Sunday Notes: Daunte Culpepper Breaks Silence on Not Starting on Thanksgiving

by Sean Yuille on Dec 6, 2009 5:00 AM EST in Notes Comment 7 comments

Prior to the Thanksgiving game, Daunte Culpepper had what appeared to be an interesting conversation with Martin Mayhew about the fact that Matthew Stafford was starting. Everybody, including Culpepper, assumed that Stafford would be out and Culpepper would get the start against Green Bay. That obviously excited Culpepper not only because he was expecting to get a chance to play, but also because that chance was going to come on a national stage, allowing him to show what he's got to the rest of the league. Well, we all know what happened instead. Stafford started, and Culpepper was visibly upset over that decision.

Asked if there was a communication issue on gameday, Culpepper said Friday, "I mean, clearly it was. But, hey, it is what it is."

"I want to just let you know this: There was no issue between Martin and I," said Culpepper, who'll be the No. 2 quarterback again Sunday at Cincinnati. "That's all I'm going to say. Me and Martin had no problem at all. We didn't argue one bit. It's as simple as that. Anything else, it is what it is. But Martin and I didn't have any problem."

As for any lingering problems with the coaching staff, Culpepper said, "I ain't got nothin' to say about it. But it was handled. The situation was handled. And I'm moving on."
I really don't have much of an opinion about how Culpepper reacted to finding out that Stafford was going to start instead of him. On the one hand, Culpepper should know by now that his role on the team is to be Matthew Stafford's backup, and any issue he had with not getting to start should be kept to himself and not shown on national TV. Then again, on the other hand, if I were in Culpepper's shoes I would have been pissed off as well. All signs pointed to him getting the start, but when gameday arrived Stafford was ready to play. I don't know if I would have basically pouted on the sideline during warmups, but I can understand why Culpepper was upset.

I guess for me I really don't care about Culpepper's reaction one way or another because there's no question that this is Stafford's team, so it's really a non-issue. I suppose I would prefer for a veteran like Culpepper to keep his frustrations on the inside rather than let them be shown in front of a national audience, but like I said, I really don't care.
Stephen Peterman hates being injured because he doesn't like not being around the game of football.
Here's a depressing stat via John Niyo: In their last 9 games after Thanksgiving, the Lions have a record of 1-8. Ouch.
Gunther Cunningham is not a fan of the spread-style of offense from college that is slowly making its way to the NFL.
As a FanPost pointed out, Drew Stanton was named the Lions' Man of the Year for 2009.
Grady Jackson's brother, Javorris Jackson, has been found guilty of second-degree murder.
The Bengals ended up selling out today's game.

0 recs | Comment 7 comments | Share

Comments

Oh No!

What if Culpepper gets mad and doesn’t come back next season? Who can we count on to come off the bench and throw an INT to the blitzing LB on a screen pass? They better make up to him quick.

by ATL Lion on Dec 6, 2009 8:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

what coach

to soon the kid is going to get busted up!!! stafford!!! PUT THE PRO IN,LET THE KID LEARN A THING OR TWO

by Rickey on Dec 6, 2009 10:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Did it seem like Culpepper rather pointedly said that he didn’t have a problem with MARTIN? He mentioned Martin’s name 3 times in those quotes. Meanwhile, he didn’t mention Schwartz. I suspect that after Pep was told at the last minute that he wasn’t starting (by Schwartz or whoever), he went whining to Mayhew.

Personally, I think Pep took too much for granted in assuming he was going to start. All week Schwartz said that they’d monitor Staff and see if he was ready to go on Sunday. Pep may have listened to the words, but clearly thought he heard something else. No sympathy here. Staff’s the starter. If he can play, he will play. Schwartz has said as much. Like Sean said, it’s a non-issue. Get over it, Pep.

What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.

by GRLion on Dec 6, 2009 10:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hiding his anger maybe?

I don’t think about him all that much now, which is surprising considering how much the QB battle was debated earlier on in the season.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.

by Hyperion Ecta on Dec 7, 2009 7:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The difference between now and then......

Is that Stafford has proven that argument to be relatively moot…..especially in my mind.

by KDawg on Dec 7, 2009 8:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good luck today boys

NYC i got my jersey & the hat going early

by londonlion on Dec 6, 2009 12:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Don't worry Dante

No worrys culpepper I can honestly say you’ll be sitting on your couch waiting for the phone to ring you out of retirement again. Matthe is THE GUY alright and practice or no if he can play he plays if Jim thought you were capable of starting over him you would be the starter wouldn’t you. Culpeper had his in Min. and is trying to get it back but if he isn’t willing to work with the young guys he will quickly find he no longer has a place on any nfl roster..thats just the cold hard truth. I suspect Drew can be the 2nd QB next year as his chance to earn the spot as backup atleast Dantes contract is up he will not return and with Mccoy,Bradford,Claussen,Tebow,and Locker add vick to the mix if he ain’t willing to play backup then he can pout to home thats all I have to say det has enough issues to deal with without Dante being a baby maybe he needs to get the Ole sexboat backout and call it a day lol

by The Profiler on Dec 6, 2009 6:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs