National Football League

Preseason points: Daunte should get nod

Published Aug. 31, 2009 5:58 p.m. ET

foxsports

Point 1: Culpeppper should get nod in Detroit

After Saturday's narrow 18-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts, the Detroit Lions should award the starter's job to Daunte Culpepper.

The veteran got the start against the Colts on Sunday and completed 7 of 12 throws for 67 yards and a touchdown during first-half action. Meanwhile, rookie Matthew Stafford posted nice numbers as well, completing 13 of 19 for 160 yards. But he threw an interception and no touchdown passes during his stint.

But that's not why I'd give the starter's role to Culpepper.

If you take a look at what both quarterbacks have accomplished so far during the first half of the Lions' games — when first- or at least second-string talent is on the field working against them — Culpepper has completed 16 out of 24 passes (66.7 percent), has one touchdown pass, and hasn't thrown an interception. Meanwhile, Stafford has completed 16 out of 31 throws (51.6 percent), has been intercepted twice, and hasn't thrown for a touchdown when on the field during the first 15 minutes of action.

One area where the rookie has overshadowed the veteran has been his ability to complete big passes. In the first half of all three games, he's completed at least one pass that picked up a minimum of 34 yards for the offense. Meanwhile, Culpepper hasn't completed a pass for more than 20 yards.

While opposing defenses might be able to play more aggressively against Culpepper if they assume he won't hurt them deep, naming him as the team's starter — at least for the early portion of the season — still makes more sense for the Lions.

New head coach Jim Schwartz needs to make a statement as early as possible that this Detroit Lions team is not the hapless punching bag that they were in 2008.