Boomer said:The difference between the 2 injuries is that Brees has a middle range arm, that could be seriously affected by the injury and could force a premature retirement because of the lack of arm strength.
Culpepper's injury doesn't affect what is already a great arm. Now clearly a multiple knee knacker which is what he suffered, will effect his ability to run, to slide the pocket, to plant and make him susceptible to hits. Same thing happened to Marino. You could argue that he wasn't the same player after the knee injury. Now, things medically have moved on dramatically since Danny's injury. You only have to look at Coral Gables and Willis McGahee to see that.
But like you say, you have to weigh up, in a pretty strong draft in areas of Miami need - CB, LB, OL especially - whether we could handle giving up the 2 for Culpepper, when you could get a Pro Bowl starter in Brees essentially for free?
On pure talent, I'm going with Culpepper. If I get a Pro Bowl passer who is healthy and I don't have to give away the 51st pick, then I take Brees.
But we don't know health or will we when we must make a decision.
So Drew risk, weak arm with 2nd rounder
Or Culpepper knee risk and clearly won't be able to play until mid season at best and lose a 2nd rounder. Who do you roll the dice on?
I thought drew had an above average arm (no cannon but no Jay Fiedler either)