Culpepper chance is this week

[jatfly]

Culpepper shows he can still cut it
By Steve Corkran, STAFF WRITER
Article Last Updated: 08/20/2007 08:21:59 AM PDT




Quarterback Daunte Culpepper will start the Raiders next preseason game,... (Associated Press)

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Raiders coach Lane Kiffin knew the play was coming. He didn't know when, just that it would come at some point in a regular-season game. When it did, Kiffin wanted to make sure that quarterback Daunte Culpepper's surgically repaired right knee would hold up.

So it was that Kiffin put Culpepper in just such a situation during a workout July 31 in which Culpepper was asked to make a sharp cut in the open field and change direction as if he were eluding a defender.

Culpepper passed the test, received a one-year contract and set out to show people that he is closer to the player who shined during a seven-year run with the Minnesota Vikings than the player who struggled during a failed four-game stint with the Miami Dolphins last season.Sure enough, Culpepper found himself in just such a situation on a third-quarter drive against the 49ers on Saturday night, just as Kiffin envisioned.

Culpepper scrambled out of the pocket, turned upfield, made a defender miss and turned a short run into a 13-yard gain and a first down.
"We don't need him to be a big-time scrambler," Kiffin said. "But what's going to happen when there's one guy there, and he's got to put his foot in the ground, and he's got to go back (the other) way. That's what he showed us that workout day before we signed him, and it was great to see it out here on the field, as well."

Culpepper also did a pretty fine job throwing the ball against the 49ers. He completed 6 of 8 passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns for a second straight impressive showing.
Kiffin on Sunday night stopped short of saying Culpepper is the starter for Friday night's exhibition game against the St. Louis Rams. However, he admitted that Culpepper's late arrival to the equation has forced him to drag out the
search for a starter.

"Daunte has done a great job and really is performing well," Kiffin said. "It is great to see him out on the field in a game-day environment. He couldn't be more serious about winning this job."

Culpepper said he's never been in a situation in which there are three quarterbacks vying for the starting spot so late in the process.
Just the same, he said, he doesn't mind the uncertainty.

"It's good," Culpepper said after the 49ers game. "We're helping each other, and it brings out the best in competition. ... I'm just grateful for the opportunity."
Quarterback isn't the only position unresolved with less than three weeks before the regular-season opener against the Detroit Lions.

Jake Grove and Jeremy Newberry each received time with the first-team offense against the 49ers.
Grove hurt his cause by unleashing a laser-like snap that sailed through the hands of quarterback Andrew Walter — Kiffin included Walter in on the blame — on a third-down play that lost 20 yards and forced the Raiders to punt. He also was
penalized twice on one drive.
Newberry replaced Grove and played well enough to keep alive his chances of unseating Grove in the starting lineup.
"They're battling," Kiffin said. "It's a great competition to have right now."

Strong safety Michael Huff struggled in pass coverage against the 49ers and is at risk of losing playing time to veteran Donovin Darius.
"Michael has a ways to go," Kiffin said, "and Michael needs to improve. For us to continue to improve on defense, we need more plays out of Michael. He needs to be more of a playmaker in our defense."

Huff was beaten for a 19-yard touchdown late in the first quarter by tight end Delanie Walker. That's cause for concern for a player who would be asked to cover the likes of San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzales twice each during the regular season.

NOTES: The Raiders assemble in Alameda today for the first practice at their year-round facility since training camp started July 26. They are scheduled to practice once a day every day until the regular-season opener, with the exception of the days after their final two exhibition games. ... Safety Hiram Eugene sustained a hand injury against the 49ers. Kiffin said the injury appears "serious" after the initial tests. However, Eugene is scheduled for more tests in the coming days. Grove (back) and cornerback Fabian Washington (wind knocked out) are "OK," Kiffin said, on the heels of injuries sustained against the 49ers.

You see what I bolded up there, anyone else want to tell me that Stu is the effin liability in the secondary??? Huff will be fine and I am not saying he blows, but Stu is not getting criticized in the media.
I am starting to believe in Pep, he has looked good and the battle is only between McCown and Him I heard some rumors on the NFL network that Awal may get shipped to the ATL.

 

[Raidermania12]

I am starting to believe in Pep, he has looked good and the battle is only between McCown and Him I heard some rumors on the NFL network that Awal may get shipped to the ATL.

McCown has looked the weakest of the bunch from what I've seen. I'd much rather ship him.

 

[Ghost Poster]

I was with Walter as starter but I can't ignore Peppers performance so far. Those fumbled snaps from center have to be stopped immediately. Then again Walter didn't protect the ball very well either. Walter to Atlanta? I would rather keep him at number two just as insurance if Pep does go down.

Huff those are some strong words form the boss man, time to step up your game if you even have one.

 

[massraider]

He certainly deserves the start. It'd be nice to see the fumbled snaps stop, of course.

But that little scramble was certainly eye-opening.

 

[BigPoppaPump]

From what I have seen, it is Pep's job to lose at this point. The fumbles suck, but I feel that will be an easy enough problem to fix. At least it is easier to work on than some of the problems the other two have (Walters radar lock and Josh sucking).

 

[jatfly]

Look the fumbles happen when you have two different centers and 3 different QB's that will work out. If Daunte wins this job and Newberry wins the job i bet those two will be putting in extra time in the next few weeks.

I can't count out McCown, I don't think he sucked in any game he was working with a bunch of Jobbers last week. I would love to see He and Pep get equal snaps with the 1st team this week but I am not sure that will happen.
I would send Awal to the ATL for a 3rd or 4th, or a Linemen?????

 

[Madturk]

I think McCown is the odd man out when and if Russell signs. I really thought he was an effective roll out passer but he's really disappointed in that regard. Really hasn't shown the ability to make that 15-20 yard pass consistently.

 

[S and B Executioner]

Ya, I don't buy any smack against Stu. Dude is a gamer, we all miss a tackle or get shunned by the hot chick. Huff did VERY little last season and by all accounts is stinking up the joint this year.

I hope we can shuttle AWAL to ATL. But we still need a 3rd stringer and I guess JSlug wont be it. I have been impressed more by Pep than McCown, but i'd prefer to see McCown get the gig and settle in for a year. Just my buck and a half.

BTW-Anyone see JSlug anywhere? Lazy spoiled bitch!

 

[Raidermania12]

From what I have seen, it is Pep's job to lose at this point. The fumbles suck, but I feel that will be an easy enough problem to fix.

After 84 career fumbles, i'd have to say good luck with the easy fix. I've seen him fumble in almost every way imaginable. I'm just happy it was only snaps.

 

[BigPoppaPump]

After 84 career fumbles, i'd have to say good luck with the easy fix. I've seen him fumble in almost every way imaginable. I'm just happy it was only snaps.

I think the fact he will be running much less post knee stuff will help this.

Also, looking at his stats, the number show he has been better at holding onto the ball. He had two horrid years ('02- 23 & '03- 16). Since then the numbers have been down.


Also lets not make it worse than it is. 84 fumbles sounds much worse than 35 fumbles lost.

 

[Raidermania12]

I think the fact he will be running much less post knee stuff will help this.

Also, looking at his stats, the number show he has been better at holding onto the ball. He had two horrid years ('02- 23 & '03- 16). Since then the numbers have been down.


Also lets not make it worse than it is. 84 fumbles sounds much worse than 35 fumbles lost.

didnt say he lost them all. I apologize if it seemed that way. Just saying that he has little hands. And that i've personally seen him fumble in almost every way you can to the point where i'm relieved that its only snaps.

 

[RaiderIVlife]

I think McCown is the odd man out when and if Russell signs. I really thought he was an effective roll out passer but he's really disappointed in that regard. Really hasn't shown the ability to make that 15-20 yard pass consistently.

I think Walter is the odd man out. Culpepper, McCown and Russell all have the ability to run the roll out play. Walter can't and the Raider game plan has a healthy dose of the QB moving.

3rd, 4th or a lineman for Walter? Done.

 

[Jack's sore libido]

I think the fact he will be running much less post knee stuff will help this.

How many of those fumbles were in the pocket, though? Seems to me a lot more came while passing than while running.

 

[jatfly]

The three-headed monster: Why Daunte is the default
By Os Davis on August 22, 2007 12:11 AM



Talk about your three-headed monsters. After Daunte Culpepper's excellent performance last weekend, the Oakland Raiders have at starting quarterback ... a conundrum.

When asked over at Raiders.com if he's decided on a starter for Friday, head coach Lane Kiffin reportedly answered "No." That's it, "no," without even a period to demarcate the end of the answer. Slightly more specifically, Kiffin explained that he wouldn't be deciding until seeing two more days of practice.

Right now public sentiment is firmly in Culpepper's corner. Many can still recall Daunte's great days with the Minnesota Vikings , when he was connecting with Randy Moss and boasted a scrambling style second to none. The TD strike to John Madsen, with Culpepper tossing it while in motion, showed a shadow of the old days; the level of the on-field competition was forgotten, as was the man's stunning fumble problem.

Some of us remain skeptical about Culpepper's future, however. At the risk of raising the wrath of the Raider Nation, this writer would suggest that Daunte's mobility is still nowhere near 100 percent and most of his completions still looked ducky - not in a good way. To paraphrase Charles Barkley as his career in that other American game was grinding to an inevitable halt, some are expecting Superman out of Culpepper but in the post-injury phase of his career, he's more like Clark Kent.

Should Culpepper start against the St. Louis Rams , then? A quick examination of the possibilities implies that there is in fact little choice.

Josh McCown has ostensibly been the Opening-Day starter since the Raider brain trust realized that JaMarcus Russell wouldn't be coming around in the near future. The current situation is, on one hand, exactly what McCown's career is all about: playing the backup quarterback. On the other hand, McCown is in the fascinating-like-a-car-wreck position of backing up no one who has learned a brand-new offense from a brand-new coach.

Last year, McCown experienced something similar with the Detroit Lions . Of course, he took more regular-season snaps at wide receiver than QB, as Jon Kitna played every single down on offense. Rod Marinelli felt that, as a starter, McCown was an unappetizing option. McCown lacks the mobility that may be needed (though perhaps not; see below) with this line - he took 56 sacks in 22 games with the Kleenex-lined Arizona Cardinals of 2003 and '04. And his stats get even uglier after that: During his career he has a Vinny Testaverde-like ratio of 29 picks versus 25 TD passes and a career QB rating of 72.12. Yeesh.

Then there's Andrew Walter, who you'd think would get more consideration after the penance he underwent as quarterback of this team last season. Little need be said about Walter's year, which culminated in a 55.8 quarterback rating. (Now, quarterback rating is hardly the most revealing and logical stat in the sports world, but 55.8 is pretty low.)

Many of Walter's woes could be blamed on that holey O-line, but as Michael Ash pointed out on this website earlier in the week, Walter "wasn't brought down once on Saturday while playing behind the starters."

This is definitely a positive sign for the Oakland faithful that has improved Walter's numbers, with the man going 17 of 27 in the preseason with just one interception. (Yes, those are improved numbers.) Unfortunately, Walter is also averaging under 5 yards per completion and still looks best handing the ball off - and then he looks pretty awful, too, to be utterly subjective about it.

(Specifically, check out the odd dance step he tosses in on the Lamont Jordan touchdown and Jordan's later long gain. What is that? A brief personal tribute to Emmitt Smith?)

So, it looks as if it's Culpepper, then, as imperfect as he may be. This writer, for one, is hoping Culpepper does well, despite the grousing I've been doing about the man since he came back too quickly from his career-derailing injury. Surely after 2006, Raider backers deserve better than the likes of, ahem, those other guys; Oakland would certainly love to see the Culpepper of old, a player who truly deserves more than to serve as a default. Plus, the worse the Raider QBs look, the more Russell's price goes up and the longer he can wait.

And hey, everyone loves a comeback, right?

 

[GRaider]

Look the fumbles happen when you have two different centers and 3 different QB's that will work out. If Daunte wins this job and Newberry wins the job i bet those two will be putting in extra time in the next few weeks.

I can't count out McCown, I don't think he sucked in any game he was working with a bunch of Jobbers last week. I would love to see He and Pep get equal snaps with the 1st team this week but I am not sure that will happen.
I would send Awal to the ATL for a 3rd or 4th, or a Linemen?????

SO basically you are saying that Pepper gets the benefit of the doubt and that even though Walter clearly has outplayed McCown that he is the odd man out? You are indeed strong in your Anti Walter Jihad. If they brought back Marc Wilson I'm sure you would consider him better also? The first time McCown tries to complete a square out against a decent secondary it will be an interception. He has a noodle arm.

 

[jatfly]

SO basically you are saying that Pepper gets the benefit of the doubt and that even though Walter clearly has outplayed McCown that he is the odd man out? You are indeed strong in your Anti Walter Jihad. If they brought back Marc Wilson I'm sure you would consider him better also? The first time McCown tries to complete a square out against a decent secondary it will be an interception. He has a noodle arm.

With this offense that we are running, McCown or Culpepper makes more sence period. Even with Peps bad leg they are more Mobile the A-Wal.
Look I like A-Wal, just not in this offense with this line. Russell will be the 3rd QB on this roster before long and Walter will either be shipped out or cut. In my opinion.

You can't just think that just because he has had a good pre-season game we should start Walter over Culpepper or McCown??????



Please tell me you end up getting the pick before me in fantasy football!!!!!

 

[Jack's sore libido]

You can't just think that just because he has had a good pre-season game we should start Walter over Culpepper or McCown??????

Over Culpepper? Probably not.

Over McCown? Sure.

What's worse? Being the guy with no professional pedigree who has had a good preseason game, or being the guy with no professional pedigree who hasn't?

 

[Rupert]

With this offense that we are running, McCown or Culpepper makes more sence period. Even with Peps bad leg they are more Mobile the A-Wal.
Look I like A-Wal, just not in this offense with this line. Russell will be the 3rd QB on this roster before long and Walter will either be shipped out or cut. In my opinion.

