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Dolphins deal for Green

The Miami Dolphins got Trent Green, and Daunte Culpepper got some good news about his right knee.

The Dolphins completed three months of trade talks with the Kansas City Chiefs when they acquired Green on Tuesday. Miami will give up a conditional 2008 fifth-round draft pick that can increase to a fourth-rounder if Green meets certain performance standards.

Meanwhile, Culpepper said Tuesday that he was cleared to participate in the Dolphins' minicamp this weekend by Dr. James Andrews. Culpepper said he received "very positive" news from Andrews about his knee, which caused him to miss most of the past two seasons.

"I met Dr. Andrews on Monday and the Dolphins doctors (Tuesday)," Culpepper wrote in an email. "Andrews did a thorough exam with X-rays and gave me a very positive report and clearance for this week's minicamp. (Tuesday) The Dolphins also cleared me so I am preparing to practice (Wednesday)."

The question for the Dolphins is whether they will hold onto Culpepper, whom they acquired in 2006 for a second-round draft pick under former coach Nick Saban. Culpepper and Saban were at odds last season after Saban benched Culpepper for the remainder of the season when Culpepper's knee hindered him.

Culpepper, who tore three ligaments in the knee in 2005 while playing for the Minnesota Vikings, subsequently had surgery to remove scar tissue from the knee in November and has been hindered ever since.

Culpepper is due to make $5.5 million in base salary this season, making it unlikely the Dolphins will keep him as a backup. The team drafted John Beck in the second round and have backup Cleo Lemon on the roster as well.

Culpepper took the high road after hearing that the Dolphins had completed the trade for Green, who played for new Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron when the two were with the Washington Redskins in the mid-1990s.

"My position on Trent is that the Dolphins should get the best players that they can and let them compete for the starting job," Culpepper wrote.

As for Green, the Dolphins have been in talks with the Chiefs since March. Green was allowed to seek a trade after the Chiefs told him that he would split practice time and have to compete with second-year quarterback Brodie Croyle for the starting position.

Chiefs president Carl Peterson initially had asked the Dolphins for two draft picks for Green, including at least a second-rounder. Kansas City then asked for a fourth-rounder before the draft in April.

Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller said he would not give up more than a sixth-rounder for Green. However, the Dolphins are holding a three-day minicamp this weekend and wanted Green to participate in the practices.