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Daunte Culpepper News & Rumors

Team to 'kick the tires' with QB Culpepper
August 15
Sacramento Bee
 
"Coach Jim Harbaugh said Sunday the 49ers would "kick the tires" on veteran quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who played last year for the United Football League's Sacramento Mountain Lions. Culpepper, 34, is due to work out today for 49ers coaches and scouts and is the first known veteran passer to visit the 49ers during free agency. "It's an opportunity to look at a veteran quarterback, put a third guy on the roster who's been there before and has game experience," Harbaugh said. "So (we will) see where he's at physically, see where he's at mentally, emotionally. … Looking forward to a good workout." Finding a veteran quarterback became more imperative for the 49ers following Friday's"
Daunte Culpepper hopes to play once again in the NFL
July 25
Pro Football Talk
 
"In 2004, he authored one of the greatest single seasons for any quarterback in league history. In 2011, the 11th pick in the 1999 draft wants to continue his NFL career, one year after taking a detour to the UFL. Daunte Culpepper, who admittedly at times is to PFT what Jeff George is to Jason Whitlock, has advised us of his desire to take another shot at the highest level of the sport. "Now that it seems that a deal has finally been reached between the owners and the players, I have decided to enter my name into the NFL free agent pool of quarterbacks," Culpepper said via e-mail. "I have spent the entire off-season preparing for July training camp and I am anxious to get started."
Daunte Culpepper surprised at Matthew Stafford's quick promotion
September 17
Detroit Free Press
 
"Daunte Culpepper said he was surprised by how quickly the Lions made Matthew Stafford their starting quarterback, and he stopped short of saying the team treated him fairly last season. Quantcast "Once they drafted him, I knew that they were going to put him on the field," Culpepper said of Stafford in a conference call Thursday. "But I didn't know they were going to put him on the field that early. But that was their decision, and my role had to change. And I accepted that and I moved on." Culpepper, who will make his season debut Saturday for the Sacramento Mountain Lions in the upstart United Football League, did not always embrace his backup role in 2009. When Stafford was named the"
Ex-Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper extends career in UFL
June 12
Detroit Free Press
 
"Quarterback Daunte Culpepper signed with the United Football League's Sacramento Mountain Lions this week and also provided insight as to why he did not return to the Lions or the NFL. Culpepper was visibly unhappy as a backup to Matthew Stafford last season, and tensions came to a head on Thanksgiving. That's when an injured Stafford got the late call to start, which led to Culpepper sulking on the bench before the game. Culpepper eventually got to start three of the final four games after Stafford was injured. But as a free agent this season, Culpepper had no intention of staying on anyone's bench. He has plenty of mileage on him after 11 years in the NFL. He seems to have recovered from"
Culpepper joins Sacramento of UFL
June 8
ESPN.com
 
"Quarterback Daunte Culpepper is reuniting with coach Dennis Green in the United Football League. Culpepper signed with the UFL's Sacramento Mountain Lions on Monday where he will play for Green, who drafted the quarterback with the 11th overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft for the Minnesota Vikings. ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter first reported last month that Culpepper and the UFL team were close to a deal."
Culpepper officially signs with Sacramento of UFL
June 7
Detroit News
 
"Daunte Culpepper is a Lion again. But this time, he'll quarterback the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. Culpepper's UFL signing was made official by the league Monday, as the three-time Pro Bowler is reunited with his former Minnesota Vikings head coach, Dennis Green, who'll coach the Sacramento team this fall. Culpepper, signed as a semi-retired free agent by Detroit in November 2008, was winless in 10 starts in the NFL the last two seasons. Prior to that, he had brief stints with Oakland and Miami, but his career has never been the same since suffering a serious knee injury in 2005, his last season with the Vikings. And with little interest as a free agent again"
Sources: Culpepper to join UFL's Sacramento Mountain Lions
May 19
ESPN.com
 
