Culpepper will not be denied!

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 12/15/2004

 

This NFL season, we have heard much, and rightfully so, about the great year that Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning is having, that he is closing in on Dan Marino’s NFL mark of 48 touchdown passes in one season.

Manning threw number 47 in the Indianapolis Colts 20-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens Sunday night in the” Dennis Green Bowl.” Two former Vikings coordinators under Green, Tony Dungy and Brian Billick, matched up in a game with historical and playoff ramifications.

Despite being sacked five times on Sunday, Daunte Culpepper threw three touchdown passes for 404 yards to help the Vikings snap a two-game losing streak with a 28-27 win at Detroit.

With Green Bay losing at home to Jacksonville 28-25, both teams are now 8-6, setting up a winner-take-all match-up this Friday, Christmas Eve, with a playoff and Division title on the line at the Metrodome.

Culpepper tied Randall Cunningham’s Vikings team record with his 34th touchdown pass of the season. Culpepper also becomes only the second Vikings quarterback in franchise history to pass for more than 4,000 yards in one season.

Warren Moon did it twice: once in 1994, when he set the Vikings team passing record of 4,264 yards, and again in 1995, when Moon threw for 4,228 yards. Culpepper currently has thrown for 4,133 yards to lead all NFL quarterbacks, including Manning with two games left.

If he’s healthy, Culpepper will smash Moon’s record; he tied Randall Cunningham’s 1998 team record of 34 TD passes in one season. With two games left, that’s another record that will be his alone.

Just think how many touchdown passes he would have if Randy Moss had not injured his hamstring and missed five games. He would likely be right there with Manning. 

Culpepper is completing 70 percent of his passes, which also leads the NFL. When you consider the large number of injuries the Vikings have had this season along the offensive line, Culpepper is having one of the greatest seasons in NFL history.

Cunningham was the NFL’s MVP in 1998 when he led the Vikings to a 15-1 record and the NFC Championship game. It’s important to reach the playoffs, which the Vikings have not done since Green left.

It’s all for the taking between the Vikings and Packers. If Green Bay wins, they clinch the NFC North for the third year in a row by virtue of their previous 34-31 win at Green Bay. They have already clinched a playoff spot. A Vikings win would earn a playoff spot for them, but not the NFC North.

Fitz Notes & Quotes

Vikings owner Red McCombs has an option clause in third-year Head Coach Mike Tice’s contract that he could execute by January 1 at $1 million per year. The Vikings finish the regular season on the road at Washington, January 2. What will Red do? Go to www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.

Cardinals first-year receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. grabbed his 50th reception of the year Sunday; it was for a touchdown in Arizona’s 31-7 win over St. Louis. Fitzgerald is the Cardinals leading receiver with 51 receptions for 674 yards and six touchdowns.

Timberwolves star and NBA MVP Kevin Garnett is the top-paid player in the league at $28 million per year. Shaquille O’Neal of the Miami Heat is number two at $26.5 million, and Rasheed Wallace of Detroit is number three at $16.9 million per year.

The average NBA ticket is now $44.50, and the value of each NBA team is up to $300 million. In 1984, the net value of NBA franchises was just $15 million.

Catch the Arizona Cardinals’ leading receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, Jr., on “Wheel of Fortune” Friday, January 7, with proceeds to benefit the Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund.