After such a letdown last year, they go on and do this: http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/clayton_john/1551537.html Culpepper's deal includes $16M in guarantees Vikings owner Red McCombs resolved one of the biggest personnel questions facing the franchise Friday by signing quarterback Daunte Culpepper to a 10-year, $102 million contract extension that included $16 million in guarantees. Culpepper was entering the final year of his contract and would have been a free agent at the end of the season. For months, Culpepper's agent, Mason Ashe, has been in quiet negotiations with McCombs. Progress of those talks were so quiet that most of the people in the Vikings front office didn't know that the two sides were coming close to a deal. Ashe was at the Vikings morning practice when word started to spread that Culpepper had reached agreement on a new contract. After the practice, Culpepper went into the office and signed the contract. Breakdowns of the guaranteed portion of the contract weren't available. Culpepper, 26, has been one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL. A first-round choice in 1999, Culpepper became a starter in his second year. He's been 21-22 as a starter. His best season was his first as a starter in 2000 when he threw for 33 touchdown passes and went to the Pro Bowl. Last year, he completed 333 of 549 passes for 3,853 yards and 18 touchdowns.
I think their trade of Todd Bouman (for a friggin 6th rounder) was questionable as well. The guy, when given the chance to start (granted, way back in 2001), threw for 348 yards and 4 TDs in one of the 3 games he's ever started. A fluke? Maybe, but he's got to be better than Gus Frerotte, who was recently signed to backup Culpepper. Veteran presence, my ass... From the Sporting News on Bouman: May 9, 2003 - 9:08 a.m. Bouman still has a lot to learn in the complex West Coast system, but his mobility and rocket right arm opened the eyes of coaches and teammates at the recent minicamp. Bouman’s strikes had so much zip on them they tore threw a brand new pair of receiver’s gloves used by Donte Stallworth on the second day of workouts.
