Former Pro Bowl QB Daunte Culpepper Retires

MIAMI — Daunte Culpepper summed up his
thoughts Thursday in two words, ushering in a new era for the former
Pro Bowl quarterback.

"Farewell NFL," he wrote.

Culpepper, who starred for the Minnesota Vikings before a major knee
injury in 2005 curtailed his career, announced his retirement in an
e-mail Thursday morning, saying he's simply grown tired of fighting for
one more opportunity.

He tried to resuscitate his career with Miami in 2006 and Oakland
last season, struggling in both of those stops, and wasn't in training
camp with any teams this year.

"Since I was not given a fair chance to come in and compete for a
job, I would rather move on and win in other arenas of life," Culpepper
said.

Notes

• The NFL has decided to recognize WR Chad Johnson's legal name change to Chad Ocho Cinco. The new name will be on the back of his Bengals uniform for the season opener.

• Browns LB Antwan Peek ruptured his right patellar tendon while running during a workout Wednesday, ending his season. Cleveland will re-sign Shantee Orr, who was waived last week, to fill Peek's roster spot.

• Despite a torn ligament in his right knee, Colts C Jeff Saturday is not planning on surgery. He will instead continue rehab work amid hopes for a quick return.

• Bills LB Angelo Crowell was placed on
season-ending injured reserve in a surprise move that came after the
player elected to have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. It's not
clear whether Crowell had surgery before the Bills placed him on IR,
and the team did not disclose the nature of the injury.

• For the first time since the 2005 Super Bowl, Tom Brady
was not listed on a Patriots practice participation or injury report on
Thursday, a sign that he is ready to start Sunday's season opener. The
quarterback missed all four of New England's exhibition games with a
foot injury.