Daunte on the trading block.....

[JohnMickish]

I checked and Johnson is signed for next year but we don't know what kind of out clauses there are in it so I can't say for sure that he is a sure thing to be with the Vikes next year.

[buzzsaw]

Either way this teams QB play will hopefully improve with a healthy and hopefully improved offensive line. If we have a good O-line Duante could flourish once again, if not then Brads quick passes adjust for bad line play.

[JIvers]

I don't see why an interception thrown when down by two scores is less important. I want a QB who can move the ball when he really needs to without completing passes to the other team. A big reason Culpepper had to play from behind this season was because he had too many interceptions and unassisted fumbles, which will put a defense in the hole every time, and make it look bad. The defense did need time to gel, which is not Culpepper's fault, but I can't ignore his play this past season, when he no longer had a high-speed downfield offense to work with.

I'm also not convinced that talent is interchangeable, whatever Childress says about adapting it to the system. Look at Atlanta, where Michael Vick is now complaining about the West Coast offense. Vick is really a running back/wideout, IMO, and not an NFL QB, but if you are going to have Michael Vick play quarterback, you should not make him take quick drops and short throws from the pocket. You turn him loose and let him make plays on the run, which is what Vick does best. (And you ignore his mediocre passing skills, but never mind that now.) By the same token, Peyton Manning is a very good regular-season QB, but you could not just tell Manning to start scrambling and rolling out and expect success. That is not Manning's skill, and neither is winning in January, or playing all in February (except in Hawaii). Culpepper is a better QB than Michael Vick, and QB is his true position, but I have seen nothing to indicate that he can make the adjustment to the West Coast offense.

[giddyup99]

I was listening to ESPN radio on the way back from work and they had John Clayton on - he said he thinks the Vikings are possibly going to RELEASE Culpepper outright if no other team is interested in trading for him. Said the Vikes don't want to pay his salary bonus due on March 16th or something. Not a big Clayton guy, it wasn't Salisbury saying it so it may have some truth to it.

[196thDLR]

Well, I guess it's my turn to crawl into the barrel!! I do agree that Pepper had a very bad year in 2005. I did, however, notice that when Pepper was on the field, there were 10 other people in Purple there with him. Funny thing is, I didn't see any of them making any plays either. The offensive line was just that!! OFFENSIVE!!!!! Four of those guys couldn't block anything, even, if they had a D-10 Cat too help them.

Runng Backs? What Runnig Backs? One back had lost is confidence, one couldn't play if he was thought he was hurt, one was the grandpa of the running backs who actually did the best until a season ending injury, and finally, the rookie. And, oh yes, I forgot the one who did not have any of his own urnine, who received a whole year too look for some!

I can't write anymore about the offense, when there just was not any, until our oppenents played their scrubs. And I'm sure that no one wants me too start on the defense.

The moral of the story is, you cannot plow a field with a pony, it takes a team of horses. Key word, TEAM.

Now that you are sick and tired of listening to me, I'll sign off. Welcome Home.

[JohnMickish]

You are right but like I said before it's the QB that gets the blame. He also gets the glory when things go good so I guess it goes with the job.

Using your statement the arguement can be made that in the good years Dante was an average QB surounded by great players, and that this year he was an average QB surounded by average players. What I'm saying is you can't give a guy all the credit for when things are good and none of the blame foe when things are bad. I just wish someone could explain how these same (bad) players played better with a different leader? Maybe Daunte is not a good leader and dosen't have the skills to pull the best out of the people around him?

[Rick]

QBs are gold in the NFL. Especially average or better QBs.

Take a look at all the high 1st round QB picks that are busts and you should quickly realize teams will risk/pay a lot to even have a shot at a high caliber QB a few years down the road. Daunte very well may be a great QB for the right team next year or almost surely the year after.

Daunte is a good QB with good mobility (assuming he heals as expected) and a quality arm with accuracy given the right surrounding cast and system.

We can beat a dead horse as to what C-pep will be after he heals up. With recent advances in fixing this kind of injury things look pretty much like he will get it all back as long as he re-habs diligently.

That being said The Vikings were actually looking for a high 1st round pick plus for Daunte. Not a single second round pick that was erroneously reported.

