Plummer Unhappy with Pace of Tillman Investigation - The Orange Mane

brncs_fan · 04-05-2006, 01:28 PM

Seeking answers: Broncos' Plummer getting frustrated by slow pace in investigation of death of ex-teammate Tillman
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
April 5, 2006

ENGLEWOOD - Jake Plummer can't believe how late it's getting.
He can't believe how much he still wants to get done, how much he wants to make a difference.

Oh, there's that whole issue of the Super Bowl - and, boy, has he been focusing on that - but Plummer just cannot get Pat Tillman out of his head.

The Denver Broncos quarterback said in an interview Tuesday he has spent much of the off-season thinking about Tillman, a former teammate at Arizona State who was killed April 22, 2004, while serving in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army Rangers.

Plummer did much for Tillman's memory during the 2004 season.

He got the attention of the nation when, in honor of Tillman, he defied the NFL and its threat of a $30,000 fine and wore a "40" decal longer than the one game specified by the league.

The quarterback, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and the league finally arrived at a compromise that included Plummer filming a public-service announcement for Tillman's foundation that was played on scoreboards in NFL cities and the No. 40 being displayed at Invesco Field at Mile High.

But that wasn't enough.

After repeatedly speaking with Tillman's family in the months since, Plummer said he has grown increasingly frustrated about the family's search for answers surrounding Tillman's death.

The Pentagon announced earlier this year it was launching a criminal investigation into a shooting the Army had said, after two previous investigations, was an accidental, friendly fire shooting.

Plummer plans to contact NFL players - he said he already has spoken with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe - in each of the league's cities in hopes they will get in touch with members of Congress in those states to try to push for answers.

"It's just for his family after all they've been through," Plummer said. "They want to know; it's been two years. Seeing Pat's brother, talking to his parents, I've just been thinking a lot about that."

He also has been thinking a lot about the latter stages of his NFL career.

"I was thinking that the other morning, getting ready to come over here - 10 years, man," Plummer said. "I think I said it after nine years, too, but nine is one thing, 10 is another. Ten years I've been in the league, that's double digits. I know what comes with that - it means I have experience, but it also means you don't know how many opportunities you're going to get like we had last year.

"I know what that means for me. At this point, I know this offense, so it's about 'getting it' so I can help the guys upstairs sleep a little easier at night and it's about trying to accomplish some things."

The Broncos opened their off-season conditioning program this week, and for most players, Plummer included, it marks the first official step toward trying to repeat last season's 13-3 record that included an AFC West title.

It also marks the first official step for those players, Plummer included, to try to do more with the good fortune of a home AFC Championship Game than they did in January's 34-17 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"Definitely because you don't know how long you're going to go, and at this point in your career, your body starts doing things you're not used to," Plummer said. "I feel good, but I just don't feel like I did six years ago. But you get smarter, you learn how to get around that.

"But last year hurts. It was an opportunity, and, hopefully, if we get another opportunity, we take advantage of it."

Plummer spent most of the 2005 season explaining his improved play - his seven interceptions tied a career low and were easily the least he has thrown in any season he started more than 11 games - only to see all of the good tidings that came his way get washed away in the loss against the Steelers.

He finished the AFC title game 18 of 30 passing for 223 yards and two interceptions. In three of the four games the Broncos lost last season, Plummer threw two interceptions.

So he knows. He knows he has gone 32-11 as the Broncos' starter during the regular season, averaging 224 passing yards a game in those 43 starts.

He also knows 2005 was laid out for a shot at the whole deal. That the Broncos had a home game for a chance to reach the Super Bowl, yet still watched someone else play for the championship.

"You get back to work," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "That's what Jake can do, that's what any of us can do. . . . The great ones, the great quarterbacks, are studying defenses the whole year, they critique themselves. Those are some of the things he did last year.

"You're always learning. That's why I think a guy like Peyton Manning is as productive as he's been. You never quit studying the game."

Plummer already has met with assistant head coach Mike Heimerdinger, who will game plan the team's passing game and call plays on game days now that longtime offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak is the coach of the Houston Texans.

