PEP IS BACK ON THE MARKET
Culpepper looking for a way out
Daunte Culpepper, apparently angered by a recent correspondence he received from the Vikings, wants out of Minnesota.
Judd Zulgad, Star Tribune
Last update: March 09, 2006 – 5:37 AM
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Daunte Culpepper in action against the Packers on Oct. 23, 2005.
Brian Peterson, Star Tribune
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Daunte Culpepper, apparently angered by a recent correspondence he received from the Vikings, wants out of Minnesota.
In an e-mail sent to several media outlets Wednesday, the quarterback acknowledged for the first time that the Vikings have been shopping him and said if a trade does not happen, he wants to be released.
"Now that I have confirmed that the Vikings have been seeking to trade me, I have asked for permission to speak to the interested teams," wrote Culpepper, who fired longtime agent Mason Ashe in January and has been representing himself. "The Vikings have denied my request. If a trade does not happen, then I am asking the Vikings to terminate my contract as soon as possible."
Culpepper, in the fourth e-mail he has sent to the media since Feb. 5, added that if the team elects not to honor his request, he intends "to fulfill my contractual obligations to the Minnesota Vikings." That statement might have been included to limit the Vikings' options when it comes to disciplinary action.
The Vikings are scheduled to pay Culpepper a $6 million roster bonus this month -- the March 17 due date could be pushed back as many as seven days because of the NFL's decision to postpone the start of free agency -- but Culpepper stated his desire is freedom.
"I appreciate that the owner, Mr. [Zygi] Wilf, is willing to pay my March bonus," he wrote. "However, because of the fundamental differences I have with management regarding the approach to my personal and professional life, I think it is the best business decision for both parties to go our separate ways."
Rob Brzezinski, the Vikings' vice president of football operations, said Wednesday night he had no comment on the e-mail. "I really have nothing to say on that," said Brzezinski, who spent part of the day with Wilf in Grapevine,Texas, as they voted in a new six-year NFL labor deal.
Culpepper, who did not respond to repeated e-mails from the Star Tribune, elaborated to ESPN.
"Two days ago I got an e-mail from management that confirmed for me that they did not see me as the player or person that I see myself," Culpepper told the network. "I was shocked. It pushed me to this point [seeking a trade]. The e-mail made no mention of trying to trade me, but I confirmed from an outside source that they were attempting to trade me. While I have not yet told the Vikings, if they do not trade me, I intend to ask the Vikings to terminate my contract."
Wednesday's events marked the latest twist in an offseason saga involving the Vikings and Culpepper, whose season came to an end Oct. 30 when he tore three ligaments in his right knee in a loss at Carolina.
Among the issues causing friction between the sides have been Culpepper's desire for more guaranteed money despite the injury and his decision to rehabilitate his injury at his Orlando, Fla., home instead of in Minnesota. Culpepper's absence from Winter Park has cost him a chance to begin digesting new coach Brad Childress' West Coast offense. The relationship between Culpepper and Childress also is believed to have gotten off to a rocky start.
Culpepper has legal issues as well. Charged with multiple misdemeanors for lewd conduct stemming from the Vikings' boat party last October on Lake Minnetonka, Culpepper is prepared to go to court to fight those allegations.
Childress, asked about Culpepper during his news conference Feb. 24 at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, was noncommittal and even left the door open that Culpepper could be released. Childress also confirmed that Culpepper's name had been brought up in trade discussions. A day later, Wilf said he planned to pay Culpepper his bonus and that the quarterback figured into the team's 2006 plans. Ultimately, it's believed Childress will make the final call.
The Vikings have attempted to gauge the interest in Culpepper among other teams, but the knee injury makes it unlikely they would get much in return. Baltimore and Miami have been mentioned as potential suitors, but the Ravens are believed to be concerned about his health and the Dolphins appear to have turned their interest to soon-to-be free agent Drew Brees.
Wilf rewarded Culpepper with nearly an $8 million raise last August in an attempt to appease the quarterback. Culpepper had signed a 10-year, $102 million contract in 2003 but it was low in guaranteed money. But when Culpepper expressed a desire on at least three occasions this offseason to secure a raise above his $8 million salary in 2006, the Vikings said no each time, according to three people with knowledge of the situation.
YOU'VE GOT MAIL -- FROM CULPEPPER
Quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who is due a $6 million bonus this month, has communicated electronically with the media in the past two months.
Culpepper looking for a way out
Daunte Culpepper, apparently angered by a recent correspondence he received from the Vikings, wants out of Minnesota.
