Culpepper visits with Bucs

   Jon Gruden apparently could use another quarterback.

   Would eight be enough?

   The Bucs coach met Thursday with former Vikings and Dolphins free agent Daunte Culpepper, the team confirmed.

   Although the Bucs had no comment on the meeting, it is believed to have taken place at the corporate airplane hangar at Tampa International Airport. Also greeting Culpepper was Bucs general manager Bruce Allen and Doug Williams, the team's senior pro personnel assistant.

   Culpepper, who missed most of last season recovering from knee surgery, had his contract terminated Tuesday by the Dolphins.

   The Bucs already have seven quarterbacks on the roster, a list that includes Jeff Garcia, Bruce Gradkowski, Chris Simms, Luke McCown and Jake Plummer.

   Garcia already has been declared the starter for the 2007 season while Simms has struggled to regain his form since undergoing surgery to remove his spleen last Sept. Pummer has announced his intentions to retire.

   The meeting with Culpepper came one week before the Bucs report to training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista. 

   Culpepper, 30, became expendable when the Dolphins traded for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Trent Green about six weeks ago. Culpepper, who serves as his own agent, could not be reached for comment. He won his release because the Dolphins chose not to contest it in a grievance that was scheduled for Wednesday. 

    But upon being released, Culpepper said he was anxious to find a new team.

   ""Now that I have won my freedom and I get to choose my next team, I am just like many other people who have to go out and find employment so that I can take care of my family,'' Culpepper said in an e-mail.

   There are still several questions surrounding Culpepper. One is his health. The Dolphins would not allow him to participate in team drills and he has spent 21 months rehabbing from torn ligaments in his knee. The other is salary. Culpepper was due to earn $5.5-million this season, although his value has been reduced dramatically as two teams have given up on him in the past two years.

   But Culpepper is only a few years removed from one of the best seasons in NFL history, when he threw for 4,717 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2004 with the Vikings. In 84 games as a starter, Culpepper has completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 21,091 yards and 137 touchdowns.

   The Bucs could have competition for Culpepper. Jacksonville has already informed their quarterbacks of their interest and former Vikings coach Mike Tice is on the staff there. St. Louis also could be another landing spot because quarterback Marc Bulger will be a free agent and coach Scott Linehan was the Vikings and Dolphins' offensive coordinator.

   Check back for further details as the story develops.

            

Comments

[George L Hicks]

I think being in the veteran QB will enhance a veteran leadership surrounds the QB position. Since Simms has not recover from what Tampa Bay was looking for. I think that after training camp Simms could be put on IRL for 2007, Plus Tampa could trade Plummer rights to another team. And that will made a battle for the 3rd QB with the rest of the QB on board.

[News Flash]

Gruden you are an idiot.
Focus on what you have and stop with all this QB contrversy. Or don't.. Bill Cowher will be here next year.

[AL]

I think getting Culpepper on the buc's would be a good idea. Garcia shows promise, but at 37, what if he gets injured? Simms is not ready, Gradkowski needs another year or two, and the others are pretty much no-names. I say let them sign Culpepper to a 3 year deal, let him sit and learn as long as Garcia is healthy and productive. We need another experienced QB that has played on a pro level. I am just not confident in Simms, even as a back-up.

[Mason]

PLEASE not another has been like Garcia, Plummer, and now Culpepper!! Why don't we ask or bring in Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, Joe Montana, or John Elway??? Why can't we just either have drafted Quinn and start from ground zero and work our way up?? We are headed nowhere fast here in Tampa Bay!!
When you look around the league, most of the mighty teams (New England, Pittsburgh, Indy, and many others) have what is called a MARQUEE QB,,,that would mean that there really is no competition for the starting job, the man at the front is DEFINITELY the LEADER!! EVEN CINCY has that!! But Tampa is busy playing musical chairs in the off season??
Trust me, if any of you blogsters out there write me back and say, "Mason, it because Gruden needs to win now....." I know!! But he doesn't have any answers or even a clue right now!! If you seriously dig deep into your hearts and look at the big teams in the league and then look at Tampa,,There is NO WAY that Tampa can make it to the Promised land or you better go for a drug check if you think they do!! What is sad, I am a ticket holder and I believe this,,,heck, we are almost bringing 2 qb's that are closing in on social security for the league,,,,and we're putting both our present and future hopes in them?? Yea, right!

[Bruce Alleno]

Listen, I'm no fan of Culpepper but get off Gruden's back. If Garcia goes down, now what? Plummer is a no-show. Simms is still aching and was less than effective when he did play last season. Are you thrilled about any of the other prospects?

I'm sure Gruden told him that Garcia only has two seasons left in the tank and that he would be heir apparent so long as he recovers properly. Also, Gruden may have some situational tricks up his sleeve that he would use Culpepper for this season - like Tebow was used.

[Bill]

mason, I guess the Bucs didn't win a Super Bowl with Brad Johnson...hardly a marquee QB

[Joe Wilkson]

Bring in Daunte, it would be a great improvement! Keep Jeff, Daunte and Chris. Dump Jake, and Luke. Bruce too. Daunte is worth the risk, he's a large man, if all else fails, make him a safety!

Sure Mason, those teams have Marquis (just fro the record) QBs, but two of them are Roethlingsberger and Brady--out of the draft, both were considered to be long shot "project QBs". The Bucs have GONE high on QBS and what did they get? Dilfer, King, and Testaverde... sorry, no thanks. Give me someone who has a chance to be a Plunkett type--a guy who is terrible lots of the time, but once in awhile is GREAT! (BTW, did ANYONE understand what the first poster was trying to say? Was it English even?)

[derek]

his workout took place in an airport hanger at TIA? give me a break... is that a shot at humor or what? as for culpepper I think we should give him a shot here... hes already said he would take a backup role if garcia beat him out and he would be a low risk high reward shot... plus maybe then we would finally dump plummer and whatever other passers who cant earn a spot... garcia/culpepper would be a good combo to look into

[Jason]

If our guys ran Daunte down in an airport hanger I would hardly call that a serious visit. Sounds like Culpepper is barely willing to give us the time of day.
Looking at our QB stable, it not as full as the writer of this artical might have us believe. I think we all know that there are only two real starting options. That said I'd love to have another Vet in camp.

[Larry]

We need some stable backup behind Garcia. Simms is still hurting. I like the kid but we would be in trouble again if Garcia goes down.But Culpepper? I don't know if he would be the right fit. Here's an Idea bring back Trent Dilfer! He is a proven backup.But please don't tell Coach that Jeff George has announced he is available.GO BUCS!