Last week, new Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan declared the quarterback competition wide open for 2009. He's still in the process of evaluating the talent currently on the roster, which may or may not mean Matt Stafford will be in the team's immediate plans. But as Burke wrote at the time, "Just because Linehan mentioned Matty Ice doesn't necessarily mean that Detroit's going to draft a QB. On the other hand, when 1+1=All the quarterbacks currently on the roster stink, it's hard to ignore Linehan's assertion."
Monday is the first day NFL teams can officially release veterans, and mlive.com's Tom Kowalksi thinks that Daunte Culpepper might avoid that fate. For now, anyway.
I was given a small indication on Friday that Culpepper will not be among the players who will be let go on Monday ... Nothing, though, was confirmed.Kowalksi goes on to point out that Lions president Tom Lewand recently said the team should be roughly $35 million under the salary cap heading into free agency. "Putting two and two together -- or subtracting $5 million from $39 million -- it's another indication that Culpepper will still be around after Monday."
In discussing the possible cuts last month, I said the Lions could carve enough cap room to get about $39 million under the salary cap -- but that included the release of Culpepper.
Free agency is a four-week process, however; a lot could change between now and then. Keeping Culpepper around for '09 is certainly one option (although some are partial to Jon Kitna for this job), but such a move wouldn't necessarily clear up the organization's draft plans.
Detroit could still select Stafford (or another quarterback later in the draft) and sit him for a season, or, as Kowalksi suggests, the Lions could take a pass on the QB position altogether this time around, go with either Culpepper or Kitna, "and then aim for a quarterback-rich draft class next season."
The real question, though: WWMMD?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-07-2009 @ 4:18PM
Taylors said...
What ever they chose to do, it will be wrong!
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2-07-2009 @ 4:58PM
bbrown920 said...
I guess I agree -Whatever they chose to do, it will be wrong!!!!
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2-07-2009 @ 7:09PM
Redskins0492 said...
I really think Drew Stanton has the tools to be a great QB. In limited playing time, he had a 100+ rating. For anyone on the lions, that's a lot
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2-07-2009 @ 7:36PM
A.J. said...
They don't really have anything to gain from taking a player at a position other than QB. Unless they pick up Andre Smith or whoever comes out looking the best at the OT position after the combine, then go after Duke Robinson at #17, I still think they'll draft Stafford.
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2-10-2009 @ 1:58PM
houchens said...
Unless they rebuild the offensive line, no quarterback is going to do well. Kitna would be a great choice with a decent line protecting him ... especially on his blind side.
The 2008 Offensive Line was exactly that ... offensive ... worst line yet! More penalties called, more blocks missed, less running yards gained than any former Lion team.
Keep the current stable of quarterbacks and give them some protection!!!! Use the rest of the draft to build a decent defensive line and bring in some additional defensive backs.
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2-15-2009 @ 1:18PM
john anderson said...
I think stick with the Qbs other than cullpepper.Big O was good and if he stuggles I would like stanton.A running QB would mean the D would have to play with Stanton taking off that would give the running game a better shot.You field 11 players the should all be used.Go To Williams and Johnson is all we heard will why have other recievers if thats what you want,its stupid.Furry led the leaque 2 yrs ago hes a very dependable player and they let him go.Standeford was the best reciever in preseason and the hardly tru his way,go to johnson again.Its no wonder the lions cant be steady.Use all your players mix it up but with the lions even I know what they are going to do.They need a stopper on d line and corners who can cover and one bruiser at guard
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