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QB Daunte Culpepper, Detroit Lions

HT: 6-4, WT: 240, Born: 1-28-1977, College: Central Florida, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 11

2009 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of September 7th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: C Brown (241), Daunte Culpepper (243), B Scott (244), B Jackson (245)
Position: S Rosenfels (211-QB32), M Vick (218-QB33), Daunte Culpepper (243 - QB34), B Leftwich (246-QB35),
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PPR Average draft position

Current as of September 7th. [Full PPR ADP list]

Overall: C Brown (253), S Hurd (254), Daunte Culpepper (255), M Sims-Walker (256),
Position: B Leftwich (233-QB32), M Vick (239-QB33), Daunte Culpepper (255 - QB34), S Rosenfels (258-QB35), D Anderson (261-QB36)
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Outlook

The Lions were a dreadful team last year and while you cannot pin the blame on Daunte Culpepper, he didn't really provide a spark when called upon. In 2004, Culpepper threw for 4,717 yards and 39 touchdowns and was considered one of the greatest fantasy players in his era. The past four years have been embarrassingly bad, but he is just 32. There is a chance the light bulb flickers on and he regains his past moxie that made him so special. It isn't likely in Detroit however as the Lions have nothing to lose by giving their rookie quarterback all the snaps in 2009.

Relevant Articles

2009 Schedule

2008 Game Summaries

Week 10 - QB Daunte Culpepper made his first start of the season despite only being signed by the team earlier in the week. Culpepper's second pass was picked off by the defense and he was sacked twice. He completed a 51 yard bomb to WR Calvin Johnson but overall, he struggled as expected. He did show some nice flashes and promise for the future. Considering his situation, it wasn't a bad performance at all.

He was replaced by QB Drew Stanton in the first quarter when the team made it into the red zone. Stanton threw a touchdown pass to TE John Owen but Culpepper returned for the next drive. He was finally lifted for good in the third quarter.

Week 11 - Culpepper started off the game quickly, leading the Lions to a touchdown by completing a 29 yard pass to Calvin Johnson. He was not able to consistently get the ball downfield however, as he only threw for 207 yards on 35 attempts. Culpepper struggled late in the game when he tried to force some things and ended up throwing a late interception and losing a fumble. Culpepper also ran for a touchdown from the one yard line.

Week 12 - Daunte Culpepper started and finished eight of 20 for 121 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His score came in the first quarter, where he hit WR Calvin Johnson from 15 yards out to cap off a 71 yard drive for the first score of the game. After that, however, the game went south for Culpepper. Detroit finished just four of 14 on third downs, and one Culpepper pick was returned by Tampa Bay DB Ronde Barber for a touchdown. At one point, Culpepper was replaced by youngster Drew Stanton, then had to re-enter the game after Stanton left with a concussion.

Week 13 - Culpepper showed some rapport with star receiver Calvin Johnson especially on slant routes. This was used frequently during the game with moderate success. Teams know that Culpepper wants to throw the ball to Calvin Johnson and they defend accordingly. The other impressive facet of Culpepper's game was his ability to scramble to avoid being sacked despite his 277 pound frame. This also helped him power out of potential sacks and make positive yards by extending the play. The biggest challenge for Culpepper is this game was the frequent long yardage the Lions faced due to negative plays and penalties.

Week 14 - From the outset, Culpepper looked determined to put on a good performance. He showed nice elusiveness early on in avoiding the oncoming pass rush, rolling out for a 28 yard completion to Keary Colbert. Later, he took off and displayed his still-impressive strength in running over DB Bennie Sapp on a third down scramble that resulted in a first down. His play was heady, his passes were accurate, and his ability to find the open man consistently was what kept his team in the game. He turned back the clock quite a few years on a 70 yard touchdown to Calvin Johnson. The toss by Culpepper was one of the most well thrown balls any quarterback has thrown all season long, hitting Johnson perfectly in stride down the sideline.

Unfortunately, it wasn't all good for Culpepper. The Detroit offensive line left him vulnerable far too often, at one point completely missing a block on DE Jared Allen, who shot through the line for the easiest sack he's ever gotten. Culpepper had two early opportunities to convert fourth downs, but on one he was hit as he threw and on the other he tried to sneak up the middle but ran right into the heart of Minnesota's defensive line. The last key situation he was involved with was on a third down pass play to Calvin Johnson. Johnson appeared to make a diving catch on a third and long pass, a reception that would've given the Lions a first down at the Minnesota eight yard line. Replays showed no conclusive angle of the ball being dropped, but after officials reviewed the play it was determined that the ball definitely hit the ground. Unless they had a different set of replays than the ones shown on television, there is no way anyone can say without question that the ball hit the ground. It was an unfortunate call in a season full of unfortunate events for Detroit.

Culpepper had probably his best game in a Detroit uniform, coming very close to leading the Lions to their first win of the season. Had it not been for a misinterpretation of the replay challenge rule, he may have done just that.

To make matters worse, the Lions got the ball back with one last shot at a desperation heave toward the end zone. Culpepper dropped back to pass, but was hit as he released the ball and appeared to injure his arm. He was replaced for the game's final play by Drew Henson.