Post by 50yardfan on Aug 17, 2011 11:12:33 GMT -5
www.sacbee.com/2011/08/17/3843001/phone-rings-but-qb-queries-on.html
Dennis Green says his phone is constantly ringing.
A steady stream of agents and players are calling the Mountain Lions' coach and general manager asking if Daunte Culpepper will return to Sacramento for the upcoming United Football League season.
Green says he doesn't know because Culpepper has yet to sign with the Mountain Lions and hasn't signed with the 49ers after a workout Monday in Santa Clara.
"We've got some guys that are asking themselves right now, 'Do I want to be a backup or do I want to play?' " Green said. "Daunte is like everyone else, he's just looking for the right situation."
But is carrying a clipboard as the 49ers' third-string quarterback the right situation for Culpepper? At 34, he's trying to prove he still has the arm and his knee is fine. There's more money to be made in the NFL, but third string is not exactly a prime spot to showcase a quarterback's skills.
"I don't see it like that at all," said Green, who coached Culpepper when both were with the Minnesota Vikings. "When (Daunte) is healthy, the NFL knows who he is and what he's capable of."
Green wouldn't divulge the names of quarterbacks interested in Sacramento's starting quarterback job if Culpepper returns to the NFL.
He said again that he was happy with the two quarterbacks he already has under contract in Arkelon Hall (Memphis) and Adam Tafralis (San Jose State). Both have yet to play for the Mountain Lions or in the UFL.
Hall last played in June for the West Texas Roughnecks of the Indoor Football League. Tafralis was cut in April by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.
Green did pick up six new players Monday when the UFL held a dispersal draft of Hartford Colonial players. The Colonials folded last week in a cost-saving move by the UFL.
The Mountain Lions selected second in each round and picked up offensive guard Kurt Quarterman, safety John Busing, defensive tackles Jonas Seawright and Greg Peterson, tight end Jeff Cottam and cornerback Manny Collins.
Each player was already under contract with the Colonials, Green said.
"It's a good group, and these (players) can help us immediately," Green said. "Most of them played against us last year, so we were familiar with them and what they could do. We're excited for those guys. They love to play football and want to play at the highest level."
Training camp opens Aug. 26 at Natomas High School. The Mountain Lions open the season Sept. 17 against the Las Vegas Locomotives at Sacramento State's Hornet Stadium.
Dennis Green says his phone is constantly ringing.
A steady stream of agents and players are calling the Mountain Lions' coach and general manager asking if Daunte Culpepper will return to Sacramento for the upcoming United Football League season.
Green says he doesn't know because Culpepper has yet to sign with the Mountain Lions and hasn't signed with the 49ers after a workout Monday in Santa Clara.
"We've got some guys that are asking themselves right now, 'Do I want to be a backup or do I want to play?' " Green said. "Daunte is like everyone else, he's just looking for the right situation."
But is carrying a clipboard as the 49ers' third-string quarterback the right situation for Culpepper? At 34, he's trying to prove he still has the arm and his knee is fine. There's more money to be made in the NFL, but third string is not exactly a prime spot to showcase a quarterback's skills.
"I don't see it like that at all," said Green, who coached Culpepper when both were with the Minnesota Vikings. "When (Daunte) is healthy, the NFL knows who he is and what he's capable of."
Green wouldn't divulge the names of quarterbacks interested in Sacramento's starting quarterback job if Culpepper returns to the NFL.
He said again that he was happy with the two quarterbacks he already has under contract in Arkelon Hall (Memphis) and Adam Tafralis (San Jose State). Both have yet to play for the Mountain Lions or in the UFL.
Hall last played in June for the West Texas Roughnecks of the Indoor Football League. Tafralis was cut in April by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.
Green did pick up six new players Monday when the UFL held a dispersal draft of Hartford Colonial players. The Colonials folded last week in a cost-saving move by the UFL.
The Mountain Lions selected second in each round and picked up offensive guard Kurt Quarterman, safety John Busing, defensive tackles Jonas Seawright and Greg Peterson, tight end Jeff Cottam and cornerback Manny Collins.
Each player was already under contract with the Colonials, Green said.
"It's a good group, and these (players) can help us immediately," Green said. "Most of them played against us last year, so we were familiar with them and what they could do. We're excited for those guys. They love to play football and want to play at the highest level."
Training camp opens Aug. 26 at Natomas High School. The Mountain Lions open the season Sept. 17 against the Las Vegas Locomotives at Sacramento State's Hornet Stadium.