It seemed like a no-brainer that veteran Daunte Culpepper would retain the starting quarterback position for the Detroit Lions this season. But with rookie number one Draft choice Matthew Stafford looking good during offseason minicamp workouts (which continue this week), it certainly isn’t a foregone conclusion. This job might be up for grabs.
Obviously, the two players’ on-field performances will be the determining factor in who wins the starting spot. But with a contract that includes $41.7 million in guaranteed money, you can be sure Matthew won’t be on the bench for too long. I guess you could say the handwriting …read more

After months of speculation and ample consideration to a handful of worthy players, the Detroit Lions finally chose University of Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford as the top overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft this afternoon. But the deal was settled late last night as Matthew signed a six-year, $78 million deal. With $41.7 million being guaranteed (the richest rookie contract in NFL history), it once again brings up the sore subject of college players making obnoxious sums of money without having played a down in the National Football League. Because no rookie player is worth that kind of money.
Matthew seemed …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Following a 31-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers today, the Detroit Lions became the first team in NFL history to go 0-16. I can’t even imagine how difficult a season it was for the players and coaches. After today’s game, quarterback Dan Orlovsky said:
“I don’t ever want to be a part of this again. We haven’t won since — November of ‘07 — maybe? I don’t even know the last time we won a game.”
It was December 23 of last season, actually. But the fact remains, there are so many problems in Detroit, it’s …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
With starting quarterback Dan Orlovsky nursing a thumb injury that might require surgery, new Detroit Lions QB Daunte Culpepper is expected to start tomorrow against the Jacksonville Jags. If this happens, it will be a stunning turn of events in a very short amount of time. After all, he announced his retirement just two months ago. But why not? What have the Lions got to lose? As long as Daunte is physically able to perform and has enough of the offensive scheme down to get through a game, he might as well play himself into …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
As expected, quarterback Daunte Culpepper passed his physical and signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Lions today. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but here’s what Daunte wrote about it in an email:
“I have agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions and after taking a physical, I plan on signing a 2-year contract today. As a result of doing some research on different places to play, the Detroit Lions seemed to be the best fit for me. I am encouraged by the commitment of ownership, the vision of management and the great potential …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Recently unretired quarterback Daunte Culpepper got what he was looking for. I guess. Daunte agreed to a two-year contract with the Detroit Lions today. Terms of the deal are unknown at this point because Daunte is not expected to sign the contract until Monday.
In agreeing with the Lions, Daunte gets to be the starting quarterback and he gets more than a one-year deal. Which is what he was looking for. But he also gets to join one of the most distraught franchises in the NFL. And if the team cleans house this offseason (and …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Here’s an interesting one. Recently unretired quarterback Daunte Culpepper was scheduled to meet with the Kansas City Chiefs tomorrow to get a physical and discuss the possibility of a contract. He canceled that visit and told the Chiefs he has a better opportunity with another team. Which team? I have no idea, but last week he told all 32 NFL teams he not only wanted to sign a contract for more than just the rest of this season, he also wanted a 2009 payment of $10 million or more. That’s laughable. I think he has …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
I guess Daunte Culpepper wasn’t really enjoying retirement. After finally having come to his senses about leaving the game, Daunte released the following statement today about returning to the NFL:
“A number of teams have contacted me since my retirement announcement and have provided some important information that has caused me to reconsider returning to the league. As much as I have enjoyed my brief break from playing, I know that I love the game and I have some unfinished business in the NFL. It has never been because of a lack of passion for the …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
With Tom Brady on the shelf for the rest of the 2008 season, are the New England Patriots considering giving recently retired quarterback Daunte Culpepper a call? Shortly after Tom’s devastating injury yesterday, the Pats contacted free agent QBs Chris Simms and Tim Rattay. According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen (reporting on Monday Night Countdown), when they showed up for their interviews/workouts today, both players were sent back to the airport because plans had changed. I just got off the phone with Patriots Executive Director of Media Relations Stacey James and all he knew of the …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Here is free agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper’s surprising retirement announcement to members of the media today:
Farewell NFL. 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 …read more