Jake Plummer was one win from the Super Bowl

[CardShark]

I would say the #1 "factor" is 1998.

I've always been a big Plummer fan since the Pittsburgh game where Jake scrambled, was clobbered by a Pitt defender at the sideline, bounced off and completed a pass for a first down.

That's an example of how Jake tried to elevate this team to the next level. He always fought to find ways to get this team to win. He was to the QB position as what Larry Centers was to the RB position and Aneas Williams was to the CB position and Eric Swann was to the NT position and Q is now to the WR position for the Cardinals. Too bad the first four didn't have the same commitment and support that Boldin appears to be getting now. Good thing Boldin is getting it now.

 

[Russ Smith]

Of course Montana and Young were pocket passers.

I don't know where Jake did his offseason conditioning.
I'l bet you anything he watched game film, maybe not to the extenet that he does in Denver.
Jake offered to take less money if it meant keeping his playoff team together and Bill Bidwill Jr. told him no.

So what if he works harder in Denver! It's what they expect of him. The Cards didn't. Everyone was always talking about how this had been a country club atmosphere until Dennis Green got here. Jake was in a system that didn't expect players to work hard on conditioning in the offseason. As Jake talked to other players in the league about how they did things, he tried to bring those things here.
.

Steve Young was a pocket passer? Over 4000 yards rushing in his career as a pocket passer huh? Guess who taught Young how to go from being a scrambling QB to a real QB, Shanahan. Montana was great in the pocket but he was just as good outside of the pocket, more of a throw on the run guy than a runner. Shanahan got the moving the pocket thing from Walsh, he just has tweaked it and has a much better run game than Walsh EVER had. He took the WCO and tweaked it, it's a very different system in Denver than it was in SF. You're acting like what Shanahan has done could have been done by any coach in any situation. Shanahan said it in SF, Young succeeded because hehadn't succeeded in Tampa and he was willing to admit he didn't know everything and listened. Jake was in the same situation, failed here, finally admitted he didn't know everything and put in the effort to get better.

Again, don't just say Jake tried to bring things here he got from other players, give examples. Tell us(me) what Jake tried to do and how it didn't work because the organization was cheap.

Here's a quote from a Denver writer who interviewed Gary Kubiak during the first minicamp Jake was in Denver in 2003.


"This will be a different, improved Jake Plummer because he now is smart enough and mature enough not to waste the gifts he has been handed. It has taken him this long in the NFL to grow up. He's finally ready for the firm structure erected by Shanahan, the extraordinary demands and unrelenting scrutiny he will face. At the same time, Shanahan, a man of great fire, already has had his spirit fueled by Plummer's ingratiating ways. And the lure of unpredictability has a way of captivating even the most disciplined of coaches."

Even Denver knew what they had, a talented guy who had not been particularly coachable in Arizona. It wasn't ALL Jake's fault but to say nobody coached him here is wrong too, 3 different OC's lost their job trying to.

 

[Sandan]

I've said before that I can't totally blame Jake for being a slacker here because the organization was a complete joke.

Yes you can.

If you are a professional, the only thing thing you can control is that you should give 100%. Thay way you can try yto be part of the solution. TJ and Jake were part ofthe problem.

Just look at Q, Larry etc, they seem to want to be part of the solution.

note: I don't blame a guy who gets out beacuse even after giving it his all it never changes but TJ and Jake never did that as with a number previous Cardinals players.

 

[duckfallas]

He finally matched his Arizona playoff wins in Denver.

No, I don't think they can win. As good as Denver is, they're not as good as Pittsburgh or Indy--especially Indy AT Indy.

Denver will beat Pitt next week. Bank on it.

The Snake is going to the bowl in a season where he honors Tillman. Pretty cool if you ask me.

 

[Stout]

Denver will beat Pitt next week. Bank on it.

The Snake is going to the bowl in a season where he honors Tillman. Pretty cool if you ask me.

Or not. We're talking about the guy who threw a LEFT-HANDED INT while being blitzed, and we're talking about Pittsburgh's blitz package on defense. Denver will lose to the Steelers. Bank on it.

 

[ajcardfan]

Or not. We're talking about the guy who threw a LEFT-HANDED INT while being blitzed, and we're talking about Pittsburgh's blitz package on defense. Denver will lose to the Steelers. Bank on it.

I don't think so. No one has run the table on the road in the playoffs.

 

[Zeno]

I don't think so. No one has run the table on the road in the playoffs.

There was once a point when no Wild Card team won the Super Bowl...that changed, whats to say a road team winning won't?

 

[Russ Smith]

I don't think so. No one has run the table on the road in the playoffs.

That and SHanahan learned from Bill Walsh how to take a safety like Polamalu out of the game. Remember when SF beat Denver 55-10 in the 89 SuperBowl the key to the game was SF forced Steve Atwater to cover someone instead of just blitzing and playing run support. Walsh was still very much involved even though Seifert was the coach and Shanahan was on Denver's bench as the QB coach. SF kept putting Brent Jones in motion so that Atwater had to follow him and then Rice went nuts downfield because Atwater was out of position. It was the key to the game I remember the announcers showing over and over how they used Atwater's aggressiveness against Denver.

