Day: February 28, 2006

      Culpepper still in Vikings’ plans

      February 28, 2006 /

      I’m not sure why, but the Minnesota Vikings plan to keep Daunte Culpepper around for a while.

      Vikings owner Zygi Wilf told reporters Saturday at the NFL scouting combine that the team planned to pay Culpepper a $6 million roster bonus he is scheduled to receive March 17, the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press both reported.

      When he was asked if Culpepper figures in the team’s 2006 plans, Wilf said “That is our plan, yes. Always was.”

      The best thing that happened to the Vikings last season was Culpepper’s injury. He was dreadful in the first seven games, passing for only six touchdowns against 12 interceptions. What’s worse, the team got off to a 2-5 start under his guidance. It seemed like he really missed the presence of Randy Moss, who left in the team in the offseason. Brad Johnson took Culpepper’s place and led the team to a 7-2 record down the stretch.

      I suspect the Vikings are going to regret not moving Culpepper this offseason. He’s not a very accurate passer and would probably do better in Arizona or Oakland where he can just throw the ball up and let talented receivers like Moss and Larry Fitzgerald go up and get it.

      NFL

      Texans might trade top draft pick

      February 28, 2006 /

      It seemed like a lock once the season was done. The Texans gave QB David Carr a three-year contract extension and said they were planning to select USC RB Reggie Bush with the first overall pick. But it appears that they are reconsidering.

      Texans general manager Charley Casserly said Sunday the Texans have been talking to teams about possibly trading the first pick in the 2006 draft.

      “There’s clearly players at the top of this draft that are marquee players,” Casserly said. “Players that are impact players, players that are going to go to the Pro Bowl, players that are going to sell tickets. We’re going to get offers for this pick. We’ve already had discussions with teams. I think there’s value in our pick.

      I think Reggie Bush is a phenomenal talent, but I’m not sure he’s an every down back that you expect to get with the #1 pick. If the Texans want to use him in the same way that the Eagles use Brian Westbrook, he’d be worth the first pick, but they do have a very capable back in Domanick Davis and have a ton of other holes to fill. Trading down might be the smart move.

      NFL, NFL Draft

      It’s never too early

      February 28, 2006 /

      The NBA season is just past its halfway mark and there are a number of teams that have stopped thinking about the playoffs and have started thinking about the NBA draft [Insider subscription required]. Overall, this year’s crop of players is considered weak, and there isn’t a clear cut #1 pick.

      For now, there seems to be a consensus on the top three, and they’re all underclassmen. Connecticut’s Rudy Gay is a long, athletic small forward who has good range on his jumper. I’ve seen him play a couple of times and, thus far, he seems a bit soft. He floats around the perimeter and doesn’t seem to have much of a midrange game. He also doesn’t seem very intense, which is a problem when you start talking about taking someone with the #1 pick.

      Gonzaga’s Adam Morrison is the sentimental favorite for a lot of (white) fans. He has a Larry Bird quality about him and is a fierce competitor. He has a ton of range on his jumpshot and has an excellent midrange game. His only weakness is his athleticism, and it is more apparent on defense. This is only going to get worse at the next level as he’ll be playing small forward in the NBA.

      The third player is LaMarcus Aldridge of Texas. He’s going to be a power forward in the NBA and has a good offensive game, both facing the basket and with his back to it. The only knock on him at this point is that he’ll need to add muscle to his frame.

      With this much uncertainty over the best player in the draft, it will likely come down to which team wins the lottery. That team will probably draft the player that best fits their needs.

      I say “proabably” because there is no telling what the Blazers or the Hawks would do. (Last year, they both passed on Chris Paul to take small forward projects.)

      NBA

      © 2026 The Scores Report – The National Sports Blog

      Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