Coach Jim Schwartz picks Daunte Culpepper as Lions' starting quarterback to open preseason
by Tom Kowalski
ALLEN PARK - Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz has named Daunte Culpepper as the starting quarterback for Saturday's preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field.
Just moments after making the announcement, Schwartz said it really doesn't mean anything.
Culpepper and rookie first-round pick Matthew Stafford are in a battle for the starting quarterback job and Schwartz said that Stafford would likely get the start next week against the Browns in Cleveland.
And what about the third preseason game? Will the starter of that game give us a clue as to who will start in the regular season?
"We've got a lot of ground between now and the third (game). Don't try to play that game, don't try to read too much into it because, honestly, there's nothing there,'' Schwartz said.
As for Saturday's game, Culpepper will likely go into the second quarter with Stafford replacing him. Stafford will play into the second half with Drew Stanton finishing out. As for how long each player would go, Schwartz didn't want to be nailed down.
"We don't have an exact number of plays or an exact number of series or an exact number of throws. We'll just play it by ear,'' he said.