I do not believe for one second that the Vikings will release C-Pep unless C-Pep really de-values himself like TO did. While it may or may not be true that he's a leader it is fair to say 2004 was a pretty darn good year. Many predicted the Vikings to be a top 5 team because of C-Pep's 2004 campaign.

The Vikings prudently should keep C-Pep until they either get good value or keep him if he becomes a quality starter in Childress's system. If they didn't I for one would view them as fools. A second round pick for a proven NFL QB is not good value until or unless C-PEP de-values himself ala TO or his own performance.

[floating minnow]

Rick

Please stop with the common sense.

[JohnMickish]

But it's so fun playing "coulda, woulda, shoulda".

[CodyDawg]

I gotta throw my .02 in here. For those that say DC's 04 season might have been the best ever...what color is the sky in that world? Purple? It wasnt even the best in 04, check out Peyton's stats and compare them to DCs. Secondly, so many people cherry pick passing stats to evaluate a QB. I will admit this is one measure. But the ultimate measure is wins and losses. And DC was what, 8-8 in 04? How could that possibly be a great season? DC is well UNDER .500 as a starting QB. He had good teams, he had bad teams, but the reality is he loses more than he wins. He has never brought us to the Super Bowl. In fact, I think his playoff win/loss percentage is well under .500 as well. So if you want a guy who can pass for a lot of yards, IF he is healthy and IF he can adapt (which he has shown NO indication he can do), then he may be your man. If you want a winning QB, look somewhere else. By the way, Gus Frerotte was 3-0 and Brad was 7-1 or something last year with the same team that DC couldnt get to .500.

[IFallsRon]

In three weeks, the speculation will be over. The Vikings have tested the market and no one is willing to give up a second-round draft pick for DC. After it happens, even Sid Hartman will say it is a good decision to cut DC and pay the $6 million March roster bonus.

Let's all wait out the draft and see who is still in the personnel office. We've seen too many years of drafting the best player named "Dwayne" for several people to keep their jobs.

[metrojoe]

Quote:

---

However, if you have a good player would you cut him just becuase he doesn't fit a certain style of play? I don't think so. If C-pep had a decent year and Childress came in and wanted to use the west coast style do you think he would still want to get rid of him? No, that would be stupid, you don't cut a good player just becuase you think his style isn't perfect. You adapt your style to match his skills.

---

Seems to me the Vikings have been doing this and it's getting them nowhere. DC is the one that needs to adapt.

[metrojoe]

The news just reported that the Vikes have been talking with Baltimore and Miami.

DC is a great athlete, but I can't see throwing anymore money at him. When I heard he was asking for 10 million, I began to wonder if he didn't want to be traded.

[JohnMickish]

Looks like Drew Brees is going to be a free agent.

[cybermuskie]

Here's the report MetroJoe is talking about from ESPN Insider:

Dolphins, Ravens eyeing Culpepper

<Feb. 21> According to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins have held talks with the Vikings about a possible trade involving Culpepper. While no trade can be finalized until March 3, negotiations and a verbal agreement could occur any time.

The Vikings are reportedly seeking a second-round pick for the 29-year old quarterback, who missed the final nine games of last season with a significant knee injury.

The Ravens, who have also been mentioned as potential suitors, were contacted by the Vikings, but Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome told the Baltimore Sun on Monday that no negotiations have "officially" taken place and no deal was imminent. Newsome did not rule out the possibility that the issue could be revisited.

Meanwhile, ESPN.com's John Clayton claims if the Vikings can't work out a trade by March 17, when Culpepper is due a $6 million roster bonus, the team might consider cutting him.

Culpepper angered owner Zygi Wilf by asking that approximately $10 million be added to his contract this season -- increasing his total 2006 compensation to a staggering $18 million. Culpepper contends the Vikings promised last summer to address his contract further after the 2005 season; the team has denied that claim.

Oakland and the New York Jets are also among the teams expected to pursue quarterbacks this offseason. However, Culpepper's health remains a question mark. The Pro Bowl quarterback will be unable to practice until the summer at the earliest and a team taking Culpepper would have to view him as a starter for 2007 and consider playing time in 2006 a bonus.

[nofishfisherman]

Quote:

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Looks like Drew Brees is going to be a free agent.

---

I'm not that jazzed about Brees. I know you guys only use win's to judge how good a QB is and he only lead his team to one good year. And he was carried by a stud of a RB and TE. Other then that some not so good years, and he couldn't win in the playoff's either.

