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QB Daunte Culpepper, Free agent

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

2008 Projections

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2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 3 - Culpepper was shuffled in and out of the game in the first half before taking over for an injured Josh McCown for good in the second half of this game, but was never really asked to make too many plays, handing the ball off to his effective rushing attack most of the game. Daunte did not turn the ball over in this game, and helped put the Raiders in the win column for the first time this season.

Week 4 - Culpepper started this game for an injured Josh McCown and completed five of 12 attempts for 75 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. While passing the ball clearly wasn't a big part of the Raider game plan, Culpepper was efficient throwing two of his five completions for touchdowns. He only looked downfield a few times, as the Raiders were content allowing the running game to eat up yardage. On his only deep attempt of the game, Culpepper found Jerry Porter streaking down the right sideline and zipped a ball in between two defenders for a 27 yard touchdown. He did not show it off, but Culpepper is obviously still able to make all of the throws. One somewhat ill advised attempt was when he targeted Ronald Curry down the right sideline but in tight coverage, as the defensive back seemed to have a much better play at the ball. The reception was a tie, but Curry was able to grab it away from the defender for a 16 yard gain and first down with the time running down in the second quarter. Early in the game he looked indecisive if his initial read was not there, but seemed to settle down as the game went on.

Where Culpepper made more of a game impact was with running the ball. He had seven attempts for 28 yards, and three scores. Culpepper was also able to convert on two first downs. His past knee injury did not seem to be of any concern, and looked quick for a man his size while scrambling from the pocket. The Raiders also appear to be comfortable with Culpepper's restructured knee, as there were a couple of running plays called for him.

Week 6 - Culpepper ran very hot and cold all game long. Curiously, the Raiders opted to throw a lot more screens than slants, despite the fact that the quick slant pattern has really been the only thing that has hurt the Chargers in recent weeks. Even so, when Culpepper was on, he looked very good. But when he was off, he was very off. Despite being sacked six times, pass protection really wasn't a major issue. More often than not, he actually had a good amount of time to throw. He was able to step into his throws and move up in the pocket, and even when he wasn't he showed a decent ability to move around and get outside. His passes on the run were good though not great, and he didn't make any boneheaded decisions downfield. That said, he threw a pass intended for Porter early in the first quarter that was picked off by Drayton Florence. Most defensive backs probably wouldn't have been able to hold on, but Florence made a great play on the ball. Aside from the quality of the catch, the important thing for Culpepper owners is that the ball was a good twelve feet away from Porter.

On Culpepper's second interception, he again was looking for Porter, this time down the sideline. Instead, he overthrew his man so badly that it appeared that the aforementioned Cromartie was actually running the route. Besides those two costly turnovers, the biggest swing of events took place late in the first half. Culpepper found Ronald Curry for a 30 yard gain down to the one yard line. The reason Curry didn't score is because San Diego CB Quentin Jammer made a terrific touchdown-saving tackle right at the goal line. Two plays later, Culpepper was sacked by Shaun Phillips and fumbled the ball away. Rather than tying the score at 14, the Raiders came away with zero points and never got that close again. It wasn't an entirely lost day for Culpepper, however. Since the team was behind for the entire game, he got to throw the ball 37 times, which resulted in 230 yards. He also found TE Zach Miller on a play action pass late in the fourth quarter for the only offensive touchdown of the day for the Raiders.

Week 7 - Culpepper had a slow start as he was harassed by an effective Chiefs' pass defense. His final statistics of 228 yards on 18 of 29 passing was buoyed by 80 yards and a touchdown on one two play series in the third quarter. That proved to be the only real letdown of the game by the Chiefs' defense. Culpepper still does not look like the Daunte Culpepper of old days when he was a Minnesota Viking, but he is showing progress toward regaining respectability as an NFL passer.

Week 8 - Culpepper struggled against the Titans physical defense, completing 15 of 32 passes for 167 yards, zero scores and one interception, and adding nine yards rushing on two attempts. His numbers reflected his play, as Culpepper struggled to get comfortable in the pocket, being pressured all game long by the Tennessee defense. As a result, he rushed throws, made poor decisions, and failed to come up with any big plays. For the game, Culpepper totaled four fumbles, losing just one.

Week 9 - Daunte Culpepper did not play in this game. The Raiders hoped that the return of Josh McCown would get the stalled offense going but that did not happen.

Week 11 - Culpepper had big yardage numbers through the air, but it was his inability to lead the offense to more touchdowns that kept Oakland from winning this game. Three times, the Vikings offense had to settle for field goals after moving within the Minnesota 30 yard line, and it was a third quarter Culpepper fumble that was recovered at the Vikings' 26 that kept the Raiders from adding more points. On Oakland's lone touchdown of the game he did a good job of stepping up to avoid the rush, which allowed him time to find the wide open John Madsen. His only interception came in the fourth quarter when a pass to Justin Fargas deflected off the running back and was intercepted by LB Chad Greenway.

Week 12 - Culpepper appears to be holding down the job until first round pick JaMarcus Russell is ready to attempt to take it over. Culpepper does not compare to the player he used to be as a Minnesota Viking. He completed 15 out of 22 passes for only 170 yards with no touchdowns. He did not ever seem a threat to escape the pocket or gain yardage on the ground.