"Quarterback Daunte Culpepper is on the verge of going from the NFL's Detroit Lions to the UFL's Sacramento Mountain Lions. Culpepper and the Mountain Lions are putting the finishing touches on a deal that will make him one of the league's marquee names, according to sources familiar with the talks. Culpepper will be one of the first big-name players to jump from the NFL to the UFL this offseason, according to sources."
There is 'very little chance' the quarterback will return to Detroit next year
January 9
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"The Detroit Lions are not interested in bringing back veteran quarterback Daunte Culpepper for the 2010 season, according to a league source. Culpepper, an eleven-year veteran out of Central Florida, signed a two-year deal with the Lions in November of 2008. In two seasons in Detroit, Culpepper has made ten starts. During the 2009 season, the veteran signal-caller threw for 945 yards and three touchdowns with six interceptions. The news that the Lions are not interested in bringing back Culpepper for the 2010 season contradicts what General Manager Martin Mayhew told reporters on Thursday, when he said he "wouldn't rule out bringing Daunte back.""
Lions' Kevin Smith to have shoulder surgery; Daunte Culpepper might be back
January 7
Michigan Live
 
"Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew met with the media for about 50 minutes today, and he covered a lot of ground. Details will come shortly, but here are the highlights of what he had to say: * Running back Kevin Smith, who is recovering from knee surgery, also will undergo surgery on his left shoulder. Because Smith still is on crutches, the work on his shoulder won't be done until he's off crutches. * Because of Smith's injury situation, the Lions expect to add a running back to the team in one form or another. Mayhew also said that Smith was playing with two injured shoulders for almost the entire season. * Free agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper could be back in"
Daunte Culpepper might come back
January 7
Detroit Free Press
 
"Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew met with a group of reporters today to review the 2009 season. Here are the highlights: • Running back Kevin Smith will have shoulder surgery when he gets off crutches from his surgery to repair a torn ACL. Mayhew said the shoulder injury Smith suffered Sept. 27 against Washington would have put some players on injured reserve. He said the shoulder came out and needs to be tightened. • Mayhew wouldn't rule out bringing back veteran quarterback Daunte Culpepper, whose contract is up. He said Drew Stanton will be back. He said Stanton is still developing, and the Lions still believe in him. • Mayhew said the Lions' 2-14 record was obviously"
Culpepper likely has played last game as a Lion
January 4
Detroit News
 
"Lions fans have likely seen the last of quarterback Daunte Culpepper in Honolulu blue. Signed in the middle of last season in hopes of bringing consistency to the quarterback position, Culpepper never won a game in 10 starts as Lions quarterback. To say the season was tumultuous for Culpepper is a bit of an understatement. He worked to lose nearly 40 pounds in the offseason in hopes of beating out top draft pick Matthew Stafford for the starting job. When that didn't happen, it was the beginning of the end for Culpepper in Detroit. Culpepper turned standoffish with the media. He briefly refused to warm up before the Thanksgiving Day game against Green Bay, instead sulking on the bench"
Lions still won't announce starting QB
January 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"Lions linebacker Larry Foote will miss Sunday's season finale against the Bears with a foot injury, which means rookie DeAndre Levy will get his second straight start at middle linebacker. Lions coach Jim Schwartz stayed mum on the quarterback situation. Daunte Culpepper took the majority of snaps with the first-string offense in the early portion of practice open to reporters, but Schwartz would not announce a starter."
Daunte Culpepper likely to start Lions season finale
December 31
Detroit News
 
"Daunte Culpepper has served as his own agent for years. But the Lions veteran quarterback insists he takes his "agent hat" off during the season, and Wednesday declined to put it on even for a moment. "As soon as the season's over," Culpepper said. As in, Sunday night? Advertisement "Absolutely," he said, smiling. The agent knows his client will be somewhere other than Detroit next season. For now, though, the 32-year-old remains in the middle of the Lions quarterback quandary. And it appears he's the likely starter for Sunday's finale against Chicago. Culpepper took the first-team reps in Wednesday's practice ahead of Drew Stanton, who was limited by an ankle injury and coming off a"
Drew? Daunte? Does it matter anymore?
December 28
Detroit Free Press
 
"OK, so now what do fans think about Drew Stanton? They pleaded for him to start, and he delivered more turnovers than points in Sunday's 20-6 loss at San Francisco. Stanton, making his first NFL start, threw three interceptions and fumbled once in 12 offensive series that resulted in three points. Daunte Culpepper replaced him in the fourth quarter and led Detroit to a field goal on his first series. The Lions might be the only two-win team with a quarterback controversy entering the final game."
Lions' holiday memories: Culpepper to Chinese food
December 26
Detroit Free Press
 
"Matthew Stafford just spent his first Christmas in Detroit. His family joined him. For the first time in his life, snow covered -- at least partly -- the ground.

"It was great," Stafford said. It was, he added, as memorable a Christmas as any he has had. Fullback Jerome Felton's best Christmas started the night before, when his mother let him and his family open all the presents on Christmas Eve. Linebacker Zack Follett's most memorable Christmas was the time he got a Vikings helmet and a Daunte Culpepper jersey. He said he was 12. Culpepper was a rookie. Somehow, Culpepper turned Follett into a Vikings fan even though he lived in Fresno, Calif. "Great Christmas," Follett"

Schwartz: Matthew Stafford unlikely to play
December 23
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions coach Jim Schwartz said he was closer to naming a starting quarterback for Sunday's game at San Francisco, but he gave a strong indication Tuesday that Matthew Stafford was almost entirely out of the mix as he continues to rest his injured left shoulder. "Let me hold one more day on that," Schwartz said of Stafford's status. "He is improving, he is improving, but most likely not. Let me hold one more day, but most likely not." If Stafford is out, that leaves Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton, who played the first and second halves, respectively, Sunday against Arizona. Schwartz is expected to tell the players by Wednesday who will start. He said the decision has involved just about"
Matthew Stafford 'most likely' won't play against 49ers
December 23
Detroit News
 
"Lions coach Jim Schwartz gave no indication Tuesday who'll be his starting quarterback Sunday at San Francisco. But he did acknowledge it "most likely" won't be rookie Matthew Stafford, who remains sidelined with a left shoulder injury. "But he is improving," Schwartz said of Stafford. As for the decision between veteran Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton, hoping to make his first NFL start, Schwartz played coy again. He'll likely reveal his plans today when the Lions return to practice. "There's a lot of things that go into it," Schwartz said. "Game plans and defense and offense and the way we're going to do things and production, where we've been the last few games. All those things go"
Schwartz hasn't decided on starting QB
December 21
Detroit News
 
"Jim Schwartz said he's "not 100 percent" decided on who his starting quarterback will be Sunday at San Francisco. Rookie Matthew Stafford likely will remain sidelined with a left shoulder injury, but Schwartz declined to say whether Drew Stanton, who replaced Daunte Culpepper for the second half of the 31-24 loss to Arizona, would get his first NFL start. "They'll be told by Wednesday," said Schwartz, who altered the team's schedule to give the players today off, followed by a walkthrough practice Tuesday. The Lions coach did offer an assessment of Stanton's play. Stanton was 10 for 19 for 72 yards with an interception in the second half. He also scored a touchdown on a 1-yard quarterback"
Waiting game begins for Stanton
December 21
Detroit News
 
"Drew Stanton got the call at halftime of Sunday's loss to the Cardinals when coach Jim Schwartz told him he'd replace Daunte Culpepper at quarterback. Now the former Michigan State standout will wait for the call he's been waiting three years to hear: That he'll start an NFL game for the first time his career next week at San Francisco. Schwartz wouldn't tip his hand about that decision immediately after Sunday's 31-24 loss to Arizona. But if Matthew Stafford remains sidelined by a left shoulder injury -- and Schwartz offered no hints to the contrary Sunday -- Stanton seems likely to get the nod. "I learned a long time ago that a lot of stuff is out of my control," said Stanton, who was"
Lions probably won't have Matthew Stafford, so Daunte Culpepper to start Sunday
December 19
Detroit Free Press
 