And after looking at last season, and the off-season releases of running back Mike Anderson and tight end Jeb Putzier, Plummer said he believes the goal this season will be to find some pop in the offense.

"I think we lacked some big plays," said Plummer, who sports only stubble, not the full beard he ended the season with. "The year before, we had a bunch. Obviously, we have to get the touchdown production up. If we're doing that with our defense, that will lead to hopefully more wins.

"We need some production. (Receiver) Rod (Smith) had an amazing year last year, to ask him to do that again - he's going to have another amazing year because that's what he does - but we do need somebody to definitely step up.

"But this team definitely brings it out of you. When you're around the guys in this locker room, you aspire to be great. I just don't see why we won't have as a good a year as we did last year and hopefully just a little better."

legwoldj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-2359

ro_50 · 04-05-2006, 02:14 PM

I dont blame him, the investigation is filled with controversy and many unanswered questions.

Then again, its the govt, so I'm not surprised.

hades · 04-05-2006, 02:50 PM

Unfortunately nothing can bring Pat back.

So do they now think he was murdered or something?? I haven't been following the story. Sad, friendly fire or not.

watermock · 04-05-2006, 02:55 PM

Let it go Jake. If you want to put another patch on your uniform go do it. Tillman got mowed down by friendly fire, period. He's a hero, but he didn't reach his objective

heydensmom · 04-05-2006, 03:24 PM

Nothing happens with the speed of lighting in the military...especially the Army and a VERY high profile case like this. But what needs the focus is our guys and gals over there right now. They need the intell and resources more than solving this case, so they can come home, then focus on investigations of ALL friendly fire accidents.....Pat Tillmans was not the only one. He's just one man among many who lost his life.

ro_50 · 04-05-2006, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heydensmom

Nothing happens with the speed of lighting in the military...especially the Army and a VERY high profile case like this. But what needs the focus is our guys and gals over there right now. They need the intell and resources more than solving this case, so they can come home, then focus on investigations of ALL friendly fire accidents.....Pat Tillmans was not the only one. He's just one man among many who lost his life.

Good post and I agree with you.

Odysseus · 04-06-2006, 05:52 PM

My biggest fear is getting killed by my own guys. It is a reality of the job.

Pat Tillman was the reason I came over here. I plan on wearing his jersey one day in honor of who he was. Rest in peace brother. I don't think it's one of those things I'm going to "get over."

I know of guys who carry the bands of their brothers. They have a unique understanding of this place. How do you watch half your squad get wiped out and "get over it"? You don't. You move forward and they walk with you. You bury them but their spirits live on.

I think the Tillman family deserves closure on this and however they do it publicy or privately is fine with me.

I clown around on the Orangemane in defiance of the daily barage of negative press that the world recieves but there are some things that are no joke. Honor is not something I take lightly.

Spider · 04-06-2006, 05:53 PM

I wonder what Jakes terrorist name will be now ?

watermock · 04-06-2006, 06:09 PM

It was an accident. The problem is they tried to shuffle it under the covers. It wasn't the first or will be the last of friendly fire, and Jake can carry it on his jersey for the rest of his career as far as I'm concerned.

sirhcyennek81 · 04-06-2006, 06:10 PM

Its the Army, they do things at their own pace, which is either breakneck or hell will freeze over first. Tillman died in service, in Afghanistan, regardless of who shot him. Plummer needs to chill. This aint CSI.

Spider · 04-06-2006, 06:17 PM

WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAVE YOU SEEN THIS TERRORIST ?

Name Jake Plummer ....... AKA Hiad da Salami ........ if you see this lunitic , please do not attempt to capture , he is known to fly the bird .............
Contact Pat Bowlen ..........

sirhcyennek81 · 04-06-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by §Pide®

WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAVE YOU SEEN THIS TERRORIST ?

Name Jake Plummer ....... AKA Hiad da Salami ........ if you see this lunitic , please do not attempt to capture , he is known to fly the bird .............
Contact Pat Bowlen ..........

I seened him...he was in my trash trying to fuel his hippie car...CUT THE HAIR, ****ING HIPPIE...

Spider · 04-06-2006, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirhcyennek81

I seened him...he was in my trash trying to fuel his hippie car...CUT THE HAIR, ****ING HIPPIE...

Terrorist ... not hippie .........

sirhcyennek81 · 04-06-2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by §Pide®

Terrorist ... not hippie .........

You tryin to say hippies cant be terrorists? That, my friend is a stereotype...

Spider · 04-06-2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirhcyennek81

You tryin to say hippies cant be terrorists? That, my friend is a stereotype...

it is true I am a racist ..........

sirhcyennek81 · 04-06-2006, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by §Pide®

it is true I am a racist ..........

Don't tell your "fishing buddy" Might offend him.

Spider · 04-06-2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirhcyennek81

Don't tell your "fishing buddy" Might offend him.

hell I have to go to Wamsutter tommorrow .. no time for fishin anyway

loborugger · 04-06-2006, 07:55 PM

Friendly fire is a sad fact of war. Its been around ever since the beginning. I have been reading about the Peloponnesian War lately. There were examples of Athenian hoplites killing each other be accident. A hoplite was armed with a short sword, spear, and shield. If a group of hoplites can close to within killing range (a matter of feet?) of friendly troops and kill them, then how can we expect more from people with projectile weapons.

I deeply admired Tillman, and thought his actions were heroic. It is also sad he is gone. I dont know what kind of justice can come in this case. We have such a legalistic society where any time something at all goes wrong, people run for a lawyer. How can a court of law recreate the fear, stress, and confusion of a battle field?

