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Vikings QB
Daunte Culpepper
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We asked our panel of experts which players were the most pleasant surprises in the
first half of the 2000 season. Comments were made anonymously.
1. QB Daunte Culpepper / Vikings — "He has been a plus and not a minus
and has been a lot further along than anyone felt. His poise and accuracy are a lot better
than I felt they would be, he does not panic, and Moss and Carter are so good that he does
not have to read coverages very well to be effective."
2. QB Jay Fiedler / Dolphins — "I never felt he would ever be anything
more than a No. 2 or No. 3 quarterback, and while he has not been a star, he has been
efficient, he’s managed the team well and generally did what they asked him to
do."
3. CB Kevin Mathis / Saints – "The Cowboys felt he was way too small
and could not cover. However, he has played really well for the Saints this year and is a
big reason for their success."
"I will tell you one thing — he is playing a lot better than the guys the
Cowboys have starting across from Ryan McNeil (Phillippi Sparks and Kareem
Larrimore)."
4. DE Marco Coleman / Redskins — "Averaged five sacks a year for his
first eight years without missing a game, and this year he was leading the NFC in sacks
(through Week Six) and has been a legitimate difference-maker at times."
5. FS Darren Sharper / Packers — "Last year he was a big liability, a
guy you looked to pick on, and this year he may be playing as well as anyone on their
defense."
6. P Hunter Smith / Colts — "Last year he was their biggest negative,
and now he is kicking like a Pro Bowl candidate."
7. DE Eric Hicks / Chiefs — "In college, he was not even a full-time
player for an awful Maryland team, and now he is one of the better starting defensive ends
in the NFL and on pace to get double-digit sacks." (Editor’s note: Hicks may
miss another month due to a sprained knee.)
8. DE Trace Armstrong / Dolphins — "You expect him to get some sacks,
but just not this many."
9. QB Rich Gannon / Raiders — "I always felt he was what Fiedler has
become, at best, but right now he is playing like an MVP candidate, finding ways to help
his team win."
Others mentioned — Chad Lewis, Eagles; Mike Anderson, Broncos; Richie Anderson,
Jets; Tiki Barber, Giants; Lamar Smith, Dolphins; Leslie Shepherd, Dolphins; Micah Knorr,
Cowboys; Randall Cunningham, Cowboys; Bryant Westbrook, Lions. |
