The Dolphins expect Minnesota to release quarterback Daunte Culpepper before the Vikings are scheduled to pay him a $6 million roster bonus on March 17. Because of that belief, the Dolphins have resisted the offer to trade for Culpepper, who also is scheduled to make $2 million in base salary for the 2006 season. The Dolphins and Vikings recently discussed a trade for Culpepper. Although no exact compensation was discussed, the Vikings are asking for more than the second-round pick that was reported this month. Despite those discussions, the Dolphins are not interested in a trade at this point. They are examining a number of quarterback options. The Dolphins are expected to speak with the agents for San Diego quarterback Drew Brees if the Chargers and Brees are unable to work out a contract extension by the end of next week.

The Chargers are primed to let quarterback Drew Brees test free agency. San Diego general manager A. J. Smith said Monday the team has declined to designate Brees as its franchise or transition player. The deadline for designating a player with either tag is Thursday. If the Chargers had slapped either of the tags on Brees, he would be guaranteed nearly $10 million in a one-year salary next season. That's too rich for the Chargers, considering Brees was injured in the team's season finale, tearing the labrum in his throwing shoulder while trying to recover a fumble. Brees underwent surgery last month and is expected to begin throwing in May. But whether he is at full strength by the Chargers' July training camp isn't known. Brees and the Chargers are talking about a multiyear pact. But so far, no agreement has been reached and on March 3, Brees can negotiate with any team. "Our proposals have not been acceptable at this point and time, but we will continue to talk," Smith said. "Drew Brees wants to be here, we want him to be here. Drew wants a long-term contract, we want him to have a long-term contract. We are working on that and continue to work on it."

Should the impasse between the Chargers and quarterback Drew Brees continue through next week, it appears Brees will be allowed to test the free-agent market and perhaps walk away without the team having any say or receiving any compensation. Asked what will happen if the Chargers and Brees do not reach an agreement on a long-term contract by Thursday, General Manager A.J. Smith said yesterday, ?I think, looking at it, (the team would say) 'Well, it didn't work out.' ? Designate Brees a ?franchise player? for the second consecutive year. Because this would guarantee Brees nearly $10 million for 2006, GM A.J. Smith said he has ruled this out. Designate Brees a ?transition player.? This appeared to be the most likely option because the one-year contract for a transition player is not normally guaranteed. However, a clause in the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement was raised that apparently would guarantee the money in Brees' case, again something Smith is reluctant to do. Allow Brees to test the market as a free agent, without getting anything in return should he sign with another team. The impetus behind the Chargers' leaning is their concern about a little-known proviso in the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement that would guarantee Brees' 2006 salary if he were named a transition player. Smith yesterday ruled out designating Brees as the team's franchise player. And fearful the Chargers would lose a hearing on the CBA clause in question and that Brees would be guaranteed almost $10 million, Smith also indicated the team will not make Brees its transition player.

The Chargers are close to announcing their agreement with quarterback A.J. Feeley on a reworked two-year contract. Feeley, acquired along with a sixth-round draft pick in a trade with Miami last October for QB Cleo Lemon, was the Chargers' third quarterback in 2005 and did not play in any games. Terms of the deal are not known, but it will be at a substantial discount from what Feeley was scheduled to earn. Feeley was due $13.65 million on the remaining three years of his contract.

The San Diego Chargers and defensive end Jacques Cesaire have agreed on a new five-year contract. Cesaire?s current contract was due to expire in March at which time he would have become a Restricted Free Agent. Cesaire, 25, joined the Chargers in 2003 as a rookie free agent out of Southern Connecticut State. Over the past two seasons, the unsung defender has started 17 of 32 games and stood strong against the run.

The Chargers have made their initial offer for a long-term contract to quarterback Drew Brees' agent, General Manager A.J. Smith confirmed yesterday. The team has yet to hear back from Tom Condon regarding the proposal, which was sent Monday. ?I have no idea where it goes from here,? Smith said. Condon declined comment. While no hard deadline is imminent, the Chargers and Brees likely have just a week's window remaining to reach a deal.

The San Diego Chargers have agreed to terms with restricted free agent safety Clinton Hart on a new three-year contract. Hart, 6-0, 205, returned two interceptions for touchdowns last season. He scored his first touchdown of the season after an interception and lateral by Donnie Edwards in the Chargers? Oct. 2 win at New England that ended the Patriots? NFL-record 21-game home winning streak. He scored his second touchdown on a 70-yard interception return in a Dec. 4 win over the Oakland Raiders.