Philadelphia – Daunte Culpepper has had a respectable 51 of his passes caught in the first two games. The problem is, eight of those have been to guys on the other team. And it’s those eight interceptions – and zero touchdown throws – that have Culpepper owners sizing up the drop from the Ben Franklin Bridge to the water below.
Matt Pooler, who is in a 12-team league in South Philadelphia, voices a popular sentiment among fantasy players.
“Is he killing me? I would say so. I figured I got a steal with Culpepper at the 21st pick, and then I lose my first game by a half-point,” Pooler said.
Culpepper went much higher in many leagues, so at 21, Pooler seemingly did get a good deal. But with no real running game to speak of, a season-ending injury to Matt Birk, the starting center and glue of the offensive line, and an injury this week to Nate Burleson, Culpepper’s top wide receiver, the Vikings’ offense suddenly looks barren.
Where have you gone, Randy Moss? Burleson was the projected No. 1 receiver coming out of camp, but he has made six catches and has a knee sprain that has him doubtful for Sunday’s favorable matchup against visiting New Orleans.
“I’ll start Culpepper for the next couple weeks and hope he breaks out of this funk,” Pooler said. “But I really think that without Moss, Culpepper is an average quarterback. I wish I would have thought that on draft night.”
Questions, questions
Sorting out a few of the popular queries found in the e-mail bin (fantasyfootball@phillynews.com):
Q. Should J.J. Arrington be dropped?
A. A lot of people are dropping him, but I’d give him two more weeks. The Cardinals are at Seattle this week and host San Francisco next. If Arrington isn’t the vital part of the offense that he was supposed to be coming out of training camp, dump him.
In the meantime, though, grab Arizona’s Marcel Shipp as insurance and keep an eye on Minnesota’s Michael Bennett. The Cardinals reportedly are trying to trade for Bennett, a player Arizona coach Dennis Green knows well from his days in Minnesota.
Q. Is Quentin Griffin worth adding?
A. No. Mike Anderson is going to start and Ron Dayne will back him up. Griffin was re-signed by Denver only as insurance for Tatum Bell and doesn’t warrant a fantasy spot.
Q. Should I be worried about Curtis Martin?
A. Yes. Not only does the Jets’ running back have a bruised knee, but coach Herm Edwards has vowed to lighten his workload. Also, New York is entering a brutal five-game stretch of its schedule that includes trips to Baltimore, Buffalo and Atlanta followed by its bye. Keep tabs on Derrick Blaylock, Martin’s backup, as a possible pickup in November.
Three up
Buccaneers running back Carnell Williams at Packers: Williams’ owners can resume breathing. He shed the protective boot he wore Monday in time to practice Thursday.
Chargers’ defense vs. Giants: An interesting welcome should await New York quarterback Eli Manning, who spurned the Chargers’ franchise two years ago. San Diego is a decent option for those whose regular defenses (namely Baltimore and Washington) have a bye.
Saints wide receiver Donte Stallworth at Vikings: One more good game will start a run of Stallworth pickups. Beat everyone to the punch and even consider playing him this week because of the appealing matchup. One note, however: Because of an injury to Michael Lewis, Stallworth will be the primary punt returner, at least this week.