So based on all of the arguements people have used to argue against C-Pep Brees isn't worth it either.

[cybermuskie]

Quote:

---

Quote:

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Looks like Drew Brees is going to be a free agent.

---

---

First off I think he was just stating a fact! From that statement I never took away from it that he was saying the Vikes should go after him!

Let's change gears here for a minute. Let's say they do get rid of C-Pep. Who should they go after in the draft? I really see the Vikes grabbing a QB somewhere. I would really love it if Jay Cutler slipped that far, but I don't think he will. In later rounds I think Brodie Croyle, Alabama looks interesting. But some mocks I have seen have us taking Omar Jacobs, Bowling Green. Anyway, if we are in need of a QB who's the fan favorite???

[nofishfisherman]

I know that previous post sounded a little harsh, I reread it after posting and it didn't come across right. I was just trying to show that by the standards people are using here to judge a QB alot of decent QB's can look pretty bad. Even if you use the arguement about being able to win the big game Peyton Manning is then done for. Baiscally any QB not named Brady is bad according to alot of logic used here. But on a note of maybe some positivity...

I think if they do get rid of C-Pep I would rather them go after Matt Shaub from the Falcons then draft someone in the 2nd -3rd round. He is a free agent next year so you would need to trade for him and then sign him to an extension. I think he is the guy that could get the job done here. I would actually take him over C-Pep I think. He knows the west coast offense, and he can run pretty well when needed.

If they could trade Pep for a high enough pick and then trade that pick and maybe another low rounder to Atlanta for Shaub I would be fairly content. I just don't want them to trade Pep for nothing.

[cybermuskie]

Hope you don't mind me posting these stories as I find them.

Daunte Culpepper: Dolphins Interested

RotoWire.com Staff - RotoWire.com

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Update: Miami and Minnesota have talked about a trade that would send Culpepper to the Dolphins, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Culppeper is recovering from major knee surgery.

Recommendation: Culpepper trade talk continues with Baltimore also said to have talked specifics in the past week. There has been a report that the Vikings are asking for only a second-round pick in return, but the report on the possible Dolphins trade indicates the Vikings would receive more. Culpepper has asked for a $10 million raise this offseason despite his uncertain medical outlook, his poor performance last season and his off-field problems. It looks like the Vikings are doing all they can to trade him before he's due a $6 million reporting bonus on March 20.

[Fishin Beast]

Cyber-

I dont mind them at all, nice to get the inside scoops.

Either way I just want a Vikings team to watch on Sundays. It has always been tough with so many fumbles and interceptions.

[IceHawk]

Keep up the good work Cyber I love following these things!

[cybermuskie]

Thanks guys! Here's a link to the Miami Herald and what they have to say. I would copy it, but it's fairly long!

Miami Herald

[nofishfisherman]

http://www.startribune.com/510/story/266197.html

Here is the lastest from the Star Tribune. Sounds like the media may have over blown some stuff. If he is willing to move his roster bonus to help the team that doesn't seem like an act of someone asking for a trade.

I wonder where the reports came from that said the vikes have talked with the ravens and dolphins? Or if it was all just speculation during a slow news week.

[cybermuskie]

I would bet that the vikes have talked to thoses other teams. There are to many media types reporting it for me to believe it was made up. then I found this tidbit today:

"Culpepper's progress may trigger trade

<Feb. 23> Culpepper is making very good progress in rehabilitating his right knee, and he should be ready to play football this season, which is positive news for any team interested in trading for him, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. "

Maybe that article in The Trib was the calm before the storm. Kinda like how they said they had no plans of trading Moss.

I wish there was more info coming out of the vikes front office. I understand it, but it would be nice as fans to know more details IMO.

[nofishfisherman]

You never really know which stories are true and which are false. You would like to think that if Zigy told C-pep that they haven't talked with any other teams that he was telling him the truth. I think C-pep has the right to not be lied to. If you don't want to tell him thats fine but don't lie to his face.

Regardless I garuntee atleast 50% of what is being reported is just columnist speculation that is not substantiated by any interviews with team officials. The part you quoted above seems just like that.

I think the news of his knee doing well could be seen as good news for a trade going through but also good news that the vikes may stick with him now as well. Just depends on what you want to believe I guess.

Right now it could still go either way IMO