Daunte Culpepper has had his share of bad luck over the last few years. Randy Moss left him in Minnesota, where he struggled mightily before suffering a season-ending injury, then he came back too early from knee surgery last year in Miami and struggled before he was replaced by Joey Harrington. He didn't get another chance with the Dolphins as they traded for Trent Green and he nearly didn't control his own fate when the Dolphins held off on releasing him, in the hope that they could force a trade.
Culpepper has found a new home in Oakland, where he'll get the chance to start; an opportunity which seemed extremely unlikely not long ago. Oakland is the best situation Culpepper could have hoped for. He'll have the chance to start, which would have been much harder to come by anywhere else, and mentor JaMarcus Russell. If he succeeds as the starting quarterback, he may well get the chance to start for the entire season (if the Raiders are remotely competitive). The Raiders might take an approach similar to the one Cincinnati took with Carson Palmer or San Diego with Phiip Rivers. That worked out pretty well for the Bengals and the Chargers. Culpepper will most likely be out after one season anyway, so this season will effectively be an audition for him for the rest of the league. If he can prove that he is still the same Daunte Culpepper who lit up defenses in Minnesota, he'll get some calls at the end of the year. (Jacksonville may already have him on speed-dial, just in case.)
It's a great move for the Raiders as well, who now don't have to throw their rookie into the fire behind a poor offensive line and turn him into a tackling dummy. (See: Carr, David) Culpepper, well aware of his role, should make a good mentor for the Russell. What will be very interesting to watch is how long Culpepper lasts. Supposedly he is back to full health now, but with the Raiders' offensive line, that may not last long.
This season could determine Culpepper's NFL legacy. Is he a big guy with a strong arm who was lucky enough to play with a Hall of Fame wide receiver, or is he a superstar who suffered some bad luck? We may not find that out this year, but his performance (and health) could determine whether he gets a chance next year.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Culpepper Gets Another Chance
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7 comments:
I would like to think that this might be a good fit, but the contact situation with Russell might be a distraction, the offensive line could knock him out in the first 2 games, and he has no decent WR's....at least with the Jags he would have a couple of decent RB's to hand off the ball to and run away
It's definitely not ideal, but it was the best Culpepper was going to get, by far. This gives him a chance to start, at least. That's better than he'd get anywhere else.
He does have decent running backs in LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes. Jacksonville would love to add him I'm sure, but not until next year.
As I said during the draft- a quarterback will not help the Raiders. Their offensive line is like a sieve- they should have drafted Joe Thomas.
JR can't use his bulk to prevent every sack, and since they play the Chargers (Shawne Merriman) twice, the Dolphins (Jason Taylor), Denver (Champ Bailey), Chicago (Brian Urlacher & [gasp] Lance Briggs!), and Indianapolis (Dwight Freeney), they are all going to have a field day.
Not that the Raiders were going to win more than 3 games this season anyways, but still. They should have drafted Joe Thomas.
What about the browns? They have Joe Thomas and he is still going to end up like a whinier, bitchier version of Joey Harrington
Yeah, Brady Quinn is going to suck. The only chance he has of being good is if he's one of those guys who is humbled by the draft and plays with a chip on his shoulder for the next 15 years. Wouldn't count on it though.
You're right Miles, the Raiders really should be working on their offensive line instead of adding all these skill position players. LaMont Jordan was miserable last year and it's hard to see why he'd be any better this year without good blocking.
Maybe the Raiders will suck this year and add a stud offensive lineman in next year's draft. That would make them much bette--oh wait. You need five offensive linemen in football.
Stefan, last I checked Joe Thomas isn't a quarterback. He's also not black, which is probably why you're confused about him.
Nah I just forgot to put the words "Brady" and "Quinn" before my phrase on being a whiny quaterback. Otherwise my last thing made sense
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