Plummer's poor play might finally cost him his job

[Los Broncos]

I think Jake stays at qb for one more week.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AvrjnyawahXGLq58ajr0.7dDubYF?slug=ap-broncos-plummetingplummer&prov=ap&type=lgns

[Dudeskey]

Damn, the media's really wacking off to the idea of Cutler starting

[Hercules Rockefeller]

I think Jake stays at qb for one more week.


You make the change this week when you have 10 days and a home game. You don't make the change when Denver is going into SD.

[theAPAOps5]

If Denver doesn't make the change this week they don't this season. I just don't see why you can't make a change. Teams have adjusted to limit Jake Plummer to his weakness and he isn't overcoming that at all. He has really lost his swagger on and off the field. His passes are off hes overthrowing guys now he is tap dancing and over thinking.

[Popps]

I'd be pretty shocked if they didn't.

[Crushaholic]

This would be the final time this season we would have more than one week to get the kid prepared to play, so it's now or never for the 2006 season. BTW, I've never seen Shanahan so visibly frustrated with Jake than I saw last night.

[theAPAOps5]

I hope for the sake of Jake coach does something to either make the move or end the speculation for good. If he sticks with jake you bring Parsons off the practice field and make Cutler inactive. If Jake gets hurt you deal with Parsons and then decide what to do next game. I would rather give Cutler a look, worst case scenario Jake comes back in a little more comfortable knowing Cutler was not ready at all.

[bpc]

I might shoot myself if I have to watch one more errant pass float into the hands of another team. Pure and simple, this is a relationship that has gone bad and both sides need to just go their seperate ways. Don't drag it out, just cut it.

Put it this way... at this point I would rather take Cutler learning, getting better, and miss the playoffs with a higher draft pick then have to watch Plummer bumble around hopelessy, bogging our team down and wasting valuable moments off the season.

I've come to the realization that Plummer will never ever ever ever win the big game for us. Whether it be in the playoffs or a super bowl. At that point, it becomes quite foolish to actually support him when all it is doing is prolonging the inevitable.

Move forward, get better. BESIDES, Cutler cannot play any worse than Jake.

[Atlas]

Say what you want about Jake but he is a class guy. A lot of people would run and hide but he stands there like a man. You have to appreciate that.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Say what you want about Jake but he is a class guy. A lot of people would run and hide but he stands there like a man. You have to appreciate that.

That would have been the former backup who was cut this past training camp and is still unemployed.

[DenverBrit]

You make the change this week when you have 10 days and a home game. You don't make the change when Denver is going into SD.

Absolutely! I wish Jake were the only problem though.
The team looks halfhearted right now, but a change at QB might just be enough for it to rally.

Put in Cutler, max protect and see what he can get done. There is nothing to be
lost and much to be gained.

Special teams are another problem that probably can't be fixed by next week.

[Kaylore]

Winning will solve most of the problems. A team that lacks confidence doesn't play well.

[broncsyanks]

i say change a lot of things to upset the chemistry that is not there, bring back last years defensive style and a change in QB would send a message as well

[Barry Ramey]

Well Shanahan better decide quick since Cutler stated after the game last night he has gotten many reps in practice this year and since hasn't played since preseason, will have to shake the rust off, so if making the switch, Cutler will need all the practice he can get before the enxt game.

[Broncojef]

We knew going into the season who Plummer was, we didn't have a pass rush, the O-Line was patch work and we had no runningback that would be the man. At 7-4 we should be thankful where we are. That being said I won't watch another Plummer led Bronco game, that performance last night showed no heart and as the terrible NFL network announcers said the team played scared.

[bpc]

Say what you want about Jake but he is a class guy. A lot of people would run and hide but he stands there like a man. You have to appreciate that.

There are a lot of things that I appreciate about Jake Plummer. His ability to get better and not blow games is not one of them. Unfortunately, that is what this game is based on... success. He has lost it.

I hope for Jake nothing but the best for the rest of his career... either here in Denver or elsewhere.

[riiiiick]

cutler was a mistake. maroney was the pick for this team last year. a very productive offense is a shambles right now. I think shanny underestimated the loyalty jake has with the vets (offense and defense) on this team. he has been terrible and all the guys (who have been to battle with jake) still talk about his heart and winning attitude. they feed off him but the FO took that away. this team assumned jake had earned it and they would be going into battle with him another 3-4 years. now, all that has changed and this offense shows it. start jay or tell the team, this is jakes team, he has earned it and we stick with him no matter what. jay will get his shot one day.

