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| Authored by Brian Carlton - 13th December, 2005 - 11:46 pm
 So ok, maybe Randy wasn't the problem after all. Stepping back, you have to wonder if maybe, for this team at least, Daunte Culpepper should have been the one to go. It's weird to read that, let alone be the one writing it. I mean c'mon, we've heard so many stories about the chaos Randy Moss brought to Minnesota. Even I said earlier this year that the Vikings would be a better team without the Daunte and Randy Show running 24-7. And here's the deal. They are a better team, having kicked out both of their problems from the lockerroom.
Everyone knows the deal with Moss and yeah he had to go. But for all the excitement over Daunte as a elite quarterback, let me ask this. How much of his production was from talent and how much was taking advantage of the double teams that Randy brought? 39 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last year for Daunte. Before his injury this season, he had 6 and 12, to go along with one win in six games. Also the leading receiver last year, Nate Burleson has only 18 catches so far, after pulling in 68 for over 1000 yards. He didn't change, but the coverage did and Daunte had a hard time adjusting.
Still, it's almost an annual tradition, right up there with roasting a Lion on Thanksgiving, the one who left is the one to blame. Some of his teammates were all but ready to throw a party the minute Moss was shipped out of town. But umm guys..about that party? You might want to pick your spots a little more careful next time. At least not on a boat, out in the open, where anyone can see. Oh yeah and no pictures might be a good idea. Also I'd scan the guest list a little better. Actually I'd just forget the idea altogether. But I digress.
8-8. That's what Minnesota was last year. Already 8-5 and knocking on the door for more this season with no Randy and no Daunte. How? Two words. Brad Johnson. Granted he's not going to play Superman and if you can get to him, Johnson can barely walk, let alone scramble. But he brings something more important than numbers to the team. He brings leadership on the field. He's been to the playoffs with Tampa Bay, even played in a Super Bowl and demands attention, even respect from the team. Plus it's hard to argue when your quarterback posts a 90.9 rating with only 2 interceptions.
Daunte on the other hand is more of a laid-back kind of guy, not really wanting to get in someone's face or be the enforcer. That's the problem, made worse by the fact he's not with the team while rehabbing. I understand that it's freezing up in Minnesota and only a crazy man would choose that over working out in Miami, but with every week, he's losing more respect out of that locker room.
If Brad can keep the team rolling towards the playoffs, it might not be such a bad idea to trade Culpepper to one of those quarterback-starved teams out there. You've got the Jets, Cardinals (again), Lions, Saints and possibly some more all in the market for a quarterback. Trade Daunte and pick up a young quarterback, maybe Brady Quinn if he falls back in the draft. Then keep Johnson in as a stopgap, helping Quinn to adjust before turning the reigns over to him by say 2007. It's the best situation for both sides. The Vikings can clean up, getting players and picks they need to fix the rest of the franchise and Daunte would get something he might need after this season: a fresh start. |
