No C-Pep, now what?

[nofishfisherman]

So it looks like we will be without Culpepper maybe thats a good thing, maybe not but it looks inevitable now. Lets talk about replacements and game plans for the vikes for the future.

Here is what I would love to see. We already have more money to spend then any team and freeing up Culpeppers money we will have even more. I say you go after Edgerin James, and either go get Drew Brees or stay with Brad Johnson for one year and then go get your big name QB next year. That assumes you are smart with your money and leave room for another big time player next year.

Then spend the rest of the money on O-linemen, a linebacker, and a safety to replace Chavous.

[grizzald]

I say let him go, he was pretty good up till last year, but then again he always had stud receievers to make him look good also. I think all the media and hype got to him, and the fact that he didnt have that "stud" receiver to throw to. If he's telling the Vikings he wants out then he obviously doesnt care about the Vikes anymore. Let Brad Johnson take the reigns for this year.

[nofishfisherman]

I guess my post was assuming he is gone, not arguing whether we should keep him or let him go. What do we do with his money and who do we target as our new QB for the future? Johnson is going to be 38 by opening kickoff he's not the future, might be alright for a year or so.

[Archery 1]

Hey Guys,

Trade him and don't just cut him. Try to make a deal with bottom feeder like the Saints or somebody else and go

get Matt Lienert. There's your QB of the future.

[nofishfisherman]

There is no way we get a top 5 pick for him. Not with his knee injury. And now people know if they don't trade for him he will probably get cut and they can resign him for less money and not have to give up anything for him.

Actually i wouldn't mind them trading Troy Williamson. A pure speed man doesn't fit in with a possesion passing game that moves the ball with short accurate throws.

Trade Williamson, sign Koren Robinson, he is speed and has good hands and can do it all.

If you get a top 5 pick for him you got the steal of the century and someone is going to get fired for giving it to you.

[cybermuskie]

I think who you get to replace him all depends on what we get for him. Say It was the Raiders...IF they gave us their 1st rd pick, then look at a QB in the draft. Heck even with the 2nd RD pick is still high enough to get a good QB to watch BJ for a year. But if it's another team...then it's a dump shoot! I don't know that Brees is the answer either IMO!

[eyepatrol]

There has only been a couple teams in recent history that have shown you can win with a 2nd-tier quality QB, and those would be the Ravens and the Bucs. Brees and Kitna (whose name has also been thrown out there) are 2nd-tier quality QBs in my opinion, and the Vikes don't have the top-notch D that would be needed to go deep into the playoffs with either of these guys.

I don't think Brees, or Kitna, is the answer either.

[nofishfisherman]

I doubt there is any way we get a first round pick for Culpepper straight up. At this point a 2nd round pick may not do it.

Brees is a good QB but he torn something in his shoulder last year and you never know how thats going to heal.

I wouldn't mind staying with Brad for a year and then going after Matt Shaub from Atlanta who is a free agent next year.

If we have Brad this year we need a RB upgrade in the worst way.

[eyepatrol]

And some o-line upgrades as well!

[Caesarfishinguytoo]

I know I am in the minority here more than the majority. But I feel it was a big mistake getting rid of Culpepper. I have been reading the posts and it seems like many are glad he is gone but now here we sit with basically nothing. Anybody that thinks Johnson is the answer...well...he ain't. <-family site and can really express my feelings. Who did Brad beat? Lions Twice, Giants, Packers, Browns, Rams, and Bears. Lions, Packers, Browns and Rams were a combined 21 - 43 <- impressive. The Giants the 3 return touchdowns won that game for us, the offense couldn't do a thing. The Bears had nothing to play for and rested their talent for all or part of the game. I don't think Johnson is the anwer by any means. The Vikes went to a totally different offense when Brad was the QB, one that I think Pepper could of done as well, but with Culpepper in there the Vikes were doing a 7 step drop instead of a 3 step Johnson drop. Almost everything was quick release. Don't blame Culpepper for the way he played, blame the offensive line for not giving him time and the coaching for not realizing that the O-line was hurting. Should of made the same adjustments they made for Pepper that they made for Johnson.

Would of Culpepper been "THE ANSWER"? I don't know, but in my opinion, he was the best option.

Who is to blame for the falling out? Who knows - you can't believe a word the media throws at us

Just wanted to get my 2 cents worth!

I will still bleed purple no matter who they got calling the signals!

[nofishfisherman]

I agree at first Culpepper should stay but now he forced the issue. If he would be happy coming back then I want him back but I think that ship has sailed.

We are going to be taking a step back at QB for sure.

[Johnny_Namakan]

My turn:

I think Daunte leaving is a good thing. No matter what our O-line was like, he simply made bad decisions on the field, and off for that matter I guess. I think if we can't find the perfect fit for a long term QB this year, that we should keep Brad as a starter for one more year. He would do just fine for us. I don't think Brees is the answer. As of right now, Brees can't even throw a football. His shoulder is still in really bad shape and may never heal fully. I do know this much tough. I'm excited for next year. We have a coach that is a no nonsense kind of guy (don't get me wrong, I liked Tice, but he was more of a friend to the players than a leader.) We have a new owner who seems to really want to go to bat for his team and do whatever necessary to be a top notch team. And now we got rid of Culpepper who just hasn't seemed to be the same the last few years. Should be fun. Can't wait!!!