Culpepper trade growing more likely

Culpepper trade sought

Culpepper trade sought
After turning down his request for a $10 million raise, the team seems prepared to part ways with its once-franchise quarterback.
Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune

Last update: February 16, 2006 – 9:56 AM


The Vikings are gauging quarterback Daunte Culpepper's trade value around the NFL, a person with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday -- confirming a decision triggered when Culpepper demanded that his 2006 compensation be more than doubled.

A well-connected website, www.profootballtalk.com, reported the Vikings are seeking a second-round draft pick for Culpepper, but that asking price could not be confirmed. A trade for so little compensation would conclude a stunning fall for Culpepper, 29, who put up MVP-caliber numbers as recently as 2004.

Baltimore, Miami, Oakland and the New York Jets are among those teams who are expected to pursue quarterbacks this offseason.

The Baltimore Sun reported the Ravens might be interested in placing their franchise tag on running back Jamal Lewis and then trading him for Culpepper.

Regardless, the Vikings now seem willing to jettison their franchise quarterback -- and conceivably install Brad Johnson as their starter -- following a six-week period in which Culpepper has attempted three times to seek an upgrade to his contract.

The last attempt occurred during a Jan. 31 meeting at Winter Park, according to three people with knowledge of the situation.

Culpepper, who fired agent Mason Ashe last month, represented himself during a gathering that also included owner Zygi Wilf, other members of his ownership group, coach Brad Childress and Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski. Culpepper, according to two people with knowledge of the situation, asked that approximately $10 million be added to his contract this season -- increasing his total 2006 compensation to a staggering $18 million.

Wilf angrily turned down Culpepper's request, and it is believed that no substantive communication has taken place since. The disagreement is the largest impetus for soliciting trade offers, but Culpepper might also be seeking a fresh start after suffering a major injury to his right knee and being charged with three misdemeanors in connection with an alleged Oct. 6 sex party on Lake Minnetonka.

Culpepper, due a $6 million bonus on March 14, faces the task of learning Childress' west-coast offense while being unable to practice until summer at the earliest. A team taking Culpepper would have to view him as a starter for 2007 and consider playing time in 2006 a bonus.

Culpepper's contract, which Wilf upgraded last summer, calls for him to make $8 million during the 2006 league year. Culpepper contends the Vikings promised last summer to address his contract further after the 2005 season; the team has denied that claim.

Culpepper did not respond to an interview request, and team spokesman Bob Hagan said no team official would be available to discuss Culpepper's situation.

News surfaced at this time last year that the Vikings were shopping receiver Randy Moss, who ultimately was sent to Oakland for linebacker Napoleon Harris and two draft choices. No trade involving Culpepper could be finalized before March 3.

Vikings notes

• Vikings running back Mewelde Moore had surgery to repair the sprained right wrist that troubled him for much of the 2005 season. The surgery prevented Moore from participating in the snowmobiling portion of last weekend's Arctic Blast.

• The Vikings signed fullback Joey Goodspeed, who was out of football in 2005 after playing for the San Diego Chargers in 2002 and the St. Louis Rams in 2003-04. The Vikings did not use a fullback in the offense of former coach Mike Tice, but Childress' West Coast style requires one.

Culpepper trade sought

ugh a meager 2nd round pick??

This post has been edited by CastorTroy on Feb 16 2006, 12:51 PM

The Lewis deal might be the best idea. As a Browns fans, I'm somewhat scared of Culpepper going to Baltimore. I still think Culpepper can be good, he just needs to be groomed, and have a lot of hands on work done.

I heard on ESPN that a trade possibility would be Culpepper for Ray Lewis.

I wonder how the finances of that deal would pan out. Ray Ray wants a new contract, and so Pepp. If I was the Ravens, I would be a bit hesitant to pull that deal off.

I've been reading Jamal, not Ray-Ray. Ozzie keeps saying he doesn't plan on trading RayLew, probably because he fears getting stabbed outside a bar.

The Lewis deal is utterly stupid. He's a free agent. The Vikings can just go sign him for less if they want him.

The Ray Lewis thing would make some sense, but there is absolutely NO reason for the Vikings to take the RB Lewis, especially considering he's not exactly a west coast back and looks like his shelf life in the NFL is already just about up.

This post has been edited by Sparky on Feb 16 2006, 01:21 PM

I don't see the Ravens doing that with the way Boller played late last year.

To me it looks like Culpepper's shelf life in the NFL is about up too. Played horrible, and suffered a nast injury. Without Randy Moss, Culpepper has never looked all that great, and it seems to me like his attitude is a concern. To ask for 10 million dollars when you played like trash and suffered an injury is just selfish. To get a player like either Lewis would be a steal for the Vikings.

Either Culpepper is worried that he will never recover from his injury and is trying to get as much money as possible, or he's just looking for a way to get out of Minnesota. Either way, I wouldn't trade for him. You just don't go around demanding more money when you come off of a horrible season, and especially if you've suffered a season ending injury, where your future is in question.

This post has been edited by MA2046 on Feb 16 2006, 01:59 PM

Why should any team trade for Culpepper? It looks like the Vikes will just release him instead of paying that huge roster bonus next month, & a club can get him for free.

