ConcreteBoard

QuoteDAUNTE DONE IN MINNY?

At a time when many of our readers are asking whether quarterback Daunte Culpepper wants out of Minnesota, we're hearing that the Vikings could be the ones making the decision for him.

The thinking is that new Vikings coach Brad Childress doesn't believe that Culpepper will be able to run the West Coast offense, since Culpepper hasn't shown a consistent ability to change plays based on the looks he is getting from the defense.  Indeed, his only pre-snap aptitude that we've ever detected was his propensity to spot single coverage on receiver Randy Moss -- and then to chuck the ball to him deep.

The separate, and more significant, issue is Culpepper's knee, which was blown apart on October 30 at Carolina.  Even if he is able to start the first regular season game, he'll need every snap in the offseason, training camp, and the preseason to enable him to get ready to run a new offense.

So it could be that, a year after the Vikings shipped Moss out of town for a relatively light package of picks and a player who didn't really contribute in 2005, the Vikes might send packing the guy who supposedly wanted Randy's bad influence out of the way so that he could lead the team without being undermined.

The objective evidence points to problems.  Culpepper and Childress have yet to meet in person, and Daunte has been dissing members of the organization ever since he became a forgotten man during the team's improbable six-game winning streak.  Pending criminal charges for something he claims he didn't do doesn't help matters, either.

An industry source tells us that Daunte is merely laying low as he considers the various changes to the organization, but we've got a feeling that, even if there's nothing more to it right now, it's heading in the direction of a divorce.

If Daunte is going to get moved, possible destinations are Arizona, Oakland, Miami (if offensive coordinator Scott Linehan stays), and St. Louis (if Linehan becomes the next head coach of the Rams).  The Vikings have the cap room to make the move, and Culpepper's value isn't going to get any higher if he struggles for a year or two learning the new attack.

So keep an eye on this one.  Barring a public smooch-fest in the near future, our guess is that the new direction in Minny won't include the quarterback whom many thought would lead the team into the next decade

Quote from: BigEd76 on January 17, 2006, 03:42:39 PM
Here's why I say Arizona:

-- Dennis Green
-- major need at QB
-- amazing WR corps
-- simple offense (durrrr...throw it to Boldin and Fitzgerald...durr *drool on shirt*)
-- possibly ticket draw going into the new stadium

Quote from: BigEd76 on January 17, 2006, 03:42:39 PM
Here's why I say Arizona:

-- Dennis Green
-- major need at QB
-- amazing WR corps
-- simple offense (durrrr...throw it to Boldin and Fitzgerald...durr *drool on shirt*)
-- possibly ticket draw going into the new stadium

QuoteSTORM CLOUDS GATHER IN MINNY

A few days back, we suggested that the relationship between the Vikings and quarterback Daunte Culpepper soon could be coming to an end.  In our assessment, the process is already beginning to unfold. 

In our opinion, the Vikings would be wise to accelerate it.

Sean Jensen of The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that agent Mason Ashe plans to reopen talks aimed at finagling more money for Culpepper, who currently is rehabilitating a torn ligament trifecta (and, presumably, a shattered ego).

"I am poised and ready to begin the scheduled restructuring of his long-term contract with the Vikings, as we discussed last summer with [owner Zygi] Wilf, so Daunte can assume the position on the NFL pay scale that he so deserves," Ashe said on Wednesday.

Excuse me?  Mason, are you f--king insane?  You hijacked the Vikings for more money last year because you had your guy sign a deal running through 2013 that didn't properly anticipate his MVP-caliber performance in 2004, and now after your guy played like refried baby crap in 2005 before having his knee exploded you want more money?

For new head coach Brad Childress, who was smack dab in the middle of the T.O. mess last year, it looks like deja turd all over again.

And if Childress learned anything a year ago, it's that cancers like this must be dealt with swiftly and decisively.  Culpepper is due a $6 million roster bonus in March. 

So cut him.  Cut him now. 

Don't even try to trade him.  Just dump him.  So what if you're giving him what he wants?  But getting rid of him, you'll also be getting what you need.

Peace.  Harmony.  Focus. 