"Quarterback Daunte Culpepper has not generated a touchdown in his past two starts, when the Lions have been outscored, 74-3. After Sunday's 48-3 debacle in Baltimore, the decision to keep Culpepper in the entire game was widely criticized. Still, coach Jim Schwartz stuck with the veteran Friday and named him the starter for Sunday's home game against Arizona. Matthew Stafford, who is nursing a left-shoulder injury, did not practice this week and was listed as doubtful for the game. Culpepper is 0-8 as a starter for the Lions and said he is aware of the criticism over his lack of production but that he has tried to not let it affect him. "That's football," he said. "Myself, I want to"
Schwartz officially names Daunte Culpepper starter for Sunday
December 19
Detroit Free Press
 
"Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz officially has named Daunte Culpepper the starter for Sunday's game against Arizona. Quarterback Matthew Stafford missed all week of practice with a left shoulder injury and likely will not play against the Cardinals. Even though Culpepper has failed to generate a touchdown in his past two starts, Schwartz indicated Monday after a 48-3 loss to Baltimore that Culpepper would remain the No. 2 quarterback behind Stafford and ahead of Drew Stanton. In Culpepper's past two starts, the Lions have been outscored, 74-3. Culpepper said he is aware of the criticism about his lack of production but that he has tried to not let it affect him."
Lions' Jim Schwartz officially names Daunte Culpepper starter for Sunday
December 18
Detroit Free Press
 
"Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz officially has named Daunte Culpepper the starter for Sunday's game against Arizona. Quarterback Matthew Stafford missed all week of practice with a left shoulder injury and likely will not play against the Cardinals. Even though Culpepper has failed to generate a touchdown in his past two starts, Schwartz indicated Monday after a 48-3 loss to Baltimore that Culpepper would remain the No. 2 quarterback behind Stafford and ahead of Drew Stanton. In Culpepper's past two starts, the Lions have been outscored, 74-3. Culpepper said he is aware of the criticism about his lack of production but that he has tried to not let it affect him."
Lions' Daunte Culpepper wants to make most of (last?) chance
December 13
Detroit News
 
"Last chance? There's a good chance it is, and Daunte Culpepper knows it. The Lions' backup quarterback -- an 11th-year pro getting another chance subbing for injured No. 1 Matthew Stafford this week -- can only hope the third time's more charming than his first two starts this season. Culpepper's first game ended in an avalanche of sacks against Pittsburgh on Oct. 11, and his second the following week was a disaster that ended early en route to 26-0 loss at Green Bay. In those two starts, he was 29 of 51 for 330 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions and nine sacks. But Culpepper, a three-time Pro Bowler who hasn't quarterbacked a team to a victory since Nov. 25, 2007, gets another"
Lions' Matthew Stafford won't play against Ravens
December 10
Detroit News
 
"This time, there won't be any surprises. But there's still uncertainty. Coach Jim Schwartz announced Wednesday rookie Matthew Stafford will sit and Daunte Culpepper will start at quarterback Sunday at Baltimore. Yet it remains an open-ended question when Stafford, who aggravated a left shoulder injury in last week's loss at Cincinnati, will return to the field. Asked if this was just a one-week hiatus for his rookie No. 1 overall pick, Schwartz said, "Probably too early to tell there, but there's a chance that it is, yes." "It's a situation where if he hadn't taken that hit in the fourth quarter of the Cincy game, we wouldn't be having this discussion," Schwartz said. But he did, and we"
Matthew Stafford will sit, Daunte Culpepper will start for Lions on Sunday
December 9
Detroit Free Press
 
"Daunte Culpepper will start at quarterback for the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Baltimore while rookie Matthew Stafford rests his injured left shoulder. Stafford, the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, suffered an AC joint separation Nov. 22 against Cleveland. He didn't miss a snap until he took another direct hit in the fourth quarter Sunday at Cincinnati. "If he hadn't taken that hit in the fourth quarter of the Cincy game, we wouldn't be having this discussion," coach Jim Schwartz said today. "It was a very, very similar hit that he took in the Cleveland game, and we want to avoid the situation where it can become something that's chronic. "He's no worse for wear structurally. Everything is"
Lions' Matthew Stafford says he's not sure he'll play next week
December 6
Michigan Live
 
