Friday Notes: Daunte Culpepper Named Starter for Preseason Opener

by Sean Yuille on Aug 14, 2009 1:57 PM EDT in Training Camp Comment 15 comments

Detroit Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper (11) throws during an NFL football training camp in Allen Park, Mich., Friday, Aug. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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3 months ago: Detroit Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper (11) throws during an NFL football training camp in Allen Park, Mich., Friday, Aug. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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Daunte Culpepper has been named the Lions' starting quarterback for their preseason opener against the Falcons tomorrow afternoon. Matthew Stafford and Drew Stanton will still get an equal amount of playing time, but Culpepper will get to play first, with Stafford expected to come in during the second quarter and Stanton some time in the second half. Knowing that, this move really isn't too big of a deal. It's only the first preseason game, and for me, it was expected that Culpepper would be the starter initially.
Casey FitzSimmons, Keith Smith, and Daniel Bullocks were ruled out of the Falcons game by Jim Schwartz. That doesn't mean they are the only ones who won't play, however, as the injury list will probably reach double digits. Those three players are just the ones that are out for sure. Other injured players will participate in the pregame warm-ups before a decision on their status is made. I would be surprised if a player who is injured gets a significant amount of playing time. There is simply no point in risking further injury at the very start of the preseason.
The Lions' depth chart has been posted on the team's official website. It accounted for some injured players, as their names are italicized and dropped to the end of their position.
Decals honoring Corey Smith and Ricky Sandoval will be on the Lions' helmets this season.
NFL teams are allowed to have a sponsor on their practice jerseys, and the Lions are going to put the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit's logo on theirs.
Drew Stanton did a good job of running the scout team in preparation for the Falcons.
Members of Michigan's Air National Guard attended practice yesterday and got to be a part of the Lions' circle after practice.
Louis Delmas had a rough childhood.
Brian Billick is a fan of Jim Schwartz.
Grady Jackson is the slowest player in Madden 10, coming in with a speed rating of 34. That's pretty bad, but at least he isn't 34 overall like cornerback B.J. Sams.
In case you hadn't already heard, the Eagles signed Mike Vick.

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They really changed the ratings quite a bit...

I don’t remember anyone being rated that low in previous Maddens… The lowest were usually in the 50’s… I hardly ever saw anyone in the 40’s…

by ZWC11 on Aug 14, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Remind me

Are NFL radio broadcast available on line, or are they locked away like baseball and a lot of college football radio broadcasts?

Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!

by ahtrap on Aug 14, 2009 2:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They were last year

I went to 97.1 the ticket and listened to the games on line when they were blacked out.

by wingnut91 on Aug 14, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

C'mon! Grady's faster than that!

Though I am not sure who might be considered slower.

But I have seen that guy move fast a couple times. usually in short spurts towards a QB or some cheeseburgers. And then he has to rest for a couple plays afterward.

by ATL Lion on Aug 14, 2009 3:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd say he's faster than Rogers was...

by ZWC11 on Aug 14, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Culpepper starting against Atlanta doesn't surprise me

It’s probably the smart move, since most of us won’t read into it. However, if Stafford started, we would expect Stafford to start the rest straight through to the regular season. I’m just excited to see the Lions back on the field again.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).

by Hyperion Ecta on Aug 14, 2009 7:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs