Childress shopping DC?

[buzzsaw]

In this corner we have LAWFIRM, a newcomer with a great left cross and in this corner we have LAWDOG, known by many as the defending champion of the common folk who has a great right upper cut! It should be an interesting battle between two die hard purple fans!

Tale of the tape:

Lawdog ---------------- Lawfirm

5 ft 9 inches 300 lbs --- 5 ft 6 inches 278 lbs

Reach: 76 inches --- Reach: 98 inches

Stamina: 3 minutes --- Stamina: 2 1/2 minutes

Fanclub: 36 people --- Fanclub: still working on it.

[JIvers]

The Pioneer-Press and Star-Tribune are reporting that Culpepper, angry with his agent's maneuverings and frustrated with the pace of his contract bonus talks, called for a face-to-face meeting with top Viking officials to work out their differences. According to this story, the Wilfs and new coach Ray Childress did not show up after being asked by DC to attend. In addition, Zygi Wilf publicly praised Brad Johnson yesterday, while not mentioning the Culpepper situtation at all.

If this story is accurate, the Wilfs seem to be sending a message about Culpepper's place, or lack thereof, on next year's squad. Given Culpepper's struggles this season, Johnson's efficient performance after Culpepper went down, the questionable status of DC's knee, and Childress's switch to the West Coast offense, this may not be a bad move on the Wilf's part. You also have to factor in Culpepper's alleged bad conduct at the Love Boat party. I think the media has blown the issue out of proportion, but the Wilfs seem committed to re-habbing the team's public image, and on top of Culpepper's other issues, his involvement in the boat party may make trading or releasing him that much more attractive to the Wilfs.

[cybermuskie]

If they are planning to trade DC I sure would like to know who they have in mind to take his place? I don't think Johnson is the answer.

[Fishin Beast]

Having Johnson play one more year as a starter and maybe bring in a younger qb that can learn the Westcoast offense might be the way they are looking. Culpepper isn't a Westcoast offense player and if Childress is bringing that to the Vikes what other options are there?

[Quickstrike]

I wonder if trading DC and their 1st round pic to move up in the draft is a possibility. I know there aren't any standout QB's after young and leinhart, but a top picked QB's are not always the best NFL players, look at Tom Brady!!! I think whatever we do with DC or out draft pick we need to find someway to bring in a young quarterback and let him learn from brad for a year. I can't see anyway of daunte regaining the teams confidence, the states support, and the health and confidence in himself to lead this team where it needs to go. I hate saying this because I have always been a DC fan, but now am starting to become realistic.

[quackersmacker]

I am new to the whole conversation here, but lets look at what St. Louis has to offer MN. Lineham is the new head coach there, is it a coincedence they announced him as the new head coach within one day of DC's agent asking for more money? DC played for him at MN, and stumbed after his departure to Miami.

[bucketmouth64]

There are so many trade rumors for DC. I think they should get the best package possible. Teams that might be interested in DC are Baltimore, Arizona, Oakland, St. Louis.

Get the highest draft pick, and a player. We may have to add a pick and another player...like Smoot. Some qb's to consider if they are free agents are Schaub from Atlanta and Titans back up (can't remember name). Maybe during the draft we can get a sleeper qb that could develop into an elite player. Some of the best have been drafted late.

[Law Firm]

When people can give solid reasons (believe me, there are) for bashing Daunte, I have no problem with that whatsoever.

In the last few days I have read several articles that seem to point to Daunte being gone next year. I'm starting to feel that way myself. Remember after Moss was traded last year, Daunte stated that this was now his team. That's quite a contrast from the attitude he is currently displaying. I think that if Daunte's rehab is progressing along on schedule, teams will be more apt to give quality offers. In my perfect world, I would like to see them trade Daunte, draft an elite RB and draft a QB to groom under Johnson.

[Down to Earth]

I'm pretty sure Volek, from TN signed an extension last off season. He may become expendable if they end up picking Young in the draft this year. I checked a free agent list I found and I didn't see Schuab on it, so I'm assuming he is still under contract with the Falcons. I agree either could be a decent option and both relatively young.

Even though Linehan was just hired by the Rams, I doubt they would be interested in bringing in DC as they already have Bulger who is as good if not better than DC.

[PikeTipper]

Here is a list of free agent QB's that I could find.

Player Type 2005 Team

Anthony Wright UFA Ravens

Charlie Batch UFA Steelers

Chris Simms RFA Buccaneers

Chris Weinke UFA Panthers

Craig Nall UFA Packers

Damon Huard UFA Chiefs

Dave Ragone RFA Texans

Doug Flutie UFA Patriots

Drew Brees UFA Chargers

Jamie Martin UFA Rams

Jeff Blake UFA Bears

Jeff Garcia UFA Lions

Jesse Palmer UFA 49ers

Jon Kitna UFA Bengals

Josh McCown UFA Cardinals

Ken Dorsey RFA 49ers

Kliff Kingsbury RFA Jets

Kurt Warner UFA Cardinals

Sage Rosenfels UFA Dolphins

Seneca Wallace RFA Seahawks

Shane Matthews UFA Bills

Shaun Hill UFA Vikings

Tim Hasselbeck UFA Giants

Todd Collins UFA Chiefs

Ty Detmer UFA Falcons

Vinny Testaverde UFA Jets

Drew Brees is the only one I would be interested. We may really be in trouble next season if we let Shawn Hill get away though

[bucketmouth64]

Remember Brees hurt his shoulder last game of the season. So he is damaged goods like DC. Some of these guys might be good backups if Shaun Hill or O'Sullivan don't make the cut. I say try to trade for the Chargers backup...River something. Simms is an intriging name too.

Espn is reporting that DC has fired his agent...probably for making riduculous remarks regarding DC's contract. So the soap opera continues with the purple. Never a dull moment.

[jigging wader]

Looks to me alot of these negative impressions about what DC'S intentions have been generated to a "large extent" have been caused by his agent."Excluding the boat thing" I beleive dante does'nt want to move to another team. I personally don't think any decision is gonna be made until the oranizatin knows how well he recovers from his injury. I think you need two good qaurterbacks, Nobody out there is gonna let go of any good starters, and with a very few exeptions it takes a good 3,4,5 years to develop a good rookie qb. Good thing we have brad to keep us in good shape for that position for a while. It hs been said that daunte playing style is not very conducive for the west coast offence, I agree, but brad and other qbs around the league have have been able to adapt to other offensive styles and have done well. I'm convident dante will do the same, provided he recovers well from his injury.

[letsfish]

PikeTipper are you joking about being in trouble if we let Hill go? Dont take this the wrong way I may have missed something but I have not seen anything out of him from the length of time he has been here to say "wow we better hold on to him". I my be wrong but I just think he has been here for what 3 years and has not made any moves to advance past third string.

[JIvers]

Just to thicken the plot a little more...Randy Moss gave an interview saying he would welcome Daunte Culpepper in Oakland. A year of Kerry Collins would make DC look a whole lot better to me, too.

And, ESPN is reporting that Gus Frerotte was told by Dolphins coach Nick Saban that Frerotte will not be the starter in Miami next year, as Saban intends to bring in a proven veteran at QB. No word on which veteran QB Saban had in mind, but Miami has been in the middle of a lot of Culpepper trade rumors.

[caseymcq]

Culpepper had a crummy year. Tice let the line leak like a sieve for the first half of the season before he started changing it up. A year ago when the line didn't resemble swiss cheese DC had a 41 TD season. DC has the 3rd highest passer rating in NFL History!

Johnson won against mediocre teams this year. The Steelers played the pass and beat us. Had DC been in that game they could not have played as soft because of the threat of DC running. Johnsons shovel pass that was intercepted was a good example. He was at the line of scrimage and the LB's still backed into coverage. He was no threat to run. One dimensional.

Johnson's SB ring is a result of the TB defense that had been built by Tony Dungy.

I hope the Vikes don't get rid of DC. The only way I wouldn't be totally disapointed is if they were able to trade for a extremely high 1st rd pick and get Young out of the draft. He is the only quarterback worth anything in the draft. Leinart is a good college quarterback at best. Definately not worth Culpepper.

[PikeTipper]

Quote:

---

PikeTipper are you joking about being in trouble if we let Hill go? Dont take this the wrong way I may have missed something but I have not seen anything out of him from the length of time he has been here to say "wow we better hold on to him". I my be wrong but I just think he has been here for what 3 years and has not made any moves to advance past third string.

---

Yep, just kidding!!!

[CodyDawg]

casey,

are you serious? Do you know that DC is not even close to being a .500 QB in this league? BJ is way over .500 and it did NOT come from his SB season with TB. Playing QB in the NFL is NOT about physical abilities for the most part. Most of it is mental, which DC has proven he does not have. Sure, he makes a great scramble...only to throw a pick or fumble. How many times has he NOT called an audible that BJ would have, where the audible was the correct play? Or vice versa. Everyone gets caught up in passer rating and those pretty runs, but that is not the measure of a winning QB. Winning % is the measure. Tom Brady doesn't run, Peyton doesnt run, Big Ben doesnt run, Hasselbeck doesnt run, Delhomme doesnt run. DC and Vick run. have they won any Super Bowls?