Judd Zulgad, Star Tribune
Last update: March 09, 2006 – 5:37 AM
Printer friendly E-mail this story
Daunte Culpepper in action against the Packers on Oct. 23, 2005.
Brian Peterson, Star Tribune
Related Content
If Daunte goes, team must weigh QB alternatives
NFL owners vote to accept six-year deal
Vikings
Culpepper looking for a way out
NFL players on bubble as they wait for salary cap figures
Vikings equipped to go after top talent
Ex-Giants lineman Whittle signs with Vikings
Vikings sign offensive lineman Whittle
Daunte Culpepper, apparently angered by a recent correspondence he received from the Vikings, wants out of Minnesota.
In an e-mail sent to several media outlets Wednesday, the quarterback acknowledged for the first time that the Vikings have been shopping him and said if a trade does not happen, he wants to be released.
"Now that I have confirmed that the Vikings have been seeking to trade me, I have asked for permission to speak to the interested teams," wrote Culpepper, who fired longtime agent Mason Ashe in January and has been representing himself. "The Vikings have denied my request. If a trade does not happen, then I am asking the Vikings to terminate my contract as soon as possible."
Culpepper, in the fourth e-mail he has sent to the media since Feb. 5, added that if the team elects not to honor his request, he intends "to fulfill my contractual obligations to the Minnesota Vikings." That statement might have been included to limit the Vikings' options when it comes to disciplinary action.
The Vikings are scheduled to pay Culpepper a $6 million roster bonus this month -- the March 17 due date could be pushed back as many as seven days because of the NFL's decision to postpone the start of free agency -- but Culpepper stated his desire is freedom.
"I appreciate that the owner, Mr. [Zygi] Wilf, is willing to pay my March bonus," he wrote. "However, because of the fundamental differences I have with management regarding the approach to my personal and professional life, I think it is the best business decision for both parties to go our separate ways."
Rob Brzezinski, the Vikings' vice president of football operations, said Wednesday night he had no comment on the e-mail. "I really have nothing to say on that," said Brzezinski, who spent part of the day with Wilf in Grapevine,Texas, as they voted in a new six-year NFL labor deal.
Culpepper, who did not respond to repeated e-mails from the Star Tribune, elaborated to ESPN.
"Two days ago I got an e-mail from management that confirmed for me that they did not see me as the player or person that I see myself," Culpepper told the network. "I was shocked. It pushed me to this point [seeking a trade]. The e-mail made no mention of trying to trade me, but I confirmed from an outside source that they were attempting to trade me. While I have not yet told the Vikings, if they do not trade me, I intend to ask the Vikings to terminate my contract."
Wednesday's events marked the latest twist in an offseason saga involving the Vikings and Culpepper, whose season came to an end Oct. 30 when he tore three ligaments in his right knee in a loss at Carolina.
Among the issues causing friction between the sides have been Culpepper's desire for more guaranteed money despite the injury and his decision to rehabilitate his injury at his Orlando, Fla., home instead of in Minnesota. Culpepper's absence from Winter Park has cost him a chance to begin digesting new coach Brad Childress' West Coast offense. The relationship between Culpepper and Childress also is believed to have gotten off to a rocky start.
Culpepper has legal issues as well. Charged with multiple misdemeanors for lewd conduct stemming from the Vikings' boat party last October on Lake Minnetonka, Culpepper is prepared to go to court to fight those allegations.
Childress, asked about Culpepper during his news conference Feb. 24 at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, was noncommittal and even left the door open that Culpepper could be released. Childress also confirmed that Culpepper's name had been brought up in trade discussions. A day later, Wilf said he planned to pay Culpepper his bonus and that the quarterback figured into the team's 2006 plans. Ultimately, it's believed Childress will make the final call.
The Vikings have attempted to gauge the interest in Culpepper among other teams, but the knee injury makes it unlikely they would get much in return. Baltimore and Miami have been mentioned as potential suitors, but the Ravens are believed to be concerned about his health and the Dolphins appear to have turned their interest to soon-to-be free agent Drew Brees.
Wilf rewarded Culpepper with nearly an $8 million raise last August in an attempt to appease the quarterback. Culpepper had signed a 10-year, $102 million contract in 2003 but it was low in guaranteed money. But when Culpepper expressed a desire on at least three occasions this offseason to secure a raise above his $8 million salary in 2006, the Vikings said no each time, according to three people with knowledge of the situation.
YOU'VE GOT MAIL -- FROM CULPEPPER
Quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who is due a $6 million bonus this month, has communicated electronically with the media in the past two months.