Then Brad Johnson can be the starter for 2006, and the team can develop its next quarterback as Johnson squeezes the last bits of toothpaste out of the tube.

It's bold, but it's a no brainer.  C'mon Zig, Rob, Brad.  Show the entire NFL that team is more important than individual.  Who cares if Culpepper wins a ring with someone else?  The simple truth is that, as long as he stays in Minnesota, no one is gonna get one.

Quote from: Sgt PSN on January 19, 2006, 11:40:49 AM
Culpepper's got absolutely no leg to stand on with this one.  (pun intended)

He was played like shyte last year, he McGahee'd his knee and now he's got criminal charges pending against him. 

In what farging world does he (or anyone else for that matter) think he's entitled to a pay raise? 

Dumbass. 

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on January 19, 2006, 08:47:33 AM

QuoteSTORM CLOUDS GATHER IN MINNY

A few days back, we suggested that the relationship between the Vikings and quarterback Daunte Culpepper soon could be coming to an end.  In our assessment, the process is already beginning to unfold. 

In our opinion, the Vikings would be wise to accelerate it.

Sean Jensen of The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that agent Mason Ashe plans to reopen talks aimed at finagling more money for Culpepper, who currently is rehabilitating a torn ligament trifecta (and, presumably, a shattered ego).

"I am poised and ready to begin the scheduled restructuring of his long-term contract with the Vikings, as we discussed last summer with [owner Zygi] Wilf, so Daunte can assume the position on the NFL pay scale that he so deserves," Ashe said on Wednesday.

Excuse me?  Mason, are you f--king insane?  You hijacked the Vikings for more money last year because you had your guy sign a deal running through 2013 that didn't properly anticipate his MVP-caliber performance in 2004, and now after your guy played like refried baby crap in 2005 before having his knee exploded you want more money?

For new head coach Brad Childress, who was smack dab in the middle of the T.O. mess last year, it looks like deja turd all over again.

And if Childress learned anything a year ago, it's that cancers like this must be dealt with swiftly and decisively.  Culpepper is due a $6 million roster bonus in March. 

So cut him.  Cut him now. 

Don't even try to trade him.  Just dump him.  So what if you're giving him what he wants?  But getting rid of him, you'll also be getting what you need.

Peace.  Harmony.  Focus. 

Then Brad Johnson can be the starter for 2006, and the team can develop its next quarterback as Johnson squeezes the last bits of toothpaste out of the tube.

It's bold, but it's a no brainer.  C'mon Zig, Rob, Brad.  Show the entire NFL that team is more important than individual.  Who cares if Culpepper wins a ring with someone else?  The simple truth is that, as long as he stays in Minnesota, no one is gonna get one.

Jeez. Culpepper just got a fat contract a year ago and now he wants more even though he's had a devastating knee injury?

This just goes to show how easily McNabb and his agent could be pricks and demand more cash. Donovan signed his new deal in 2002 and hasn't had any raises. But yet we see Culpepper trying to cram his fist in the cookie jar again and we see other QBs getting more money. So Donnie Mac could easily say what Culpepper's agent is saying about being on par with guys like Vick and Culpepper.

Quote from: EagleFeva on January 19, 2006, 01:00:45 PM

Quote from: Sgt PSN on January 19, 2006, 11:40:49 AM
Culpepper's got absolutely no leg to stand on with this one.  (pun intended)

He was played like shyte last year, he McGahee'd his knee and now he's got criminal charges pending against him. 

In what farging world does he (or anyone else for that matter) think he's entitled to a pay raise? 

Dumbass. 

Yeah, that's all true... but you forget... he can do this:

(http://blog.lib.umn.edu/archives/snackeru/greet/daunte.jpg)

PAY THE MAN!

Quote from: wanderer34 on January 23, 2006, 07:40:37 PM
He's going to one place and that's Miami. Even though Dennis Green's coaching the Cards, I don't see him landing there and I don't see him wanting to be a backup for some young QB. I see McCown becoming a decent QB (similar to Trent Green and Hassleback), and getting D'Angelo will be the final piece of the offense, but defense needs work ...... a lot of it!

Miami's already holding a spot for Culpepper, it's just not publicized. He might not get the speed he had with Moss in Minny, but he's got sure hands with Chambers, Booker, McMichael and co., including a run game with Ricky and Ronnie Brown, and a solid defense, an extra luxury he never had with Minnesota.

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on January 25, 2006, 09:17:06 AM
He fired his agent yesterday. Wasn't happy with the comments for more money.

QuoteVIKINGS SHOPPING CULPEPPER



Roughly a year ago, we broke the news that the Vikings were in the process of trading Randy Moss.  Now, we're told that the Vikings actively are shopping quarterback Daunte Culpepper.



Per a league source, the Vikings are contacting all of the teams perceived to be in the market for a quarterback in order to gauge interest for a trade.  The initial asking price, per the source, is a second-round draft pick.



The Vikings undoubtedly would be looking for much more if Culpepper hadn't suffered tears to three ligaments in his right knee on October 30, at the end of the first quarter of a game against the Panthers.  The Vikings also would be looking for much more if Culpepper's play hadn't collapsed from 2004, in which he put together one of the best seasons ever at the position, to 2005, in which his performance was mediocre at best.



Tensions recently have climbed between the Vikings and Culpepper.  After suffering the injury and undergoing surgery, Culpepper essentially became a stranger to the organization.  After the season ended, Culpepper tried to resume talks aimed at restructuring a contract that runs through the 2013 season.  (In 2005, the Vikings agreed to push $8 million in future money forward.)  Culpepper since has fired agent Mason Ashe, and Culpepper might end up representing himself in connection with any future efforts to finagle more money.



For the Vikings, the bigger question (as we'd previously heard it) was whether Culpepper would be able to perform effectively in new coach Brad Childress's offense.  Childress, we'd heard, was concerned that Culpepper couldn't pull it off.  Coupled with the fact that Daunte won't be available to get on the field through the offseason program and training camp, there's no way he'd be effective as the team's quarterback this season.



So, apparently, the team has decided that the best thing to do is to make a move now, before Culpepper becomes even more of a distraction than he already is.



The problem, of course, will be finding a trade partner.  Teams with possible needs at the position in 2006 include the Jets, Dolphins, Ravens, Browns, Titans, Raiders, Lions, Packers, Saints, and Rams. 



Former Vikings offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is the head coach in St. Louis.  Linehan was calling the plays in Minnesota when Culpepper put together his MVP-caliber performance in 2004.  Moss publicly has indicated that he would welcome Daunte in Oakland.  And although the Vikings are unlikely to do a deal within the NFC North, new Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz surely could draw up a playbook suited to Culpepper's unique size and deceptive speed.



We assume that the Cardinals aren't in the mix for Culpepper, given that Kurt Warner recently was signed to a three-year deal worth at least $18 million.  We likewise assume that the Vikings made a call or two to Arizona in order to see whether Denny Green, who used the first-round pick obtained from the taterskins for Brad Johnson in 1999 to draft Culpepper, would be interested in a reunion. 



Culpepper's health is the primary impediment to any possible trade.  If he's never the same guy that he was due to the injury, the second-round pick is wasted.  That's why we think the Vikings will be able to move him only in exchange for one or more conditional picks in 2007 or, possibly, 2008.  Then, the ultimate value surrendered by the new team would be determined by the extent to which Culpepper can perform following the completion of his rehab.



Another significant glitch that needs to be addressed is Culpepper's $6 million roster bonus, due in early March.  Given the uncertainties of the CBA negotiations, it will be hard for any team to justify devoting $8 million in 2006 cap dollars to a player who might not be available to play at all during the coming season.   



In the end, the Vikings might not be able to justify it, either.  And we wouldn't be shocked if decided to release Culpepper, if they can't get what they want for him in trade.

Quote from: rjs246 on February 15, 2006, 08:24:23 PM
What team with starting QB needs WOULDN'T give up a second for him? We're talking about a guy with a couple of pro-bowls under his belt.

QuoteWe likewise assume that the Vikings made a call or two to Arizona in order to see whether Denny Green, who used the first-round pick obtained from the taterskins for Brad Johnson in 1999 to draft Culpepper, would be interested in a reunion. 

QuoteDAUNTE DEMANDED $10 MILLION RAISE

Kevin Seifert of The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper asked for a $10 million raise during a January 31 meeting with owner Zygi Wilf, coach Brad Childress, V.P. of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski, and other members of the ownership group.  Culpepper, who represented himself during the meeting, wanted the extra money to be paid in 2006.

Per the report, Wilf angrily denied the request, and no substantive communications have occurred since.

Culpepper is due to receive a $6 million roster bonus on March 14.  If a trade occurs before that date, Culpepper might have to be willing to restructure his contract.  The easiest course of action would be to transform the payment to a guaranteed amount, allowing the cap hit to be spread over the next four years, and reducing his 2006 cap number with a new team to $3.5 million, since he's due to earn $2 million in base salary.

But no one should count on Culpepper being reasonable at the bargaining table.  He is, frankly, stupid or delusional (or both) if he thinks that anyone will break the bank for a guy whose knee was torn apart in October, and who otherwise has shown to be streaky, at best.

One team to keep an eye on, in our opinion, is the Arizona Cardinals.  Even though Kurt Warner recently signed a three-year contract worth $18 million or more, we have a feeling that coach Dennis Green might be willing to try to bring Culpepper on board.  He'd likely sit out most if not all of the 2006 season, and then compete with Warner for the starting job in 2007.

Sure, it's a lot of money to invest into the quarterback position, but the Cards usually have plenty of cap room, and with tickets selling at an unprecedented pace as the team gets ready to open a new stadium this year, cash shouldn't be an issue, even for the notoriously stingy Bidwills.

The issue still comes back to whether Culpepper is willing to acknowledge and accept reality.  By all appearances, he isn't -- which would make it difficult for him to accept a trade without a raise.

Unless he knows that the current posture he's assuming in Minnesota is the only way to secure his exit from the team that drafted him seven years ago

QuoteUnless he knows that the current posture he's assuming in Minnesota is the only way to secure his exit from the team that drafted him seven years ago

QuoteVikings | Ravens an option for Culpepper?
Thu, 16 Feb 2006 10:04:08 -0800

According to ESPNews, one potential trade possibility involving Minnesota Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper is a deal with the Baltimore Ravens for RB Jamal Lewis.

Quote from: General_Failure on February 16, 2006, 02:25:51 PM
We'll be set at LB with Culpepper.

Quote from: MURP on February 16, 2006, 01:58:11 PM
thought Jamal Lewis was a FA. 

Quote from: General_Failure on February 16, 2006, 02:25:51 PM
We'll be set at LB with Culpepper.

Quote from: FFatPatt on February 16, 2006, 02:25:05 PM
I smell three-way trade.  We get Daunte, give B-more T.O., and then give Minny Jamal Lewis.  That would be super awsum, because McNabb sucks so bad, but Daunte is the best.  GET CULPEPPER! w0ot!

Quote
The Baltimore Ravens apparently were among the teams the Vikings contacted last week in an effort to gauge the trade value of quarterback Daunte Culpepper, but no deal with the Ravens or any other team appears imminent.

QuoteVikings | Culpepper to be released?
Fri, 24 Feb 2006 04:59:56 -0800

Jason Cole, of the Miami Herald, reports the Miami Dolphins expect the Minnesota Vikings to release QB Daunte Culpepper before the Vikings are scheduled to pay him a $6 million roster bonus March 17. Because of that belief, the Dolphins have resisted the offer to trade for Culpepper. The Dolphins and Vikings recently discussed a trade for Culpepper. Despite those discussions, the Dolphins are not interested in a trade at this point. They are examining a number of quarterback options.

QuoteThe Vikings owner says he'll pay the bonus due next month and tries to downplay talk that the quarterback will leave.
Judd Zulgad, Star Tribune

Last update: February 26, 2006 – 7:09 AM



There's no question who's in charge of the Vikings
INDIANAPOLIS - Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said Saturday he plans to pay Daunte Culpepper a $6 million roster bonus on March 17 and tried to defuse growing speculation that the organization is going to sever ties with the quarterback by trading or releasing him.

Asked if he could definitively say Culpepper was going to be on the Vikings roster in 2006, Wilf said: "That is our plan, yes. Always was." He reiterated that point in two follow-up questions.

Wilf, who arrived Saturday at the NFL combine, initially balked at discussing the Culpepper situation but soon relented as he walked through the lobby of the RCA Dome Convention Center after being one of the few owners to watch player workouts.

Culpepper, who tore three ligaments in his right knee on Oct. 30, has attempted at least three times to secure a raise of his $8 million salary in 2006, according to three sources.

The Vikings denied those requests and according to sources called at least two teams, Baltimore and Miami, to see if they had any interest in the veteran.

While Wilf tried to downplay potential trade discussions, he did not rule them out. "I don't know," he said. "I'm not involved with anything like that. ... It could be just speculation, it could be other teams asking about him, it could be a lot of things."

Culpepper disputed the trade reports in an e-mail he sent to media outlets last Tuesday, saying Wilf had told him "the Vikings have not yet spoken to other teams about trading me." But new Vikings coach Brad Childress indicated on Friday during a news conference at the combine that there had been some dialogue with other teams, saying, "We've had inquiries."

Wilf said he read Childress' comments in the paper and agreed with what his coach said but did little to clear things up when asked about the differences between Childress' and Culpepper's remarks. "I don't want to clarify anything because whatever discussions I had with Daunte were between me and Daunte," Wilf said. "If Daunte wanted to report to the media what he thought was the conversation, that's up to him. I'm not going to paraphrase or anything [what was said]. That's between he and I."

Wilf claimed he wasn't disappointed with Culpepper's decision to make part of their conversation public. "Everyone has their right to say what they want to," Wilf said. "My personal feeling is that whatever I talk to Daunte about is between myself and Daunte."

Wilf, who realizes that saying he won't pay Culpepper his roster bonus will kill the quarterback's trade value, also explained his reasoning for being vague on some issues.

"You have to understand something," he said. "Right now is the combine, everything is very sensitive, everything is very important that we keep that low[-key]. ... Being a first-year owner, I realize it's very important to keep things during the combine and draft close to the vest. It's a matter of gamesmanship in terms of how you approach the draft, how you approach free agency and how you approach your own players."

Quote from: PhillyGirl on March 08, 2006, 03:36:38 PM
Culpooper to Vikes: Trade me or release me (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2359699)

QuoteIn a brief phone interview with The Associated Press, Culpepper said he had been angered by a recent e-mail he received from the team. He didn't elaborate on the contents of the e-mail.

Quote from: EagleFeva on March 08, 2006, 04:02:05 PM
To hell with Garthia...

GET CULPEPPER!

Quote from: Sgt PSN on March 09, 2006, 01:08:42 AM

Quote from: EagleFeva on March 08, 2006, 04:02:05 PM
To hell with Garthia...

GET CULPEPPER!

That would definatley help solve the linebacker issues. 

QuoteVikings | Team will attempt to meet Culpepper's trade request
Thu, 9 Mar 2006 13:19:36 -0800

Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports the Minnesota Vikings are looking to grant QB Daunte Culpepper's trade request. Team officials have reportedly gotten upset with the quarterback's public gripes and refusal to work with head coach Brad Childress. If the Vikings are unable to trade Culpepper before he is due a $6 million roster bonus, they intend to ask him to push back the bonus date in order to continue to work towards a trade.

Quote from: EagleFeva on March 09, 2006, 05:25:26 PM
But he can "get his roll on" like nobody's business.

Quote from: hbionic on March 09, 2006, 05:29:59 PM

Quote from: EagleFeva on March 09, 2006, 05:25:26 PM
But he can "get his roll on" like nobody's business.

I hate seeing him do that...but its fun as hell to do yourself.

Quote from: hbionic on March 09, 2006, 05:29:59 PM

I hate seeing him do that...but its fun as hell to do yourself. Especially after taking a huge dump.

Quote from: hbionic on March 09, 2006, 05:29:59 PM

Quote from: EagleFeva on March 09, 2006, 05:25:26 PM
But he can "get his roll on" like nobody's business.

