Childress: Culpepper = Owens

PhillyPhreak54 · March 20, 2006, 08:09:19 PM

QuoteChildress: Culepper wasn't a team player

Associated Press

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress says he saw a little of T.O. in Daunte Culpepper. That was enough for him.

"It just became a deal where I didn't feel like it was the team, I felt like it was 'me,'" Childress said Monday about Culpepper. "I went through a big 'me' situation last year with a guy who was all about 'me.'"

While still the offensive coordinator at Philadelphia, Childress clashed with Terrell Owens during training camp, the precursor to the mercurial receiver's high-profile exodus from the Eagles.

Shortly after replacing Mike Tice as the head coach in Minnesota, Childress again found himself not seeing eye-to-eye with one of the team's marquee players.

Culpepper refused to rehab his severely injured right knee in Minnesota, preferring to remain at home in Florida. He also asked for a raise and was hesitant to meet with Childress and the new coaching staff to start examining the team's new offense.

"I think we're just playing the ultimate team game and so everybody has to be on board," Childress said. "Specifically, the quarterback has to be on board because that's kind of the straw that stirs the drink, if you will. You have to feel that, it has to be ringing through. I didn't quite get it."

With neither side budging, the Vikings shipped Culpepper to Miami last week for a second-round pick, days after Culpepper requested to be traded or released.

"Quite frankly, I don't think he wanted to be here anymore," the coach said. "I think he's probably better served where he's at. I think that we'll go forward and keep our gaze forward as opposed to looking back."

Speaking at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Childress said he never got a good vibe from Culpepper, the unquestioned leader of the Vikings until last season's struggles on and off the field.

"Everything became about being a $10 million-a-year quarterback," Childress said.

Culpepper did not respond to an e-mail request for comment. Last week, he said he wanted to move forward with his new team.

"I wish the best for the Viking organization as they go forward under the new ownership group and coaching staff," he wrote in an e-mail to reporters last week.

Without Culpepper, the Vikings have turned to 37-year-old Brad Johnson as their starting quarterback. After Culpepper went down for the season against Carolina, Johnson helped the team to a 7-2 finish that was aided by an improved defense and soft schedule.

Childress said Monday he is off to a much better start with Johnson.

"I know where his heart is in no uncertain terms because he's told me that," Childress said. "He's looked me in the eye and told me that."

For now, Childress said, Johnson is the team's starting quarterback. But the Vikings could bring in a veteran free agent like Aaron Brooks, Brian Griese or Joey Harrington.

And Childress didn't rule out packaging the second-rounder the Vikings got from Miami to move up in the draft to grab one of the marquee rookies -- USC's Matt Leinart, Texas' Vince Young or Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler.

"If you have a little bit of ammo, if you see somebody that moves you, you'd be able to move up if that person was there," he said.

Eaglez · March 20, 2006, 10:42:40 PM

I think that's a little hyperbole. No one if the league is as arrogant and self-congratulating as TO. But, good for Childress for getting rid of a potential head case.

We'll see what he can do with a 37 year old QB that can't move laterally, however.

Mad-Lad · March 20, 2006, 10:59:22 PM

that works out perfectly. The Vikings will covet a first round QB once Philly's ready to draft, will trade up to get Cutler, and Philly will move down in order to draft Greenway.

PoopyfaceMcGee · March 21, 2006, 08:42:36 AM

Cutler will be LONG gone by #14.

ice grillin you · March 21, 2006, 08:46:00 AM

childress is gun shy...theres nothing wrong with culpepper

PoopyfaceMcGee · March 21, 2006, 08:49:01 AM

Culpepper went gonzo and had to be dealt. The Vikings did well to get value for him, considering he's coming off a bad season and a worse injury, and was due a roster bonus that they had no intention of paying anymore.

Zanshin · March 21, 2006, 08:52:58 AM

They had no choice but to do something with Culpepper. He was clearly out of his mind; going without an agent was idiotic on his part.

Sgt PSN · March 21, 2006, 05:18:36 PM

Quote from: FFatPatt on March 21, 2006, 08:49:01 AM
Culpepper went gonzo and had to be dealt. The Vikings did well to get value for him, considering he's coming off a bad season and a worse injury, and was due a roster bonus that they had no intention of paying anymore.

I think the Vikes got robbed. The Eagles got a 2nd round pick for Feeley from the Phins so the Vikes should have gotten the next 4 years worth of #1's from them.

PoopyfaceMcGee · March 21, 2006, 05:36:04 PM

Don Banks from NFL.com thinks the Vikings are having the best overall off-season of any team so far.

Mad-Lad · March 21, 2006, 05:40:57 PM

Quote from: FFatPatt on March 21, 2006, 05:36:04 PM
Don Banks from NFL.com thinks the Vikings are having the best overall off-season of any team so far.

we appreciate the Don Banks updates.

PoopyfaceMcGee · March 21, 2006, 05:53:37 PM

He thinks the Cowboys are #3, just because of T.O. Please ban me, I have nothing to contribute.

Mad-Lad · March 21, 2006, 05:56:02 PM

Quote from: FFatPatt on March 21, 2006, 05:53:37 PM
He thinks the Cowboys are #3, just because of T.O. Please ban me, I have nothing to contribute.

who's #2?

Sgt PSN · March 21, 2006, 06:02:08 PM

Quote from: Mad-Lad on March 21, 2006, 05:56:02 PM
Quote from: FFatPatt on March 21, 2006, 05:53:37 PM
He thinks the Cowboys are #3, just because of T.O. Please ban me, I have nothing to contribute.

who's #2?

Rome · March 21, 2006, 07:14:29 PM

The Eagles are 33rd.

PhillyPhanInDC · March 21, 2006, 07:32:27 PM

Guess who he picked as a loser? YOU GUESSED IT!

Quote

4. Washington: The taterskins were saved from salary-cap hell by the new CBA extension, which freed up another $7 million-plus of cap space, allowing them to avoid having to dismantle their roster. So what do they do? Rush right out and get themselves mortgaged back up to the gills, tossing out a staggering $31.8 million, six-year contract to the Rams' Adam Archuleta, making him the richest safety in NFL history.

Receiver Antwaan Randle El and linebacker Andre Carter also got hefty deals, and Washington opted to send both a third- and fourth-round pick to San Francisco in exchange for inconsistent receiver Brandon Lloyd. Even reserve tight end Fauria and backup quarterback Todd Collins got in on the money train.

The taterskins' set-the-market contracts are bound to catch up to them one day. My guess is it'll be after head coach Joe Gibbs calls it a career for a second time, in a year or two.