Going through the notebook at the end of the week on the eve of Miller Bud Lite Time ...

Lions coach Jim Schwartz was asked this week about Daunte Culpepper, his veteran backup and a guy Minnesotans are a little familiar with. Culpepper lost the battle for the starting QB job in Detroit to No. 1 overall draft pick Matthew Stafford.

Culpepper really didn't have a chance. It was a close battle, but all ties or near ties or just about anything goes usually goes in the favor of the kid making $41.7 million guaranteed.

Without prompting, Schwartz said he thinks Culpepper will be back in the league somewhere as a starter. Culpepper's contract with the Lions is up after this season.

Here's what Schwartz said:

"I don't know that there's a player on the team or even in the league that I respect more than Daunte Culpepper. From what he's gone through in his career, being on the top and then having a major injury and then sort of bouncing around to being almost out of the league to coming back the way he did speaks to what kind of man he is and speaks to what kind of pride he has.

"Hhe was too heavy last year. He knows that. It gave a bad impression of him. He wanted to put that behind him. He lost over 30 pounds in the offseason. He showed tremendous commitment. He's been incredibly upbeat. He's healthy again.

"I think we've all seen a lot of rebirths at quarterback. The Kurt Warners, the Kerry Collins, Rich Gannon, there's been a million of them. I think when it's all said and done, Daunte Culpepper will be there with those guys. He's going to be a starting quarterback in this league. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him back leading a team again."

The one thing Warner, Collins and other QBs who have come back from the career death bed have that Culpepper doesn't have is a good agent. Culpepper insists on representing himself.

Judging by how Culpepper got himself back in shape, he's serious about playing football again. He definitely could be one of those guys who ends up like Collins or even Warner in the right situation. But he needs someone to help direct him to the right situation.

Heading to Detroit tomorrow. I wouldn't be terribly shocked to see the Lions win, but I don't think they'll get within two touchdowns. The Vikings are too strong, and their running game gets stronger in the second half, which usually kills a weak team like the Lions or Browns.

My pick: Vikings 21-7.