Culpepper already named 2009 starter? (1 Viewer)

[BigJim®]

I find this hard to believe. I would think the Lions would try to renegotiate that $5 million 2009 price tag, and they'd be hard pressed to do that if this is accurate. In any event, per PFT:

LIONS LEANING TO CULPEPPER

Posted by Mike Florio on February 15, 2009, 11:58 a.m.

As the Detroit Lions prepare to improve on the worst single season in the history of the NFL (if not all pro sports), they’ll apparently do so with Daunte Culpepper taking the snaps.

Former Lions receiver Mike Furrey told Alex Marvez and Ross Tucker of Sirius NFL Radio on Sunday morning that other quarterbacks on the roster have been told that Culpepper will be the starter.

This could mean that the Lions will target in the first round of the draft a quarterback, despite any lingering urges to take a wideout.

Then again, it’s not as if the franchise has mastered the art of snagging signal-callers in round one. Over the past 40 years, they’ve taken three: Joey Harrington, Andre Ware, Chuck Long.

Well, maybe they’re due.

Culpepper is due to receive a $2.5 million roster bonus later this month, so if he’s not cut before then it’s a pretty safe bet that, indeed, he’ll be the No. 1 guy in 2009.

 

[Sinrman]

"...despite any lingering urges to take a wideout."

I sure hope that's a joke...

I REALLY hope we don't go for a QB. Have to shore up that gaping hole of a line first...

 

[encaitar]

Maybe I'm the only one who thinks this, but I thought Culpepper looked a lot better last year than he did while in Oakland or Miami. He's not the answer for the future, but he can definitely do a decent job standing in while they build up their Oline and the defense for the next few years. I still would expect them to take a QB in their first 3 picks in this year's draft and give him a year or two to learn, however.

 

[gianmarco]

Maybe I'm the only one who thinks this, but I thought Culpepper looked a lot better last year than he did while in Oakland or Miami. He's not the answer for the future, but he can definitely do a decent job standing in while they build up their Oline and the defense for the next few years. I still would expect them to take a QB in their first 3 picks in this year's draft and give him a year or two to learn, however.

You're not the only one.

 

[FavreCo]

Get your roll on C-pep.

Just heave it up to Calvin every other snap.

 

[Couch Potato]

Bigger arm than Kitna.

Five years younger than Kitna.

Won't predict 10 wins on the season just before going 0-16, unlike Kitna.

Came basically off his couch to start in the middle of the season in 2008, team probably thinks with a full offseason he can be decent.

Reunited with Linehan.

That's all I've got.

 

[SofaKings]

He is serviceable for 1-2 years. Kitna is not.

 

[bucsbaby]

"...despite any lingering urges to take a wideout."I sure hope that's a joke...

 

[dmac37]

Being a Detroiter I was stuck watching the Lions more than I would have liked but I thought Orlovsky was the best QB. Yes I know the running out of the end zone blunder was about as swift as the McNabb overtime rule debacle but beyond that he looked better than the rest.

Orlovsky is a free agent but can be had cheaper than C Pep and they can sign him to a 2 year contract and draft a rookie QB with a later draft pick this year. Then next year there should be a better QB pool to choose from and they can invest a first round pick on a QB when they should have a few more NFL caliber players to set him up with.

 

[Phase of the Game]

He is serviceable for 1-2 years. Kitna is not.

 

[sho nuff]

He is serviceable for 1-2 years. Kitna is not.

I guess...but at this point, would they not be better served actually starting to develop someone now?

 

[SofaKings]

He is serviceable for 1-2 years. Kitna is not.

I guess...but at this point, would they not be better served actually starting to develop someone now?

By all means but not with the first pick overall in a draft class that is low in quality regarding QB's. Want to burn a 3rd or lower on a QB, I have no problem with that. If they take a QB with the first overall the pressure to start him early will be immense. The recent % rate of successful high draft pick qb's(especially underclassmen) is not good. Lions can build faster with an avg qb and attention early in the draft to more of their immediate needs.

 

[ScottyFargo]

He is serviceable for 1-2 years. Kitna is not.

I guess...but at this point, would they not be better served actually starting to develop someone now?

I think it's the right call. Culpepper has always been underrated and can still perform. I believe the Lions can improve their offense with some consistency off of last year. If they draft a QB they probably wouldn't want to start him right away... praying for Flacco or Ryan like rookie performances out of Detroit won't help the team progress much right off.

 

[Dave Stauff]

I don't for a minute believe Culpepper is the answer at QB for the Lions for even one year. Sure, he can line up behind center just like anyone else, but in order to retain him and any new "developmental" QB (be it 1.01 or 3rd round) means letting two of three (Orlovsky, Kitna, Stanton) go. For one year, I'd have to believe Kitna is a better all around option than Pep, but neither one reeks of anything but a 4-12 season to me, so why waste a year where Orlovsky or Stanton could get experience at the position (or even Stafford for that matter). I know it's difficult for a rook to weather the storm of being asked to start from Day 1, but wasting a year seems too much for a beleagured team administration to bear.

 

[puckalicious]

Couldn't the Lions just cut him and resign him for WAY cheaper than $5 million? Would any other team be remotely interested in Culpepper? My plans if I were GM -

Plan A:

Kitna & Stanton are already under contract for low prices. Cut Cpep and resign at a bargain price if possible and draft a QB somewhere not in the 1st round. Let all 3 compete for starter spot. Kick the ball down the road to next year for the "franchise" QB.

Plan B:

Cut Cpep & Kitna, re-sign DanO. Trade for Cassel assuming it won't take more than the #20 pick and one or more lesser picks/players.

Plan C:

Same as above but instead of Cassel, draft Stafford #1 overall.

 

[Adebisi]

Culpepper has always been underrated and can still perform.

Really? I think he's always been overrated and has nothing left in the tank.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Maybe I'm just crazy, but I thought Orvlovsky was far and away the best QB they lined up behind center last year. He actually did pretty admirably given their horrible line and horrible defense.

He seemed to give them the best chance to win too, as Detroit lost by a touchdown or less in 4 of the 8 games Orvlovsky started, and only 1 of the 8 games that the other QBs started.

 

[ScottyFargo]

Culpepper has always been underrated and can still perform.

Really? I think he's always been overrated and has nothing left in the tank.

Because every other QB that stepped into the situations he had in Oakland and Miami were so successful? It's easy to write people off when they are coming off of an injury into impossible situations. Miami only got better after close to a complete reboot, Oakland needs the same. Detroit could begin working toward that this offseason by taking advantage of a vet they already have on staff.

 

[mozzy84]

only the lions would pay culpepper 5 mill and let him qb the team

 

[Moonlight]

only the lions would pay culpepper 5 mill and let him qb the team

This Lions fan unfortunately agrees with you.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

why am I not surprised.

FYI if Pioli drafts Stafford, Im grabbing him in all my late 1st dynasty drafts

 

[Adebisi]

Culpepper has always been underrated and can still perform.

Really? I think he's always been overrated and has nothing left in the tank.

Because every other QB that stepped into the situations he had in Oakland and Miami were so successful? It's easy to write people off when they are coming off of an injury into impossible situations. Miami only got better after close to a complete reboot, Oakland needs the same. Detroit could begin working toward that this offseason by taking advantage of a vet they already have on staff.

No, because I just don't think he's a very good quarterback.

 

[Brutis]

It doesnt matter who they have at qb, they have no line to block for them.

 

[sho nuff]

He is serviceable for 1-2 years. Kitna is not.

I guess...but at this point, would they not be better served actually starting to develop someone now?

I think it's the right call. Culpepper has always been underrated and can still perform. I believe the Lions can improve their offense with some consistency off of last year. If they draft a QB they probably wouldn't want to start him right away... praying for Flacco or Ryan like rookie performances out of Detroit won't help the team progress much right off.

Culpepper was not underrated in Minny...he was overrated.

