Daunte Culpepper - Steppin Up or Steppin Down?

[Kilroy 0]

Daunte Culpepper joins the Dolphins following a six year run as the Minnesota Vikings franchise quarterback. After tearing three ligaments in his right knee during a week 8 game against the Panthers, he was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. Knee injury aside, 2005 was shaping up to be one that Culpepper would just as soon like to forget.

 

In his first year starting without the presence of Randy Moss, Culpepper found himself struggling mightily. He began the season by throwing three interceptions coupled with zero touchdowns at home against the Tampa Bay Buccanears. In week two he followed it up with an even worse outing - five interceptions, zero touchdowns. As those who took him as the 2nd QB off the draft board were heading into an all out panic mode, Culpepper bounced back in week 3 as he picked on the Saints defense with a 300 yard outing and 3 touchdown passes. Culpepper owners were able to breath a little easier, but it didn't long.

 

The following week against the Falcons - 250 yards, 1 TD and two more interceptions, bringing his season total to 10 just four games into the season. He followed the bye week by throwing two more interceptions against the Bears before giving owners one last glimmer of hope in a week 7 game against the Packers as he threw for 280 yards and 2 TDs. Again, reason for Culpepper owners to breath a sigh of relief didn't last long as his knee was torn apart and his season ended the following week.

 

Miami will be a new beginning for Culpepper. He'll have talented targets in both wide receiver Chris Chambers and tight end Randy McMichael. He'll also be playing with a more talented back and in a system that may lean on the run more than that of the Vikings over the years. While the ground game may be emphasized more in Miami, the oppurtunity for Culpepper to throw for over 3700 yards will still be there.

 

Will Culpepper come through and help guide the Dolphins to the playoffs for the first time since 2001, or will it take him time adjust to his new surroundings and the new system he'll be running in Miami, causing another poor performance from one of the best fantasy producers at the position over the years?

[Swagger 0]

C-Pepp, Brown & Chambers the next triplets? Not this year, but possibly a work in progress. I don't think you can plug a QB into a new system and expect immediate results. With the injury and focus on run-first in Miami he will not have as many opportunities to produce stats. He is a top 15 QB this year.

 

His name carries him sometimes not his performance.

[harken34 0]

He;ll be getting his roll on early and all season

[remote controller 143]

Let's just say a step in the right direction for Daunte and the Dolphins. Culpeppers draft position will be way below the previous years, but nailing the target to grab him is the big task. He will most likely be taken as a teams #1 Qb. The question is "How much will they have to spend?" With the deep crop of Qb's available so late this season, I will most likely be standing in a holding pattern, on two or three other canidates, when he falls too early for my liking. He definitly steps up from last years devastating season, but is the prototypical Boom or Bust canidate, as far as #1's in any position go.

[akaoni 0]

I think that Culpepper steps up this year (hard not to), but not to top 5 numbers. By all accounts he's stepping into a system that is similar to the one he worked under in Minny. Probably a little rough out of the gate, but he hits his stride by week 3 or 4 (against the Titans and Texans). He'll be up and down, but should finish strong.

[Kilroy 0]

I think that Culpepper steps up this year (hard not to), but not to top 5 numbers. By all accounts he's stepping into a system that is similar to the one he worked under in Minny. Probably a little rough out of the gate, but he hits his stride by week 3 or 4 (against the Titans and Texans). He'll be up and down, but should finish strong.

 

I noticed that as well. Linehan was the Dolpins OC last year, prior to that he worked with Culpepper in Minnesota for a few seasons. Mike Mularkey is the new OC (and a good one too), if he keeps Linehan's system in place or something that doesn't divert too much from it, Culpepper shouldn't have much of a problem adapting in Miami.

 

He always kept his accuracy up pretty high as well, so with Chambers and McMichael available in the passing game, I'm expecting Culpepper to have a good season. He shouldn't have a problem being top 10 and if his rushing totals (TD and Yards) go back up he could probably push to the top 5.

 

Right now I'd expect him to finsh 6-8, but once the season nears and I go through projecting players I'll have a better feel for where he might rank.

[Steel City Blues 0]

I noticed that as well. Linehan was the Dolpins OC last year, prior to that he worked with Culpepper in Minnesota for a few seasons. Mike Mularkey is the new OC (and a good one too), if he keeps Linehan's system in place or something that doesn't divert too much from it, Culpepper shouldn't have much of a problem adapting in Miami.

 

He always kept his accuracy up pretty high as well, so with Chambers and McMichael available in the passing game, I'm expecting Moss to have a good season. He shouldn't have a problem being top 10 and if his rushing totals (TD and Yards) go back up he could probably push to the top 5.

 

Right now I'd expect him to finsh 6-8, but once the season nears and I go through projecting players I'll have a better feel for where he might rank.

 

This is what I don't get about people drafting Culpepper as their #1 QB. Say round 6 or 7. He's coming off of a severe leg injury & changing systems to by all accounts, a run first offense. To say a healthy Cpep should be in the 6-8 range of QBs is quasi realistic. I repeat: that is assuming he makes it back to 100% after that injury. Why in the world wouldn't you take a safer pick as a #1 and make Cpep one of the best #2 QBs available?

 

Let someone else reach for him as their #1. If he falls to you as a back-up, I like his potential.

[Kilroy 0]

This is what I don't get about people drafting Culpepper as their #1 QB. Say round 6 or 7. He's coming off of a severe leg injury & changing systems to by all accounts, a run first offense. To say a healthy Cpep should be in the 6-8 range of QBs is quasi realistic. I repeat: that is assuming he makes it back to 100% after that injury. Why in the world wouldn't you take a safer pick as a #1 and make Cpep one of the best #2 QBs available?

 

Let someone else reach for him as their #1. If he falls to you as a back-up, I like his potential.

 

If I thought Culpepper's knee would be a problem, I'd more than likely stay away from him, but he's already been unning drills and should ready for opening day. We might even see him in the preseason. Also, the Dolphins may be more run orineted than the Vikings were, but they'll still pass the ball often enough that Culpepper shouldn't have difficulty throwing for 3500-3700 yards.

 

The Dolphins used Linehan's system last season and Linehan is the same OC that worked with Culpepper in Minnesota from 2002-2004 when he was one of the best fantasy QBs around. Mike Mularkey is now the Dolphins OC, but I'm guessing part of the reason the Dolphins had interest in C-pep to begin with is because he worked for three seasons under the same OC they had a year ago.

 

Mularkey is a good OC, much like Linehan was. He opened up the Steelers offense the year Burress and Ward had a thousand yards in he same season with Kordell Stewart at QB. Stewart actually made the Pro-Bowl that season and the ground game still produced 2,774 yards and 17 TDs.

 

In 2002 under Mularkey, the Steelers as a team (Maddox and Stewart at QB) threw for over 4,000 yards while rushing for more than 2,000.

 

With Mularkey as OC and both Chris Chambers and Randy McMichael in the passing game I think there's plenty of reasons to expect Culpepper to rank at least in the Top 10 this year. Marty Booker is a nice #2 opposite Chambers as well.

[Steel City Blues 0]

If I thought Culpepper's knee would be a problem, I'd more than likely stay away from him, but he's already been unning drills and should ready for opening day. We might even see him in the preseason. Also, the Dolphins may be more run orineted than the Vikings were, but they'll still pass the ball often enough that Culpepper shouldn't have difficulty throwing for 3500-3700 yards.

 

The Dolphins used Linehan's system last season and Linehan is the same OC that worked with Culpepper in Minnesota from 2002-2004 when he was one of the best fantasy QBs around. Mike Mularkey is now the Dolphins OC, but I'm guessing part of the reason the Dolphins had interest in C-pep to begin with is because he worked for three seasons under the same OC they had a year ago.

 

Mularkey is a good OC, much like Linehan was. He opened up the Steelers offense the year Burress and Ward had a thousand yards in he same season with Kordell Stewart at QB. Stewart actually made the Pro-Bowl that season and the ground game still produced 2,774 yards and 17 TDs.

 

In 2002, under Mularkey, the Steelers as a team (Maddox and Stewart) through for over 4,000 yards while rushing for more than 2,000.

 

With Mularkey as OC and both Chris Chambers and Randy McMichael in the passing game I think there's plenty of reasons to expect Culpepper to rank at least in the Top 10 this year. Marty Booker is a nice #2 opposite Chambers as well.

 

Nice feedback Kilroy. I've always liked Culpepper & Mike Mularky's system helped open up the Pittsburgh offense quite a bit like you said. It also led to Pgh getting away from the ground game and become a little too enamored with a high octane passing game. The next year I think Kordell was overwhelmed & the team tanked.

 

I still envision an improved Miami team focusing on the rushing attack and good D. Keep the other team off the field & move the chains. Culpepper is under rated as an accurate passer & should fit well in their scheme. I see more opportunities for Olindo Mare in a controlled offense. I'm thinking 19-20 TDs and 3100 yards if he starts week 1 like you say. I guess the wild card is his mobility and getting the O to gel.

[Raider 84 29]

He'll be by this guy at least 4 weeks this season. Just a hunch.

[Kilroy 0]

Nice feedback Kilroy. I've always liked Culpepper & Mike Mularky's system helped open up the Pittsburgh offense quite a bit like you said. It also led to Pgh getting away from the ground game and become a little too enamored with a high octane passing game. The next year I think Kordell was overwhelmed & the team tanked.

 

I still envision an improved Miami team focusing on the rushing attack and good D. Keep the other team off the field & move the chains. Culpepper is under rated as an accurate passer & should fit well in their scheme. I see more opportunities for Olindo Mare in a controlled offense. I'm thinking 19-20 TDs and 3100 yards if he starts week 1 like you say. I guess the wild card is his mobility and getting the O to gel.

 

I can't see the Dolphins offense becoming that controlled. They have too much talent at all the skill positions not to bother opening things up a little more. Last season Gus Frerotte threw for numbers very similiar to the ones you are expecting from Culpepper this season (Frerotte had just under 3,000 yards and 18 TDs). He also completed just 52.0% of his passes. Culpepper has a career 64.4 completion percentage. Simply by completing 60% of his passes this season he should see more than a couple hundred yard jump in his statistics in comparison to Frerotte's of a year ago.

 

Chris Chambers managed to have a career year a season ago within a similiar sytem with Frerotte as his QB. With Culpepper under center, I can only imagine Chambers to have another great season and that Culpepper will benefit along with him.

 

There's good reason to expect a significant jump in production from the Dolphins offense this year. If the defense is one of the best in the league, it will hold the offenses production in check a bit, but I don't expect the defense to be quite that good and still feel the players they have at the skill positions are talented enough to put up some big numbers either way. They should all be fairly consistant contributors on a weekly basis as well.

 

If your looking for value picks, the Dolphins offensive players may be a good place to start this year.

[RamslovaMartzhata 3]

Well I hope he steps up from last year

 

Anhhow, I am not sold on Culpepper. He had two years of solid play where he was approaching super-stud status. But take the fact that he has big time fumbling problems, had an attitude problem, and has plenty of distractions in Miami... and I am expecting him to fall below expectations.

[Zackattack 0]

I believe that he will have a good year. He has always been a top fantasy scorer at CB. A difference maker for fantasy teams year in and year out. Last year was his only real bad year in a while. He had a few real good game during the season. He did show signs of coming around. I believe a change of scenery and a new start will do him wonders. Daunte top 5 alll day.

[SoloMatisse 0]

I expect a subpar season from DC overall, missing a few games early in the season more than likely, but if I were at either end of a 12 team serpentine draft, and Culpepper were still available available in the say the 7th/8th round, Id snag him and another QB.......to lock down the position and not worry for several picks who my #2 QB would be....say, Culpepper and Bledsoe/Brooks/or Brees. It would be important to pair DC up with a QB who has a favorable early season schedule and who will seem capable of carrying the QB load while Daunte makes the adjustment. Culpepper down the stretch of his schedule could be money.

[rebooters 1]

He;ll be getting his roll on early and all season

 

look who he is surrounded by. ronnie, chamber, mcmichael...all three good recievers. plus a good defensive unit. playoff bound baby.

