Saban says Dolphins had picked Brees over Culpepper
 

Posted by Mike Florio on December 17, 2012, 8:03 PM EST

Reuters
In what could be viewed as Alabama coach Nick Saban’s first toe in the water toward no longer being the Alabama coach, Saban has disclosed for the first time publicly that he picked quarterback Drew Brees over quarterback Daunte Culpepper in 2006.

“We chose Drew Brees,” Saban told Dan Le Batard of 790 The Ticket in Miami. “I’ve never ever talked about this publicly. . . . That’s the guy we made the first offer to.”

Saban said that Brees failed the physical after Brees and the Dolphins had agreed to terms. Brees had suffered a shoulder injury during the final game of the 2005 regular season.

Instead, the Dolphins sent a second-round pick to the Vikings for quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who had torn his ACL, MCL, and PCL during an October 2005 game against the Panthers.

Since Saban never does anything without a plan, the plan could be to clean the slate on the perception that he picked Culpepper over Brees, shifting the blame to the doctors and in turning clearing a path for NFL teams that may have lingering concerns regarding his perceived preference for Culpepper over Brees to chase Saban.

Though Saban may have no current interest in returning to the NFL, there’s nothing wrong with being chased. At a minimum, having suitors at the NFL level could get the folks in Tuscaloosa to pony up more cash in order to avoid losing him.

Indeed, as pointed out by our brethren at CFT, Saban made it sound like he won’t be leaving Alabama for the NFL.

You know, sort of like when he made it sound like he won’t be leaving the NFL for Alabama.

Saban says Dolphins had picked Brees over Culpepper | ProFootballTalk



I am kinda taken back by this a little bit. Didn't Brees say he choose us because the Dolphins didn't want him? Sounds more like he settled for us to me JMO.

All that talk about wanting to come here and make a difference after the devestation kinda looses something to me after reading this. Am I thinking to much of this?

Re: Saban says Dolphins had picked Brees over Culpepper
 

How could Brees fail a physical for the Dolphins, and then pass one for the Saints?

I think that the Dolphins wanted Culpepper from the start because of Brees' injury but also because Culpepper is taller.

Re: Saban says Dolphins had picked Brees over Culpepper
 

I've heard Brees talk about it several times and he's always a bit cryptic about who was offered what and how he made his decision. Given what I've heard, Saben's explanation sounds plausible. Miami gives the go-ahead, doctors say he isn't ready, and Drew concludes the Dolphins don't want him and that becomes where he wants to be.

Re: Saban says Dolphins had picked Brees over Culpepper
 

drew brees could'nt take a physical at that time much less pass any. saints wanted him regardless before physical. they took drews word that he could play 15 more years. saban could be right that drew flunked because he could not take one at the moment, he were still healing. the FO wanted culpepper.

Re: Saban says Dolphins had picked Brees over Culpepper
 

Saban is a jerk... ask any LSU fan.

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...9spZF1rYTGjS4w

Re: Saban says Dolphins had picked Brees over Culpepper
 

a jack jerk that likes to start chit

Re: Saban says Dolphins had picked Brees over Culpepper
 

True !

Re: Saban says Dolphins had picked Brees over Culpepper
 

I do remember the story involving a failed physical with the Dolphins before Brees even met with the representatives of the Saints', so this "news" doesn't affect the way I feel about Brees signing with the Saints one bit.

Of course Drew failed a physical. That was known before the visit. Dr Andrews himself would not give him clearance at that point. Culpepper also would not have been 100%. So a decision had to be made. And Saban had full control to make the decision he did

Re: Saban says Dolphins had picked Brees over Culpepper
 

I can understand their position on it though, really. Would you rather take a QB with an injured knee (Culpepper) or a throwing shoulder (Brees). I am pretty sure which path most of us would have taken.

20/20 hindsight is 100/100 for us fans tho...wouldnt trade him for anyone.