Jake's class made transition easy (Merged)

[jonny1]

No one has posted this article yet. I thought with all the Plummer bashing that has been going on here for months, it was time to remember that the guy always gave his all and puts the team first.

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_4842923

"I felt bad for him," said Cutler, who will make his third NFL start Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. "He put up with a lot of stuff this year. Had to put up with a lot of stuff with the media, me being here. It was tough on him. I'm sure he felt it, but he did the job the best he could and led this team."

"It's very tough when you lose your job to handle things the right way," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "I've been fired twice, and it's hard sometimes not to lash out, not to show class. Nobody's ever happy about being demoted. But Jake has handled himself first-class in every phase. He's been a total team player. He's done everything that you would hope a guy would do in that situation."

[alkemical]

I do like jake. I will always say that Jake is a football player who plays QB. He may not be a great QB - but he's a football player.

(How's that for some madden in the morning)

[BroncoFiend]

Didn't see this posted. I don't care which side of the Jake v. Jay debate you were on, I think this article shows Jake is a stand up guy, and deserves to be recognized as such.

I was, and still am, all for having Cutler at the helm, but I think it would be great if Shanny put Jake in for the last play of the last game (if possible) and maybe...just maybe the fans can show appreciation for his four years here.

He deserves it.

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_4842923



Jake's class made transition easy
QB welcomed the rookie who would become his replacement
By Mike Klis
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated:12/14/2006 10:27:18 PM MST


Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler talks with former starter Jake Plummer on the sideline during a home game against Seattle on Dec. 3. Rather than sulk about his demotion, Plummer has been a mentor and confidant to the rookie. (Post / John Leyba)From the ever-expanding list of life's difficulties, few test the human condition like the awkward moment.

So dreadful are these uneasy encounters, many people would go miles out of their way to avoid them. Others handle them delicately, buffering them through insincere kindness.

When Jake Plummer first spotted Jay Cutler, he sensed an initial uncomfortable situation and dealt with it head-on.

It was during an offseason workout and Cutler had just become the highest-drafted quarterback in Broncos history. Plummer was about to begin his 10th NFL season as a starting quarterback, fourth with the Broncos. He was coming off arguably his best season, too, playing into the AFC championship game.

But now here was this hotshot kid, a first-round draft choice who from Day One could throw the ball farther and harder than Plummer. Plummer walked up to Cutler and gave it to him straight. I know you want my job, Plummer said. You better want my job. And I'm going to do everything possible to make sure you don't take my job.

But now that everybody understands each other, Plummer continued, there will be no resentment, no jealousy. Everybody will get along. For the good of the team, it's the only way.

From that awkward moment, the foundation for the Plummer-Cutler relationship was set. Months later, when Cutler was given Plummer's job as Broncos quarterback after the season's 11th game, very little strain came between them.

"I felt bad for him," said Cutler, who will make his third NFL start Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. "He put up with a lot of stuff this year. Had to put up with a lot of stuff with the media, me being here. It was tough on him. I'm sure he felt it, but he did the job the best he could and led this team."

Since the change was made, Plummer has politely declined to publicly comment about his demotion. His reasoning, he says privately, is he doesn't want anything he might say - good, bad or indifferent - to become a distraction for the kid.

It's an admirable stance of silence considering Plummer would not be out of bounds if he felt vindicated. The Broncos were 7-4 when he was the quarterback, 0-2 since.

Nothing against the kid

Cutler has already made some throws in two games that football fans in these parts had not seen since old No. 7 retired.

But there also have been reminders that an NFL quarterback is not made on throwing alone. Yet, Plummer not only refuses to say, "I told you so," he spends considerable time telling Cutler so, in a brotherly, encouraging manner.

"It's very tough when you lose your job to handle things the right way," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "I've been fired twice, and it's hard sometimes not to lash out, not to show class. Nobody's ever happy about being demoted. But Jake has handled himself first-class in every phase. He's been a total team player. He's done everything that you would hope a guy would do in that situation."

Shanahan is appreciative because he knows this could have been a nightmare. Not all veteran quarterbacks take the high road with their heirs apparent. There were reports Joe Montana was chilly toward Steve Young, although Shanahan, who was the offensive coordinator for both in 1992, said the two future Hall of Famers were always respectful and professional with each other.

Chris Chandler didn't exactly make it easy for Steve McNair to break in as a rookie for the Houston Oilers in 1995. Does anybody think John Elway, old No. 7, went out of his way to help Tommy Maddox, the new No. 1, as in first-round draft pick (25th overall), in 1992?

