jimster Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 ....ouch Childress Compares Culpepper to T.O. http://sports.iwon.com/news/03202006/v1622.html Mar 20, 5:51 PM (ET) Email this Story By JON KRAWCZYNSKI ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress says he saw a little of T.O. in Daunte Culpepper. That was enough for him. "It just became a deal where I didn't feel like it was the team, I felt like it was 'me,"' Childress said Monday about Culpepper. "I went through a big 'me' situation last year with a guy who was all about 'me."' While still the offensive coordinator at Philadelphia, Childress clashed with Terrell Owens during training camp, the precursor to the mercurial receiver's high-profile exile from the Eagles. Shortly after replacing Mike Tice as the head coach in Minnesota, Childress again found himself not seeing eye-to-eye with one of the team's marquee players. Culpepper refused to rehab his severely injured right knee in Minnesota, preferring to remain at home in Florida. He also asked for a raise and was hesitant to meet with Childress and the new coaching staff to start examining the team's new offense. "I think we're just playing the ultimate team game and so everybody has to be on board," Childress said. "Specifically, the quarterback has to be on board because that's kind of the straw that stirs the drink, if you will. You have to feel that, it has to be ringing through. I didn't quite get it." With neither side budging, the Vikings shipped Culpepper to Miami last week for a second-round pick, days after Culpepper requested to be traded or released. "Quite frankly, I don't think he wanted to be here anymore," the coach said. "I think he's probably better served where he's at. I think that we'll go forward and keep our gaze forward as opposed to looking back." Speaking at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Childress said he never got a good vibe from Culpepper, the unquestioned leader of the Vikings until last season's struggles on and off the field. "Everything became about being a $10 million-a-year quarterback," Childress said. Culpepper did not respond to an e-mail request for comment. Last week, he said he wanted to move forward with his new team. "I wish the best for the Viking organization as they go forward under the new ownership group and coaching staff," he wrote in an e-mail to reporters last week. Without Culpepper, the Vikings have turned to 37-year-old Brad Johnson as their starting quarterback. After Culpepper went down for the season against Carolina, Johnson helped the team to a 7-2 finish that was aided by an improved defense and soft schedule. Childress said Monday he is off to a much better start with Johnson. "I know where his heart is in no uncertain terms because he's told me that," Childress said. "He's looked me in the eye and told me that." For now, Childress said, Johnson is the team's starting quarterback. But the Vikings could bring in a veteran free agent such as Aaron Brooks, Brian Griese or Joey Harrington. And Childress didn't rule out trying to package the second-rounder the Vikings got from Miami to move up in the draft and take one of the marquee rookies - USC's Matt Leinart, Texas' Vince Young or Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler. "If you have a little bit of ammo, if you see somebody that moves you, you'd be able to move up if that person was there," he said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Weirdo Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 No way they keep Johnson as the starting QB. Childress will move up and select someone. He's the one who really helped McNabb come along. I think he will do good things up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted March 20, 2006 Author Share Posted March 20, 2006 he'll still be the starting QB - it may just be for this year though. - Brad Johnson turns 38 in Sept. Since New Orleans now has Brees, I could see Minny trading with them to jump ahead of Tennesse to get Leinart. I have a feeling Oakland will be taking a QB too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tr1 Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 Ouch is right...man, what ever happened to coaches keeping quite... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 A #2 pick isn't much for a starting qb under 30 who has been to the pro bowl. Culpepper must have been a disruptive influence for the Head Coach to deal him off so quickly. You would think there would be some attempts at fence-mending before a deal was made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingRex Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Childress is being a dick about this. He's acting like a scorned lover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destino Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Childress better do something. If that team fails and Culpepper looks good in Miami he's going to look like a clown for trading a pro-bowler for a #2. Miami got the biggest steal of the offseason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty Gut Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 I'm gonna give Childress the benefit the of the doubt from here on out on the direction of that team I hope he knows what he's doing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted March 21, 2006 Author Share Posted March 21, 2006 It's actually an ideal scenario if he were to draft a franchise QB this year since being a first year head coach it'll be a transition year anyway. Draft a QB and have him stand next to him on the sideline the whole season. ...that said, seeing how good Saban was in his first season with Ferotte as his QB, I think they could be real good this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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