 

[Mikey16x]

Personally, this years draft is very slim at QB. The Lions should really sure up both lines, draft some defensive backs and not touch a QB in this draft at all. They have way too many holes for a rookie QB to succeed, even develop. I could be going out on a limb here but I'm pretty sure the Lions will still have a great first round pick after the approaching season, and that draft will be loaded with talent at the QB position. They should wait a season to take a QB and let C-pep man the helm, as a Knicks fan I understand the meaning of rebuilding =/... the Lions are two years away from even being a thought to make the playoffs, that's the way it seems anyway... so why not play the cards right and not miss a step on the way there?

 

[Bri]

Culpepper has always been underrated and can still perform.

Really? I think he's always been overrated and has nothing left in the tank.

Because every other QB that stepped into the situations he had in Oakland and Miami were so successful? It's easy to write people off when they are coming off of an injury into impossible situations. Miami only got better after close to a complete reboot, Oakland needs the same. Detroit could begin working toward that this offseason by taking advantage of a vet they already have on staff.

picking nits but Harrington played well in Miami

 

[Bri]

smart move removing any QB controversy notions from a team with a brand new staff. They don't need that stuff. If Kitna or Orlovsky are better and still around then they can clearly beat him out in camp.

I wouldn't be surprised if their draft was all "trenches".

 

[Gatorman]

On an unrelated note: Culpepper is down here in South Florida, and was playing 5/10 NL at gulfstream park the other day (I was sitting at the next table).

 

[twitch]

The Lions' future QB cant possibly be on the team right now, so I dont think it really matters. I think theyve done nothing but point out the obvious, which is that right now Culpepper is probably the best guy theyve got. They need to just cut Kitna and let him make idiotic offseason predictions for some other team. He needs to be packaged with the HC who just got the pink.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

He is serviceable for 1-2 years. Kitna is not.

I guess...but at this point, would they not be better served actually starting to develop someone now?

You can develop a QB without throwing him into the fire right away. Its also not a bad thing for a farnchise like this to try and establish a winning attitude right away and build from there. Culpepper can get them perhaps 4-6 wins this year and then next year they build on that with either another year of Culpepper or the young heir.

 

[stevegamer]

The Lions' future QB cant possibly be on the team right now, so I dont think it really matters. I think theyve done nothing but point out the obvious, which is that right now Culpepper is probably the best guy theyve got. They need to just cut Kitna and let him make idiotic offseason predictions for some other team. He needs to be packaged with the HC who just got the pink.

I'm not sure Stanton couldn't be that guy. The "braintrust" refused to play him, possibly since he was a Martz pick. Being damned by the Lions' prior administration might mean you can play.

 

[SofaKings]

The Lions' future QB cant possibly be on the team right now, so I dont think it really matters. I think theyve done nothing but point out the obvious, which is that right now Culpepper is probably the best guy theyve got. They need to just cut Kitna and let him make idiotic offseason predictions for some other team. He needs to be packaged with the HC who just got the pink.

I'm not sure Stanton couldn't be that guy. The "braintrust" refused to play him, possibly since he was a Martz pick. Being damned by the Lions' prior administration might mean you can play.

Stanton sucks. He was average in college and has been passed over by two OC's in Detroit. A horrible, horrible pick by Matt Millen, right up there with Mike Williams and Charles Rogers. avg to below avg arm strength, inaccurate and isn't mobile. We should cut our losses with him.

 

[puckalicious]

Culpepper restructured his contract and removed the $2.5 mil bonus. Looks like he'll be a Lion this year.

LINK

Maybe Kitna gets released, and they sign DanO to compete w/Cpep in camp, and Stanton remains 3rd.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

The Lions' future QB cant possibly be on the team right now, so I dont think it really matters. I think theyve done nothing but point out the obvious, which is that right now Culpepper is probably the best guy theyve got. They need to just cut Kitna and let him make idiotic offseason predictions for some other team. He needs to be packaged with the HC who just got the pink.

I'm not sure Stanton couldn't be that guy. The "braintrust" refused to play him, possibly since he was a Martz pick. Being damned by the Lions' prior administration might mean you can play.