"We did a Green Bay game a few weeks ago and I asked Brett Favre, 'Is it your responsibility to bring along Aaron Rodgers?"' said Joe Theismann, the former Redskin quarterback who is now top analyst on ESPN's Monday Night Football. "And he said: 'No, I'm not a coach. I'm not a mentor.' Understand something: There are very few quarterback jobs in this world. When you have yours taken away, what are you supposed to be, Mr. Congeniality? There's a lot of guys who would have handled it differently than the way Jake has handled it."

Don't misunderstand

Plummer is far too competitive to accept his role as backup and he would think it comical, if not nauseating, to see himself characterized as a martyr. It's just that when a player is ingrained with team-before-self during 9 1/2 seasons - all but the first seven games of his rookie season as a starter - he doesn't suddenly lose this concept.

To speak out bitterly and wallow in pity would be selfish. To help out the kid throughout the game and deliver a Knute Rockne speech during halftime, as Plummer did last week in San Diego, is good for the kid, good for the team.

"Since I've gotten the starting job, he's been great about this whole thing," Cutler said. "He sat down and talked to me and said nothing was going to change between me and him and he was going to do everything possible to help me through the transition. He's been a man to his word."

[bronco militia]

I do like jake. I will always say that Jake is a football player who plays QB. He may not be a great QB - but he's a football player.

(How's that for some madden in the morning)

ugh!


Ha!

[alkemical]

ugh!


Ha!



Yeah i know. I do think of Jake as a football player and not a QB though.

[baja]

Jake is a class act too bad more players do not have his understanding.

[RaiderH8r]

Despite any gripes about Jake's play he's always been a very respectable and classy guy. I remember when the NFL honored Tillman and Jake refused to take his sticker off and the Communistas in the Commish's office started busting his balls and he still wouldn't back down. Way to go Jake!

[BMF Bronco]

He's top notch!

[brncs_fan]

It's always hard to follow the guy, who followed the guy, that achieved football immortality.

[freak6]

Jake was hyping everyone up at halftime in SD getting them motivated to go out and come back.

[broncosteven]

Jake had heart & legs.

Too bad he could never figure out how to read D's or get his throwing fundamentals perfected after 10 years in league. I respect his attitude after the benching. I still do not think I want him to see him on field should Jay get hurt. I still respect him as a man though.

[bronco militia]

Jake is a class act too bad more players do not have his understanding.

yes and no

[BroncoFiend]

It would be great to give the buy a nice farewell. Hopefully he gets it. It'll show real class from the Bronco fans.

[riiiiick]

last home game when he takes the field for holds

[Play2win]

I would like to thank Jake for rescuing us from the Dark Ages (SOB)... and playing his heart out for us. If we win the superbowl in the next few years, he is definitely part of the reason why.

[loborugger]

yes and no


I dont know. I have flipped people the bird before, and I am telling you I AM ALL CLASS!!!

:rofl:

Oh, and now we have proof that Danny Kanell was actually an NFL player.

[mattbeymvp]

The fans of this team do not deserve to have a player with the kind of heart and class that Jake Plummer has playing quarterback for them.

Maybe when they themselves show class towards the quarterback of the Broncos and realize that John Elway is never coming back they will. Until then, I hope Jake has plenty of success elsewhere.

[Rock Chalk]

yes and no

Never flipped anyone off?

Some dickwad "fan" probably called his mother a bad name.

[Rock Chalk]

mattbeymvp
I'm right, you're not


http://fireshanahan.com


Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Aurora
Posts: 157

Adopt-a-Bronco:
None

Wow, and I thought my arrogance was out of control.

shoot yourself in the face please, k thanks.

[Crushaholic]

Jake clearly lost some confidence this year, but he has been a hell of a quarterback for the Broncos. Thank you, Jake...

[Sassy]

Jake was hyping everyone up at halftime in SD getting them motivated to go out and come back.

YES, he was!!! I saw that and mentioned it! He was pumping players on the sideline.

[Pendejo]

Never flipped anyone off?

Some dillwad "fan" probably called his mother a bad name.

No kidding. I never thought that incident was a big deal.

Like having a glass of orange juice in the morning...flipping at least one person off is a part of my daily routine.

[Florida_Bronco]

The fans of this team do not deserve to have a player with the kind of heart and class that Jake Plummer has playing quarterback for them.

Maybe when they themselves show class towards the quarterback of the Broncos and realize that John Elway is never coming back they will. Until then, I hope Jake has plenty of success elsewhere.

You are a worthless troll and no one likes you...so why do you keep coming back here?