Raiders sign Culpepper for one year

NAPA VALLEY, Calif., July 31 (UPI) -- The Oakland Raiders signed free-agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper on Tuesday to a one-year contract.

Culpepper, 30, will give the Raiders a backup option for No. 1 overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell, who has yet to sign a contract.

Culpepper worked out earlier Tuesday before a private gathering of Raiders scouts and coaches.

Culpepper began the 2006 season as the Miami Dolphins' starter. Plagued by injury problems, he was sacked 21 times in the first four games of the season. The Dolphins benched him and eventually placed him on injured reserve.

The Dolphins acquired Trent Green in a trade with Kansas City in the off-season. After failing to trade Culpepper, Miami released him July 17.

Over nine seasons in the NFL, all but one with Minnesota, he has played in 85 games (84 starts) and has completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 21,091 yards with 137 touchdowns and 89 interceptions. Also, he has gained 2,496 running yards with 30 touchdowns.