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Without Culpepper, Dolphins face Vikings

Nov 18, 2006 - 3:13 PM Minnesota (4-5) at Miami (3-6) Sunday 1:00 pm ESTMIAMI (Ticker) -- Daunte Culpepper had November 19 marked on his calendar. However, the date now will have a lot less meaning for him.Culpepper was expected to face his former team for the firsttime Sunday. Instead, Joey Harrington will be under center whenthe Miami Dolphins host the Minnesota Vikings.Without a Pro Bowl quarterback since Dan Marino retired in 1999,the Dolphins acquired Culpepper - a three-time Pro Bowler -from the Vikings in March for a second-round pick.One of five quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 1999draft, Culpepper became the Vikings' starter in 2000 anddeveloped into one of the NFL's best quarterbacks.However, last season Culpepper threw for just six touchdownswith 12 interceptions in seven games before he tore the ACL, MCLand PCL in his right knee in an October 30 game at Carolina.Culpepper's value to the Vikings diminished when veteran quarterback Brad Johnson led the Vikings to a 7-2 record therest of the way.Not fully recovered from his knee injury, Culpepper played inthe first four games for the Dolphins before being replaced byHarrington as the starter.Culpepper has continued to rehabilitate his knee, although it isuncertain if he will return this season.The injury to Culpepper and inconsistent play from the offensiveline was a major reason why the Dolphins lost six of theirfirst seven games.But the Dolphins have rebounded in the last two weeks by handingChicago its first loss and posting a 13-10 win over Kansas Citylast week.Ronnie Brown has been a key for the Dolphins in the last twogames, rushing for 157 and 89 yards on 54 carries. But now hefaces a Vikings defense which allows 66.6 yards per game on theground to rank first in the league.Harrington will have his homecoming when Miami visits Detroit onThanksgiving.After getting off to a 4-2 start under first-year coach BradChildress, the Vikings have lost three straight games.The big problem for the Vikings has been on offense which hasmanaged just three touchdowns during the skid.Johnson has been a major reason for the offensive struggles. Hehas just one touchdown pass with five interceptions and threelost fumbles in the last three games.Last week, the Vikings were dissected by Brett Favre in a 23-17 loss to Green Bay. Favre threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns.