Culpepper On His Way Out Of Minny?

[Sgt PSN]

He fired his agent yesterday. Wasn't happy with the comments for more money.

If true, then good for him. 

[PhillyPhreak54]

From PFT:

VIKINGS 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.

[rjs246]

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.

[Sgt PSN]

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.

Agreed.  When you're a team like Arizona or Detroit and are in desperate need of a player who's name alone could generate some buzz then you might as well get him. 

Especially Detroit.  It's not like Millen is going to get anyone worth while with that pick anyway. 

[Feva]

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. 

Just wanted to point this out again.  Pointing and Laughing. 


But yeah, you'd have to be an absolute fool to not pursue Culpepper for a 2nd rounder.  Especially if you're a team like the Dolphins or Lions, where you have such quality offensive players outside of quarterback.

Think about it... if you're the Dolphins... who've already shown that they'll throw a 2nd round pick at a QB  , and you can add Culpepper to the offensive skillset along with Chambers, Booker, McMichael, Brown and Williams.  It makes perfect sense.

Even if Culpepper's knee never really allows him to be as mobile as he used to be... it's not like he's Michael Vick and has nothing else to rely on.  Culpepper can still throw the ball among the tops in the league.

[MadMarchHare]

Or, could he just throw the ball deep to Moss?  I'm thinking the latter.  He sure didn't impress w/o Moss last year.

[PhillyPhreak54]

DAUNTE 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

This guy is nutzo. A $10M raiser after shredding his knee and after already getting a new deal?

[Sgt PSN]

I thought he got smarter when he shtein canned his agent.  Guess not. 

[MadMarchHare]

Or is he just trying to poison the well?  It just seems like even Pep can't be this stupid.

[Feva]

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

This is the ONLY way that any of what he's doing makes any sense whatsoever.

That includes representing himself at the negotiating table.  Anyone who's heard the guy speak knows exactly what I mean.

[SunMo]

Vikings | 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.

[Feva]

Swapping the cripple for the criminal, huh?

[MURP]

thought Jamal Lewis was a FA. 

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

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!

[SunMo]

dude, do you know how desirous the media would be for the Eagles to do well?