[Kaylore]

cutler was a mistake. maroney was the pick for this team last year. a very productive offense is a shambles right now. I think shanny underestimated the loyalty jake has with the vets (offense and defense) on this team. he has been terrible and all the guys (who have been to battle with jake) still talk about his heart and winning attitude. they feed off him but the FO took that away. this team assumned jake had earned it and they would be going into battle with him another 3-4 years. now, all that has changed and this offense shows it. start jay or tell the team, this is jakes team, he has earned it and we stick with him no matter what. jay will get his shot one day.
That's a pretty crappy take.

[Arkansas Bronco]

"I'm the starter right now," Plummer said, "and if Mike feels that he wants to put Jay in there, then my play hasn't warranted him to not do it."
Solid take alot of the QB's would be getting mad going off. I know it will be huge dissapointment to him if Cutler starts but if something happened I think he would come in and play like he does normaly.

[riiiiick]

That's a pretty crappy take.

i thought you might enjoy that one. it's true from my perspective. shanny planned for the future and this team was primed for now. 1 game from the SB and we have went backwards since draft day. cutler may be great for this team for many years to come but so far him being an option has hurt this team this year.

[Rock Chalk]

Im ready for Cutler, but having said that, Im conceeding teh Seattle, SD and CIncy games as losses.

We will finish the season 9-7.

Cutler will not win games for us. He can manage the game at this point, hand off, throw some passes, but he wont win any games for us. He will not be able to consistently drive 85+ yards for TDs anymore than John Elway consistently did it, or Jake Plummer, or Brian Griese or Joe Montana.

Our defense needs fixing, our special teams really need fixing i mean like, in a HUGE way and our offensive line is mediocre at best.

Cutler will help alleviate some of the three and outs, but until those other units are addressed, we have only marginally improved with Cutler. This, of course, is assuming he doesnt suck.

[Finger Roll]

That's a pretty crappy take.

it was a very crappy take. Never pick a running back over a possible future franchise qb no matter how good the running back is.

[Arkansas Bronco]

i thought you might enjoy that one. it's true from my perspective. shanny planned for the future and this team was primed for now. 1 game from the SB and we have went backwards since draft day. cutler may be great for this team for many years to come but so far him being an option has hurt this team this year.

If you take it that way we would never been able to draft a qb or any one else because their pressence on the sideline hurt the player that also plays their position. Yes Jake did fall apart when we drafted Jay but that is on him, the idea was to let Jay learn and watch but Plummers play may have forced us to go in a different route.

[Finger Roll]

Im ready for Cutler, but having said that, Im conceeding teh Seattle, SD and CIncy games as losses.

We will finish the season 9-7.

Cutler will not win games for us. He can manage the game at this point, hand off, throw some passes, but he wont win any games for us. He will not be able to consistently drive 85+ yards for TDs anymore than John Elway consistently did it, or Jake Plummer, or Brian Griese or Joe Montana.

Our defense needs fixing, our special teams really need fixing i mean like, in a HUGE way and our offensive line is mediocre at best.

Cutler will help alleviate some of the three and outs, but until those other units are addressed, we have only marginally improved with Cutler. This, of course, is assuming he doesnt suck.

How the hell do you know he won't play well. Cincy and Seattle have crappy d's so he could have good games against them.

[Broncojef]

The mistake was showing us a real QB with poise and a solid arm in the preseason and then making us watch this offensive mess the entire season. I'll agree we failed miserably at adding the running back everyone knew we needed but the Cutler and Javon additions were a brilliant maneuver IMO.

[Rock Chalk]

That's a pretty crappy take.

Why?

I think he made a very valid point.

I agree that this is Cutlers team for the future adn that may well be good for us down the road, but one game away last year and then bam, a slap in the QBs face. Maroney, this year, would have made this team a lot better, maybe capable of going to the SB and even possibly winning it. A consistent run game from a hard nosed runner who could have put up ungodly numbers in our offense, alleviating Jake from a lot of the strain of winning it by himself.

