Culpepper looks good in first practice

Nov 5, 2008 - 11:01 PM ALLEN PARK, Michigan (Ticker) -- Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli on Wednesday said Daunte Culpepper looked "solid" in his first practice but was non-committal as to whether his new acquisition would start Sunday.

The Lions signed Culpepper to a two-year contract Tuesday.

With Jon Kitna out for the season with a back injury and backup Dan Orlovsky nursing a sprained thumb, Marinelli's choices to start Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars are either Culpepper or second-year quarterback Drew Stanton.

"I think it's going to play out as the week goes," Marinelli said. "We've just got to see the progress throughout the week and make a decision from there."

Marinelli would not disclose how reps were divided among Culpepper and Stanton in Wednesday's practice, but he clearly liked what he saw from the two-time Pro Bowler.

"He (has) come in and hit it very hard and worked at it and (he's) read solid," Marinelli said. "Same thing he did last week when he came around; great arm-strength and feet."

Asked if he's confident that Culpepper could start in Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Marinelli said, "I'm not going to comment on all that."

Culpepper, 31, announced his retirement in September after unsuccessfully trying to find work throughout the offseason. He spent last year with the Oakland Raiders and the 2006 campaign with the Miami Dolphins.

A first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 1999, Culpepper enjoyed his most success with that franchise, teaming up with star wideout Randy Moss for 53 touchdown passes from 2000-04.

During those five seasons, Culpepper was third in the league in touchdown passes (129), third in passing yards (18,598) and third in passing rating (93.2).

A severe knee injury in 2005 ended Culpepper's season after seven games, and the quarterback never regained his previous form.