MVN: Most Valuable Network

Daunte Culpepper is in Allen Park today, and it seems this was more than your typical "It's Tuesday, so lets work out a few bodies just in case" scenario. Not only did the former Vikings, Dolphins and Raiders QB work out, the two parties are supposedly talking money and length of contract. 

Culpepper is so interested in Detroit, he even turned down a chance to work out for the one team with a worse QB situation than the Lions, the Kansas City Chiefs. Though there is word out of KC the Chiefs are now claiming their interest in Culpepper has cooled, not vice-versa. Personally, I find that hard to believe, considering they have the immortal Tyler Thigpen starting,

As expected, rumors are flying.

In the Twin Cities, the Vikings' writers at the Pioneer Press are reporting the Culpepper signing is a done deal.

At Mlive, Killer Kowalski says Culpepper left the facility without signing a contract.

The Oakland Press' beat guy, Dave Birkett, is reporting the Lions DO want to get Culpepper under contract. 

As of 3PM, the 4 Letter's NFC  Central blogger, Kevin Seifert, has the latest on the Culpepper "situation" in his chat: "He left the Lions facility without a contract, but John Clayton reports the sides are still talking. It's possible something could happen today."

All this has me saying one thing, "Why?"

Reason 1: Culpepper has never been the same player since he destroyed his knee (tore 3 ligaments, including the dreaded ACL) 2 seasons ago. He's no longer a dual threat QB, as the combination of Culpepper's size and bad knee left him immobile. The last time we saw Culpepper in the league, it was a sad sight. He literally couldn't move around in the pocket, making him a sitting duck for punishment. Culpepper was only a shadow of his former All-Pro self in Miami and Oakland.

Reason 2: You really want to sign Culpepper, who has said in the past he wants a multi-season deal, despite not knowing who will be GM and coach in 2009? Do the Lions want to saddle the next regime with BOTH the unproven Drew Stanton and the once-was Culpepper? I wouldn't trust the current Lions' front office and coaching staff to even sign an autograph correctly, God forbid sign another washed up free agent to a contract.

Reason 3: It's often said Randy Moss made Culpepper, not the other way around. Hell, when you think about it, even Jon Kitna would have looked like the next coming of football Jesus throwing to a young Moss. Once Moss left Minnesota, the magic was gone, and Culpepper's stats tanked. In Moss' last season with the Vikings, 2004, Culpepper had an insane QB rating of 110.9. Before the season ending injury in 2005, Culpepper's rating dropped 38 points, to 72.0. He's never been higher than 78.0 since.

But there's also a part of me that says, "Why not?"

Reason 1: Culpepper's knee injury was so severe, he realistically should have missed an entire season, if not two. Instead, he rushed his rehab in order to sign with the Fish, and looked for all the world like a player who should have continued rehabbing. It was beyond obvious Culpepper was not healthy. It's been almost 3 years to the day since his knee blew up, and Culpepper hasn't been on the gridiron since November 2007. It's possible he's fully recovered, and if so, be worth taking a flier. Depending on the money and length of the contract, it could be a low risk, high reward signing.

Reason 2: The Lions have likely determined Dan Orlovsky isn't a long-term solution under center. Drew Stanton, for all his potential, has been an injury waiting to happen since his days in East Lansing. Balsa wood is more durable. Till the knee injury, Culpepper was a horse. He missed only 7 out of 87 games from his first start in 2000 to his knee injury in 2005. It's not at a Favre level of durability, but pretty damn good for a mobile QB.

Reason 3: Culpepper's past track record was a great one, even if he did make copious amounts of hay throwing to Moss. Culpepper was a 1st round draft pick, and lived up to that status. Pre-injury, he was considered one of the elite QB's in the NFL. What are the odds any of the the QB's currently under contract in Detroit, Orlovsky, Stanton or Drew Henson, would ever be considered "elite?" It's a longshot, at best. Culpepper, even at 80% of his former self, is better than any of the Lions' QB's.

So much like anything involving the Lions, my feelings are mixed. It's worth taking a shot with Culpepper, but not for multiple seasons.

We all know what's going to happen, as the script never changes. If Culpepper signs long-term with the Lions, he won't be any better than Kitna. We'll be calling for Stanton to take over with the fury of a fanbase scorned. But if Culpepper signs anywhere else, he'll magically regain his ability, and his All-Pro status. Lions fans will react with all the fury of a fanbase scorned.

You can book it.