[Rye & Leaf 0]

Culpepper - steppin down

 

McMichael - steppin up

[My Negro! 3]

Peps stock is down right now fur sure.

[lguero1 4]

You stated it best in your description of him. He sucked last year except in week 3 and week 7. Mularkey is switching the offense to more underneath passing. Miami is going to switch to championship ball, defense and running the ball. I can't envision Miami getting blown out and Miami having to throw over 25 passes. Culpepper is not going to rush for any more TDs either.

 

Culpepper is not a no-brainer starter and look at the Miami schedule. You'll get to use him half of the year and you QB2 the other half.

 

Chris "Hands of Stone" Chambers is not at the top of my list but I want to see how he does under the new OC.

 

Can Culpepper step down any further than last year?

 

Steppin up but jsut a baby step

[ExtremeFajita 0]

Don't forget, he could be 100% healed and at the top of his game but if the scheme sucks then so will he. If they know how to design the playbook to Culpepper's strengths then my vote is for a step up, but I don't think they will be that flexible. I am not a Mike Mularkey fan. Cowher wanted Mularkey out in Pittsburgh and was hoping someone would offer him an OC job when the Bills (whose owner Ralph Wilson always pays bargain basement salaries for coaches) gave him the HC job. The Dolphins have an impressive roster on paper this year and I do like Saban. If Saban hands over all the offensive play-calling, then I say

[Kilroy 0]

Don't forget, he could be 100% healed and at the top of his game but if the scheme sucks then so will he. If they know how to design the playbook to Culpepper's strengths then my vote is for a step up, but I don't think they will be that flexible. I am not a Mike Mularkey fan. Cowher wanted Mularkey out in Pittsburgh and was hoping someone would offer him an OC job when the Bills (whose owner Ralph Wilson always pays bargain basement salaries for coaches) gave him the HC job. The Dolphins have an impressive roster on paper this year and I do like Saban. If Saban hands over all the offensive play-calling, then I say

 

I disagree only because the system the Dolphins will use this year is similiar to the one Culpepper played in under Linehan from 2002-2004 with the Vikings. He may not have Randy Moss to work with now, but Chambers is a talented receiver himself.

 

Also, last year Culpepper threw a lot of picks, but he did keep his accuracy up. That being the case his arm shouldn't be the problem. Apparently it was his decision making. Outside of 2002 and 2005, his TD to INT ratio has always been pretty good.

 

Taking all that into account, I think C-pep should have a strong season, barring injury. I don't know why he threw so many picks last season, but on the surface the Vikings offense really didn't seem to have much looking back. He should have performed better, but the new players surrounding him in Miami should help him out more than those in Minnesota last season.

 

Mike Tice wasn't exactly the best coach to play for either. Not to mention the other off the field issues that happened with the Vikings last season.

[phillybear 366]

I keep reading how he looks great and ahead of schedule in his rehab. Vastly underrated on his ADP. You could load up at other positions, and grab him as a starting QB in the 7th round and beyond, mostly beyond. Then back up the pick with another solid QB. He has a number of talented skill players surrounding him in the offense.

 

He looks underrated this year. But his ADP is starting to climb.

[gunnergip 0]

"Will Culpepper come through and help guide the Dolphins to the playoffs for the first time since 2001, or will it take him time adjust to his new surroundings and the new system he'll be running in Miami, causing another poor performance from one of the best fantasy producers at the position over the years?"

 

Saying that the man is healthy and ready to go for the start of the season, I see Culpepper returning to glory in 06. Yes he has Brown (great at running and catching the ball), Chambers (could be the best deep ball wr at the end of 06), McMichael (a beast in the redzone) and great coaches in Linehan and Saban, but have you looked at the cupcake schedule that Miami has? Take a peek:

 

Pitt, Buffalo, Tennessee, Houston, New England, Jets, Green Bay, Chicago, KC, Minny, Detroit, Jax, New England, Buffalo, Jets and Indy.

 

Out of all of those games 11 teams are considered bad pass and run defenses according to espn.com and espn's fantasy magazine. This is tied with only Seattle and Chicago as the "best/easiest" schedule for any QB and is one of the main reasons I have Culpepper high on my list of QBs.