You can't just think that just because he has had a good pre-season game we should start Walter over Culpepper or McCown??????

How mobile was Matt Leinart in this offense? No better than Walter. Yet for some reason he would have been the perfect guy for us. That's a load of horse shit. None of the guys running this offense at USC was mobile. Why is it that suddenly a guy needs to be mobile to run this offense? Roll-outs? That's it? Look, they rolled guys out at USC. Guys exactly as mobile as Walter. I don't get why all of a sudden we need a more mobile guy.

And are you truly suggesting that the pass protection from this line hasn't looked good so far? This line doesn't even look like the same group that matador-ed for us last season. Oh, yeah, if Newberry takes over at center, only 1 guy will be returning from last season, and at a different position.

This line is no excuse for not starting Walter. This offense is no excuse for starting a worthless McCown over Walter. And Culpepper's mobility and knee are not excuses to start or sit him.

For me, it comes down to Walter's decision-making. As a 2nd-year QB (he was IR-ed for his 1st season) he's going to make the stupid throw or miss someone squatting in coverage underneath one of his targets. We've seen that. But he already has the best completion percentage on the team.

Culpepper has a tendency to throw the jump-ball too often. I HATE that about his game. Absolutely HATE it. I think Culpepper's advantage is his experience. Not his legs.

A QB's purpose is to get OTHER players the ball. Walter is still behind that curve as a passer. But I think he'll grow into a very good NFL passer. Culpepper is already there. That's the most important difference between the two. McCown is gritty, that's all he's got. He Gannon's throws from a million arm angles when he's in trouble. The difference is, he doesn't throw completions; Gannon did.

 

[jatfly]

How mobile was Matt Leinart in this offense? No better than Walter. Yet for some reason he would have been the perfect guy for us. That's a load of horse shit. None of the guys running this offense at USC was mobile. Why is it that suddenly a guy needs to be mobile to run this offense? Roll-outs? That's it? Look, they rolled guys out at USC. Guys exactly as mobile as Walter. I don't get why all of a sudden we need a more mobile guy.

And are you truly suggesting that the pass protection from this line hasn't looked good so far? This line doesn't even look like the same group that matador-ed for us last season. Oh, yeah, if Newberry takes over at center, only 1 guy will be returning from last season, and at a different position.

This line is no excuse for not starting Walter. This offense is no excuse for starting a worthless McCown over Walter. And Culpepper's mobility and knee are not excuses to start or sit him.

For me, it comes down to Walter's decision-making. As a 2nd-year QB (he was IR-ed for his 1st season) he's going to make the stupid throw or miss someone squatting in coverage underneath one of his targets. We've seen that. But he already has the best completion percentage on the team.

Culpepper has a tendency to throw the jump-ball too often. I HATE that about his game. Absolutely HATE it. I think Culpepper's advantage is his experience. Not his legs.

A QB's purpose is to get OTHER players the ball. Walter is still behind that curve as a passer. But I think he'll grow into a very good NFL passer. Culpepper is already there. That's the most important difference between the two. McCown is gritty, that's all he's got. He Gannon's throws from a million arm angles when he's in trouble. The difference is, he doesn't throw completions; Gannon did.

Well there is a problem with what you are saying, becausewe are not running Lane Kiffins offense
We are however running a Offense that is wholey the system of Greg Knapps not the USC offense.

SO YES the problem is the line and Walter.

Out of the QB's we have, we have one that has had a few good games (in McCown) in his short time starting in the NFL. He actually played well at times.
We had one that broke records and could have been A MVP if it wasn't for Payton.
We also have another one that is flat footed and got killed last year behind a line very similar to this one and couldn't do anything at the QB spot last year.
If the line isn't hurting A-Wal this year what was his problem last year then?
All I know is it doesn't matter to me as long as we have the best chance to win. A-Wal was given his shot last year and BLEW GOAT! If anyone in the Organization had faith in him we would have picked CJ not Russell. So if they are moving on with out A-Wal in the picture I guess I am too.

 

[007]

Strong safety Michael Huff struggled in pass coverage against the 49ers and is at risk of losing playing time to veteran Donovin Darius.
"Michael has a ways to go," Kiffin said, "and Michael needs to improve. For us to continue to improve on defense, we need more plays out of Michael. He needs to be more of a playmaker in our defense."

Huff was beaten for a 19-yard touchdown late in the first quarter by tight end Delanie Walker. That's cause for concern for a player who would be asked to cover the likes of San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzales twice each during the regular season.

Im glad Kiffin isnt drinking the Huff koolaid.

I have high hopes for the guy, but his rookie season left a lot to be desired...

No big plays, but plenty of missed tackles. Not what you want out of a top 10 overall pick.

I have faith that he will get it turned around.