"Detroit Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford doesn't believe he did any further damage to his left shoulder injury, but that doesn't mean he's guaranteed to play next week. Stafford left the game in the final minutes after he was slammed to the turf on his left shoulder. Stafford separated that shoulder two weeks and while he said it hasn't affected his performance, he has been dealing with a great deal of pain. "It felt about the same it did in Cleveland. I don't think I injured it any worse. He hit me just right,'' said Stafford after Detroit's 23-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday."
Lions' Culpepper admits irritation over pregame switch
December 5
Detroit News
 
"Daunte Culpepper doesn't deny he was upset on Thanksgiving, when he appeared disgruntled about the Lions coaches' late decision to go with Matthew Stafford as the starting quarterback against Green Bay. Stafford, the Lions' rookie No. 1 overall pick, didn't practice that week after suffering a separated left shoulder four days earlier in the win over Cleveland. He was officially listed as doubtful for the game, yet still got the starting nod Thursday morning. Asked if there was a communication issue on gameday, Culepper said Friday, "I mean, clearly it was. But, hey, it is what it is." And while he declined to talk about his actions before the game -- he briefly sat out a portion"
Schwartz: No regrets playing Stafford
November 27
Detroit Free Press
 
"Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford came out of Thursday's 34-12 loss to Green Bay without any problems after playing with an injured left shoulder, and coach Jim Schwartz said he had no second thoughts about starting him. "Oh, gosh, no," Schwartz said today. "No. No second thoughts at all." Stafford suffered an AC joint separation late in Sunday's 38-37 victory over Cleveland. He did not practice before Thursday's game and was listed as doubtful on the injury report, meaning he had only about a 25% chance of playing. He ended up throwing four interceptions. "He started feeling better the day before," Schwartz said. "Just like I said yesterday, he woke up, felt good, was able to"
Daunte Culpepper upset he didn't get the start
November 27
Detroit Free Press
 
"Veteran Daunte Culpepper was not pleased that the Lions started rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford in Thursday's 34-12 loss to Green Bay. Stafford did not practice Tuesday, the only real practice before the game, and was listed as doubtful on the injury report. But the Lions decided to go with him before the game. Culpepper sat on the bench instead of warming up at first. He and general manager Martin Mayhew had an animated conversation. They shook hands, and Culpepper eventually took the field. "He did some other warm-ups," coach Jim Schwartz said. "He was upset, sure." Culpepper lost the quarterback competition with Stafford before the season. He started two games while Stafford was out"
Lions' Daunte Culpepper 'upset' about not starting
November 27
Detroit News
 
"It was awkward at best. When the Lions quarterbacks came out for warm-ups about an hour prior to kickoff against Green Bay, Matthew Stafford -- a surprise starter after sitting out practice all week with an injured left shoulder -- immediately began tossing a football. So did Drew Stanton, the team's emergency third quarterback for Thursday's game. Backup Daunte Culpepper, who didn't learn he wouldn't start until Thursday morning, conspicuously sat on the bench. And he stayed there for several minutes, until after a conversation with general manager Martin Mayhew, who approached him on the bench as soon as he came out of the tunnel onto the field. The two shook hands after a brief but"
Lions' Matthew Stafford likely out for Thanksgiving
November 23
Detroit Free Press
 
"Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is unlikely to play Thursday against Green Bay. But he apparently does not have a long-term injury. Coach Jim Schwartz said today Stafford suffered an AC joint separation in his left shoulder and that test results did not indicate it's an injury Schwartz would consider significant."
Matthew Stafford returns to practice, Calvin Johnson sits out
October 27
Michigan Live
 
"Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford returned to practice today while receiver Calvin Johnson did not participate. Stafford took snaps in the No. 1 rotation during individual drills; the media is not allowed to watch any team drills during the workout. Stafford's status for Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams won't be better known until Wednesday when team officials will see if there's any swelling in Stafford's knee. If there's swelling, Stafford will likely be out for Sunday's game. If there is no swelling, Stafford will continue to practice and a decision on whether he'll start will probably be made later in the week. During his reps today, Stafford had mobility, but didn't"
Schwartz won't make decision on Matthew Stafford until Sunday
October 14
Detroit News
 
"The Lions returned to practice Wednesday morning in preparation for Sunday's game at Green Bay -- and so did quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Lions' rookie No. 1 overall pick took some snaps along with Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton during the early portion of drills that were open to the media. Stafford missed last week's game against Pittsburgh after suffering a partially dislocated right kneecap in an Oct. 4 loss at Chicago. Coach Jim Schwartz said Monday he wouldn't rule out Stafford playing against the Packers, even if he wasn't a full participant in practice Wednesday. He plans to keep Stafford's status up in the air until Sunday. "I think the decision is how well he can move"
Steelers rush hounds Daunte Culpepper all game
October 12
Detroit News
 
"The Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers showed Daunte Culpepper he would be pressured heavily from the Lions' opening play Sunday afternoon at Ford Field. Culpepper, who made his first start of the season filling in for rookie Matthew Stafford, was thrown to the turf on his first play by Steelers' linebacker James Harrison. Harrison consistently harassed Culpepper, collecting three of Pittsburgh's seven sacks during the Steelers' 28-20 victory. The Steelers ended Culpepper's comeback bid, sacking him four times on the Lions' final drive, including three straight after he advanced them to Pittsburgh's 21 in the final minutes. Culpepper's fourth-down pass from the 45 was batted away"
Lions' Culpepper to start at QB against Steelers
October 11
Detroit Free Press
 
"Daunte Culpepper will start at quarterback for the Lions today against Pittsburgh. Drew Stanton will be the backup. Matthew Stafford, who has an injured right knee, will be listed as the third quarterback. Jon Jansen will start at right tackle for Gosder Cherilus, out with a shoulder injury. Turk McBride will start at defensive end for Dewayne White, out with a hamstring injury. This will be the first action for McBride, whom the Lions claimed off waivers from Kansas City. McBride had to put on weight to play defensive end, because he had lost some to try outside linebacker for the Chiefs."
Stafford practices, Daunte Culpepper says he's ready
October 10
Detroit News
 
"Matthew Stafford finally joined his teammates on the practice field Friday. Daunte Culpepper finally talked to the media afterward. And while no one -- least of all Lions coach Jim Schwartz -- will say which quarterback will start this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Culpepper still is expected to get the nod Sunday at Ford Field. "Honestly, I just look at it like this: I prepare to play every week, no matter what the situation is," said Culpepper, speaking formally to reporters for the first time since Stafford, the rookie No. 1 overall draft pick, was named the team's starter prior to the regular season. "Still don't know what the status is of our starter. But like I said, I'm"
Culpepper likely to start on Sunday
October 9
Detroit Free Press
 
"Daunte Culpepper appears likely to start at quarterback for the Lions on Sunday against Pittsburgh. Matthew Stafford did not practice again today because of a right knee injury and said he hasn't been running. "They really haven't had me doing too much," Stafford said. "They're just trying to get the swelling out and all that." Coach Jim Schwartz declined to give anon Stafford, saying only that the official injury report would be available at 4 p.m., when the NFL requires teams to list players' participation in practice. Culpepper declined to talk to reporters, as he generally has all year. "I have nothing to say until something changes from my perspective," Culpepper said. Stafford spoke"
Lions O-coordinator: Don't underestimate QB Culpepper
October 9
Detroit Free Press
 
