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On Culpepper, World Series Weather And Hossa...
I know it just doesn’t sound right that the Lions are interested in signing quarterback Daunte Culpepper to a multi-year deal, but I do think it might be a wise move if:
A) Culpepper is healthy. He was a terrific player before he hurt his knee. Has the time off healed that knee? Can he still run nearly as well as he did before the injury? In his early 30s, he still should be able to - if his knee is fully healed. Don’t think it was when he played for the Raiders and Dolphins.
B) If he is in good shape. Culpepper tends to gain too much weight for a QB. Has he slimmed down?
C) The Lions pay him reasonably. A couple million per year and a decent signing bonus is OK. But the Lions would be foolish to pay him really big money.
The Lions need depth at QB. Putting all their eggs in Drew Stanton is not the right move. They need to find out what he can do, but they also need a solid Plan B. They have none. Culpepper would provide it if the above questions are answered. Remember, Kerry Collins is the QB for the NFL’s last unbeaten team.
Random Thoughts
- I’d like to see baseball shorten its schedule to 154 games, play more doubleheaders, start the postseason at least a week earlier and play seven games divisional series. Then end it by mid-October. When you are playing baseball this late in October, you get what you deserve weather-wise. It was ridiculous in 2006 in St. Louis and it’s ridiculous this year in Philadelphia.
- I knew Marian Hossa was good. Everybody did. But I didn’t realize he was this good. He makes NHL defensemen seem like beer leaguers.
A) Culpepper is healthy. He was a terrific player before he hurt his knee. Has the time off healed that knee? Can he still run nearly as well as he did before the injury? In his early 30s, he still should be able to - if his knee is fully healed. Don’t think it was when he played for the Raiders and Dolphins.
B) If he is in good shape. Culpepper tends to gain too much weight for a QB. Has he slimmed down?
C) The Lions pay him reasonably. A couple million per year and a decent signing bonus is OK. But the Lions would be foolish to pay him really big money.
The Lions need depth at QB. Putting all their eggs in Drew Stanton is not the right move. They need to find out what he can do, but they also need a solid Plan B. They have none. Culpepper would provide it if the above questions are answered. Remember, Kerry Collins is the QB for the NFL’s last unbeaten team.
Random Thoughts
- I’d like to see baseball shorten its schedule to 154 games, play more doubleheaders, start the postseason at least a week earlier and play seven games divisional series. Then end it by mid-October. When you are playing baseball this late in October, you get what you deserve weather-wise. It was ridiculous in 2006 in St. Louis and it’s ridiculous this year in Philadelphia.
- I knew Marian Hossa was good. Everybody did. But I didn’t realize he was this good. He makes NHL defensemen seem like beer leaguers.
posted by Pat Caputo at
12:43 PM
11 Comments:
Pat,
I would rather that the season stay as long as it is, but that they actually play in the rain and the snow. I have never understood why baseball cannot be played in inclement weather. It seems to be the only sport that doesn't. Soccer, Lacross, and Football are all played in rain and snow. (I can't think of any other outdoor sports.) I know I have done it.
-Marty
Question: Does this weather delay favor the Phillies or the Rays?
For Marty, I think what Pat is trying to get at is that we dont want bad weather to influnce the last series of the season, and yes other sports have to play in this weather but baseball is typically a summer sport and bad fall/winter weather Phillys is experiencing should not influence the performance of the players, which could ultimatly effect the outcome of the game. Do you think that the Ray's would have scored that tying run if it wasn't raining so hard? I don't.
Book,
I agree with you on the prospect of signing Cullpepper. I would like to add a D) to your list of reasons to sign him - although I think he must be desperate to come to the Lions.
D) Experince that can be used as Cullpepper winds down to have a once-successful quarterback mentor - either directly or indirectly - Drew Stanton or any draft pick QB (and there damned well better be one) we get next year.
Like Kenny Rogers coming on board and influencing Verlander and Bonderman.
Keep the baseball season 162 games long. And in fact I would suggest outlawing domes. I hate domes. I do like the idea of more double-headers though.
Although 162 games was a bit too much to watch of this years Tigers.
I agree Hossa is amazing - and he is still getting better.
I am very interested in this years Pistons - under Curry. What do you see for this season Pat?
Great to hear / read / see ya - you're still the Book.
I agree Pat playing 154 game season to prevent baseball going too far into the fall. How many star players played more than 154 games anyway? World Series should have been done two weeks ago. Baseball is different in chilly temperatures than 80 degree weather. The season could start in the last week of March if they still want to play 162 games. Weather is an issue and isn't World Series games more important then the first 10 games of the season? The Northern teams could play in the South or Dome for the first 10 days. Teams goes on a 10 day road trip anyway, why do the road trip in Jun/July/Aug. Why not start the road trip in last week in March and 1st week of April.
Marty,
I think the mud and water is the biggest factor. Ground balls going through puddles in the outfield. Players looking up in the sky in the rain to track such a small object like a baseball. You can't put pebbles on a baseball to make it easier to grip, like a football. Wooden bats don't react well to extreme cold. If you have your best showcase, why have it under extreme weather conditions?
Caputo
j-thug,
I can't tell who has the advantage. I just know what happened in Philly isn't normal or just - regardless of who won. Felt the same way a couple years ago in St. Louis covering the series. Players sitting around hurry to wait to play the biggest games of their lives just make sense.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
Michael Curry is a no-nonsense guy and that is what the Pistons seem to need. The thing is, when are we going to know if the Pistons have it. You know they will do well in the regular season. Curry's test will come during the playoffs. How does he match up with the other team - that type of thing.
Caputo
Marty,
There are enough warm weather-dome teams they could start the season in all those places at the end of March. Baseball doesn't do that consistency - and it drives me mad.
Caputo
Pat,
I have heard that argument on occasion - start the games a week earlier at stadiums in warm weather, or domes. It does make sense.
Since we are on baseball, I still wonder what happened to Boston's commitment to pay Renteria's buyout. I read again today that the Tigers would need to pay that, but I remember reading multiple times that Boston was on the hook for it back when they dealt him to Atlanta. Do you know what happened by any chance?
-Marty
Marty,
I don't know, off the top of my head. But I will try to find out at some point. If I do, I will drop a line in the blog about it.
Caputo
Thanks Pat!
I appreciate it!
-Marty
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