Culpepper wants out of Minnesota

By Krupka  |   Thursday, March 09, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Minnesota Vikings
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The Daunte Culpepper era in Minnesota has come to a screeching halt. On Wednesday, the star quarterback notified the team of his desire to have his contract terminated if a trade cannot be worked out.

"If a trade does not happen, then I am asking the Vikings to terminate my contract as soon as possible," Culpepper wrote in an e-mail to reporters.

The past seven months have taken a toll on Culpepper and left his future in Minnesota clouded. He was in the midst of his worst season statistically, throwing twice as many interceptions as touchdowns while leading the Vikings to a lackluster 2-5 start. Culpepper was also allegedly involved in the bye-week sex scandal in which he was charged with several misdemeanors for lewd and lascivious conduct. Finally, he had his season end early when he suffered a devastating knee injury in an October 30th game against the Carolina Panthers.

The well-documented knee injury suffered by Culpepper has left doctors unsure of whether or not he will be ready to play at any point in the 2006 season. Culpepper was also close to former head coach Mike Tice, who was fired right after the season's final game.

In recent weeks rumors have been circulating about possible trades involving the disgruntled quarterback that have linked him anywhere from Oakland or Arizona to Miami or Baltimore. Just a week ago, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf made public his intention to pay Culpepper the $6 million roster bonus due later this month.

Culpepper added, "I appreciate that the owner, Mr. Wilf, is willing to pay my March bonus. However, because of the fundamental differences I have with management regarding the approach to my personal and professional life, I think it is the best business decision for both parties to go our separate ways."

The new task at hand for the Minnesota Vikings is to find a deal suitable to their needs. Since Culpepper is injured and wants out, there is no reason to believe that any team will be willing to give up anything close to fair value. There is also the possibility that teams will be unwilling to give up anything with the chance Culpepper could be had for free, assuming the Vikings were to honor his request and terminate his contract.

Culpepper did say that he does intend to fulfill his contractual obligation to the Vikings if they choose not to trade or release him. The best case scenario for the Vikings would be to cut their ties and trade him for a draft pick or picks. They could then draft a young quarterback - such as Omar Jacobs of Bowling Green or Bruce Gradkowski of Toledo - and let them learn under the tutelage of veteran Brad Johnson.

Both Jacobs and Gradkowski are intriguing prospects. Jacobs may be the best of all the quarterbacks in the draft. He has the size (6'4", 225 pounds), speed (ran a 4.55 in the 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine), and a rocket for an arm.

Gradkowski also has a good arm and is very accurate. He became the first player in Division I-A history to complete more than 70% of his passes in consecutive seasons. Like Jacobs, he is mobile and can be a threat with his legs. Either one would be a solid choice.

The final chapter will now be written in the Daunte Culpepper saga. Will he be traded or released? Stay tuned, the answer will come in the near future.

- Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com
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