With news headlines dominated by a certain recently indicted quarterback, it’s refreshing to see another in search of a team willing to give him a fresh start.
That quarterback of course is Daunte Culpepper, previously released by the Miami Dolphins, who has spent some time contacting interested teams and working out. The most recent of these is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though they already have a pair of highly paid quarterbacks on their roster — Chris Simms and Jeff Garcia — making it doubtful he’ll end up there.
But, then again, with Jon Gruden (a.k.a. Chucky) still steering the ship, you never know what will happen.
Other teams rumored to be interested in the 30 year old quarterback include the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons. The latter of these makes sense to a degree if Vick either faces charges or is either suspended during the season. Aside from that, Atlanta has already invested free agent dollars in Joey Harrington who, incidentally, was Culpepper’s backup and eventual successor last season in Miami.
Jacksonville has three quarterbacks who played last season at one point or another. None of them are NFL starting-caliber, however, and the closest — Byron Leftwich — is a constant injury concern. Add that to the fact Mike Tice is one of the assistant coaches and it makes sense Jacksonville is the front-runner at this point.
One other rumored team that isn’t getting a lot of attention is the Minnesota Vikings, Culpepper’s former squad. Though he might be annoyed that they let him go following the 2005 season, the Vikings can offer him something other teams can’t: a spot in the starting lineup. Tavaris Jackson is too young and inexperienced to lead the offense, but bringing in someone like Culpepper for a season while Jackson acclimates himself makes sense. Plus, it will make the Vikings a much more competitive team in an already shaky division.
Photo: Courtesy Orlando Sentinel
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