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Is Culpepper next in line for Chiefs?
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs may turn to veteran Daunte Culpepper to bolster their battered quarterbacking crew.
The search for some elusive stability at quarterback could lead the Chiefs to sign three-time Pro Bowler Daunte Culpepper.
The Chiefs talked with Culpepper on Monday, a day after they lost Brodie Croyle for the season because of torn knee ligaments. Croyle was injured in the Chiefs’ 34-10 loss to Tennessee at Arrowhead Stadium.
A decision on whether the Chiefs would sign Culpepper did not appear imminent. A deal might not come until next week if one is reached at all.
In the meantime, the Chiefs were preparing to bring former Tampa Bay quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to Kansas City today for a workout. Gradkowski played for St. Louis in a preseason game against the Chiefs in August at Arrowhead Stadium.
Coach Herm Edwards offered no information on the quarterback search other than to say the Chiefs might try to sign a veteran.
Between injuries and ineffective play, quarterback has been a problem for the Chiefs and a factor in their 1-5 record. Croyle, Damon Huard and Tyler Thigpen have all started at least one game, and even a wide receiver, Marques Hagans, took a few plays at quarterback.
None has been able to give the Chiefs the stability they wanted.
Edwards said he didn’t know whether Huard or Thigpen would start Sunday against the Jets at the Meadowlands. Huard didn’t look or sound on Monday like a quarterback who would be ready to play on Sunday.
Against Tennessee, Huard replaced Croyle but gave way to Thigpen after injuring his passing hand. The hand was still swollen and wrapped Monday, and Huard said he would see a hand specialist to determine the extent of the injury.
The Chiefs also appear to be losing patience with kicker Nick Novak, who missed two of his three field-goal attempts against the Titans. Novak is just six for 10 this season, the worst percentage in the league.
The Chiefs may sign rookie Connor Barth today to replace Novak. Barth was originally signed by the Chiefs in April and battled Novak throughout the offseason, training camp and the preseason.
Both players made two of three field-goal attempts in the preseason. The Chiefs went with Novak mainly because of his previous NFL experience.
Whether the Chiefs go with Huard or Thigpen in New York, he would merely be keeping the spot warm for Culpepper should he sign. Culpepper, 31, had his last big season in 2004 while playing for the Vikings.
That year, Culpepper led the NFL with 4,717 passing yards and also threw 39 touchdown passes.
His career spiraled downward afterward. He tore knee ligaments the following season, was traded to Miami in 2006 and landed last year with Oakland.
He played twice against the Chiefs last season, losing 12-10 in Oakland and later in the season winning 20-17 at Arrowhead.
Discouraged that no team offered him a chance to be the starting quarterback this season, Culpepper went so far as to announce his retirement.
The Chiefs are looking for a mobile quarterback. While Culpepper doesn’t move as well as he did before his knee injury, he still avoids a pass rush better than Huard, 35.
Gradkowski, 24, started 11 games for Tampa Bay as a rookie in 2006. He played with the Bucs as a backup last year and over the winter moved on to the Rams, but he was later released.
If Huard can’t play this week, Ingle Martin would be Thigpen’s backup on Sunday. Martin was signed by the Chiefs last month after Croyle’s initial injury, a separated shoulder.
The Chiefs would prepare a smaller selection of plays for Martin in case he gets into the game. Martin went to camp and played in the preseason for the Titans.
“I’ve been here for six weeks and worked hard every week on my own trying to learn as much as I can by watching film,” Martin said. “Obviously, we’ll see when we get to the practice field if I’m getting more (snaps). That’s kind of where I think my progress will have to come. I’ve done as much as I can mentally. The biggest thing is getting in there and working with the guys.
“You don’t know what you’re going to get with me until you get out there. I’ve never done it, never had the chance. You can just go off what I’ve done in practice and what I’ve done in the preseason. I feel if I get the chance to play, I’ll be ready.”
The loss of Croyle forces the Chiefs to alter their long-term thinking at quarterback. This season was all about developing Croyle, their third-round pick in 2006, and determining whether he would be their quarterback for the next several seasons.
“We have to gather our information and see where we’re at,” Edwards said. “All of a sudden he’s going to miss the whole season. That’s tough, tough for him. He was playing pretty well (Sunday), nine for 10 or something like that. We’ll have to make a decision on that position when the season is over with.”
