Just shut the hell up already Duante. The quarterback, due a $6 million roster bonus on March 17, released a statement to ESPN on Wednesday that read: "Now that I have confirmed that the Vikings have been seeking to trade me, I have asked for permission to speak to the interested teams. The Vikings have denied my request. If a trade does not happen then I am asking the Vikings to terminate my contract as soon as possible. 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. If the team chooses not to honor my request, then I intend to fulfill my contractual obligations to the Minnesota Vikings." In a statement to the media in February, Culpepper said that he had offered to move his roster bonus to another date to help the Vikings sign more free agents under the salary cap -- though the team is projected to have plenty of room. "If I am not traded, I want to help coach Childress make a serious run for the championship this year," Culpepper said. However, both the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press reported that Vikings owner Zygi Wilf told reporters at the NFL scouting combine that the team planned to pay Culpepper the bonus. When he was asked if Culpepper figures in the team's 2006 plans, Wilf said "That is our plan, yes. Always was." Downplaying the trade speculation, coach Brad Childress asserted that he plans to have both Culpepper and Brad Johnson on the team this year at quarterback. "That's the mindset," Childress said at the combine. "I don't know anything to the contrary." The injured quarterback, who tore three ligaments in his right knee in an Oct. 30 game and has been rehabilitating in his native Florida, said last month that he told Wilf he wasn't happy with what he's been reading in the news -- and what he hasn't been hearing from the club. "I shared my disappointment with the lack of communication and the false reports about me demanding more money coming out of Minnesota," said Culpepper, who let go of his agent in January and has been representing himself. Childress acknowledged that the team has had inquiries about Culpepper. "That's what goes on this time of year," he said. But the coach diverted his comments toward Culpepper's knee. He's projected to return for training camp, but that's not a guarantee. "He's three months out of a major surgery," Childress said. "Before we do anything, we're going to get him back to health. "All my talk with the trainers is about getting him back to the level of play he was at in 2004," he said. That's when Culpepper was chosen for his third Pro Bowl after setting several franchise records and establishing an NFL mark for most combined rushing and passing yardage. But playing without receiver Randy Moss, center Matt Birk and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Scott Linehan, Culpepper started last season poorly and then suffered the devastating injury. "All of the discussion about me being traded or cut has helped me realize that the contract I have ran out of guarantees the day I was injured," he said. "Therefore each year they pay you to play is a gift. I expect that if there are no changes to my present contract, then I should prepare for a year-by-year commitment. When I am ready to hit the field this year, wherever it may be, I plan on being better than ever and enjoying the ride
I don't blame the guy one bit. I wouldn't want to play for a team that spent the entire offseason trying to trade me.
The most overpaid and overrated QB in the game strikes again. If he wants out so bad then give back the signing bonus money so they can cut you w/o a cap hit.
They didnt start looking for a trade until Duante came in with his outrageous extension request while missing over half the season. Duante started the whole chaing of events to get out of his contract.
I don't understand why you guys jump all over athletes when they attempt to maximize their money making potential. The NFL is a business and teams try to sign the athletes for as little as possible and the athlete will try to get as much money as possible. In between there will be a lot of grandstanding but in the end none of it should be taken personally by either side as they are both looking out for their best interest. I think Daunte should let an agent handle this, and not get to personally involved because I believe their is a greater chance of him taking some of thier business moves personally which he should not.
Duante has the right to make as much as he possibly can but he signed a very lucrative contract a few years and was happy about it. He played the owner to get the other player that was paid more than him traded out of town. He played very poorly in the beginning of the season and then got a season ending injury. You would think that his thoughts would be in re-habbing and getting ready for the next year to make up for this dismal season but no he goes to the owner, demands more money and a new contract. When he doesnt get that, he complains through the media. Then gets upset when the team tries to get value for him. Sorry man, he sounds like a whiny little bitch here.
What does his requesting more money have to do with what I said? Minnesota could have just said "No, Deal with it." Instead, they said "No, Deal with it - and by the way we're going to try to trade you." I'm not a huge Culpepper Supporter or anything, but I'm still not so sure what he did that was so wrong.
I think it is a mistake for a player to try to negotiate his own contract because there is no way that he can stay objective. The FO is going to bring up every injury and off the field incident to try to drive the price down and I don't see how any player could not take this personally so he should definitely let an agent handle this. But with that being said, I will never have a problem with NFL players asking for more money or new contracts, because of the rules. The teams can terminate a contract at any time, yet the players are expected to live up to theirs. But what it all comes down to is the NFL is a business and everyone involved wants to make as much money as possible. Daunte is being whiny but that's why you shouldn't take the business so personal and let an agent handle negotiations.
They gave him a huge deal last year, he was horrible and then his season got cut short this year and wants more $ again???? That's his way of saying he wants out and Minny was shopping him anyway b/c they realize the huge mistake they made getting rid of Randy and keeping Daunte.
Watch the ?beyond the glory? on him ? it would probably change your opinion. Besides; I don?t see how the fan of a franchise with Chad Penningirl as their quarterback could point the finger at any other quarterback and indicate that they suck, are overrated or overpaid. Gimmie a break
yep then in week 17 w/ a chance to get Oak into the playoffs he'll throw 3 INTs and lead Oak to 10 points in a 23-10 loss to the Texans.
Possible, but also possible that he runs for 3TDs and throws another 2 to Moss in week 16 against the Jets that gives us best standings in the league and a first round bye in the playoffs while the Jets get to hear those famous words: With the first pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the New York Jets are on the clock. Sorry, couldnt resist. :beer: Seriously, along with Miami and Baltimore, the Raiders are being mentioned as a next stop for Daunte, and I for one would welcome the change over Kerry Duck and be Sacked Collins for next year.
