Injury, inactivity and circumstances have changed 31-year-old quarterback Daunte Culpepper who has started four games for desperate Detroit (0-12) since trading in his civilian clothes for a Lions’ uniform earlier this fall.
The numbers are juxtaposed from what you expected four years ago. This season and for two of the last three, Culpepper has more interceptions than touchdown passes. In 2005 with the Vikings his totals were 12 interceptions and six touchdown passes, in 2006 with Miami three and two, last season in Oakland five and five, so far this year in Detroit six and three.
Sometimes contrasts with the past are dramatic and Culpepper is an example as the Vikings (7-5) prepare to see their old quarterback in Detroit on Sunday. It was in December of 2000 that Culpepper was on the cover of Sports Illustrated with this quote in large type: “I want to be the best EVER!”
Culpepper was in his first full season as a starter, enjoying a year which would be one of his best, throwing for 3,937 yards and 33 TD passes with a quarterback rating of 98. He also ran for 470 yards and seven touchdowns. The Vikings, 11-5 during the regular season, won the NFC Central Division title, and lost in the NFC championship game to the New York Giants.
Culpepper was a surprise story in 2000 because of his success and also drew attention with his stature, 6-4, about 255 pounds. He was considered a next generation type quarterback, a guy so big and strong defenders bounced off him, but also a drop back passer with a powerful arm and ability to throw accurately. By December of 2000 everyone who cheered for the Vikings was excited, including Culpepper who announced in the article he wanted people to one day mention himself and Randy Moss the same way Joe Montana and Jerry Rice are revered.
Culpepper started 57 of the next 64 regular season games over the following seasons. They were productive years including his career best 2004 season when he threw for a league leading 4,717 yards and 39 touchdowns, a Vikings record.
Culpepper has started a total of 21 games in the last four seasons. Sunday he’s expected to make another start in Detroit, a December performance against his old team. How things have changed since that promising Sports Illustrated cover of eight years ago.