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs may turn to veteran Daunte Culpepper to bolster their battered quarterbacking crew.
The search for some elusive stability at quarterback could lead the Chiefs to sign three-time Pro Bowler Daunte Culpepper.
The Chiefs talked with Culpepper on Monday, a day after they lost Brodie Croyle for the season because of torn knee ligaments. Croyle was injured in the Chiefs’ 34-10 loss to Tennessee at Arrowhead Stadium.
A decision on whether the Chiefs would sign Culpepper did not appear imminent. A deal might not come until next week if one is reached at all.
In the meantime, the Chiefs were preparing to bring former Tampa Bay quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to Kansas City today for a workout. Gradkowski played for St. Louis in a preseason game against the Chiefs in August at Arrowhead Stadium.
Coach Herm Edwards offered no information on the quarterback search other than to say the Chiefs might try to sign a veteran.
Between injuries and ineffective play, quarterback has been a problem for the Chiefs and a factor in their 1-5 record. Croyle, Damon Huard and Tyler Thigpen have all started at least one game, and even a wide receiver, Marques Hagans, took a few plays at quarterback.
None has been able to give the Chiefs the stability they wanted.
Edwards said he didn’t know whether Huard or Thigpen would start Sunday against the Jets at the Meadowlands. Huard didn’t look or sound on Monday like a quarterback who would be ready to play on Sunday.
Against Tennessee, Huard replaced Croyle but gave way to Thigpen after injuring his passing hand. The hand was still swollen and wrapped Monday, and Huard said he would see a hand specialist to determine the extent of the injury.
The Chiefs also appear to be losing patience with kicker Nick Novak, who missed two of his three field-goal attempts against the Titans. Novak is just six for 10 this season, the worst percentage in the league.
The Chiefs may sign rookie Connor Barth today to replace Novak. Barth was originally signed by the Chiefs in April and battled Novak throughout the offseason, training camp and the preseason.
Both players made two of three field-goal attempts in the preseason. The Chiefs went with Novak mainly because of his previous NFL experience.
Whether the Chiefs go with Huard or Thigpen in New York, he would merely be keeping the spot warm for Culpepper should he sign. Culpepper, 31, had his last big season in 2004 while playing for the Vikings.
That year, Culpepper led the NFL with 4,717 passing yards and also threw 39 touchdown passes.
His career spiraled downward afterward. He tore knee ligaments the following season, was traded to Miami in 2006 and landed last year with Oakland.
He played twice against the Chiefs last season, losing 12-10 in Oakland and later in the season winning 20-17 at Arrowhead.
Discouraged that no team offered him a chance to be the starting quarterback this season, Culpepper went so far as to announce his retirement.
The Chiefs are looking for a mobile quarterback. While Culpepper doesn’t move as well as he did before his knee injury, he still avoids a pass rush better than Huard, 35.
Gradkowski, 24, started 11 games for Tampa Bay as a rookie in 2006. He played with the Bucs as a backup last year and over the winter moved on to the Rams, but he was later released.
If Huard can’t play this week, Ingle Martin would be Thigpen’s backup on Sunday. Martin was signed by the Chiefs last month after Croyle’s initial injury, a separated shoulder.
The Chiefs would prepare a smaller selection of plays for Martin in case he gets into the game. Martin went to camp and played in the preseason for the Titans.
“I’ve been here for six weeks and worked hard every week on my own trying to learn as much as I can by watching film,” Martin said. “Obviously, we’ll see when we get to the practice field if I’m getting more (snaps). That’s kind of where I think my progress will have to come. I’ve done as much as I can mentally. The biggest thing is getting in there and working with the guys.
“You don’t know what you’re going to get with me until you get out there. I’ve never done it, never had the chance. You can just go off what I’ve done in practice and what I’ve done in the preseason. I feel if I get the chance to play, I’ll be ready.”
The loss of Croyle forces the Chiefs to alter their long-term thinking at quarterback. This season was all about developing Croyle, their third-round pick in 2006, and determining whether he would be their quarterback for the next several seasons.
“We have to gather our information and see where we’re at,” Edwards said. “All of a sudden he’s going to miss the whole season. That’s tough, tough for him. He was playing pretty well (Sunday), nine for 10 or something like that. We’ll have to make a decision on that position when the season is over with.”
What did you expect from him, miracles?
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