Another Buc QB?

Jon Gruden, who already has seven, talks to Daunte Culpepper.

By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
Published July 20, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [AP photo] Quarterback Daunte Culpepper, leaving a Dolphins minicamp workout in June, is looking for work and Bucs coach Jon Gruden is almost always ready to hire another throwing hand.

TAMPA - Jon Gruden feels the need for another quarterback.

Would eight be enough?

The Bucs coach met Thursday with free agent Daunte Culpepper, the team confirmed.

Although the Bucs did not comment on the meeting, it's believed to have occurred at the corporate hangar at Tampa International Airport. Also greeting Culpepper were general manager Bruce Allen and Doug Williams, the team's senior pro personnel assistant.

Culpepper, 30, played just four games last season, in which he was sacked 21 times, for the Dolphins before succumbing to complications from knee surgery and was released Tuesday.

The Ocala native played college football just up the road at Central Florida.

The Bucs already have seven quarterbacks on the roster: Jeff Garcia, Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski, Luke McCown, Jake Plummer, Bruce Eugene and Zac Taylor.

Garcia has been declared the starter while Simms has struggled to regain his form since surgery in September to remove his spleen. Plummer has announced his intentions to retire, and the Bucs have not convinced him to reconsider.

The meeting with Culpepper came one week before the Bucs report to training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista. The team denied reports that Culpepper worked out Thursday.

Culpepper, who serves as his own agent, could not be reached for comment. He became expendable when the Dolphins completed a trade with the Chiefs for Trent Green on June 6.

The Dolphins, who acquired Culpepper from the Vikings before the 2006 season, did not allow him to participate in team drills. And with his grievance scheduled to be heard Wednesday, the Dolphins chose to cut ties.

And upon being released, Culpepper said he was eager to find a new team.

"Now that I have won my freedom and I get to choose my next team, I am just like many other people who have to go out and find employment so that I can take care of my family," he said in an e-mail.

It's uncertain where Culpepper, 6 feet 4, 235 pounds, would fit on the depth chart. If he signed, most likely, Simms, 26, would be the odd man out.

There are still several questions surrounding Culpepper, starting with his health. He has spent 21 months rehabbing after tearing three of four ligaments in his right knee during a game in 2005.

The other is salary. Culpepper was due to earn $5.5-million this season, although his value has dropped dramatically after two teams have given up on him.

But in 2004, Culpepper had one of the best seasons in NFL history. He threw for 4,717 yards and 39 touchdowns with the Vikings. In 84 games as a starter, Culpepper has completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 21,091 yards and 137 touchdowns.

The Bucs could have competition for Culpepper. Jacksonville has informed its quarterbacks of its interest, and former Vikings coach Mike Tice is on the Jags staff.

St. Louis also could be another landing spot because quarterback Marc Bulger will be a free agent after this season and coach Scott Linehan was the Vikings and Dolphins offensive coordinator.

"I just hope that there is still a team or two out there that has an opportunity for a hardworking quarterback who is willing to come in and contribute wherever needed," Culpepper said Tuesday.

[Last modified July 20, 2007, 00:37:30]