Quarterback Daunte Culpepper, the subject of trade speculation, isn't saying much these days. But others close to him are weighing in. New Vikings coach Brad Childress said Wednesday that he and Culpepper talk on a weekly basis. "You classify rumors as just that, rumors," Childress said Wednesday on "The Drive on Fox" with Chris Myers and Bryan Cox. "There's nobody that knows what Daunte and I talk about except Daunte and I, and I'd like to keep it that way." Childress said Culpepper's status as the Vikings' No. 1 quarterback has not changed. "I said in my opening comments... he's a franchise quarterback, and I don't believe a guy loses his position based on injury," Childress said. "So the first thing is, he doesn't need to be injured anymore. He's got to rehab. He's got control over that. I don't have control over that." Meanwhile, former Vikings receiver Randy Moss told Dan Patrick on Patrick's ESPN radio show that he spoke to Culpepper on Monday night. "Does he want out of Minnesota?" Moss said, repeating Patrick's question. "I really can't get that feel. What Daunte wants is some clarity. Clarity meaning, where is his future going to be? Is it going to be with them, as a franchise quarterback, or does he need to go elsewhere? ? Once he gets clarity, then they can go from there." Earlier, Moss said he and Culpepper reminisced about their days with the Vikings. Moss said he gave Culpepper some insight on the receiver's new NFL home. "I gave him a little lowdown on Oakland, the city, the team, the players," said Moss, now with the Raiders. "We just talked about a lot of things." Moss referred to Culpepper as a "brother" and said the two have a positive relationship. "I just want to let people know that there's nothing between us but love," Moss said. "But by him and me reuniting would be like a Cinderella story."

San Diego Chargers director of pro scouting Fran Foley has agreed in principle to become the new director of player personnel for the Minnesota Vikings, and a deal is expected to be completed by the end of the week. Foley would become the third "point" in what new Vikings owner Zygi Wilf has described as a "triangle of authority" in the franchise's revamped football operation. In the front office model described by Wilf last week, vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski and the club's personnel director will work with new head coach Brad Childress in a committee approach. The highly respected Brzezinski signed a three-year contract extension during the final weekend of the regular season. Childress, former offensive coordinator for the Eagles, was hired two weeks ago to replace the deposed Mike Tice. Wilf has been clear for some time about the need to hire a top personnel executive. After the Vikings interviewed at least seven candidates, Foley was offered the job earlier this week. The two sides are working toward finalizing his contract.

These days, the possibility of another major departure -- this time, quarterback Daunte Culpepper -- has become the talk of the league. While team officials say they have not even hired the person who would play a significant role in the decision, Culpepper's name already has surfaced in Baltimore and Oakland, while some believe St. Louis and Arizona could have interest as well. Although no trade could officially be consummated until March 3, the Vikings could entertain offers and agree in principal at any time. Although owner Zygi Wilf said last week that Culpepper and backup Brad Johnson would remain on the roster, Culpepper caused ripples in the organization earlier this month by twice seeking a raise on his 2006 contract. Culpepper is scheduled to get $6 million in bonuses March 14 and, in addition, has a $2 million base salary for the season. Some of the heaviest speculation has centered around Baltimore, where incumbent Kyle Boller has not been guaranteed the starting job in 2006. On Monday, Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome told the Baltimore Sun that he had not spoken with the Vikings about Culpepper but did not rule out the possibility. "Just like in free agency, we've got to utilize every possibility we can to get better," Newsome told the Sun. Meanwhile, Moss said Monday on Sporting News Radio that he would welcome Culpepper in Oakland despite the pair's differences during their final year together in 2004.

It now seems that the Vikings will trade troubled quarterback Daunte Culpepper to the highest bidder, which could be Oakland or Baltimore, in early March. The Raiders have the No. 6 pick and the Ravens No. 13 in April's draft. Arizona and Miami also could be in the running. Raiders owner Al Davis has an affinity for reclamation projects. Moving Culpepper for at least a first-round draft pick and a bona fide starter would solve the Vikings' quarterback conflict, allowing Brad Johnson, who would be 38, to start in coach Brad Childress' West Coast offense next season. The Vikings then would have to use a first-round pick to draft a QB to develop and sign a veteran backup, perhaps free agent Chris Weinke of the Carolina Panthers and St. Paul. You have to wonder whether Culpepper's recent 45-minute phone conversation with Childress went sour.

