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Imagining Daunte in Tampa Bay
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Location: Blogs The Sports Blog |
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| Posted by: Gregory Broome |
7/19/2007 6:53 PM |
On the face of it, Daunte Culpepper with the Buccaneers doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But things that don't make sense have worked before, and the potential for it to work here exists.
The story is in its infancy as of this writing, but the St. Petersburg Times reported Thursday evening that Culpepper, the Ocala native and Vanguard graduate, met with coach Jon Gruden and other Bucs decision makers as Tampa International Airport on Thursday, and the team subsequently confirmed the meeting. The developing story had a cloak-and-dagger feel that I appreciated, complete with a discreet airport meeting. I'm still waiting to read the name "Carmen Sandiego" in an update.
So that was certainly fun, but thinking about the possibilities of Daunte in Tampa is even moreso. The upshot of the now-confirmed meeting is that the Bucs see value in adding Daunte to their stable of damaged-goods quarterbacks, and that's interesting to consider.
Culpepper's talent and resume indicate that he could, if healthy, compete for a starting job just about anywhere outside of Indianapolis, Cincinnati, New England and a handful of other places. One of those places he could absolutely, undoubtedly compete for the top job is Tampa Bay.
Charitably put, the Bucs have an abundance of options at quarterback. Put more frankly, their QB depth chart starts at No. 2. Every guy on the roster is an ideal backup.
Chris Simms gets something of a pass after being injured last year, but he has yet to show the capacity to consistently lead a team, and odds are he never will. Plus, Gruden clearly isn't sold on him, having first brought in Jeff Garcia and now showing interest in Daunte.
Garcia played well in the absence of the injured Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia, but Tampa offers few of the advantages, such as a solid offensive line and a game-breaking running back, that the situation in Philadelphia afforded. I don't have a problem predicting that Garcia can't keep up his late-2006 production for a whole year. He's also 37 years old.
Bruce Gradkowski got his chance last year and did nothing with it. He can't be long for Tampa.
Jake Plummer wants to retire, and that would probably be best for all parties.
So if Daunte signs on, he'll enter a three-horse race with Simms and Garcia, with Simms already trailing. In short, Daunte will have to beat out Garcia in camp.
The logical step at this point is to compare the two, but that's nearly impossible given Daunte's situation. 100-percent Daunte is not only the starter, but an All-Pro. 90-percent Daunte should win the job handily. 80 percent or below Daunte would find himself in a backup role or, at best, a platoon with Garcia.
Daunte's got the edge in arm strength, age and upside, but Garcia's got mobility and momentum. Garcia wants to prove he's still a starter in the NFL; Daunte wants to prove his career isn't over.
This is why sports is so much fun. One will succeed, one will fail, the unexpected is the only thing guaranteed to happen. It will be awesome to watch.
For what it's worth, here's my prediction. Garcia starts week one. Daunte gets some preseason snaps, shows he can escape a pass rush, and gradually improves his condition over the season. He gets a couple starts when Garcia falters mid-year - Gruden's pursuit says to me that he'll give Daunte every chance to succeed - and plays well but not fantastic as the Bucs just miss the playoffs. He enters 2008 as the incumbent starter. |
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