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Monday, September 23
 
Tice downplays Culpepper's outburst

ESPN.com news services

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Vikings are 0-3 for the first time in 35 years. So it's not really surprising that they are frustrated.

Randy Moss
Moss

Daunte Culpepper
Culpepper

Daunte Culpepper's frustrations were very visible early in the fourth quarter during Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Panthers. He hopped and yelled at Randy Moss on the sideline after a third-down pass eluded Moss and resulted in an interception. Culpepper threw a career-high four interceptions in the loss.

The Vikings had just 250 total yards and turned the ball over five times. Culpepper was 19-of-30 for 191 yards.

"Daunte just wants to win, just like any guy in his profession,'' said Moss, who had four catches for 16 yards. "I think he's just very frustrated that we're sitting right now at 0-3.''

Though Culpepper, Moss and now-retired wide receiver Cris Carter had their share of shouting matches on the sideline last year, head coach Mike Tice didn't think this was a big deal.

"I have faith in Daunte. He is a kid who wants to do well,'' Tice said. "Hey, I yell, too. I doesn't mean that I don't love my guys. We are competitive people by nature.''

The display, captured by TV cameras, occurred with six minutes remaining in the third quarter. Culpepper threw his third interception of the game on a ball tipped by Moss into the hands of Panthers safety Deon Grant.

Culpepper walked off the field and past Moss, who was standing next to Tice. Culpepper was about to throw his helmet to the ground when he turned and moved toward Moss, yelling and gesturing before Tice sent him to the bench.

Moss, Culpepper and Tice discussed the incident after the game. Moss and Culpepper are close friends. Culpepper did not talk about the incident after the game.




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AUDIO/VIDEO
Video
 Overstated
Vikings players and coaches downplay Sunday's confrontation between Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss.
Standard | Cable Modem

 Shouting Match
Randy Moss attributes his sideline blow-up with Daunte Culpepper to the pair's extreme competitive nature.
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 Mending Minnesota
ESPN's Dennis Green examines what the Vikings need to do in order to move forward.
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 Tony Kornheiser Show
ESPN's Sean Salisbury sounds off on Randy Moss' lack of effort in Minnesota.
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