Too bad he didn't put this kind of effort in with the Cards!!
Plummer shines in first minicamp with Broncos
By JOHN MARSHALL
.c The Associated Press
DENVER (AP) - Jake Plummer's long pass floated on a high arc into the end zone, where Herb Haygood made a diving catch just behind the outstretched hand of the defender.
A short chorus of cheers rang out.
Sure, it was just one pass during a one-on-one drill in a minicamp, but it's exactly the kind of play the Denver Broncos were looking for when they signed Plummer two months ago.
``I thought he did an excellent job,'' coach Mike Shanahan said. ``He's been working extremely hard for last month and a half to feel comfortable with the system, but there's nothing like going out with the guys for the first time and actually running plays. It was nice to get started.''
The Broncos signed Plummer on March 5 to replace Brian Griese, who had fallen out of favor with Shanahan after five seasons in Denver.
The start of a three-day minicamp on Friday was the Broncos' first look at Plummer on the field, and he didn't disappoint.
After a few overthrows and a dropped snap in the first drill, Plummer was sharp despite chilly temperatures that made gripping the ball difficult.
He threw crisp passes on a variety of routes and hit most of his receivers in stride, including the perfectly placed touchdown pass to Haygood.
``It's always nice to get out there and have bodies flying around and things are faster-paced than when we are out here after workouts,'' Plummer said. ``It was fun, it was nice today. We obviously have work to do but it was a good first day.''
It was also good to get out of the classroom.
Over the past two months, Plummer has immersed himself with the Broncos' playbook, meeting daily with the Broncos' coaches, spending numerous hours going over the new terminology and even taking game films home to watch.
All the homework had Plummer ready to start throwing footballs instead of turning pages.
``I got sick of looking at the paper,'' he said. ``I know what I have on '22-Z' on the paper, but we have to get out there and run it on the field. It was good today to get the feel for some of those routes and see how these guys run it.''
But he'll have to wait a little longer to get a feel for some of his better-known teammates.
Tight end Shannon Sharpe said last week that he will return for a 14th season, but he was excused from the minicamp for personal reasons.
Wide receiver Ed McCaffrey was on the field, but wasn't able to do more than jog because of groin surgery March 18. And fullback Mike Anderson, who caught 18 passes last season, wasn't able to go because of knee surgery.
The Broncos are hoping to have all three on the field for the next minicamp in June.
``It's a long ways off,'' Plummer said. ``We have been out there throwing a couple of times a week during workouts, and all of those connections have to keep maturing as time goes. It's real early on.''
Early, but Plummer has already made an impression.
Griese, expected to be released next month, was sometimes aloof with teammates and was criticized for his lack of leadership.
Plummer endeared himself right away by showing up for the first day of offseason workouts. He also spent a good portion of Friday's minicamp slapping backs and congratulating players for good plays.
``We've been hanging out and getting to know each other because it's key to be tight with your team,'' Plummer said. ``We need them in the fourth quarter, we need them after a tough game and we need to know they will be there. And this team is tight.''
05/09/03 18:31 EDT
Plummer shines in first minicamp with Broncos
By JOHN MARSHALL
.c The Associated Press
DENVER (AP) - Jake Plummer's long pass floated on a high arc into the end zone, where Herb Haygood made a diving catch just behind the outstretched hand of the defender.
A short chorus of cheers rang out.
Sure, it was just one pass during a one-on-one drill in a minicamp, but it's exactly the kind of play the Denver Broncos were looking for when they signed Plummer two months ago.
``I thought he did an excellent job,'' coach Mike Shanahan said. ``He's been working extremely hard for last month and a half to feel comfortable with the system, but there's nothing like going out with the guys for the first time and actually running plays. It was nice to get started.''
The Broncos signed Plummer on March 5 to replace Brian Griese, who had fallen out of favor with Shanahan after five seasons in Denver.
The start of a three-day minicamp on Friday was the Broncos' first look at Plummer on the field, and he didn't disappoint.
After a few overthrows and a dropped snap in the first drill, Plummer was sharp despite chilly temperatures that made gripping the ball difficult.
He threw crisp passes on a variety of routes and hit most of his receivers in stride, including the perfectly placed touchdown pass to Haygood.
``It's always nice to get out there and have bodies flying around and things are faster-paced than when we are out here after workouts,'' Plummer said. ``It was fun, it was nice today. We obviously have work to do but it was a good first day.''
It was also good to get out of the classroom.
Over the past two months, Plummer has immersed himself with the Broncos' playbook, meeting daily with the Broncos' coaches, spending numerous hours going over the new terminology and even taking game films home to watch.
All the homework had Plummer ready to start throwing footballs instead of turning pages.
``I got sick of looking at the paper,'' he said. ``I know what I have on '22-Z' on the paper, but we have to get out there and run it on the field. It was good today to get the feel for some of those routes and see how these guys run it.''
But he'll have to wait a little longer to get a feel for some of his better-known teammates.
Tight end Shannon Sharpe said last week that he will return for a 14th season, but he was excused from the minicamp for personal reasons.
Wide receiver Ed McCaffrey was on the field, but wasn't able to do more than jog because of groin surgery March 18. And fullback Mike Anderson, who caught 18 passes last season, wasn't able to go because of knee surgery.
The Broncos are hoping to have all three on the field for the next minicamp in June.
``It's a long ways off,'' Plummer said. ``We have been out there throwing a couple of times a week during workouts, and all of those connections have to keep maturing as time goes. It's real early on.''
Early, but Plummer has already made an impression.
Griese, expected to be released next month, was sometimes aloof with teammates and was criticized for his lack of leadership.
Plummer endeared himself right away by showing up for the first day of offseason workouts. He also spent a good portion of Friday's minicamp slapping backs and congratulating players for good plays.
``We've been hanging out and getting to know each other because it's key to be tight with your team,'' Plummer said. ``We need them in the fourth quarter, we need them after a tough game and we need to know they will be there. And this team is tight.''
05/09/03 18:31 EDT
