the comparison's stop.

However, I do believe that both being healthy, Nick would've chosen Brees(of course, if they were healthy they probably wouldn't have been available, at least not for anything we would've given up).

What struck me though is that last year Saban went out of his way to defend Frerotte when everyone was calling for his head. This year with Culpepper, Saban seems to be halfheartedly endorsing the guy. I dont know if that means that Culpepper is on a short leash but that's the sense I'm getting

 

[islandah]

Frerottte never had a game like that. Plus, the expectations for Frerotte were much lower. Nobody saw him as our franchise qb.

 

[Sal Lisitano]

again not interpreting things right...

the football staff's 1st choice was brees over C-PEP...because they would not have to give up a draft pick...not because they thought that brees was a better qb than C-PEP.

Go Fins!!!

 

[PhinsRock]

Saban is going to defend his choice, his QB, what else would you expect from Saban? He doesn't deal in hypothetical,s which is all we seem to deal in on this board.

 

[phinzi]

The mention that the preference was also because of a Free Agent vs. 2nd round pick. So it is not clear if the preference was because of Brees' abilities or the fact that you need to give up a 2nd round pick.

 

[Sal Lisitano]

The mention that the preference was also because of a Free Agent vs. 2nd round pick. So it is not clear if the preference was because of Brees' abilities or the fact that you need to give up a 2nd round pick.

no...its pretty clear that he did not want to give up a draft pick.

 

[adamprez2003]

Frerottte never had a game like that. Plus, the expectations for Frerotte were much lower. Nobody saw him as our franchise qb.

Oh absolutely. No comparison between the two. But the same can be said for the backups - Feeley vs Harrington

 

[adamprez2003]

The mention that the preference was also because of a Free Agent vs. 2nd round pick. So it is not clear if the preference was because of Brees' abilities or the fact that you need to give up a 2nd round pick.

Good point

 

[Sal Lisitano]

what...you guys have trouble reading the english language.

read it again...

"So despite the fact the football staff's preference was to sign Brees as an unrestricted free agent rather than give up a second-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for Culpepper, the medical opinion prevailed"

its pretty clear to me.

Go Fins!!!

 

[BAMAPHIN 22]

Saban is going to defend his choice, his QB, what else would you expect from Saban? He doesn't deal in hypothetical,s which is all we seem to deal in on this board.

Precisely, why would you deal with hypotheticals... We all make choices and have to live with the consequences whether it is success and/or failure. Both C-pelp and Brees were brought in substantial risks to teams who were intrested due to their previous season ending injuries... I think Saban selected C-pelp, because in his mind he was the best fit for his offensive philosphies. After you have made your decision there is no need for turning back the hands of time... So Dolphin fans lets give it a chance. I've been taught that "without struggles their is no success ." :cooldude:

 

[ckparrothead]

In the absence of injuries, I might even agree that that Brees could have been a better choice than Daunte because they have comparable contracts yet Daunte cost a 2nd rounder. I also believe he's a lot better than Brees, but it's debatable whether he's a 2nd round pick better than Brees.

But you don't get to make decisions in a vacuum. The injuries were there and yes they affected the outcome.

And besides...who has New Orleans played? Cleveland and Green Bay? Yeah, we lost to the Bills as Daunte gets use to his new mobility and the OL attempts to come together as unit...but if Drew were playing Buffalo with that kind of protection, the same thing would have happened...in fact he might have re-injured his shoulder right this week.