Why is Daunte Culpepper upset he didn get the start?”
Veteran Daunte Culpepper was not pleased that the Lions started rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford in Thursday’s 34-12 loss to Green Bay. Stafford did not practice Tuesday, the only real practice before the game, and was listed as doubtful on the injury report. But the Lions decided to go with him before the game. Culpepper sat on the bench instead of warming up at first. He and general manager Martin Mayhew had an animated conversation. They shook hands, and Culpepper eventually took the field. “He did some other warm-ups,” coach Jim Schwartz said. “He was upset, sure.” Culpepper lost the quarterback competition with Stafford before the season. He started two games while Stafford was out with a right knee injury. His last was Oct. 18 at Green Bay, a 26-0 loss in which he went 6-for-14 for 48 yards with an interception and left with a hamstring pull. After the game, Culpepper walked past reporters asking for interviews. Mayhew declined to comment. “We had a nationally televised game,”
Stafford did not practice Tuesday, the only real practice before the game, and was listed as doubtful on the injury report. But the Lions decided to go with him before the game. Culpepper sat on the bench instead of warming up at first. He and general manager Martin Mayhew had an animated conversation. They shook hands, and Culpepper eventually took the field.
