Daunte Culpepper Releases Statement
by Sean Yuille on Sep 8, 2009 3:00 PM EDT
in Detroit Lions News
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PrintRather than deal with the media, Daunte Culpepper decided to release a statement on the quarterback situation to make it clear that there are no hard feelings. Here is the full statement from the Lions' official site:
"Now that the debate is over and the decision has been made regarding the starting quarterback in Detroit, I would like to make the following statement today so that tomorrow I can put all of my energy into helping our team prepare for our opponent.
"The reason I agreed to restructure my contract in order to stay in Detroit was because I knew that I would have a chance to have a full off-season for the first time in over three years. I also knew that I would have an opportunity to finally compete against whoever the Lions brought in whether via free agency, trade or the draft. When the Lions selected Matthew Stafford first overall I was excited.
"My position is that if you want to be the best you have to beat the best. Coach Schwartz gave me a fair opportunity to compete for the starting job and now the decision has been made that Matt is the best quarterback in Detroit. I support the decision and I am ready to settle into my role.
"Matt is a great guy and a talented young quarterback. I am confident that he will lead this team to plenty of victories in Detroit for a long time to come. I look forward to helping Matt in that mission in any way that I can this year. My role as his back-up is not to be seen unless needed and not to be heard from unless required. The Lions organization has treated me with respect and class and they can expect the same from me."
I have an immense amount of respect for what Culpepper did during the offseason and how he is handling this situation. It can't be easy for a veteran like him to be beat out by a rookie, but based on what he said he has the right attitude and will now settle in as the Lions' backup quarterback.
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Bravo Culpepper!
I am certain you WILL be needed at some point. If that means one drive, one quarter, one game, or the rest of the season. Thank you, and if the Lions call on you, I am certain you will be ready.
http://cmufootball.blogspot.com/
I think you're right.
and if the Lions call on you, I am certain you will be ready.
It’s enough to make a Packers fan such as myself hope that the rookie has at least a modicum of success (except against the Pack, of course) this season, in order to keep DC off the field. :)
The glass is more than half-full.
I’m glad he’s willing to accept his role as a backup. I felt bad for him when Stafford got picked as the starter (although I think it was the right decision). Though we may get some value to trade Culpepper, I think I am a little more comfortable having him waiting on the bench. I hope he gets playing time this year to show another team that he deserves a starting spot.
Read my Lions analysis at: http://www.studyofsports.com/?cat=142
CPep with prophetic words
I applaud CPep for this statement – he seems to be a man of professionalism and respect. Perhaps he knows that he WILL BE NEEDED this season as Staff will likely not make it through 16 games due to injury or ineffectiveness behind a porous O Line and a weak D Line and secondary (and weak is a compliment).
Don’t think I don’t want the Lions to win and Staff to make the pro bowl – I would love that more than anything – I just don’t see it happening.
We’ll see CPep this year. I’m glad we have a good backup.
Not sure why you would bench Staff due to the lousy defence.
The defensive performance will be hung on Gunther, Schwartz and of course the players on defence.
I wouldn't bench Staff with a bad defense
I should have been more clear. The defense will not keep us in many games this year, or at least I didn’t improvement to merit us getting out of the #32 position in total defense the last 2 years.
I just think (as other pundits on ESPN, etc.) have been saying that a good defense, along with a solid O Line, are a rookies best friend. We have neither, although both are vastly improved from 2007 – 2008.
Hey NYC
Have you been able to see the preseason games this year? If so I’m just curious where this porous line is? I would say just the opposite. I personally think that theO-line has been 1 of many surprises this preseason, with the simplified blocking scheme and the added weight on our big guys up front they have done more pushing than being pushed like in years past.Now I’m not saying that there hasn’t been some situations here and there, but on the whole they have been pretty dominant so far this year.Now if you want a downer just look at our skilled positions on the O-side of the ball then I could understand where you were coming from, but the line hasn’t been the problem so far.
What a class act...
I think the little injury or toe mishap basically forced this situation, because he for the most part outplayed him, o ya & 72 million dollars. But, I think if was going to be 100%, they probably would have went with Daunte’, but maybe they just decided, given his perpencity for injury each year, not to delay the inevitable.
