Posted on 7/27/2007 3:24:00 PM

NFL Betting 2007 – Daunte Culpepper Futures

By Tim Furious

Back in 2004, Daunte Culpepper was busy in Minnesota putting together the third best statistical season of any NFL quarterback in history. He followed that stellar season up with a seven-game season that ended with six touchdowns, twelve interceptions and a completely obliterated knee. He lasted four games in 2006 as the new quarterback of the Miami Dolphins. Obviously, he has lost a bit of cash in the past few years for his NFL betting investors, too.

Now Daunte is somewhere he never thought he would be – unemployed. Ok, yeah, it is not the same because he is still stinking rich, but you get my drift. The Dolphins released Culpepper and replaced him with Trent “Too Handsome” Green, who was shipped in through a trade with the Chiefs.

Supposedly, Culpepper’s knee is fully healed and the 6-foot-4, 265 pound beast is ready to become a force of nature in the NFL once again. So why won’t anyone give him a job? Kind of makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

The bigger tipping point is the fact that Miami’s new head coach, Cam Cameron, basically walked in to camp, took one look at Culpepper, then decided that the thirty-seven year old Green would be a better choice. That is not a great prognosis for Culpepper.

Personally, I think Daunte’s best days are behind him. He is thirty years old, and a quarterback who relied heavily on his incredible mobility. Well, that mobility is gone thanks to his bionic knee, so all he has left is his poor decision making skills and that canon for an arm that lacks any semblance of a guidance system.

Still, teams are always willing to be stupid and try and lure an experienced veteran like Culpepper to their ranks. There are plenty of teams that could use a solid backup just in case something unfortunate happens to their starter. Here are some likely destinations and NFL odds for the maligned Culpepper.

Tampa Bay Bucs (+700)

Gruden is essentially collecting quarterbacks and Culpepper has already visited with Tampa to discuss a role. Gruden may not be sold completely on Garcia running his offense and could be desperate enough to sign Daunte sometime soon.

Cleveland Browns (+800)

Cleveland has Brady Quinn, but he may not be ready. There is no better way to take the pressure off of Quinn than by bringing in Daunte Culpepper as some kind of ‘big hope’. The problem is that Culpepper is not mentor material.

Minnesota Vikings (+2500)

No chance in hell.

Washington Redskins (+3000)

Culpepper does not want to be a mentor, but with Dan Snyder’s bottomless, alligator-skin-lined pockets signing checks, there is a possibility of him ending up in DC. Snyder and the Redskins are notorious for making stupid decisions.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+250)

Worth a look because Mike Tice is part of the coaching staff, and the Jags have mega confusion and concern at the position. If Culpepper can convince the Jags he can return to form, they will jump at the chance to insert him in the place Leftwhich or Garrard.

Atlanta Falcons (+200)

Though the team stated that they have no interest in Daunte Culpepper, they have to be rethinking their stance now that Vick is certainly not playing in 2007. Harrington is garbage and even McKay is not dumb enough to bank on him. The Falcons are a very likely destination.

Daunte’s misfortune can turn in to your personal fortune, if you can bet your money right. The smart money is sitting in Jacksonville and Atlanta, while Washington is an intriguing long shot. Check the NFL betting Futures in the BetUS.com sportsbook.

With 2007 NFL games still a ways away, we at the BetUS.com sportsbook will keep your interest high throughout the NFL offseason with the most exciting and innovative NFL props and NFL futures on the online sports betting market. In the Sportsbook in the Future / Props section, you will see NFL Futures, Specials and Week One NFL Lines for all your favorite NFL teams.