Denver did the same thing to LeRoy Butler and Green Bay one year in the Superbowl, split Sharpe out in the slot so Butler couldn't line up in the middle of the field.

He doesn't have Sharpe, or Brent Jones(not to mention Jerry Rice) but I fully expect him to devise a way to either exploit Polamalu's blitzing, or make it impossible for him to do it.

I want to see a Denver/Carolina Superbowl so we can see Bailey on Smith.

 

[ajcardfan]

There was once a point when no Wild Card team won the Super Bowl...that changed, whats to say a road team winning won't?

The Steelers can win. It wouldn't be much of an upset, at all, if they did. Here's why I lean towards Denver.

1) They are very confident after beating New England.

2) They are at least twice as good in Denver than they are on the road.

3) Pittsburgh has to gear up another huge effort and that is just tough to do three weeks in a row on the road with all the travel and stuff.

 

[Pariah]

Denver will beat Pitt next week. Bank on it.

Uh, no. I'm not willing to bank on it just yet. I think you'll see a short passing game from pittsburgh that will take away the effectiveness of Denver's pass rush with a sprinkling of Willie Parker up the middle and Denver will have a lot of points scored on them.

I also think the Pittsburgh defense will bring so much pressure on Jake that we'll see enough glimpses of the Jake of old (not a lot, but enough) that he'll be said to have had a bad game--probably despite throwing for about 225 and a TD or two.

I'm not saying it's a lock that Pittsburgh will win; Denver is very, very hard place to play. But, I like their chances.

 

[RedRob]

Jake's weak arm...b.s.

If anyone ever got to see the QB challenge that Jake participated in multiple times he consistently out threw many QB's who are considered to have "big arms."

The event I'm talking about was scored on total distance and the ball had to land in a small strip, i.e. distance and accuracy.

One year he won first place in the event and if my memory serves me correct he was only a yard or two short of winning it twice. All this against the likes of qb's like McNabb, Green, etc.

I'm not arguing whether or not he's a good quarterback, I am saying though that if you say he has a weak arm you basing that on his size and not the facts.

 

[kerouac9]

That's an example of how Jake tried to elevate this team to the next level. He always fought to find ways to get this team to win. He was to the QB position as what Larry Centers was to the RB position and Aneas Williams was to the CB position and Eric Swann was to the NT position and Q is now to the WR position for the Cardinals. Too bad the first four didn't have the same commitment and support that Boldin appears to be getting now. Good thing Boldin is getting it now.

Do you mean wildly overrated and one dimensional? Because if that's what you mean, I think you're right. If you mean something like "good," then I guess it explains who ridiculous some of your posts on this thread actually are. Steve Young is a pocket passer? Huh?

If Jake was really trying to "elevate the team", as you assert, than the organization should have had to expect him to train harder or study more film. He would have done it because he would be elevating the team by doing so, because that's what Top 5 QBs do, and because he was getting paid like a Top 5 QB.

 

[BirdMan21]

I dont understand the hatrid towards Jake on this site. If anything we should all be thankful for the one playoff victory he got us (the only one in my lifetime) For that reason I will root for him until the day he retires. Am I glad that he is gone, yes because I dont think he would have ever developed to be the QB we need.....but put in the right system he is showing that he can win. It is because of him that I am rooting for the Broncos.....not only did he give me some of my favorite moments as a cards fan, but he did the same as a Sun Devil fan, for that reason he will always be one of my favorites.

 

[HooverDam]

I dont understand the hatrid towards Jake on this site. If anything we should all be thankful for the one playoff victory he got us (the only one in my lifetime) For that reason I will root for him until the day he retires. Am I glad that he is gone, yes because I dont think he would have ever developed to be the QB we need.....but put in the right system he is showing that he can win. It is because of him that I am rooting for the Broncos.....not only did he give me some of my favorite moments as a cards fan, but he did the same as a Sun Devil fan, for that reason he will always be one of my favorites.

I agree 100%! All these anti Jake idiots ought to go jump in a lake. Jake was a very good player for ASU and the Cards, and always went all out- thats certainly more than you can say for 95% of the players that have ever worn the Arizona Cardinals uniform. I'd take 11 guys w/ the heart of Jake Plummer any day.

For the rest of Denvers run Ill be wearing one of my 3 Plummer jerseys (ASU Rose Bowl season home and away, and Cardinals away, autographed) and cheering for the Broncos.

 

[CardShark]

Do you mean wildly overrated and one dimensional? Because if that's what you mean, I think you're right. If you mean something like "good," then I guess it explains who ridiculous some of your posts on this thread actually are. Steve Young is a pocket passer? Huh?

If Jake was really trying to "elevate the team", as you assert, than the organization should have had to expect him to train harder or study more film. He would have done it because he would be elevating the team by doing so, because that's what Top 5 QBs do, and because he was getting paid like a Top 5 QB.

Just go away you silly little girl!

 

[Stout]

That and SHanahan learned from Bill Walsh how to take a safety like Polamalu out of the game. Remember when SF beat Denver 55-10 in the 89 SuperBowl the key to the game was SF forced Steve Atwater to cover someone instead of just blitzing and playing run support. Walsh was still very much involved even though Seifert was the coach and Shanahan was on Denver's bench as the QB coach. SF kept putting Brent Jones in motion so that Atwater had to follow him and then Rice went nuts downfield because Atwater was out of position. It was the key to the game I remember the announcers showing over and over how they used Atwater's aggressiveness against Denver.

Denver did the same thing to LeRoy Butler and Green Bay one year in the Superbowl, split Sharpe out in the slot so Butler couldn't line up in the middle of the field.

He doesn't have Sharpe, or Brent Jones(not to mention Jerry Rice) but I fully expect him to devise a way to either exploit Polamalu's blitzing, or make it impossible for him to do it.

I want to see a Denver/Carolina Superbowl so we can see Bailey on Smith.

Problem is, the Steelers bring a whole helluva lot more that Polamalu. The Steelers will stack the line, hit the RB on the way to the QB, and make Plummer their water girl. The Steelers will force the game on Plummer, make him win it, and walk out with a road W.

 

[HooverDam]

I think we could see Jake really live up to his "snake" nick name this week if he can evade the pressure brought by the Steelers. Jake can move, and isn't a statue like Peyton, I hope Denvers coaches keep that in mind and let him do his thing

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Jake was a very good player for ASU and the Cards, and always went all out

That's some nice revisionist history. There's no question Jake was terrific at ASU. But all he did for the Cardinals was throw a bunch of picks, fondle skanks at Club Rio, and slack off during the offseason. Yeah his team went to the playoffs and won a game, but that was largely due to the easiest schedule in NFL history and some unbelievable luck as Jake again threw more picks than TDs.

 

[WisconsinCard]

That's some nice revisionist history. There's no question Jake was terrific at ASU. But all he did for the Cardinals was throw a bunch of picks, fondle skanks at Club Rio, and slack off during the offseason. Yeah his team went to the playoffs and won a game, but that was largely due to the easiest schedule in NFL history and some unbelievable luck as Jake again threw more picks than TDs.

Just for the record. Jake fondled skanks before he was drafted, so he was really still at ASU then. But I wouldn't say that a bad thing...would you?

 

[HooverDam]

That's some nice revisionist history. There's no question Jake was terrific at ASU. But all he did for the Cardinals was throw a bunch of picks, fondle skanks at Club Rio, and slack off during the offseason. Yeah his team went to the playoffs and won a game, but that was largely due to the easiest schedule in NFL history and some unbelievable luck as Jake again threw more picks than TDs.

Didnt the sexual harassment/fondling thing end up getting dropped? Yes, Jake did throw more picks than TDs, but my point was, it seemed like he always wanted to win. He was surrounded by crap, coached by crap, owned by crap- and surprise, he played like crap. However, he certainly didn't just seem to be here for the retirement package or the warm weather like a lot of people who have played for us.

 

[AZBALLER]

Why is it so hard after all of these years of rooting for the Cards, it is soo hard to believe that it might be ownership's fault?

Jake took the Card's to the playoffs, but then ownership decided to let the veteran leaders of the team walk away, because Bill didn't want to pay them...Hence, the team took a nose dive...Does A + B = C?

Is Jake A? The Owner let Bs' walk away, and Jake can't take scubs back to C?

 

[AZBALLER]

And yes, Jake was never charged with anything from that night at Rio...Just a couple of girls, who wanted to make some quick money.

 

[Redheart]

Just for the record. Jake fondled skanks before he was drafted, so he was really still at ASU then. But I wouldn't say that a bad thing...would you?

Who here has not fondled a skank?

 

[duckfallas]

The Broncos have had a can do no wrong type of season. So has Seattle although they started to show some cracks this past weekend.

I see a Carolina/Denver Super Bowl and that will be a good game. Jake versus Jake. I wouldn't mind seeing Bettis get a ring but I don't think they can go into Denver and win that game. If NE couldn't beat them, Pittsburg won't be able to either.

 

[Russ Smith]

And yes, Jake was never charged with anything from that night at Rio...Just a couple of girls, who wanted to make some quick money.

Actually he was charged with sexual abuse and assault(for kicking one of the women) but he settled out of court by paying the accusers off.

I have no idea if he did it or not of course but the kicking incident was witnessed by a lot of people, everyone just assumes the women were trying to make a fast buck off Jake knowing he was going to be drafted soon. Who knows but he was charged, he just agreed to a cash settlement to avoid court.