I hate seeing him do that...but its fun as hell to do yourself. Especially after taking a huge dump.

QuoteVikings not passing up Culpepper trade     


   By Adam Schefter
NFL Analyst


(March 9, 2006) -- The Minnesota Vikings have a deal in place to trade quarterback Daunte Culpepper, team officials confirmed Thursday. The trade is imminent, with the deal expected to go through Friday, just before the start of free agency.
Where Culpepper is going is the biggest mystery in the league. As of now, it is not Oakland. The Raiders and Vikings spoke Thursday, but Oakland is trying to gauge whether or not it wants to try to match, or beat, the other teams' offer. It will spend Thursday night mulling its decision.

   
Daunte Culpepper couldn't get along with the new regime in Minnesota.     
But the Vikings have made it clear that they have found a suitable trade partner, with suitable compensation, and now Culpepper and the Vikings each will get their wish. They will part ways, leaving on more bitter terms than wide receiver Randy Moss left Minnesota last season.

Culpepper could not get along with new Vikings coach Brad Childress, and the quarterback has upset various members of the organization with what they feel is his immature behavior. Their relationship, by all accounts, will end Friday. But the only ones who knows where Culpepper's next relationship will resume are the Vikings and their trading partner.

Teams in need of quarterbacks include Miami, New Orleans, Detroit, the New York Jets, the Baltimore Ravens and the Oakland Raiders, who still have not released Kerry Collins, even if it has been reported that they have.

Chances are, one of those places will be Culpepper's home this season.

Quote

Culpepper said Wednesday the Vikings were shopping him. While no team has been ruled out, teams that appear to be interested in Culpepper include the Miami Dolphins, the Baltimore Ravens and the Oakland Raiders.

Quote from: Philly Forever on March 10, 2006, 03:00:37 AM
This could be bogus...

http://www.vikingsboard.net/

Deal Confirmed
11:25 PM
3/9/06

Rumors of a possible deal that will send Daunte Culpepper to the St. Louis Rams for current starting quarterback Marc Bulger and a "mid-round" selection in the 2006 draft have been confirmed tonight. A source close to the situation has told Vikingsboard that the deal has been struck in principle, and is awaiting the Saturday Free Agent deadline for finalization.

"This is not to say that a last minute offer from another team won't be entertained" said the source "But I can tell you with almost certainty that if nobody else steps up in the next 24 hours with a better offer, Culpepper will be a Ram before the weekend is out"

The mid round selection is believed to be a fourth rounder, however that could not be confirmed.
More information to follow.

Quote from: FFatPatt on March 10, 2006, 07:25:57 AM
If Bulger is healthy, Childress will be very pleased.

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on March 10, 2006, 07:48:03 PM
A 3rd and Doug Gabriel?

Ha.

QuoteVikes get bitten: The Vikings overplayed their hand a bit Friday by putting a deadline on three of the teams they were talking to in trade conversations for quarterback Daunte Culpepper.

All three had the perception from the Vikings that one of the teams were offering a second-round pick.

The Raiders dropped out and were only considering a conditional third-round choice before they got too heavy into the bidding. The Dolphins weren't going to go that high, but might have been willing to give a solid third.

Titans general manager Floyd Reese officially notified the Vikings that he is no longer interested and won't do any more bidding for Culpepper. Reese labeled the talks exploratory and said he liked the current group of Titans quarterbacks. He said that the Titans will concentrate on longer term solutions in the future as opposed to a short-term acquisition.

QuoteRaiders | Negotiations with Vikings resume
Mon, 13 Mar 2006 09:18:36 -0800

ESPNews reports the Oakland Raiders have resumed talks with the Minnesota Vikings about possibly working out a trade to acquire Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper.

QuoteSean Jensen, of the Pioneer Press, reports Minnesota Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper is expected to be traded to the Miami Dolphins Tuesday, March 14, for a second-round draft choice in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Quote from: Sun_Mo on March 14, 2006, 01:34:45 PM
using a perverted form of math....

AJ Feeley is as good a quarterback as Dante Culpepper