The agent for Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper said he is prepared to begin "scheduled" contract negotiations with the team to make his client one of the NFL's highest-paid players. Mason Ashe, Culpepper's agent, said he, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf and Rob Brzezinski, the team's vice president of football operations, outlined their intentions in August, when Culpepper received an additional $7.5 million in guaranteed money from the team. "I am poised and ready to begin the scheduled restructuring of his long-term contract with the Vikings, as we discussed last summer with Mr. Wilf, so Daunte can assume the position on the NFL pay scale that he so deserves," Ashe said Wednesday. Wilf, through a team spokesman, declined comment Wednesday evening. Brzezinski also declined comment, and Culpepper did not return phone messages. Culpepper has been noticeably silent since an interview with the Pioneer Press on Dec. 15, when he insisted he would dispute the three misdemeanor charges against him for his role in the controversial boat party Oct. 6 on Lake Minnetonka. He also cast his support of backup quarterback Brad Johnson and said he expected to "end my career in Minnesota and win Super Bowls for the Vikings."

Mike Tice, back from New York where he said he believed he had a good interview with the Jets, added that he would entertain an assistant coaching job if he is called. But Tice doesn't plan to apply for any job. "If I don't get a assistant coaching job I like, I have a good chance to do some work on NFL television," he said. The word in New York is that Tice really impressed Jets officials but that team owner Woody Johnson had his mind set on New England Patriots defensive coordinator Eric Mangini, who got the job.

New Minnesota coach Brad Childress made his first official hire Tuesday, choosing Tampa Bay defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin to be the Vikings' defensive coordinator. The 33-year-old Tomlin spent the past five years with the Buccaneers. They led the NFL this season in fewest yards allowed, the second time that happened during Tomlin's tenure there. Tampa Bay also ranked first in the league in pass defense twice, in 2002 and 2004, and sent numerous players to the Pro Bowl. The Bucs' success has been based on a tough, stingy scheme installed a decade ago by current Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy and Monte Kiffin, still the defensive coordinator there. Typically called the Tampa Cover 2, this defense relies on speedy linebackers and defensive ends, hard-hitting safeties and tight coverage from the cornerbacks.

New Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress put his first stamp on the team, firing defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-year-old defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin is believed to be the leading candidate to replace Cottrell. "I guess they just wanted to go in a different direction," Cottrell told the paper Sunday night. Other coaches known to have been let go were Wes Chandler (receivers), Dean Dalton (running backs), Mark Ellis (assistant strength and conditioning), Rich Olson (quarterbacks), Jim Panagos (assistant defensive line and special teams), Kevin Ross (assistant secondary), John Tice (tight ends, assistant offensive line) and Rusty Tillman (special teams).

Eagles assistant Brad Childress was hired as coach of the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, five days after Mike Tice was fired following a 9-7 season marked by a scandalous boat party. "Coach Childress was the elite NFL head coaching candidate," owner Zygi Wilf said at a news conference to announce the hiring. "He embodies class, character and discipline and is a great family man. Bottom line, Brad Childress is a winner." Childress agreed to five-year contract, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reported. Tice was fired Sunday after Minnesota beat the Chicago Bears 34-10 in the final game of the regular season. The 49-year-old Childress has been the Eagles' offensive coordinator since 2002. This is his first head coaching job. "As steward of this great franchise, I'll do everything I possibly can ... to bring an NFC championship and Super Bowl to the people of Minnesota," said Childress, sporting a brilliant purple tie and Vikings pin.

Barring any unexpected snags in contract negotiations, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress will be hired by the Minnesota Vikings as their new head coach, with an official introduction possibly coming as early as Friday morning. The two sides reached agreement in principle Thursday on some contract elements, but there remained considerable work to be completed in other areas. It is anticipated, however, that a deal will be consummated. One Eagles official conceded Thursday night that Childress was poised to leave the only NFL franchise for which he has worked. Childress would succeed Mike Tice, who was fired on Sunday evening after the Vikings' regular-season finale. Sources confirmed that Childress on Thursday began contacting potential assistant coach candidates.