DCs a pro
I was one of many who thought DC should start the season and have Shiny come in after the bye. I’m gonna support the staffs decision with the QB situation and hope for the best. DC is being a true professional about the situation and has earned even more respect for doing so. I hope the kid doesn’t get hurt, but if he does, we have an excellent back-up ready to take over
He's making millions of dollars this year regardless
Now I love the game too, but if I was told ‘you can’t play most of the time but here’s some money for wanting to’ I’d be just fine with it.
I know Daunte is a competitor and he wants to start, but he lost, and he’s alright with it. OH NO AN ATHLETE WITHOUT A MASSIVE EGO PROBLEM!!
Pure Class
Gotta love Daunte Culpepper, his attitude is just great. He’s a starting QB now, there’s no doubt in my mind. He could easily whine and get a ticket out of here (Jay Cutler), but he makes the best of it and embraces a teacher/mentor role. I really hope he does well this season and decides to retire a Lion, I’ve always liked Daunte Culpepper and the nonstop injury bug that has been plaguing him really upset me. I’m glad he was able to make a decent comback with the team I love.
We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne
Good on him
I geniunely have more respect for the man then I have ever had at the moment. If he is truly happy to be a part of this team, in whatever way he can, then I am proud to have him as a Detroit Lion.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
I agree, very classy move...
and it should help him for his 2010 bid for a shot with another team… or even add trade value this year. Although I have to admit, I’d prefer him to stay with the team unless we can get significant value for him. I would feel much better having a solid veteran presence on the squad if he is going to embrace the back-up role.
I do feel sorry for Culpepper. Although I didn’t see the value in giving him playing time, I came away very impressed with his desire to play and the work he put in to try to get it done. He came in one year too late. Keep your chin up, Daunte!
Having that attitude could get hima starting gig somewhere else next year
He is better than one starter that comes to mind – Byron Leftwich. Probably a few more.
Bernard, Percy and AP oh my!
Im with ya
cpep is showing great class and I have loads more respect for him now, i actually hope for him to get a starting gig somewhere (after this season of course, we need him as backup). The fact he busted his ass and shown real professionalism I am sure will be noticed by other GMs.
"If your not with us...
you're with the terrorists!!"
I agree with ya
cpep is a class act and I think Staff should start as long as he is mentally able to deal with failure. I do not think any of us can judge this better than the coach. As long as he can deal with the growing pains he will be fine. He will have ups and downs but I dont think cpep would win more games or an notable amount over staff. With that being said if he is mentally ready he might as well get the experience. Everyone respectivley has an opinion but there is a hundred ways to skin a cat. We will eventualy find out if this was the best even though it might take a couple years to actually know. Best of luck to cpep. GO LIONS!
I agree
Class act DC said all the right things,and now we can move forward.
GO LIONS
If you're wondering where most of the comments went
I had to do some tidying up. Can’t believe some of the stuff that was posted.
Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog
Damn it!
A fight breaks out wth Rev and I missed it! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Dergru just becareful bro when it comes to my brother from another mother. You all know what a man crush I have on him. lmao bro’s lmao. You are both lucky I wasn’t here to defuse it, cause I would of made the both of you go wee-wee in your pants from lauging so hard at me.
who knew?
a statement from Daunte would turn into an old fashioned meleeing LOL
"If your not with us...
you're with the terrorists!!"
I saw no arguement Pope Sean Paul.
Out of curiousity Sean, How bad was it? Was it as bad as me and Revenge4Favre?
Revenge4Favre hasent bothered me any, but
Thats coming from a Viking fan. What was he chirpin’ you hard about?
Bernard, Percy and AP oh my!
Hey, Brett! This is how to be a TEAM player!
Would that Brett Favre had reacted to the Packers’ decisions last year with such incredible class.
He might still be a Packer today, and a useful one, at that;
or, more likely, he probably would actually be retired now, with no silly vindictive motivation for suiting up in purple this year. LOL.
The glass is more than half-full.
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