Is Culpepper Saban's first big mistake?
 

Consider
cons:
1. Culpepper's Int/TD ratio is not very good. Moss made it better.
2. His injury could be a long term problem - If he can't scramble as well
how effective will he really be as just a pocket passer?
3. His leadership skills have been questioned - why should that change?
4. He is known to be all about money not team.
5. Thinks he is a 10M/yr QB and is not getting paid that way.
Pros:
1. He is big and hard to bring down.
2. If he can run - he will add to Fins already good run game.
3. He has a strong arm.
4. He is probably an upgrade to Frerotte.
5. Has an 8 yr contract remaining -8M CAP this year 5M salary next - can cut after this year.
6. Knows Linehan's offensive system.

There are probably other points.

So what's your gut say?

I say its a bad move - Saban must be looking for a Rohan Davey, who did werll for him. Anyone listen to ESPN radio this week? A Minn writer was on saying the kid is immature, has constant mood swings -- one minute hes a great guy, team player and the next he's an angry tool.

Not by a long strech!
Taking the Miami job was his first big mistake.

I say it is an excellent move because of what Saban did with Rohan.


Culpepper is 1000 times more polished than Rohan ever became. This could fall directly under the category of Culpepper being a better player for one coach than for another. And while Minn. had serious RB depth, Culpepper never played with a Ronnie Brown. Further, Daunte put up sweet numbers playing in FL in school. I simply don't see Nick Saban allowing Culpepper to suck for Miami.

Time will tell.

WOA!
You are really going out on a limb there PM!

My guess is that the crucial thing about Culpepper is that he is a scrambling QB. When is the last time a scrambling QB (not just a guy who runs once in a while) won a superbowl ?? That QB style is a double-edged sword. Why would an OL block their hearts out when it probably doesn't make any difference on many of the plays ? Why would receivers really concentrate on their routes when seldom does the QB really hit them in route timing. Everythings becomes ad hoc and unpredictable. So you live and die on individual plays by the QB. Against poorer defenses, you probably win a fair number of games. Against better defenses, you probably lose more than you win. What people look at are the spectacular plays that a QB like Culpepper makes without adding up the plusses and minuses. It's strange, because there's an obvious tally - the win - loss record.

I think you have a very good point, BigMike. It looks like Saban likes the 'athletic' QB style. It can work fairly well in collegiate football but not very well at all in the NFL. I'm beginning to have serious doubts as to whether Saban 'gets' it when it comes to putting together an NFL team.

Until proven otherwise, I am no longer concerned about Miami challenging the Pats.

We will see. Culpepper can be a "force" when healthy. Time will tell. He's not a pretender QB that's for sure......

either way he's better then the schmoes they have had @ qb since Marino left.

Amen! I think Culpepper in Miami is a good shot for Saban. Can't be any worse than what they've had lately by a long shot....