Although NFL Players Association attorney Richard Berthelsen was traveling today and unable to return phone messages, he did send an e-mail to NFLPA director of communications Carl Francis in which he confirmed that a grievance will be filed "sometime soon" against the Dolphins in an effort to force them to release Culpepper.

After completing the long-anticipated trade for former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Trent Green for a conditional fifth-round pick last Wednesday, the Dolphins informed Culpepper that they were trying to trade him.

Culpepper said he wanted to be released and that he would veto any trade by refusing to re-negotiate his $5.5 million 2007 base salary. Dolphins coach Cam Cameron praised Dolphins General Manager Randy Mueller over the weekend for "holding to his guns" in his efforts to deal Culpepper so that the team could acquire a tangible asset for a quarterback who cost the club a second-round pick and $8 million last season.

A report on Yahoo.com said that Berthelsen is comparing Culpepper's situation to that of former Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair, who last year won a grievance against the Titans after they barred him from the team facility because they were concerned they would be responsible for his salary if he got hurt.

The situations are different, however. The Dolphins never have barred Culpepper from the facility and allowed him to participate in various individual (and short passing) drills on the first day of last weekend's three-day minicamp.

Culpepper, not wearing his knee brace for the first time since undergoing a second surgery last November, walked off the field Friday afternoon after Dolphins quarterbacks coach Terry Shea told him he wouldn't be receiving any repetitions in team drills.

"Instead of wasting time out there watching practice, I went into the weight room and got a little bit stronger," Culpepper said Friday.

Dolphins players' representative Jay Feely said he spoke to Culpepper and Cameron and understood both points of view. Feely said he didn't believe the Dolphins were violating the Collective Bargaining Agreement in any way.

Feely said the Dolphins aren't allowed to prevent a "healthy" player from practicing. A coach has the prerogative to use a player any way he determines in practice.

Culpepper said he had been given clearance to practice last week by his surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, and Dolphins doctors.

The Dolphins wouldn't confirm whether their team doctors had given Culpepper medical clearance and also wouldn't comment on any grievance until they receive one.