A league source tells us that, as widely rumored, the Jacksonville Jaguars have a strong interest in quarterback Daunte Culpepper.
Per the source, assistant head coach Mike "Meathead" Tice is pushing Culpepper hard. One guy that Tice doesn't need to persuade is head coach Jack Del Rio, who isn't fond of current starter Byron Leftwich (notwithstanding comments from Del Rio suggesting a contrary sentiment).
The problem is that V.P. of player personnel Shack Harris is torn. He likes both Culpepper and Leftwich.
Still, Harris needs to be thinking about the future. Leftwich is under contract through 2007, as is Quinn Gray. David Garrard, who likely would be the odd man out if Culpepper is acquired, is signed through 2008.
The other wild card here is Del Rio's job security. Does adding Culpepper give Del Rio another year if the team tanks in 2007? Does the presence of Culpepper give Tice a shot at being the next coach of the team if Del Rio is fired?
The bottom line here is that, if Culpepper is healthy, he's better than Leftwich, Garrard, or Gray. But no one knows how healthy Culpepper really is.
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06-11-2007, 11:39 PM
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