Daunte Culpepper

Daunte Culpepper (born January 28, 1977 in Ocala, Florida) is an American football player and currently is the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. Culpepper was drafted by the Vikings in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft (11th overall) out of the University of Central Florida. Aside from great arm strength, his quickness and large build (6'4" and 260 lb (118 kg)) are considered a great advantage at his position, allowing him to avoid tackles while passing or running.

NFL Career

Daunte was drafted in the 1st round (11th overall) by the Minnesota Vikings in 1999, but saw limited playing time and did not throw a pass in his first year. He was often compared to the other noteworthy quarterback drafted in 1999, Donovan McNabb.

Related Topics:
Minnesota Vikings - 1999 - Donovan McNabb

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2000, he was named the starting quarterback. He won the first seven games of the year, and helped the Vikings finish 11-5 and lead the Vikings to the NFC Championship game, where they were routed by the New York Giants, 41-0. During the season he passed for 3937 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. He also rushed for 470 yards and seven touchdowns. At the end of the year he was selected to his first Pro Bowl.

Related Topics:
2000 - New York Giants - Pro Bowl

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Daunte struggled over the next two years, 2001 and 2002, while the Vikings were 5-11 in 2001 and 6-10 in 2002.

Related Topics:
2001 - 2002

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Culpepper made a comeback in 2003, leading to Vikings to a 9-7 record, although they missed the playoffs. He passed for 3479 yards, 25 touchdowns, and only 11 interceptions, which helped him earn his second trip to the Pro Bowl.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2004, if not for Peyton Manning, Daunte would have been named NFL MVP. He enjoyed his best statistical season as a professional and though the Vikings were only 8-8, they reached the playoffs for the second time with Culpepper. Passing for a league-leading 4717 yards, and Viking-record 39 touchdowns, and only 11 interceptions. Culpepper was named to his third career Pro Bowl. Culpepper also broke Dan Marino's NFL record for combined passing and rushing yards, amassing 5,123 total yards.

Related Topics:
2004 - Peyton Manning - Dan Marino

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His first two games of the 2005 season were a disappointment, as the Vikings went 0-2 while Culpepper threw no touchdown passes, eight interceptions, and fumbled twice, but Culpepper rebounded in the third week, Throwing for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns while beating the New Orleans Saints 33-16 at home. But in week 4 the Vikings stumbled again as Daunte threw 2 interceptions and lost a fumble in Atlanta, where they lost 30-10.

Related Topics:
2005 - New Orleans Saints

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~