Stanton sucks. He was average in college and has been passed over by two OC's in Detroit. A horrible, horrible pick by Matt Millen, right up there with Mike Williams and Charles Rogers. avg to below avg arm strength, inaccurate and isn't mobile. We should cut our losses with him.

come on Stanton is a little mobile

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

From my perspective, Orlovsky was the best QB I saw this year. In some games he started, the team actually had some chances and I really liked the connection he and Calvin Johnson had.

He's younger and you can pay him far less. The Lions may think that Culpepper can sell more tickets or keep some season ticket holders from leaving, but they are underestimating the Lions' fans.

Culpepper stinks. The thought of naming a starter now...on a team that just went 0-16 is absurd. I don't think Culpepper will be the starter in week 1, I don't care what that article says.

 

[SofaKings]

Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper has renegotiated his contract and will return in 2009 on a one-year deal, team president Tom Lewand said today. Culpepper had been due a $2.5-million roster bonus Feb. 27.But Lewand said this does not necessarily mean Culpepper will be the starter. Lewand said Culpepper will be “in the mix.”

 

[Da Guru]

Culpepper restructured his contract and removed the $2.5 mil bonus. Looks like he'll be a Lion this year.

LINK

Maybe Kitna gets released, and they sign DanO to compete w/Cpep in camp, and Stanton remains 3rd.

Stanton can`t play. The guy is a bust!

 

[Couch Potato]

In the 4 starts by CPep that he had 20+ attempts in...

Megatron had 17 catches (4.25game/68season) 281 yards (70.25game/1124season) and 3 TDs (12season).

Those pro rated averages make him lose 10 catches and 207 yards from last year with the same amount of TDs.

You would think they would improve a tad bit from the chemistry standpoint to make it business as usual for Calvin.

I'd spend less time with meaningless prorated numbers and more time remembering that the other QBs had the benefit of OTAs, training camp, and preseason games while CPep showed up during the season with no chemistry with WRs and no knowledge of the system or playbook, and was starting after a few days' practice. You'd be better off thinking about circumstances, not statistics.

 

[puckalicious]

Culpepper restructured his contract and removed the $2.5 mil bonus. Looks like he'll be a Lion this year.

LINK

Maybe Kitna gets released, and they sign DanO to compete w/Cpep in camp, and Stanton remains 3rd.

Stanton can`t play. The guy is a bust!

Stanton hasn't played. The guy never got a chance. He's thrown a total of 19 passes in his 2 year career, he's been injured, he's looked good at times and bad at times in preseason and limited regular season exposure. He's a bust based on where he was drafted, but it's not his fault Millen is a complete idiot.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

personally here's what I think is ognna happen.

1 - cut Kitna now

2 - they are drafting stafford

3 - resign Dan O on the cheap

4 - Daunte starts, Stafford plays late in the year when Daunte is hurt or Det is out of the playoffs - by week 12

 

[dotman]

He is serviceable for 1-2 years. Kitna is not.

I guess...but at this point, would they not be better served actually starting to develop someone now?

I think it's the right call. Culpepper has always been underrated and can still perform. I believe the Lions can improve their offense with some consistency off of last year. If they draft a QB they probably wouldn't want to start him right away... praying for Flacco or Ryan like rookie performances out of Detroit won't help the team progress much right off.

Even when Culpepper was having his best seasons he was a turnover machine. He's had 3 seasons with at least 16 fumbles!!! Turnovers lose games and it would be pretty tough for anyone who turns it over like he does to be considered "underrated".

 

[puckalicious]

personally here's what I think is ognna happen.1 - cut Kitna now2 - they are drafting stafford3 - resign Dan O on the cheap4 - Daunte starts, Stafford plays late in the year when Daunte is hurt or Det is out of the playoffs - by week 12

This is probably what will happen, but I don't like the investment with the #1 pick. Lions are in desperate need of OT/DT/DE with that pick. I'd much rather have Freeman with pick #33 if the plan is to have the rookie QB sit and learn for the 1st year.

 

[puckalicious]

Unnamed source says Kitna to be cut by Feb 27.

