Culpepper On His Way Out Of Minny?

[PhillyPhreak54]

I saw this on PFT.com and heard it on Sporting News radio earlier that the Vikes could be exploring trade possibilities in regards to Culpepper. Now I know that Childress said that Culpepper is the starter, but we know how things can change. Especially if Culpepper isn't giving Childress good signs as far as being a good teammate and stuff like that. The reason mentioned, well one of them, is that Childress might think that he won't be able to grasp the WCO.

Here's PFT's take on it;

DAUNTE 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

[BigEd76]

If he's traded, I'm 90% sure it'll be Arizona...

[Zanshin]

I don't know...I could easily see him going to Miami.

[Rome]

How about Dallas?

[PhillyPhreak54]

I would say Arizona is the leader too.

I don't know about Miami. But if Scott Linehan gets a HC job then I think they would be the frontrunner. Unless LInehan goes to STL. Then they'd have to dump Bulger first.

[BigEd76]

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

[Sgt PSN]

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

Everything Ed said plus Arizona is in desperate need for a RB and Culpepper would fill that void better than anyone currently on their roster. 

Actually, I gotta disagree with the "major need at QB" part.  I think McCown is a decent young QB who's got an NFL caliber arm.  With the recievers he's got to work with I think he could develop into a quality player.  But Culpepper would be a tremendous upgrade and I think anyone would be an idiot not to make the switch. 

[BigEd76]

McCown is a FA though.  As for RB, I think JJ Arrington is a decent RB if given a good OL, which they don't have...

[Sgt PSN]

Didn't know McCown was going to be a FA.  I think I'd still try and resign him though.  That way if they get Culpepper, they know they have a capable backup and if they don't land Culpepper then they've got a semi-proven young QB they can develop. 

Didn't Arrignton have some fumble issues this year?  I know he got injured but I thought he was also giving up carries to Shipp because he couldn't hang onto the rock.   

[rjs246]

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

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Culpepper on AZ would be a candidate for comeback player of the year.  They'd still miss the playoffs, though.

[PhillyPhreak54]

STORM 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.

[Wingspan]

maybe childress is the cause of all these underpaid disgruntlites?

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

"deja turd all over again" 


P.S.  GET DAUNTE!*






*(yes, I'm kidding)

[Zanshin]

Culpepper needs a PR guy.  His stock and public rep went down reallllllly quickly.