"If Daunte Culpepper plays quarterback Sunday against Pittsburgh instead of the injured Matthew Stafford, will the Lions' offense be more conservative? Culpepper made fewer mistakes than Stafford in the exhibition season but still lost the QB competition. He didn't make as many big plays as Stafford, the No. 1 pick in the draft. "I think Daunte played the preseason exactly how we wanted him to play," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said Thursday. "He was very efficient, did a lot of things, wasn't doing things that were going to hinder or hurt us, and he was playing winning football." Culpepper didn't throw an interception in three exhibitions; Stafford threw four interceptions in four"
Steelers preparing for Stafford, not Culpepper
October 7
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Steelers expect to face Detroit Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford on Sunday at Ford Field -- or at least they want the Lions to think that. Stafford has a right knee injury and did not practice today. "Mainly, I've been watching film on Stafford more right now, because I feel like he's going to play," Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley (Michigan) said today on a conference call with Detroit reporters. "I'll check out the other quarterback after practice today." Why does Woodley think Stafford will play? "I just believe he is," Woodley said. Woodley said the Steelers are operating that way as a team. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said the same thing, saying he was basing it on"
Lions' Schwartz: Stafford is day-to-day with injury
October 5
Detroit Free Press
 
"Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is day-to-day with a knee injury, coach Jim Schwartz said today. Schwartz declined to comment on reports that Stafford suffered a dislocated kneecap during Sunday's 48-24 loss at Chicago. He said only that Stafford had completed medical testing and the Lions would know more about his status when they resume practicing Wednesday. Asked whether Stafford needed to practice by Wednesday or Thursday to play Sunday against Pittsburgh, Schwartz said he would not place a deadline on it. Schwartz also said Derrick Williams will take over kickoff returns from fellow rookie Aaron Brown, who has struggled the past three games. Williams, a third-round pick,"
Stafford upbeat after tough debut
September 14
New Orleans Times-Picayune
 
"In his first regular-season NFL game, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford's passes were too high, too low, too long and too wide. It wasn't quite the performance the No. 1 overall draft pick envisioned for his debut against the Saints at the Superdome on Sunday. Stafford was far too erratic, missing open receivers and throwing three interceptions as the Saints overpowered the Lions 45-27. "It was tough," Stafford said. "Playing from behind is never easy. That's on us as an offense and me as the quarterback, the leader of the offense. "I made some mistakes. We all did as an offense, but I'll just learn from it and try to come back and get ready for next week." Stafford, who won"
Culpepper backs Lions QB choice
September 9
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions backup quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who declined interview requests Monday to discuss Matthew Stafford's being named the starter, issued a written statement through the team Tuesday in support of Stafford and coach Jim Schwartz's decision. "Now that the debate is over and the decision has been made regarding the starting quarterback in Detroit, I would like to make the following statement today so that tomorrow I can put all of my energy into helping our team prepare for our opponent," Culpepper said in the statement. Culpepper said he restructured the year left on his contract because he would have a chance to vie for the starting job and said he was "excited" when the Lions"
Lions' Daunte Culpepper says he'll support Matthew Stafford
September 8
Detroit News
 
"Daunte Culpepper declined to speak with the media Monday after coach Jim Schwartz announced rookie Matthew Stafford would be the team's starting quarterback. But Culpepper released a statement Tuesday -- the players' off day -- to share his thoughts on his role with the team. "Now that the debate is over and the decision has been made regarding the starting quarterback in Detroit, I would like to make the following statement today so that tomorrow I can put all of my energy into helping our team prepare for our opponent," Culpepper said in a statement released by the team. "The reason I agreed to restructure my contract in order to stay in Detroit was because I knew that I would have a"
Trade Culpepper? Lions might miss him too much
September 8
Detroit Free Press
 
"Now that coach Jim Schwartz has named rookie Matthew Stafford the starting quarterback, could the Lions trade veteran Daunte Culpepper? Has Culpepper, who acts as his own agent, communicated a desire to play elsewhere? Schwartz said Monday he would keep his conversations with Culpepper private, but he said he was happy with the quarterback position. "I think it's going to be a strength on our team, and I don't think that we're in a position of getting rid of good players," Schwartz said. Culpepper declined to speak to reporters Monday, when he returned to practice after sitting out last week with a cut foot. But the last time he spoke publicly, after the Aug. 29 exhibition against"
Stafford to start at QB in Lions season opener
September 7
Detroit Free Press
 
"Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, will start at quarterback in the Lions' season opener Sunday at New Orleans. Coach Jim Schwartz made the announcement to the team and media today at Lions headquarters. Stafford beat out rejuvenated veteran Daunte Culpepper for the job. Stafford threw an interception in each of the Lions' four exhibitions. Culpepper did not throw an interception in any of the three exhibitions in which he played. But Stafford made more big plays, showed off his strong arm and proved to the coaches he had command of the offense. While saying Culpepper was back to his old form and would start again in the NFL, Schwartz made it clear he was willing to ride"
Schwartz: Stafford gets start in Lions season opener at New Orleans
September 7
Detroit News
 
"It's the kid's turn first, and perhaps for good. Lions coach Jim Schwartz ended the suspense after practice Monday, announcing that rookie Matthew Stafford, the team's No. 1 overall draft pick, will start at quarterback in the season opener Sunday at New Orleans. Stafford and veteran Daunte Culpepper were locked in a battle for the No. 1 job throughout the offseason and training camp. "I was very pleased with what (Stafford) did in the preseason, going back to rookie minicamp and straight through," Schwartz said. "I think he's proven every step along the way that he's ready." Schwartz was asked Monday if he was committed to weathering the bumpy road with a rookie starting quarterback this"
Schwartz mum on if Culpepper or Stafford will start
September 7
Detroit Free Press
 
"This week, the question Lions fans have been asking since April's NFL draft will be answered: Who will start at quarterback in Sunday's season opener at New Orleans? Will it be No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford or rejuvenated three-time Pro Bowler Daunte Culpepper? Coach Jim Schwartz has protected the identity of the starter and said he could wait until Friday to make an announcement. There could be some indication Wednesday when the quarterbacks' practice time is allocated among the first-string offense. Stafford has made impressive throws but also threw an interception in each of his four exhibition games. Culpepper missed the final exhibition while nursing a cut foot, but Schwartz"
Lions aren't ruling out Culpepper vs. Bills
September 2
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions coach Jim Schwartz said today he still has not ruled out quarterback Daunte Culpepper for the exhibition finale Thursday night at Buffalo. Schwartz said Matthew Stafford will start and play about a quarter and a half, regardless of whether Culpepper plays. Culpepper has an eight-stitch cut on the bottom of his foot. Why even consider playing Culpepper in the fourth exhibition when he's hurt and hasn't practiced this week? Schwartz said the Lions weren't game-planning for the Bills, just running the same stuff Culpepper has run since the start of training camp, so preparation shouldn't be a problem. And the injury isn't orthopedic. Schwarz said it was just a pain issue and the doctors"
Daunte Culpepper, Matthew Stafford will get equal time vs. Colts
August 27
Detroit News
 
"Jim Schwartz won't announce his starting quarterback for Saturday's preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts until Friday. But after Thursday's practice, the Lions coach did say he'll give both Daunte Culpepper and Matthew Stafford equal time on the field -- and likely with the starting receivers as well. Calvin Johnson and Bryant Johnson both will make their preseason debut Saturday against the Colts, and Schwartz said the plan is to rotate receivers in and out of the game with "a lot of the players going into the third quarter.""
Daunte Culpepper: 'I'm going to do my part' to help Lions
August 20
Detroit News
 
"Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper has politely avoided most interview requests during the preseason, but he talked to Sirius NFL Radio on Wednesday as afternoon hosts Vic Carucci and Gil Brandt visited Allen Park. Here's some excerpts of his interview: On the quarterback competition with rookie No. 1 pick Matthew Stafford: "The thing is, that's the NFL, that's how it goes, that's the business of it and I knew that it was a good chance that they were going to draft him. So, I look at it like this: At one point, I was a rookie coming into the league and we had veteran guys in front of me when I came in. So I look at it like it's all about this year, what we're going to do to be the best"