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| Culpepper is prepared to start this weekend if he gets the call. (Photo: G. Smith) |
Head Coach Jim Schwartz addressed the local media after Friday’s practice, stating that he would not be announcing a starting quarterback until Sunday before the game.
“We’ll definitely announce it Sunday, because there’s a lot of time between now and Sunday,” he said.
If rookie 
“I think the team has confidence in all our quarterbacks: Daunte, Matt and Drew (Stanton),” he said. “All those guys did good things throughout training camp, did good things in preseason games. Confidence of the team means a lot and I think all of three of those guys have it.”
Since Stafford was announced as the starter in late August, Culpepper has not strayed from preparing 100-percent each week. He embraced his role on the team, saying through a statement he released that, “My role as his back-up is not to be seen unless needed and not to be heard from unless required.”
Now that the possibility of him starting is a definite one, Culpepper is ready to step up into that role.
“I just look at it like this: I prepare to play every week no matter what the situation is,” he said after Friday’s practice. “I still don’t know what the status of our starter (is), but, like I said, I’m preparing to play every week.”
If Culpepper starts on Sunday, everything will continue smoothly considering the familiarity the players and coaches have with him. Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan has significant experience calling plays for the veteran quarterback from time in Minnesota in addition to this year’s preseason.
“I’d call the same game, but I certainly know Daunte,” said Linehan. “So, if he were to play, obviously my background with him helps. If Matt were to play, we don’t really change anything from where we left off and I’ve had a lot of experience with Drew in different roles during the preseason. So I feel very comfortable with where we’re at.”
Wide receiver
“I’ve been practicing with Daunte all offseason and some during the season,” he said. “So the chemistry has been there. I think we’ll still hit the ground running.”
With less than 48 hours remaining until game time, Culpepper is mentally preparing himself to start, but also knows anything can happen.
“I have the same intensity mentally, but I get a few extra reps here and there,” he said. “We still have to see what happens Sunday, but for myself nothing has changed. That’s why I didn’t talk to (the media) before, because nothing changed. Still nothing has changed, so that’s my approach.”
The Lions will line up against one of the best defenses in the league on Sunday, taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers at home.
Pittsburgh is a very physical team that has been running the same defense for more than a decade. With that kind of continuity, the Steelers present a difficult challenge.
“They have great schemes, they mix it up a lot, they never do the same things play after play,” said Culpepper. “You might get a base defense this time, next time you might get some crazy, exotic blitz. They’ve been very good at it over the years; they’re good at it now.
“They’re the World Champions. So we’ve got to be on top of our game and go out and compete with these guys for 60 minutes.”
Is Culpepper chomping at the bit to get out there and play?
“Of course,” he said. “Any competitor wants to play. But, like I said, we’ll see what happens.”