[buzzsaw]

Codydawg is making a good arguement, just don't forget the year Duante had in 2004! He was spectacular and who knows.... he could be again. I personally would rather have Duante over Brad.... or let me put it this way... Duante starts and Brad backs him up.

[Anti PETA Guy]

Maybe Vikes should go after Kyle Orton....after all he did "LEAD" the Bears to an 8 game winning streak...ala Brad!!

[caseymcq]

Quote:

---

... but that is not the measure of a winning QB. Winning % is the measure.

---

Your perception of the obvious is remarkable.

Yes, CodyDawg, I am serious. The wins and losses are a measure of the team. Culpepper couldn't compensate for the years that the defense sucked. He can't compensate for the team not having a good running back. He can't compensate for Matt Birk being out for the season and the offensive line resembling swiss cheese. You are way off by saying that Playing QB in the NFL is not about physical abilities. IT IS A PHYSICAL SPORT. Are you going to try to tell me that any of the priemer QB's in the league could be 40 lbs over weight, have no arm but as long as they know when to call an audible they are good QB's, get real.

Brad Johnson has been passed up for Pattrick Ramsey and Brian Griese on the last two teams he was on. He is not a good QB. Was that a good audible BJ called down inside the 5 yard line agains the Steelers when he threw that interception. If DC would have been in the game he would have punched it in for six.

Passer rating speaks directly to a QB's ability to pass. It is based on four things: % of completions per attempt, average yards gained per attempt, % of touchdown passes per attempt and % of interceptions per attempt. Those "pretty runs" have absolutely nothing to do with passer rating. They are an added bonus.

Have Peyton, Big Ben, Hasselbeck or Dehlomme won a Superbowl yet? Of all the QB's you mentioned Brady is the only one to this point that has a SB ring. You are .200 on that one, well below the .500 standard you set for Daunte. After the SB you will be .400 (since Big Ben or Hasselbeck will have one) but still below .500. Trent Dilfer has a SB ring, is he a good QB, NO!

Yeah DC and Vick run, so does McNabb. They are all better QB's than Hasselbeck or Dehlomme and way better than Johnson.

[jigging wader]

I agree with caseymcque compleatly. How can a qarterback throw for 41 TDS! in a season and not have the mental abililty to be a good QB in this league. You look at these superbowl teams and they have the top talent from the head coach all the way down to the waterboy,and thats what it takes. We have not had that here for a long time, maybe we should be looking at what kind of ownership and managment we got and put the resposibility on them.

[jigging wader]

And further more, daunte has smashed all of Fran Tarkingtons team records, except the career yardage record,and frans in the hall of fame.If that dont count for being good I dont know what does.

[JIvers]

Culpepper thrived in the old wide-open offense put in place by Denny Green that emphasized rolling out the QB and throwing deep to Moss. Culpepper's big arm and mobility suited him well in this scheme. With Moss gone and Childress bringing in the West Coast offense, Culpepper's skills do not match up well. In the first seven games of this past season, DC was required to make short drops, quick reads, and controlled passes from the pocket, and he did very badly under those circumstances. When Brad Johnson stepped in, he did far better because the new shorter controlled game better suited his style. Culpepper was clearly frustrated by having to make quick reads of the defense, which is a completely separate skill from rolling out and lobbing the ball downfield to Moss, who of course is no longer here. This led to many a Culpepper interception.

The West Coast offense would require DC to change his style of play (as might his knee injury), and this is something Culpepper did not do well last year. I still believe Culpepper can be a good QB in a wide-open spread style offense that emphasizes the deep-passing game, but this is not what Childress plans to put in place in Minnesota. Culpepper is a square peg, and the West Coast offense a round hole.

[Down to Earth]

Quote:

---

If DC would have been in the game he would have punched it in for six.

---

If DC would have been in the game he would have thrown the INT back at the Steeler 45.

[caseymcq]

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

If DC would have been in the game he would have punched it in for six.

---

If DC would have been in the game he would have thrown the INT back at the Steeler 45.

---

I guess both of our statments are speculative and neither of us really knows what would have happened in that game.

I will still maintain though, that it is a team sport and one guy doesn't necessarily make or break a season. The line was poor this season. The defense didn't really show up until later in the season.

I am still a fan of DC. He is one of the premier QB's in the league. I really think if Childress sticks with him it will work out for the best. Childress is the biggest reason that McNabb has developed into the QB he is.

If they trade DC for the #2 pick and get Young I will be OK with that.