[Kilroy 0]

"Will Culpepper come through and help guide the Dolphins to the playoffs for the first time since 2001, or will it take him time adjust to his new surroundings and the new system he'll be running in Miami, causing another poor performance from one of the best fantasy producers at the position over the years?"

 

Saying that the man is healthy and ready to go for the start of the season, I see Culpepper returning to glory in 06. Yes he has Brown (great at running and catching the ball), Chambers (could be the best deep ball wr at the end of 06), McMichael (a beast in the redzone) and great coaches in Linehan and Saban, but have you looked at the cupcake schedule that Miami has? Take a peek:

 

Pitt, Buffalo, Tennessee, Houston, New England, Jets, Green Bay, Chicago, KC, Minny, Detroit, Jax, New England, Buffalo, Jets and Indy.

 

Out of all of those games 11 teams are considered bad pass and run defenses according to espn.com and espn's fantasy magazine. This is tied with only Seattle and Chicago as the "best/easiest" schedule for any QB and is one of the main reasons I have Culpepper high on my list of QBs.

 

I'm expecting good things from Culpepper myself, but I'm no so sure that schedule is the reason why. Pittsburgh, Buffalo, New England, Chicago and Jacksonville should all be strong on defense. Indianapolis' defense made major strides last season as well.

 

The Jets are capable of playing tough defensively depending on what part of the season you play them (at least it seems that way sometimes). I also think KC will be improved on defense under new coach Herm Edwards. Their new offensive approach should also aid the defense.

 

Overall, it wouldn't scare me away from selecting C-Pep, but I wouldn't look at it and bump him up in my rankings because of it either. I just think he's in good position to rebound this year. I like the talent surrounding him, the coaches, and the system he'll be playing in. Unfortunently, by the time my league has their draft, I think Culpepper will rise quite a bit in the QB rankings and I won't be able to get him as the value pick I'm hoping for.

[gunnergip 0]

I'm expecting good things from Culpepper myself, but I'm no so sure that schedule is the reason why. Pittsburgh, Buffalo, New England, Chicago and Jacksonville should all be strong on defense. Indianapolis' defense made major strides last season as well.

 

The Jets are capable of playing tough defensively depending on what part of the season you play them (at least it seems that way sometimes). I also think KC will be improved on defense under new coach Herm Edwards. Their new offensive approach should also aid the defense.

 

Overall, it wouldn't scare me away from selecting C-Pep, but I wouldn't look at it and bump him up in my rankings because of it either. I just think he's in good position to rebound this year. I like the talent surrounding him, the coaches, and the system he'll be playing in. Unfortunently, by the time my league has their draft, I think Culpepper will rise quite a bit in the QB rankings and I won't be able to get him as the value pick I'm hoping for.

 

Pitt, Chicago and Jax are the only proven defenses you have listed there. New England had a pretty bad d and a god awful secondary while the Jets and Chiefs are unproven and should be inconsistent all year. The point is, compared to some other highly ranked qbs (ie both mannings, palmer, delhomme, bledsoe, green, bulger, mcnabb and roethlisberger) Culpepper has a much more favorable schedule thus making him a tad bit higher on my list than some of the former. Ultimately if you want a qb based on ability and ease of schedule Culpepper, Brady and Hasselback are the top dogs.

[Kilroy 0]

Pitt, Chicago and Jax are the only proven defenses you have listed there. New England had a pretty bad d and a god awful secondary while the Jets and Chiefs are unproven and should be inconsistent all year. The point is, compared to some other highly ranked qbs (ie both mannings, palmer, delhomme, bledsoe, green, bulger, mcnabb and roethlisberger) Culpepper has a much more favorable schedule thus making him a tad bit higher on my list than some of the former. Ultimately if you want a qb based on ability and ease of schedule Culpepper, Brady and Hasselback are the top dogs.

 

I haven't looked into strength of schedule's yet, but I'll keep what you mentioned about the QBs in mind. I'm generally a little leary of ranking D's (outside of the consensus top 5 or so) because there are always some strong ones that tend to flop and weak ones that surprise from year to year.