The Lions opened their three-day minicamp Tuesday, and Daunte Culpepper continued to get the majority of snaps with the first-team offense at quarterback.
Culpepper met with the media for the first time since Matthew Stafford was drafted and said he believes he’ll get a fair shot at the starting job, despite recent glowing reports about Stafford’s development. Speculation in Detroit has quickly changed regarding Stafford’s chances to start in Week 1.
Lions coach Jim Schwartz sounds like he won’t make a decision for a while, possibly until he sees Stafford in preseason action.
“It’s way too early to tell,” Schwartz said. “I mean, you don’t want to read too much into one day.”
Culpepper is reportedly in much better shape than when he joined Detroit in the middle of last season and sounds confident.
“I’m gonna continue to be the person I am and the competitor I am and continue to get better and better. But I feel better than I did in 2004, so we’ll see what happens.”
In the end, Culpepper’s performance probably won’t be the deciding factor in Detroit’s decision. If Stafford continues to impress, it will be very difficult for the Lions to rationalize benching their shiny new toy.
Culpepper Believes He'll Get A Fair Shot
Posted by NBC Sports on June 23, 2009, 8:31 PM EST
11 Responses to “Culpepper Believes He'll Get A Fair Shot”
Fumblepepper couldn’t make it with the Dolphins and Raiders when they were losing why does he think he can make it with the Lions?
At some point Stafford will take over to learn the hard way. If Fumblepepper continues to turn the ball over at the rate he has over the course of his “career”, then Stafford will be playing sooner than later.
“I feel better than I did in 2004″
It’s funny how every washed up player in his mid 30s feels like he needs to come out and tell people that he’s in better shape than he was 10 years ago in his prime. I’m pretty sure all those knee surgeries have made you a better player and strengthened your legs…
it will be a cold day in detroit before daunte gets a FAIR chance. all the endorsement money that stafford is getting makes him starter by week 4 the latest.
The only way Culpepper starts is if Stafford gets hurt or goes all Lienart on them in a preseason game against a disinterested opponent. Daunte’s knees have caught up with his ability to make rational decisions on the field. A full year of Culpepper could bring Detroit another perfect season.
after bye week, stafford comes in.
and chauncey pullpecker NEVER made rational decisions.
It will be interesting to see what Culpepper can do with Linehan as an OC again. He seemed to be the one person who could guide Culpepper through a game…
He also believes in Bigfoot.
‘pullpecker’
LOL to you empty13
30lbs lighter…youd be surprised how much that makes a difference in knee strain…..calvin may go get the ball better than randy did……..so its a fun thing to find out cuz we got 2 capable qbs behind him if he wears down…..but we arent gunna throw the ball all over the yard we r gunna run with salaam,jansen,cherilus,loper,raoilaand pettigrew will block and be a great check down…..if they do this they will minimize sacks and gain time of posseesion……..ball fakes will get calvin deeeeeeeep this year cuz we do have a running gasme this year
Culpepper’s agent must be feeding him another line of BS,
“If Stafford continues to impress, it will be very difficult for the Lions to rationalize benching their shiny new toy.”
DON’T DO IT DETROIT! Even if the temptation is STRONG, the Lions need to give Matt a DECENT O-Line before you throw him to the wolves. Let him sit for a year AND LEARN!