MANKATO, Minn. (AP) A few minutes before the Minnesota Vikings were scheduled to report to training camp, Daunte Culpepper cruised into the parking lot driving a burnt orange Ferrari.
The next day, Culpepper was asked what he thought would run more smoothly his offense or his flashy sports car?
A huge grin crept across his face.
''On offense, I think this is the best team I've been on since I've been here,'' Culpepper said. ''I'm very excited about it, about what we can do.''
Culpepper is coming off a bit of a renaissance if there is such a thing for a 27-year-old.
After signing a 10-year contract extension last year, he threw 25 touchdown passes, just 11 interceptions and posted a passer rating of 96.4 third-highest in the league.
Though his 16 fumbles remained a concern, he lost only six and played in the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2000 his first season as a starter.
''I've still got my head to the grinding board,'' Culpepper said. ''I want to get better every day.''
Coach Mike Tice is pleased with Culpepper's progress in directing the running game and getting the ball out of his hands more quickly, which is one way to remedy all those fumbles. Culpepper had, in Tice's words, a ''very cerebral'' offseason.
''I just look forward to him continuing to mature as a man and as a football player and as a leader,'' Tice said. ''There's not any one thing he has to do better. He just needs to continue to take his game up, and with his work ethic and how he understands our offense he will.''
One of Culpepper's biggest hurdles has been blocking out criticism from those passionate Vikings' fans who lost faith in him in 2002, when Culpepper led the league with 32 turnovers (23 interceptions).
When Culpepper broke bones in his lower back in the third game of last season, Gus Frerotte took over and did well in relief. Skeptics called for a permanent change, but that wasn't considered by the team.
''It was kind of difficult, because you're in a crazy spot,'' Frerotte said. ''But then again, as a quarterback you can't worry about what people say.''
With constant advice from Frerotte and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, Culpepper is bent on guiding Minnesota to its first playoff appearance since 2000. Continuing to minimize turnovers is a good place to start.
''If I can do that ... if we can cut down our sacks,'' Culpepper said, ''that can give us more possessions, more time with the ball.''
The next day, Culpepper was asked what he thought would run more smoothly his offense or his flashy sports car?
A huge grin crept across his face.
''On offense, I think this is the best team I've been on since I've been here,'' Culpepper said. ''I'm very excited about it, about what we can do.''
Culpepper is coming off a bit of a renaissance if there is such a thing for a 27-year-old.
After signing a 10-year contract extension last year, he threw 25 touchdown passes, just 11 interceptions and posted a passer rating of 96.4 third-highest in the league.
Though his 16 fumbles remained a concern, he lost only six and played in the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2000 his first season as a starter.
''I've still got my head to the grinding board,'' Culpepper said. ''I want to get better every day.''
Coach Mike Tice is pleased with Culpepper's progress in directing the running game and getting the ball out of his hands more quickly, which is one way to remedy all those fumbles. Culpepper had, in Tice's words, a ''very cerebral'' offseason.
''I just look forward to him continuing to mature as a man and as a football player and as a leader,'' Tice said. ''There's not any one thing he has to do better. He just needs to continue to take his game up, and with his work ethic and how he understands our offense he will.''
One of Culpepper's biggest hurdles has been blocking out criticism from those passionate Vikings' fans who lost faith in him in 2002, when Culpepper led the league with 32 turnovers (23 interceptions).
When Culpepper broke bones in his lower back in the third game of last season, Gus Frerotte took over and did well in relief. Skeptics called for a permanent change, but that wasn't considered by the team.
''It was kind of difficult, because you're in a crazy spot,'' Frerotte said. ''But then again, as a quarterback you can't worry about what people say.''
With constant advice from Frerotte and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, Culpepper is bent on guiding Minnesota to its first playoff appearance since 2000. Continuing to minimize turnovers is a good place to start.
''If I can do that ... if we can cut down our sacks,'' Culpepper said, ''that can give us more possessions, more time with the ball.''
