Should Vikings break up team, Cards must pursue Culpepper

[Eagle091]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cheapseats/gambo/1028rant.html

John Gambadoro

Special for azcentral.com

Oct. 28, 2005 11:10 AM

If the Minnesota Vikings do break up the miserable team they have and make everyone expendable for the right price, then Arizona would be foolish not to inquire about the availability of quarterback Daunte Culpepper. While the Minnesota signal caller is having a down year, that might allow the Cardinals to get him at a bargain, say a first-round pick and Calvin Pace. Culpepper is one of the top quarterbacks in the game and while Arizona has some offensive line problems, he would have to be excited about the possibility of throwing to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Arizona needs a franchise quarterback. The majority of successful teams in the NFL have franchise quarterbacks. Indianapolis, New England, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Atlanta come to mind. And Cincinnati is on the way up, thanks to the play of first overall pick Carson Palmer. Nothing against Josh McCown or Kurt Warner, but neither of those players is taking Arizona to the promised land.

Coyotes center Mike Comrie has put together solid back-to-back games and is officially out of the Coyotes doghouse. Comrie, who scored twice against Calgary and has three goals and two assists in his last two games, is back to playing with confidence and with an edge. The fifth-year player who at 5-foot-9 has spent most of his life trying to prove people wrong seemingly has taken that attitude again instead of living off of a 33-goal season he had with Edmonton back in 2001-02. Comrie plays better when his talent is challenged. Recently he has been more aggressive in front of the net and willing to take a shot to make a play. The Coyotes may be thin at center, but if Comrie can play at his current level it will patch some of the weaknesses the Coyotes have.

Where was Steve Bartman when the Astros needed him? You know he would have never let Jose Uribe catch that ball in the ninth inning of the fourth and deciding game of the World Series ... The Cubs are all alone right now when it comes to World Series droughts. With the Red Sox and White Sox each winning over the last two years, the Cubbies are heir apparent for the team-in-waiting (97 years). Cleveland is next, at a distant 57 years ... Tonya Harding must have 911 on her speed dial. She again called police to report an incident with a boyfriend after she suffered a small cut over her right eye and an abrasion on her left cheek. The boyfriend was arrested and pleaded not guilty...