Culpepper and Brees Situations (1 Viewer)

[Loomba]

Like most here, I have read pretty much all the reports on the Culpepper and Brees sagas. Barring an abrupt turn of events, both players appear to be destined for new teams in 2006. However, I must admit, I actually am not really certain as to why this is happening. Can anyone succinctly some up why this is occurring?

Culpepper -- The Vikings trade Moss last year so the Vikings can be Culpepper's team. They pay him a pile. What has led to the downward spiral in relations? Is it simply fear over his knee injury? Is it his leadership (or lack thereof) and the fact that he was involved in the boating incident? Why did CPepp start lobbying to leave Minny? I would have thought he would have wanted to stay put while recovering from his knee injury. Is it simply a case of him not getting along with the new ownership and coach?

I haven't seen anything that really explains why this has gotten so ugly. CPepp still has enormous upside and talent and you don't just kick that to the curb easily, particularly with the team in good shape for a postseason run. Brad Johnson is OK, but likely not the guy to take you to the SuperBowl, imho.

I'll bet there is a very simple reason why this has unravelled...

Brees -- Again is it the team's concern over the injury. But San Diego could seriously challenge for the SuperBowl, so why start over with Rivers now? Rivers could be wonderful, but he could also play like Losman in his first year. Is it another case of San Diego's GM playing hard ball with a player, stupidly if you ask me? What gives?

TIA,

confused.

 

[-OZ-]

My

Culpepper - injury concerns and new coach mostly.

Brees - the GM is stupid if they let him go and he signs a reasonable contract. Last I heard, Marty wanted him back and SD has the $ and cap room. Rivers might be the next big thing, but the uncertainty and learning curve is too much risk IMO for the team. I understand they don't want to tie up a lot of $ at the position, and like Rivers, but this is going to be a mistake IMO, at least for a year. Might as well hand the division to the Chiefs or Broncos.

 

[Yao Ming]

LaDainian Tomlinson's prime years will be wasted away with Phillip Rivers under center. A shame, really. It takes years, and a stroke of luck to achieve a stable quaterback position. Now that San Diego finally has themselves a probowl quaterback to go with a probowl RB, TE, stout defense, they are taking steps back. Think Detroit and Barry Sanders here.

 

[Couch Potato]

Like most here, I have read pretty much all the reports on the Culpepper and Brees sagas. Barring an abrupt turn of events, both players appear to be destined for new teams in 2006. However, I must admit, I actually am not really certain as to why this is happening. Can anyone succinctly some up why this is occurring?

Succintly? OK.Culpepper hasn't been very cooperative as far as the Vikings are concerned. He wanted more money even after sucking last year, the Love Boat thing, and being hurt. He was reluctant to return phone calls or meet with Childress after he came on board. They wanted him to spend time in Minnesota in the offseason and he didn't like that. From Culpepper's perspective, he felt disrespected that the Vikings were exploring trade opportunities concerning him. The bad blood on both sides just got to the point both sides want a divorce.

The Brees situation is simple really, when you boil it down. AJ Smith invested a lot, both in terms of rookie salary and #1 pick, to get their QB of the future. He has been on the bench 2 years, and Smith wants him to be on the field. Smith is basically an ####### and doesn't care what even his coach wants. It's going to be his way.

 

[diesel7982]

Culpepper- Played horribly last year, and then pissed off management by demanding MORE money. Recovering from horrid knee injury. Hes said he wants out, and when your QB says that, you really dont have much of a choice. PLayers won't follow a guy who doesnt want to lead.

Brees- AJ Smith drafted Rivers and wants Rivers starting. Hes gone to great lengths to piss off Brees. More importantly, Brees has a significant shoulder injury which he is no guarantee to come back from. Why would you resign a guy with that type of injury to alot of guaranteed money when you have a 3rd year, former #4 overall pick ready to play behind him?

 

[-OZ-]

Smith is basically an ####### and doesn't care what even his coach wants. It's going to be his way.

