Facebook Twitter Mobile alerts

Home | Sports | Access Vikings

Continued: Culpepper says he'd consider backup role with Pack

GREEN BAY, Wis. - If the Green Bay Packers change their mind about having two rookies back up quarterback Aaron Rodgers this season, veteran free agent Daunte Culpepper is willing to listen.

"I have not heard from the Packers since before the draft," Culpepper said in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Thursday night. "My ears are definitely opened to listen if they need a proven backup for Aaron."

Culpepper visited the Packers in April, after Brett Favre's original retirement, but left without a deal in place. He continues talking to other teams, but so far hasn't received the response he is hoping for.

"I am talking," Culpepper said. "I am just not convinced that the teams are listening."

Culpepper, 31, was a standout quarterback for Green Bay's division rival, Minnesota, before he sustained a major knee injury in 2005. He played in four games for Miami in 2006 and seven with the Oakland Raiders last season.

The Packers drafted a pair of rookies, Louisville's Brian Brohm and LSU's Matt Flynn, in April. Rodgers took over as the starter — and stayed there, even after Favre unretired and was traded to the New York Jets.

Brohm generally has outperformed Flynn in practice and Flynn has been better in the Packers' preseason games, but neither may be far enough along to be considered a viable backup at this point in their careers.

After both struggled against the Tennessee Titans' No. 1 defense in the first half of the Packers' 23-21 loss in Thursday night's preseason finale at Lambeau Field, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he was comfortable with his quarterback situation.

"I'm going to say it for about the 100th time, it takes time, OK?" McCarthy said. "It takes time to develop young quarterbacks, and that's where we are. I'm excited about their future, but we've got work to do."

But McCarthy seemed to leave the door open to the possibility of the team adding a veteran backup.

"Those are all options," McCarthy said.

Flynn threw a pair of touchdown passes in the second half and nearly tied the game after narrowly missing a potential two-point conversion pass at the end of regulation. Brohm had a potential second-half touchdown called back on an instant replay review.

Brohm said the Packers are fine with the quarterbacks they have.

"I don't think we need to bring in a veteran backup because I think all three of us are ready to go," Brohm said.

Recent Access Vikings stories

Winfield is doubtful, but reports progress - August 29, 2008
Winfield is doubtful, but reports progress - Antoine Winfield said he made significant progress in practice this week, but the Vikings cornerback was listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Seattle because of a right foot injury. More

Comment on this story   |   Read all 13 comments   |  Hide reader comments

Subscribe

Win tickets and gear: This week’s prize is 2 tickets to the Dec. 13 Vikings vs. Cincinnati game. Enter now!

Play Upick’em: Join our weekly contest. It’s fun and free, and you can win prizes. Play now!

Meet Grand Prize winner Kay and her friends! Plus view all entries from our Fanatical Football Fan contest! Go now!

see all StarTribune.com contests >>


Date/Opponent Time W L Score
Sep 13 - at Cleveland 12:00 PM1034-20
Sep 20 - at Detroit 12:00 PM2027-13
Sep 27 - vs. San Francisco 12:00 PM3027-24
Oct 5 - vs. Green Bay 7:30 PM4030-23
Oct 11 - at St. Louis 12:00 PM5038-10
Oct 18 - vs. Baltimore 12:00 PM6033-31
Oct 25 - at Pittsburgh 12:00 PM6117-27
Nov 1 - at Green Bay 3:15 PM7138-26
Open     
Nov 15 - vs. Detroit 12:00 PM8127-10
Nov 22 - vs. Seattle 12:00 PM9135-9
Nov 29 - vs. Chicago 3:15 PM   
Dec 6 - at Arizona 7:20 PM   
Dec 13 - vs. Cincinnati 12:00 PM   
Dec 20 - at Carolina 7:20 PM   
Dec 28 - at Chicago 7:30 PM   
Jan 3 - vs. NY Giants 12:00 PM   

© 2009 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.

Contact UsAbout UsTerms of Service
Privacy PolicyMember CenterAdvertise

Powered by Clickability