Daunte Culpepper Visits Lions, Leaves Without a Contract

by Sean Yuille on Oct 28, 2008 3:30 PM EDT in Detroit Lions News

NFL teams use Tuesdays to bring in free agents for workouts to compile a short list of players that can be signed if needed. Cedric Benson, Shaun Alexander, and Tim Rattay are just some of the players that have visited the Lions earlier in the season, and today Daunte Culpepper came to Allen Park.

Apparently the Lions have quite a bit of interest in Culpepper and were looking to sign him today. Culpepper obviously had some interest in coming to Detroit since he canceled a visit with the Chiefs. Had he gone to Kansas City, the expectation was that he would sign with them, but he made the decision to visit the Lions instead.

Although the general feeling was that Culpepper would become a Lion, he left Allen Park without a contract. Whether or not that means a deal no longer will happen remains to be seen, but this is something to keep an eye on. The Lions seem to want to sign him, so something could develop in the next couple of days.

Why the Lions would want to sign Culpepper is beyond me. The focus right now should be on Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton, who need every single opportunity to develop and become better NFL quarterbacks. Bringing in someone like Culpepper seems like it would hamper their development, which is the last thing the Lions need right now.

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Amen to that. I want to see Drew Stanton play real bad. I think if he gets a legit shot that he could do real good things.

by MSTONE on Oct 28, 2008 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

agreed.

but Rod said no… it’s Dan or nothing….. or if they bring in Culpepper (a huge mistake IMHO) then it will be Daunte or nothing.

by nuftjedi on Oct 28, 2008 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

if you look at the situation...

Daunte Culpepper would be a better starter than Orlovsky, period. So if Marinelli’s saying absolutely no to Stanton, then why not. Also, Culpepper has the potential to be what Kitna was supposed to be, a transitional QB, someone good enough until we find a permanent franchise qb (which could be stanton). He could lead our team through this season, and then one or two more years until we have a stong foundation, then we either a)draft a star qb or b)trade/pick up a great qb through free agency, or who knows, maybe Daunte will prove himself and be the man for the job. Don’t get me wrong though, I’d love to see what Stanton can do, but just like how we don’t want an unproven gm or coach, we shouldn’t then scream for an unproven qb over a proven one. If Culpepper had kitna like stats, then fine, but 142 tds with only 94 ints and a 89.9(even with some rough years w/oak and miami) career rating is better than anything we have right now.

by lions_sucker on Oct 28, 2008 9:33 PM EDT reply actions

keep in mind...

I don’t study the salary cap and don’t have a great understanding of it, so I don’t know if this could really hurt us in that aspect. If so, then that could change my opinion.

by lions_sucker on Oct 28, 2008 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess

I’m just thinking there is a reason he hasn’t played in the NFL for a while now.

Check out Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on Oct 28, 2008 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

true...

but look at doug flutie…i kid.

by lions_sucker on Oct 28, 2008 10:51 PM EDT reply actions

Why not ?!?

Stanton is not gonna play, so why not ? He has been off for some time so maybe his knees are healthier, I would love to see him throw the long ball to Calvin Johnson.

Whether it be this year, next year, or 50 years from now. The Detroit Lions will eventually win a Super Bowl............I f'n hope.

by BoscoHB on Oct 29, 2008 1:34 PM EDT reply actions