Yep, that's the way to a championship

 

[Couch Potato]

Smith is basically an ####### and doesn't care what even his coach wants. It's going to be his way.

Yep, that's the way to a championship

Thing is, I don't disagree with the move. Once they committed to drafting Rivers, he has to see the field. The Brees injury makes that decision easier.But Smith said it himself last week - he's not in the business to make friends. Bottom line is they are a winning team.

 

[-OZ-]

Smith is basically an ####### and doesn't care what even his coach wants.  It's going to be his way.

Yep, that's the way to a championship

Thing is, I don't disagree with the move. Once they committed to drafting Rivers, he has to see the field. The Brees injury makes that decision easier.But Smith said it himself last week - he's not in the business to make friends. Bottom line is they are a winning team.

FWIW, with the injury, I understand it too. As the GM though, I'd give my coach a little more input than he seems to. If you are sold on Rivers, great. I'm not, so I expect it to be a long couple years for the Chargers, until they draft another QB in 2008 and then Rivers takes off.

 

[Buckeyedawgs]

agree with you oz! my only question is will Gates be able to get his stats and will Tolmilson even be a top 10 back? I expect a huge downgrade on SD offense! Teams will stack the line and dare Rivers to throw.

On Culpepper he gets what he deserves with his attitude. He was noticeably lost without Moss. Al Davis is his only hope of getting back to fantasy stardum. I don;t see him being anything close to what he used to be unless he signs with Oakland then he has a chance!

 

[David Yudkin]

agree with you oz! my only question is will Gates be able to get his stats and will Tolmilson even be a top 10 back? I expect a huge downgrade on SD offense! Teams will stack the line and dare Rivers to throw.

LT was a Top 10 RB before Gates was around and when Brees had horrid numbers. I don't see LT posting poor numbers. As for Rivers, plenty of QB sat and then were very productive. Culpepper, Palmer, and Brady come to mind . . .

 

[-OZ-]

agree with you oz!  my only question is will Gates be able to get his stats and will Tolmilson even be a top 10 back?  I expect a huge downgrade on SD offense!  Teams will stack the line and dare Rivers to throw. 

LT was a Top 10 RB before Gates was around and when Brees had horrid numbers. I don't see LT posting poor numbers. As for Rivers, plenty of QB sat and then were very productive. Culpepper, Palmer, and Brady come to mind . . .

True, my point isn't that Rivers can't be good.Keep in mind the Bengals kept Kitna around during Palmer's first year and New England kept Bledsoe.

McNair started a few games before taking over.

Minnesota seems to be the exception here. Other than Culpepper, I can't think of a QB who didn't start a game, had as little playng time as Rivers does, and the team didn't have a veteran backup. Do you trust AJ Feeley if Rivers can't handle the job?

 

[jonessed]

agree with you oz!   my only question is will Gates be able to get his stats and will Tolmilson even be a top 10 back?   I expect a huge downgrade on SD offense!  Teams will stack the line and dare Rivers to throw. 

LT was a Top 10 RB before Gates was around and when Brees had horrid numbers. I don't see LT posting poor numbers. As for Rivers, plenty of QB sat and then were very productive. Culpepper, Palmer, and Brady come to mind . . .

True, my point isn't that Rivers can't be good.Keep in mind the Bengals kept Kitna around during Palmer's first year and New England kept Bledsoe.

McNair started a few games before taking over.

Minnesota seems to be the exception here. Other than Culpepper, I can't think of a QB who didn't start a game, had as little playng time as Rivers does, and the team didn't have a veteran backup. Do you trust AJ Feeley if Rivers can't handle the job?

AJ has been taking a lot of heat in SD lately, but his proposed contract to Brees was released to the media and it seems damn fair. Brees stood to make over $10MM+/year if his shoulder is OK. Brees felt the guaranteed money wasn't up to par, but I can't blame AJ for that. You cannot guarantee him $9MM+ without knowing if he can come back healthy or even play next year. Whoever picks him up is going to have to be willing to take a big risk and that's just not AJs style.