 

[BigJim®]

According to Dan Orlovsky, he was told by the team that he would back up Culpepper if he resigned with the Lions for 2009. Link

In an interesting approach by Mayhew, he denied that Culpepper has been named starter and claimed that Orlovsky would be given a chance to compete, but then threw in this gem regarding Orlovsky:

But, Mayhew added, "He was a backup last year, he was a backup before that, he's been a backup his whole career. I don't think anybody would be surprised if I thought he was a backup."

Gee, how could Orlovsky possibly have left a conversation with Mayhew under the impression he would not compete to start?

 

[•TheRealMcCoy]

According to Dan Orlovsky, he was told by the team that he would back up Culpepper if he resigned with the Lions for 2009. Link

In an interesting approach by Mayhew, he denied that Culpepper has been named starter and claimed that Orlovsky would be given a chance to compete, but then threw in this gem regarding Orlovsky:

But, Mayhew added, "He was a backup last year, he was a backup before that, he's been a backup his whole career. I don't think anybody would be surprised if I thought he was a backup."

Gee, how could Orlovsky possibly have left a conversation with Mayhew under the impression he would not compete to start?

Stanton in the mix too believe it or not?? LOL!(Rotoworld) SI's Peter King expects new Lions coach Jim Schwartz to "take a legitimate look" at QB Drew Stanton at mini-camps and training camp.

Analysis: Stanton is facing an uphill battle. The front office appears to be backing an injury-prone turnover machine in Daunte Culpepper while Schwartz had gone out of his way to emphasize the need for a true franchise quarterback.

(Article Link): http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writ.../02/17/mailbag/

 

[stevegamer]

Culpepper restructured his contract and removed the $2.5 mil bonus. Looks like he'll be a Lion this year.

LINK

Maybe Kitna gets released, and they sign DanO to compete w/Cpep in camp, and Stanton remains 3rd.

Stanton can`t play. The guy is a bust!

Stanton hasn't played. The guy never got a chance. He's thrown a total of 19 passes in his 2 year career, he's been injured, he's looked good at times and bad at times in preseason and limited regular season exposure. He's a bust based on where he was drafted, but it's not his fault Millen is a complete idiot.

If I'm another team, I'd take a shot on bringing him in if he's released. Basically, you should treat the Lions as if they are a college program - they have some guys who will become available for you to sign, and you really have no way of knowing if they can play in the NFL on a successful team.Yes, there are guys like Rogers & Williams last year who became available, and Johnson will be available at some point and they are confirmed as players. By and large, you get either guys who have jobs that you aren't sure exactly how good they are, or guys who don't get to play, or guys who get to be confirmed as not good enough.

 

[stevegamer]

According to Dan Orlovsky, he was told by the team that he would back up Culpepper if he resigned with the Lions for 2009. Link

In an interesting approach by Mayhew, he denied that Culpepper has been named starter and claimed that Orlovsky would be given a chance to compete, but then threw in this gem regarding Orlovsky:

But, Mayhew added, "He was a backup last year, he was a backup before that, he's been a backup his whole career. I don't think anybody would be surprised if I thought he was a backup."

Gee, how could Orlovsky possibly have left a conversation with Mayhew under the impression he would not compete to start?

If Mayhew = Millen - and signs are strong so far - there's no reason to believe the Lions will be competeive until they get a new GM, unless they get really lucky.

 

[puckalicious]

According to Dan Orlovsky, he was told by the team that he would back up Culpepper if he resigned with the Lions for 2009. Link

In an interesting approach by Mayhew, he denied that Culpepper has been named starter and claimed that Orlovsky would be given a chance to compete, but then threw in this gem regarding Orlovsky:

But, Mayhew added, "He was a backup last year, he was a backup before that, he's been a backup his whole career. I don't think anybody would be surprised if I thought he was a backup."

Gee, how could Orlovsky possibly have left a conversation with Mayhew under the impression he would not compete to start?

If Mayhew = Millen - and signs are strong so far - there's no reason to believe the Lions will be competeive until they get a new GM, unless they get really lucky.

Not exactly. Mayhew actually does some scouting and appears to care about doing a good job.