TAMPA - You can never have too many quarterbacks. That may have been what the Bucs brass was thinking Thursday.
Though replete with quarterbacks, the Bucs spent part of their day meeting with newly minted free agent Daunte Culpepper, who two days earlier received his long-awaited release from the Dolphins.
Whether the Bucs have any intention of signing Culpepper could not be determined, because team officials would not comment on the matter beyond confirming Culpepper's presence.
Culpepper, who serves as his own agent, did not return an e-mail left for him, so it was impossible to judge the nature of the meeting and determine whether the two sides would meet again.
On the surface, the Bucs would not appear to have a pressing need for Culpepper, because they have seven quarterbacks, including Jeff Garcia, Chris Simms and Bruce Gradkowski, on their roster.
However, Simms has struggled with his throwing mechanics since returning to the field following spleen surgery, and Gradkowski seems to need more seasoning after struggling through most of his rookie season last year.
It is also growing increasingly obvious that Jake Plummer will not be in camp when the Bucs begin training for the 2007 season next week at Walt Disney World's Wide World of Sports complex.
An associate of Plummer's agent, David Dunn, did not want to comment on the matter Thursday. But he indicated that little has changed with Plummer, who has vowed to retire.
All of that could explain the Bucs' interest in Culpepper, who, if healthy, could give them a veteran backup to Garcia should Simms continue to struggle.
Culpepper, 30, is also expected to visit with the Jaguars, the Lions and possibly the Falcons, who face the possibility of losing starter Michael Vick to a suspension.
Culpepper joined the Dolphins last summer. The Ocala native and University of Central Florida alumnus fell out of favor with the Dolphins almost immediately when it became apparent he still had not fully recovered from a knee injury suffered the year before.
He was sacked 21 times in his first four games as the Dolphins' starter. He didn't see the field again as the Dolphins turned to Joey Harrington and then Cleo Lemon.
With a 64 percent career completion percentage and a 90.8 career passer rating, Culpepper seems a good fit in most any offensive scheme. But he will have to prove he is healthy to earn a roster spot and playing time.
Despite spending the last 21 months rehabilitating the torn knee ligaments that ruined his 2006 season, Culpepper was not allowed to participate in team drills while with the Dolphins this offseason.
That led to him filing a grievance that was scheduled to be heard Wednesday. Instead of dealing with the grievance, the Dolphins granted Culpepper his release and named recently acquired Trent Green their starter.
Fantasy Football: "Luck is where preparation meets opportunity"
(07-30) 18:06 PDT NAPA -- The Raiders gave free-agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper a workout Monday in Florida, a league source confirmed Monday, the latest indication No. 1 draft pick JaMarcus Russell's holdout could last awhile.
Personnel staffer George Streeter oversaw the workout with Culpepper, an eight-year veteran who was cut by the Miami Dolphins on July 17.
Culpepper missed nine games in 2005 after needing major surgery to repair three torn ligaments in his right knee. He has told reporters his knee is now fine.
The tryout came as Raiders coach Lane Kiffin praised quarterback Josh McCown, who is splitting first-team snaps with Andrew Walter.
"He's shown us that he continues to make plays," Kiffin said after a morning practice Monday. "As you watch the film, god, he's not scared of anything. If you watch him around his team now, this team kind of watched him a little bit. I guess you can call him the guy, he's a real guy. You notice it, the receivers, the linemen, he's fitting in really well."
It looks like the Raiders are going to sign Culpepper, according to rotoworld.com. No terms yet, but I imagine this begins the backup stage of Culpepper's career and he will eventually drift into fantasy irrelevancy soon.
biju wrote:It looks like the Raiders are going to sign Culpepper, according to rotoworld.com. No terms yet, but I imagine this begins the backup stage of Culpepper's career and he will eventually drift into fantasy irrelevancy soon.
Why do you say that? It's not like there's anyone to challenge C-Pep if he plays decently and Russell is certainly not going to start off the get go.
