Quarterbacks in Demand

Quarterbacks in Demand
for News Around the NFL


The Patriots released a statement today that read: "After extensive tests this morning, it was revealed that Tom Brady's left knee, which was injured in the first quarter of yesterday's game, will require surgery. He will be placed on injured reserve and will miss the remainder of the 2008 season."

Brodie Croyle, University of Alabama alum, suffered a separated right (throwing) shoulder in Sunday's loss to New England. Coach Herm Edwards wouldn't speculate on how long Croyle would be out, but this looks like he will miss significant playing time.

The Tennessee Titans believe Vince Young has a torn medial collateral ligament that will sideline him two to four weeks, and he will undergo an MRI sometime Monday for conclusive results.

Jeff Garcia, the 38 year old often-injured and smallish quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, injured his calf sunday which will most certainly continue in a nose-dive of nagging pains and injuries that will explain Tampa Bay's lack of winning focus and offensive woes. Jeff Garcia is a player who has only played in 3 complete seasons in his 10 seasons and durability--in addition to his underwhelming stature--has always been the top concern.

And who knows how much further the list will go after tonights Monday Night matchups with junior starter Tavarius Jackson for the Minnesota Vikings going up against first-time starter Aaron Rodgers for the Green Bay Packers.

With what may prove to be a limiting and lingering knee problem for Peyton Manning, the likelihood of Donovan McNabb or any of St. Louis' quarterbacks holding up for a whole season minimal, inexperienced starters at San Francisco(JT O'Sullivan), Oakland(Jamarcus Russell), Washington(Jason Campbell), and the entire Cleveland, Atlanta, and Baltimore QB rosters, Daunte Culpepper probably would have now been looking at the greatest boon possible for a proven backup-spot starting quarterback. If his conspiracy theory is in fact a fabrication of his imagination, as some think, as opposed to an outright fact.

Here is a list of other "Out-of-NFL" Quarterbacks who could be called into action.

1. Tim Couch-Is married to 1999 Playboy Playmate of the year Heather Kozar. You know he is still in playing shape. Was banned for 6 games of the 2007 season for steroid use. Was not on any roster all season.
2. Bradlee Van Pelt-Probably only known to Madden 2007 players. Very good.
2. Dameyune Craig- Former Auburn star who owns the professional football record for most yards thrown in a game. Still revered by Auburn Tiger fans.
3. Brad Johnson-Perfect for one of those coaches who only trust QB's older than they are.
4. Dan Marino-Ditto, especially the New England Patriots, who could win with 46 year-old Marino. Favre probably now wishes he had waited for Tom Brady to get injured before coming back.
5. Wade Wilson- The ageless QB coach of the Dallas Cowboy's, though retired in 1998 from playing, could step in any time and win just as easily as Tony Romo. It's sad that he doesn't.

And my list of "Out-of-NFL" Quarterbacks I hope stay retired.

1. Trent Green- I know he won't "officially" be retired until Marc Bulger goes down. Then Green will take a snap or two, get another concussion, and in a teary press conference no one watches even on YouTube retire. Right now he is just getting that paycheck.
2. Drew Bledsoe- I hate you, stay away! Replacing you is the only thing Tony Romo ever did that made him look "good".
3. Vinny Testaverde- I hate you almost as bad as Drew Bledsoe. PLEASE STAY AWAY!
4. Doug Flutie- Bernie Kosar's arch nemesis. The Football Hurling Midget was a fluke in the NFL, a good broadcaster, and does not need to answer the phone if Bellichek calls.
5. Ryan Leaf-Selected by the San Diego Chargers with the No. 2 overall pick in 1998, Leaf threw just 13 touchdown passes to 33 interceptions, along with countless well-publicized tantrums before being released in 2000. It seems almost unbelievable now that some teams felt Leaf was better pro material the Peyton Manning. And adding insult to injury, Chargers GM Bobby Beathard gave up the No. 3 pick, a second-round selection, a first-round choice in 1999, and two players to Arizona to move up just one spot. Thankfully bankrupted the Chargers franchise for all eternity, the latest evidence of which the Week 1 loss.
6. Chris Weinke- An old man that came back to college football after a meager pro baseball career and stints selling insurance and used cars. The NFL tried to blackball him but the idiot Carolina Panthers did not get the memo.

Culpepper Retirement Paperwork Stalled by Talks with New England, Moss and Culpepper May Reunite

Culpepper Retirement Paperwork Stalled by Talks with New England, Moss and Culpepper May Reunite
for News Around the NFL



Sources have indicated that quarterback Daunte Culpepper has not yet filed his retirement papers into the league and that, given the catastrophic events that took place for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots Sunday, Patriots WR and former Culpepper teammate Randy Moss has been very vocal about getting Culpepper into town for a visit. The Patriots are, as sources state willing to bring Daunte in for a physical (which he passed in Pittsburgh)and go from there.



