EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Scene 1: The Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minn., Oct. 27. Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper is standing at the podium after his best game of the season. He had just completed 22-of-29 passes in a controlled outing that had everybody raving.

	Culpepper

There were no turnovers, several good decisions.

"I went to bed every night last week saying I would not force the ball," Culpepper says. "I would not turn the ball over and give up chances. (Or) put us in bad situations not to win the game. That is one thing I have been harping on myself about."

Scene 2: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla., Nov. 3. Culpepper is surrounded by reporters, trying to explain what had just happened. The Vikings, down 24 points in the first half, had pulled within two scores in the second. They had just scored and pulled off a successful onside kick. On the next play, near midfield, Culpepper drops back, looks, feels pressure, tries to force a pass. Seconds later Buccaneers defensive tackle Warren Sapp celebrated an interception.

"I should have thrown the ball away, out of bounds," Culpepper says. "Or taken the sack. ... (I was) trying to do too much."

Some lessons are harder to learn than others. But Culpepper is still trying. The Vikings made it to the halfway point in their season with the No. 2-ranked offense in the NFL. An undermanned, but scrappy line has blocked well enough to help the running game, which has been effective against nearly every team the Vikings have faced. They are near the top of the NFL in rushing yards per game and in rushing average. They are putting up loads of passing yards, converting on third downs and making first downs. But the Vikings are 2-7, and turnovers are a big reason.

The Vikings lead the league with 24 turnovers. Of those, Culpepper is responsible for 19 of them. They include 14 interceptions, five lost fumbles. Few teams have committed more turnovers than Culpepper. He has thrown at least one interception in six of eight games, two or more five times. Much of the trouble Culpepper encounters is because he finds it so difficult to give up on a play. So that begs the question: Are the Vikings ready to give up on him?

The short answer: No. Head coach Mike Tice laughed at the notion of a quarterback controversy last week.

"If you're trying to start a quarterback controversy, there is none," he said. "Daunte is going to start. At a certain point we can't continue to make critical errors. We'll do what's necessary to eliminate those, and that's really all I'd like to say on the subject."

Does that sound like equivocation? The Vikings do not view backup Todd Bouman as a long-term solution to the frustrating growing pains Culpepper is experiencing. But Bouman did enter in the third quarter and finished the game against the Giants in Week 10. Tice was noncommittal when pressed to name a Week 11 starter -- Culpepper was not. "I'm still the quarterback," said Culpepper, later named as the Week 11 starter against Green Bay. "It's like in baseball when a relief pitcher comes in. That's how I look at it."

	“	Things haven't happened the way we've wanted them to so far this year. But the year is not over. I'm still the same person inside. I still have the same passion for the game and I still love it. I'm going to do what I can do turn this thing around. ”
		— Daunte Culpepper

At some point, something has to break. The Vikings just hope what's broken is Culpepper's habit of trying to do too much. The Vikings want him to play with aggression. But they don't want Culpepper trying to do too much. It's like walking on a balance beam.

"Yes, it is a fine line," Culpepper said. "It is a very fine line, but I have confidence in myself. That's what really matters. I know that I can get the job done."

He has worked very hard to do just that. He has become the student of the game Tice asked him to become during the offseason. He studies hard, watches a lot of film. In postgame film sessions he's quick to be accountable when he's made mistakes.

"That's always an ongoing process for any quarterback, just trying to do too much," Culpepper said. "A guy like myself wants to make a play and be the difference, but the thing is, I have to keep saying to myself is, 'Do what I can, and take what they give us.' "

And if nothing is there? Stop taking chances. Culpepper is learning that lesson, but in fits and starts. Two seasons ago Culpepper stepped in as a second-year player and first-time starter, and played his way to the Pro Bowl.

"Things haven't happened the way we've wanted them to so far this year," he said. "But the year is not over. I'm still the same person inside. I still have the same passion for the game and I still love it. I'm going to do what I can do turn this thing around."

Kent Youngblood covers the Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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