| 09 September 2009
The Detroit Lions released a statement from Daunte Culepper Tuesday, who had yet to speak publicly about his "situation." The situation being he was surprisingly named the backup to millionaire rookie wonder child quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Via Lions PR:
“Now that the debate is over and the decision has been made regarding the starting quarterback in Detroit, I would like to make the following statement today so that tomorrow I can put all of my energy into helping our team prepare for our opponent."
“The reason I agreed to restructure my contract in order to stay in Detroit was because I knew that I would have a chance to have a full off-season for the first time in over three years. I also knew that I would have an opportunity to finally compete against whoever the Lions brought in whether via free agency, trade or the draft. When the Lions selected Matthew Stafford first overall I was excited. My position is that if you want to be the best you have to beat the best. Coach Schwartz gave me a fair opportunity to compete for the starting job and now the decision has been made that Matt is the best quarterback in Detroit. I support the decision and I am ready to settle into my role. Matt is a great guy and a talented young quarterback. I am confident that he will lead this team to plenty of victories in Detroit for a long time to come. I look forward to helping Matt in that mission in any way that I can this year. My role as his back-up is not to be seen unless needed and not to be heard from unless required. The Lions organization has treated me with respect and class and they can expect the same from me.”
According to Mlive's Killer Kowalski, the statement was not written by someone representing Culpepper (as noted in the comments, Culpepper is his own agent) or Lions' PR (which was my first thought), but by the man himself.
I have to say it's a classy statement from vet. Instead of complaining to the press, causing a locker room uproar and opening a schism between players who support the rookie and those behind Culpepper (which we have seen many times in the past, such as any season Wayne Fontes was coach), he puts the team first. Culpepper is supportive of Jim Schwartz, Stafford and the Lions franchise as a whole.
Everything is happiness and light! Group hug, everyone! But...(I know, I know, there's always a but...)
As nice and supportive as this is, his statement is self-serving as well. Culpepper is a smart guy, likes paychecks with several zero's in them, and would like to extend his career. He's on a one year deal, and wants to play somewhere in the NFL in 2010, or possibly for a team needing QB help later this season. The last thing Culpepper should do is make locker room waves, and label himself a troublemaker to other NFL franchises.
Even though Culpepper may not like it, as he signed with Detroit thinking he was going to reestablish his starting credentials, he is going to be a team player, and help Stafford in any way he can.
Call me a cynic, but being a team-first guy will also be good for Culpepper's future career. And there's nothing wrong with that...
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