Anywhere he goes he's looking at a serious salary reduction. Did he negotiate that bloated contract when Red McCombs owned the team? It sounds like it, since the owner knew he would be selling it to someone else soon anyway. Now McCombs & Ashe are both gone, Culpepper compounded new owner Zygi's disdain for him by demanding the additional $10M, & he has one foot out of Minnesota. If it's up to WOlf & Zygi, Culpepper would already be gone.

To me it looks like Culpepper's shelf life in the NFL is about up too. Played horrible, and suffered a nast injury. Without Randy Moss, Culpepper has never looked all that great, and it seems to me like his attitude is a concern. To ask for 10 million dollars when you played like trash and suffered an injury is just selfish. To get a player like either Lewis would be a steal for the Vikings.

Except for 2 years ago when Moss missed half the season and Culpepper had one of the top 3 statistical years ever. RBs wear down far faster than QBs. Culpepper could very well have another decade of playing time left if he rehabs well.

To me it looks like Culpepper's shelf life in the NFL is about up too. Played horrible, and suffered a nast injury. Without Randy Moss, Culpepper has never looked all that great, and it seems to me like his attitude is a concern. To ask for 10 million dollars when you played like trash and suffered an injury is just selfish. To get a player like either Lewis would be a steal for the Vikings.

Except for 2 years ago when Moss missed half the season and Culpepper had one of the top 3 statistical years ever. RBs wear down far faster than QBs. Culpepper could very well have another decade of playing time left if he rehabs well.

Update:

Culpepper plans on staying with Vikings
NFL.com wire reports

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (Feb. 16, 2006) -- Daunte Culpepper wanted to make sure there was no misinterpretation: He's concerned with getting healthy, not speculation about his future with the Minnesota Vikings.

And Culpepper, unless he's told otherwise by owner Zygi Wilf, plans to play quarterback for the Vikings this fall.

He didn't respond specifically to a report that the team is considering trading him because of his recent requests for more money. But Culpepper offered his take on the rumors that have surrounded him since the season ended.

"I have found over the years that people with knowledge of the situation are usually the most ignorant, and anonymous sources are usually synonymous with cowards who don't want to go on the record," Culpepper said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "My position has been and continues to be that I am focusing on rehabilitating my knee so that I can come back and play the game I love at the highest level.

"Until I hear different from Mr. Wilf or the new 'triangle of authority' at the Vikings, I plan on playing quarterback for Minnesota. Trying to delve into speculation, innuendo, rumor or anything else of this nature would be a waste of energy. I choose at this time to spend my energy on getting healthy. Thank you for relaying this message to the public."

The Star Tribune of Minneapolis, citing an anonymous person with knowledge of the situation, reported that the team is gauging Culpepper's trade value in response to his contract demands. The newspaper, citing three anonymous sources with knowledge of the situation, also reported that Culpepper tried three times in a six-week period ending Jan. 31 to upgrade his deal.

Culpepper let his longtime agent, Mason Ashe, go last month. He has been representing himself since then, saying he wanted to be more involved in his financial business.

The Vikings, coincidentally, introduced their new vice president of player personnel, Fran Foley, at a news conference at their headquarters. But Foley wouldn't address this subject, or much of anything else, and Wilf didn't take questions.

"My position will be that we're not going to talk about our football business in public," Foley said. "It's just not going to happen. It's not the way that I do business, and it won't be the way that we'll do business from this point forward."

Foley, who spent the last three seasons with San Diego and the nine years before that with Jacksonville as a personnel official, was asked twice more for general comments on Culpepper. He declined.

"Whether it's Daunte or another player," Foley said, "I can't give you an evaluation on him as a performer -- or our plans with the player."

Culpepper, who was picked for his third Pro Bowl following a record-setting year in 2004, struggled badly through the first part of the 2005 season before tearing the anterior cruciate, medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments in his knee during a game against Carolina last Oct. 30.

He had surgery Nov. 15 and has since spent most of his time rehabilitating in Florida. He spoke last month by phone with new coach Brad Childress, who said at his introductory news conference that the 29-year-old Culpepper "right now, is the franchise quarterback."

But that doesn't mean he will continue to be, despite Wilf's previous pledge to pay Culpepper a $6 million bonus he's due in March.

Though he has maintained his innocence, Culpepper's image was tainted after a wild boat party produced three misdemeanor charges for him and three teammates. The Vikings also must judge his on-field value, considering veteran quarterback Brad Johnson 's success in relief and the uncertainty of Culpepper's health following such a catastrophic injury.

Culpepper plans on staying with Vikings - NFL.com

Ray Lewis isnt going anywhere. Thats all I have to say.

I certainly hope the Vikings can get more than a 2nd rounder for him. There has to be at least one team who thinks he's worth a first rounder.

Besides the Raiders, I don't know any other team who wants to take on his salary....Culpepper has a ridiculous contract

The trade was mentioned to be Culpepper for Jamal Lewis not Ray Lewis.

I think the vikings should get rid of cullpper Jhonson is a #1 qb trade culepper and pick up a back or reciver. Culpper is nothing without moss.

More like Pepp is nothing with Scott Linehan.