While this might appear to be exactly what Culpepper was in search of(a reunion with Moss, a chance to play for a playoff team), one has to wonder how Culpepper's insistence on representing himself will play out for him this time around and with the Patriots. Apparently $730,000 was not enough money for Culpepper to take the job in Pittsburgh, and it's highly unlikely the legendarily frugal Patriots are going to offer more money--even now with an amplified need with Tom Brady out for the season.


Culpepper threw for 318 yards in a 38-24 loss in 1997 at Nebraska, a team that eventually shared the national championship. The Knights were ahead 17-14 at the half before the Cornhuskers rallied for the triumph. "People may not know about Culpepper now," Nebraska coach Tom Osborne predicted after the game. "But the whole world will find out about him, because he'll be making big noise on Sundays."

Daunte Culpepper Retires, May Be Eyeing MLB Career

Daunte Culpepper Retires, May Be Eyeing MLB Career
for News Around the NFL


The Roll May be Changing Venues

The writing was on the wall a while back, and some may have thought that former Minnesota Viking Pro-Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper should never have tried to play football ever again. Indeed, his decision to fire his agent and represent himself following his ouster in Minnesota may have been the first step in a perilous journey that ended in his virtual banishment from the professional game.

He expressed his frustrations with the NFL in his retirement letter:"When Free agency began this year, I had a new sense of excitement about continuing to rebuild my career in the same way that I had rebuilt my knee after my catastrophic injury in 2005. Unfortunately, what I found out was that the league did not share any of the optimism about me as an Unrestricted Free Agent that I expected. In fact, there was an overwhelming sense that there was no room for me among this year's group of quarterbacks; whether in a starting, competing or a back-up role. No matter what I did or said, there seemed to be a unified message from teams that I was not welcome to compete for one of the many jobs that were available at the quarterback position. It seems that the stance I took in both Minnesota and Miami regarding my rights as a person and player has followed me into Free Agency."

The fumble-prone quarterback was the centerpiece of an often frightening Minnesota Viking offense in the years before Randy Moss was ran out of town. The offense was scary for opponents and fans, who were just as likely to see a 250 yard passing game, at least one fumble, an interception or two and a sideline tantrum by either Moss, Culpepper, the various coaching staffs, or all of the above.

Culpepper's 2004 season is the stuff of legend, and following his Madden 2005 cover photo, he shredded his knee the following season in a blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers. Culpepper's later stints in Miami, Oakland, and an aborted attempt at a roster spot this year in Pittsburgh for former Viking coach Mike Tomlin were all star-crossed and embroiled in intrigue while the word that came out of the various camps were that he was unable to comprehend a role as anything less than a franchise starter, including a guaranteed amount of that sort of money on that sort of contract, and that stubbornness at age 31 brought to an end a career that many will argue ended sadly short.

Even at his pinnacle Daunte Culpepper was a player who epitomized a lesson in starkly opposite contrasts. Fleet of foot and much larger in size than the average NFL quarterback, Culpepper could be a rangy, hard-fighting competitor and in the blink of an eye commit a careless fumble or blown play. He was always diametrically loved and reviled in the hardcore Viking fan base.

Culpepper's letter goes on to state: "After taking a long look at my career and my personal convictions, I have decided to begin early retirement from the NFL effective immediately. Since the beginning of training camp I was told that my opportunity would come when a quarterback gets hurt. I cannot remember the last time so many QB’s have been injured during the preseason. I have been strongly encouraged from family, friends and league personnel to continue to be patient and wait for an inevitable injury to one of the starting quarterbacks in the league. I would rather shut the door to such “opportunity” than continue to wait for one of my fellow quarterback’s to suffer a serious injury. Since I was not given a fair chance to come in and compete for a job, I would rather move on and win in other arenas of life.

"The decision I made in 2006 to represent myself rather than hire an agent has been an invaluable experience. I now understand why so many people within the NFL community are uncomfortable with a player really learning the business. The NFL has become more about power, money and control than passion, competition and the love of the game. Regardless of this shift, player’s rights are still supposed to be a part of this league. Since I will not be given the opportunity to honor the memory of Gene Upshaw by wearing a patch on my uniform this year, I will instead spend some of my energy applying what he taught me about standing up for what is right and not sitting down for what is clearly wrong.

"I want to thank my family and my fans for their unwavering belief in me as a person and a player. I embraced both the peaks and the valleys of the game and my career. I am a better person today as a direct result of the experience of playing in the NFL. I can now focus on the enjoyment of watching some of the greatest athletes in the world play the game I love without the distraction of waiting for those elusive return phone calls."

Speculation abounds on what Culpepper may seek to do next. Indeed, perhaps the "new arena's" he hopes to win in may be The New Yankee Stadium in 2009. The Yankees, who drafted Culpepper coming out of high school and again after his career at the University of Central Florida came to an end, are in need of pitching help, and Culpepper may still have what it takes to hurl the baseball. He was been clocked with a 95 mph fastball years ago, and no one has ever questioned the ability of his throwing arm. If his knee can hold up, the newest addition to The Yankees could be a most compelling back story, unrivaled in several boring years.