Blake is ready to lift Cards out of Jake's shadow
Dan Bickley
The Arizona Republic
May. 12, 2003 12:00 AM
In Denver, a sports columnist has seen the future.
The wacky Woody Paige predicts an unbeaten season for the Broncos. He says the mere presence of Jake Plummer will "mean three or four more victories."
Take a moment to laugh, cry or hoist your jaw off the ground.
Either way, Jeff Blake couldn't care less.
"Plummer's gone," he said. "It's Blake time now."
Welcome to one of the most interesting plots of an unborn season, the Golden Boy starting over in Elway country and this overshadowed journeyman staking a claim in Arizona. And if you're one of the many who have grown numb from Plummer's awkward mix of magic and immaturity, you're in for a refreshing change.
After all these years, Blake still has an enormous chip on his shoulder. He owns the rage of a man who knows the system hasn't been kind. He's had good numbers and great seasons and, hey, no one's ever given him a $15 million bonus.
This is the central difference between the two. Plummer is a fighter who was given every advantage. Blake is a fighter who has been given nothing. I'll take the latter every time.
"It's because I was never supposed to make it," Blake says.
It's early, but the Cardinals' brass love what they see in Blake. His attitude is great. His deep ball is inspiring. And he's already challenged his core group of young receivers to seize the day.
"That's what a leader does," Blake said. "Look at my track record. When I got to Cincinnati in 1994, nobody knew who Carl Pickens was. When I got to New Orleans in 2000, nobody knew who Joe Horn was.
"I didn't have a star receiver then, and I don't have one now. But I will. Someone will step forward."
If that kind of bravado seems strange, get used to it. Blake guarantees an exciting offense. He says his deep passes will bring fans out of their seats.
And then there's his rationale for why he and Emmitt Smith will lift a stagnant offense to new heights.
"You know, the brothers have just a little more flavor," he said.
Take a moment to laugh, but there is something substantial in Blake. With previous stints in Cincinnati and New Orleans, he has completed the NFL's Bermuda Triangle. But all the turbulence that comes with bad organizations has taught him a key lesson, one that will come in handy inside the Cardinals' locker room.
"Players play the game, owners don't," Blake said. "In New Orleans, Tom Benson had a bad reputation, and we said, 'To hell with that, we don't have time to be dealing with him. We've got win football games.'
"We took it upon ourselves to go out and play and stop making excuses for ourselves. And that's the attitude we have to implement here."
Back in Denver, they love what they see, too. Plummer has met twice with Broncos legend John Elway. He told Paige that he's "never been part of such tough off-season workouts." He described the difference in workplace by simply stating that it's a "completely different world in Denver."
Here in Arizona, we're OK with Plummer's newfound nirvana. We offer condolences for those who view No. 16 as a ticket to 16-0.
Either way, Blake couldn't care less.
"It's a new day," he said.
"It's my team now."
Dan Bickley
The Arizona Republic
May. 12, 2003 12:00 AM
In Denver, a sports columnist has seen the future.
The wacky Woody Paige predicts an unbeaten season for the Broncos. He says the mere presence of Jake Plummer will "mean three or four more victories."
Take a moment to laugh, cry or hoist your jaw off the ground.
Either way, Jeff Blake couldn't care less.
"Plummer's gone," he said. "It's Blake time now."
Welcome to one of the most interesting plots of an unborn season, the Golden Boy starting over in Elway country and this overshadowed journeyman staking a claim in Arizona. And if you're one of the many who have grown numb from Plummer's awkward mix of magic and immaturity, you're in for a refreshing change.
After all these years, Blake still has an enormous chip on his shoulder. He owns the rage of a man who knows the system hasn't been kind. He's had good numbers and great seasons and, hey, no one's ever given him a $15 million bonus.
This is the central difference between the two. Plummer is a fighter who was given every advantage. Blake is a fighter who has been given nothing. I'll take the latter every time.
"It's because I was never supposed to make it," Blake says.
It's early, but the Cardinals' brass love what they see in Blake. His attitude is great. His deep ball is inspiring. And he's already challenged his core group of young receivers to seize the day.
"That's what a leader does," Blake said. "Look at my track record. When I got to Cincinnati in 1994, nobody knew who Carl Pickens was. When I got to New Orleans in 2000, nobody knew who Joe Horn was.
"I didn't have a star receiver then, and I don't have one now. But I will. Someone will step forward."
If that kind of bravado seems strange, get used to it. Blake guarantees an exciting offense. He says his deep passes will bring fans out of their seats.
And then there's his rationale for why he and Emmitt Smith will lift a stagnant offense to new heights.
"You know, the brothers have just a little more flavor," he said.
Take a moment to laugh, but there is something substantial in Blake. With previous stints in Cincinnati and New Orleans, he has completed the NFL's Bermuda Triangle. But all the turbulence that comes with bad organizations has taught him a key lesson, one that will come in handy inside the Cardinals' locker room.
"Players play the game, owners don't," Blake said. "In New Orleans, Tom Benson had a bad reputation, and we said, 'To hell with that, we don't have time to be dealing with him. We've got win football games.'
"We took it upon ourselves to go out and play and stop making excuses for ourselves. And that's the attitude we have to implement here."
Back in Denver, they love what they see, too. Plummer has met twice with Broncos legend John Elway. He told Paige that he's "never been part of such tough off-season workouts." He described the difference in workplace by simply stating that it's a "completely different world in Denver."
Here in Arizona, we're OK with Plummer's newfound nirvana. We offer condolences for those who view No. 16 as a ticket to 16-0.
Either way, Blake couldn't care less.
"It's a new day," he said.
"It's my team now."