The commentators, stupid as they were last night, were right about one thing. While our Run game statistically looks good, this does not feel like a Broncos run team anymore. Maroney could have helped this team THIS year, and while drafting Cutler, who hope, for the future is going to be good (again, we hope) for us, isnt what everyone always says "we play to win it all every year"? Isnt that what you whining ****ing fans expect every year?

Me, Im not so mad about this loss, or SUnday's loss or the next three losses we are going to have. After Indy, I knew this team didnt have what it took. I still root, I still cheer, and I still keep faith that we will win, but no longer am I depressed when we dont. Im just no longer surprised about it.

Hope and pray to whatever God you pray to that Cutler isnt just a strong armed version of Jake Plummer like everything I have read and seen about him suggests.

[Rock Chalk]

How the hell do you know he won't play well. Cincy and Seattle have crappy d's so he could have good games against them.

How the hell do you know he WILL play well?

I assumed Cutler will play well in my summation dumbass, try reading. This team has more holes than JUST the QB.

Defense, special teams, offensive line, TEs, and consistent RBs.

Cutler will help with some of that as he "upgrades" the QB situation, unfortunately he doesnt upgrade STs, defense, o-line, TEs and the RB.

[Paladin]

How the hell do you know he won't play well. Cincy and Seattle have crappy d's so he could have good games against them.

You really don't know that, do you? Keep in mind, that the "Legend of Jay Cutler" has so far been built on pre-season play, and the observations of a couple of guys at practices. Shanahan says that Jay has the "tools" to play, and I imagine he does. But to say that he will be an all-pro from the get-go this season is a bit too homerish and wishful thinking.

Cutler will not make a tinker's damm of a difference in the play o fthe D or of the STs. The former is a talent issue, the latter seems to be a coaching issue.

[Finger Roll]

How the hell do you know he WILL play well?

I assumed Cutler will play well in my summation dumbass, try reading. This team has more holes than JUST the QB.

Defense, special teams, offensive line, TEs, and consistent RBs.

Cutler will help with some of that as he "upgrades" the QB situation, unfortunately he doesnt upgrade STs, defense, o-line, TEs and the RB.

do us all a favor and jump off a bridge

[riiiiick]

If you take it that way we would never been able to draft a qb or any one else because their pressence on the sideline hurt the player that also plays their position. Yes Jake did fall apart when we drafted Jay but that is on him, the idea was to let Jay learn and watch but Plummers play may have forced us to go in a different route.

a high 1st round QB is expected to come in and play ASAP because of the money they get up front.

[Jetmeck]

Im ready for Cutler, but having said that, Im conceeding teh Seattle, SD and CIncy games as losses.

We will finish the season 9-7.

Cutler will not win games for us. He can manage the game at this point, hand off, throw some passes, but he wont win any games for us. He will not be able to consistently drive 85+ yards for TDs anymore than John Elway consistently did it, or Jake Plummer, or Brian Griese or Joe Montana.

Our defense needs fixing, our special teams really need fixing i mean like, in a HUGE way and our offensive line is mediocre at best.

Cutler will help alleviate some of the three and outs, but until those other units are addressed, we have only marginally improved with Cutler. This, of course, is assuming he doesnt suck.


As usual you don't have a clue, the only way our QB play can go is up...period. This is a step upward, forward toward something good instead of knowing every week the QB play will **** us.

[riiiiick]

it was a very crappy take. Never pick a running back over a possible future franchise qb no matter how good the running back is.

10 teams thought the QB they had or picked was better for their team this year than cutler. i wish we had. you don't get as close as we did last year by accident. it took the broncos 6 years to get back there.

[cmhargrove]

2 main points.

1. It's Plummer's job to deal with pressure and he hasn't - end of discussion. Anyone who wishes to baby an NFL QB and say there will never be competition is asking that QB to grow stagnant and fail. It was Jake's job to lose. that loos like what he's done.

2. Maroney has worked because he fit in with the right system and has an efficient QB named Tom Brady to lead his offense. Maroney would have done only marginally better than our backs when Jake fails to convert easy passes.

We should all know in the next couple weeks if Jay is the right guy. My bet is, we made the right choice and we are about to see something special. It just sucks to see our team struggling right now, but I think the end of this year could set the stage for an incredible finish to the season, and an incredible '07.
This all kind of sucks, but I think right now is the time to make a change.