Oakland is giving Culpepper a look With top pick Russell absent, Kiffin is doing what's best for the team
Contra Costa Times Article Launched: 07/31/2007 03:01:49 AM PDT
NAPA -- The Raiders are cranking up the heat on no-show quarterback JaMarcus Russell by working out veteran free agent Daunte Culpepper this morning.
Coach Lane Kiffin confirmed the move Monday night, one day after he characterized the contract negotiations between the Raiders and No. 1 overall draft pick Russell as "going kind of slow." On Monday, Kiffin said progress is being made. Maybe so, but apparently not enough to his and the Raiders liking.
"I have great confidence in our people back in the office (in Alameda)," Kiffin said. "They do keep me updated. Things are going well at this time. At the end of the day, we have to do the best thing in the interest for the Raiders and for our future. I know our people are doing that right now."
The Raiders made Russell the first selection of the NFL draft in April. However, they haven't been able to hammer out a long-term contract with the former LSU quarterback in the more than three months since that time.
"We're flying (Culpepper) in," Kiffin said. "Any time you have a chance to investigate something that could help our team win, we're going to do it. Obviously, Daunte is something we've been looking into a little bit, and this is the climax of it."
Kiffin said the Raiders sent a front-office employee to Florida to work out Culpepper on Monday and, based on that, set up today's workout. Russell's absence is a factor in this decision, he added.
"Sure it has to do with that," Kiffin said. "You've got to take everything into consideration. You've got to protect your team, you've got to put your team in the best position to win and make sure you have the right depth and the right competition. So, obviously, that factors into it."
Culpepper, 30, started the four games he played for the Miami Dolphins last season. He was released July 17 on the heels of the Dolphins acquiring veteran quarterback Trent Green from the Kansas City Chiefs. Culpepper worked out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers two days later but wasn't offered a contract.
Kiffin said Sunday that the impasse stems from "money." Russell is at his mother's house in Mobile (Ala.). Russell's agent, Eric Metz, said by phone that his policy is not to discuss contract negotiations with the media.
Russell missed his fifth and sixth practices Monday. His teammates reported to Napa on Thursday and began practicing Friday.
Veterans Josh McCown and Andrew Walter are splitting reps at quarterback in Russell's absence. Kiffin gushed over McCown on Monday.
"He's shown us that he continues to make plays," Kiffin said. "As you watch the film, he's not scared of anything. He's throwing the ball (well), he's got a great feel for the rush, he's getting rid of the ball even before he's supposed to because he feels something on his backside. He's fitting in really well."
biju wrote:It looks like the Raiders are going to sign Culpepper, according to rotoworld.com. No terms yet, but I imagine this begins the backup stage of Culpepper's career and he will eventually drift into fantasy irrelevancy soon.
Why do you say that? It's not like there's anyone to challenge C-Pep if he plays decently and Russell is certainly not going to start off the get go.
Thus the reason I said soon. Even if they bring in Culpepper he could get a shot at playing half a season at best--and given that I don't believe he's healthy still, I really do believe he won't be anything more than veteran depth. (I personally think Josh McCown will start at the beginning of the season even if Culpepper is signed.) If, for some odd reason, the Raiders are making a push for postseason play then they might keep things as is, otherwise they are going to push Russell into the games. Plus, I doubt the Raiders are going to win more than 5 or 6 games.
Raiders signed QB Daunte Culpepper to a one-year contract.
Financial terms aren't available. Pending the health of his knee, Daunte will compete with Josh McCown and Andrew Walter to keep the seat warm for JaMarcus Russell. The loser of the battle will likely be released. We've seen how effective Culpepper is behind a terrible offensive line, so even if he's starting in Week 1, he'll only be worth picking in two-QB leagues.
Kudos to Leber for the amazing sig and to Metroid for the userbar and making them both fit 2008 and 2009 Defunct Dynasty League Champion
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