Jake's Retired . . . We Think
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 2, 2007 06:56 PM
Trying to track down Jake Plummer is a lot like trying to catch a fly in midair while wearing oven mitts. I tried both recently - one because I was bored, the other because the boss suggested it - and trust me, both are nearly impossible.
Plummer's agent didn't return calls. One of Plummer's good friends said he had not heard from the former Arizona State, Cardinals and Broncos quarterback in months. His high school coach ran into him a while back, but the conversation was short and yielded little new information.
This much we know about Plummer: He's back in his home state of Idaho, hanging out with friends and family, playing in a lot of handball tournaments and either is about to get married or recently did, to a former Broncos cheerleader.
Plummer seems to have retired from the NFL, even though he apparently has not filed the necessary paperwork with the league or the players' union.
"I'm looking forward to hearing back from him, too," Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Bruce Allen said. "All I can tell you is I believe Jake when he says he's retired, but I also remain hopeful he will reconsider."
The Broncos, after having anointed Jay Cutler as their starting quarterback, traded Plummer to the Buccaneers in March for a conditional pick in next year's draft. But a week after it happened, Plummer called an audible and said he was walking away from a 10-year NFL career that seemed to have so much potential.
Like things often played out on the field for Plummer, this will end in confusion and controversy.
Everyone always pointed the finger at Plummer, and a lot of times he pointed one back - at his teammates, his coaches, the media and fans. He even used his middle finger on occasion to emphasize the point. But if you look at his passing stats and compare his 10 years to Broncos Hall of Famer John Elway's first 10 NFL seasons, you might be mildly surprised.
"Look, he's been a starting quarterback for four years of high school, four years of college and 10 years in the NFL," Plummer's good friend told me. "That's a long time and a lot of pressure for a guy. Can you really blame him for wanting to walk away?
"He's doing what anyone of us would want to do - just relaxing and living life. What's wrong with that?"
Absolutely nothing. If Jake is through with football, good for him. It's his life, his decision. In a small way, he's echoing Pat Tillman's spirit and, like his late, great friend, doing what he needs to do for himself and not anybody else.
Tillman's death in Afghanistan changed Plummer forever. That's why he can walk away from a guaranteed salary of more than $5 million this year. It's why he probably doesn't care all that much if the Buccaneers and the Broncos collectively come after him for nearly $7 million in signing bonuses that are part of the three years and $16 million he has remaining on his contract.
"We respect the player," Allen said. "We'll see if we can't come to a meeting of the minds."
If Plummer stays true to his word, the issue likely would be decided by an arbitrator. The process could take months. Allen said he and coach Jon Gruden want Plummer to play, even though the Buccaneers already have a new starter in Jeff Garcia.
"My feeling is that Jake is still one of the better quarterbacks in this league, and having him, along with Jeff, would be a nice problem for us to have," Allen said.
Don't bet on it. Steve Vogel, Plummer's coach at Capital High in Boise, Idaho, said he ran into the quarterback this year and said Plummer said he is finished.
Maybe Plummer just had enough and wanted to spend time with his girlfriend, brothers and at charitable events where he always has tried to help kids.
"That's the beauty of Jake," the friend said. "It wouldn't surprise me if the next time you saw him, he had short hair and a long beard or long hair and a ponytail. You just never know with him, and I love that about him."
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