04-05-2006, 01:28 PM	#1
brncs_fan How about some Tapenade! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: The Coaches Cradle...Eastern Illinois University Posts: 5,489 Adopt-a-Bronco: Manti Teo	Plummer Unhappy with Pace of Tillman Investigation Seeking answers: Broncos' Plummer getting frustrated by slow pace in investigation of death of ex-teammate Tillman By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News April 5, 2006 ENGLEWOOD - Jake Plummer can't believe how late it's getting. He can't believe how much he still wants to get done, how much he wants to make a difference. Oh, there's that whole issue of the Super Bowl - and, boy, has he been focusing on that - but Plummer just cannot get Pat Tillman out of his head. The Denver Broncos quarterback said in an interview Tuesday he has spent much of the off-season thinking about Tillman, a former teammate at Arizona State who was killed April 22, 2004, while serving in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army Rangers. Plummer did much for Tillman's memory during the 2004 season. He got the attention of the nation when, in honor of Tillman, he defied the NFL and its threat of a $30,000 fine and wore a "40" decal longer than the one game specified by the league. The quarterback, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and the league finally arrived at a compromise that included Plummer filming a public-service announcement for Tillman's foundation that was played on scoreboards in NFL cities and the No. 40 being displayed at Invesco Field at Mile High. But that wasn't enough. After repeatedly speaking with Tillman's family in the months since, Plummer said he has grown increasingly frustrated about the family's search for answers surrounding Tillman's death. The Pentagon announced earlier this year it was launching a criminal investigation into a shooting the Army had said, after two previous investigations, was an accidental, friendly fire shooting. Plummer plans to contact NFL players - he said he already has spoken with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe - in each of the league's cities in hopes they will get in touch with members of Congress in those states to try to push for answers. "It's just for his family after all they've been through," Plummer said. "They want to know; it's been two years. Seeing Pat's brother, talking to his parents, I've just been thinking a lot about that." He also has been thinking a lot about the latter stages of his NFL career. "I was thinking that the other morning, getting ready to come over here - 10 years, man," Plummer said. "I think I said it after nine years, too, but nine is one thing, 10 is another. Ten years I've been in the league, that's double digits. I know what comes with that - it means I have experience, but it also means you don't know how many opportunities you're going to get like we had last year. "I know what that means for me. At this point, I know this offense, so it's about 'getting it' so I can help the guys upstairs sleep a little easier at night and it's about trying to accomplish some things." The Broncos opened their off-season conditioning program this week, and for most players, Plummer included, it marks the first official step toward trying to repeat last season's 13-3 record that included an AFC West title. It also marks the first official step for those players, Plummer included, to try to do more with the good fortune of a home AFC Championship Game than they did in January's 34-17 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers. "Definitely because you don't know how long you're going to go, and at this point in your career, your body starts doing things you're not used to," Plummer said. "I feel good, but I just don't feel like I did six years ago. But you get smarter, you learn how to get around that. "But last year hurts. It was an opportunity, and, hopefully, if we get another opportunity, we take advantage of it." Plummer spent most of the 2005 season explaining his improved play - his seven interceptions tied a career low and were easily the least he has thrown in any season he started more than 11 games - only to see all of the good tidings that came his way get washed away in the loss against the Steelers. He finished the AFC title game 18 of 30 passing for 223 yards and two interceptions. In three of the four games the Broncos lost last season, Plummer threw two interceptions. So he knows. He knows he has gone 32-11 as the Broncos' starter during the regular season, averaging 224 passing yards a game in those 43 starts. He also knows 2005 was laid out for a shot at the whole deal. That the Broncos had a home game for a chance to reach the Super Bowl, yet still watched someone else play for the championship. "You get back to work," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "That's what Jake can do, that's what any of us can do. . . . The great ones, the great quarterbacks, are studying defenses the whole year, they critique themselves. Those are some of the things he did last year. "You're always learning. That's why I think a guy like Peyton Manning is as productive as he's been. You never quit studying the game." Plummer already has met with assistant head coach Mike Heimerdinger, who will game plan the team's passing game and call plays on game days now that longtime offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak is the coach of the Houston Texans. And after looking at last season, and the off-season releases of running back Mike Anderson and tight end Jeb Putzier, Plummer said he believes the goal this season will be to find some pop in the offense. "I think we lacked some big plays," said Plummer, who sports only stubble, not the full beard he ended the season with. "The year before, we had a bunch. Obviously, we have to get the touchdown production up. If we're doing that with our defense, that will lead to hopefully more wins. "We need some production. (Receiver) Rod (Smith) had an amazing year last year, to ask him to do that again - he's going to have another amazing year because that's what he does - but we do need somebody to definitely step up. "But this team definitely brings it out of you. When you're around the guys in this locker room, you aspire to be great. I just don't see why we won't have as a good a year as we did last year and hopefully just a little better." legwoldj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-2359

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

04-05-2006, 02:14 PM	#2
ro_50 Ring of Famer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Somewhere in Jersey Posts: 3,782	I dont blame him, the investigation is filled with controversy and many unanswered questions. Then again, its the govt, so I'm not surprised.

04-05-2006, 02:50 PM	#3
hades Dallas biggest Bronco fan Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: They've done studies you know.... 60% of the time, it works every time Posts: 1,805	Unfortunately nothing can bring Pat back. So do they now think he was murdered or something?? I haven't been following the story. Sad, friendly fire or not.

04-05-2006, 02:55 PM	#4
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	Let it go Jake. If you want to put another patch on your uniform go do it. Tillman got mowed down by friendly fire, period. He's a hero, but he didn't reach his objective

04-05-2006, 03:24 PM	#5
heydensmom I'm Jack Bauer! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,577	Nothing happens with the speed of lighting in the military...especially the Army and a VERY high profile case like this. But what needs the focus is our guys and gals over there right now. They need the intell and resources more than solving this case, so they can come home, then focus on investigations of ALL friendly fire accidents.....Pat Tillmans was not the only one. He's just one man among many who lost his life.

04-06-2006, 05:52 PM	#7
Odysseus Fan of the home team Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 12,107 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mark Schlereth	My biggest fear is getting killed by my own guys. It is a reality of the job. Pat Tillman was the reason I came over here. I plan on wearing his jersey one day in honor of who he was. Rest in peace brother. I don't think it's one of those things I'm going to "get over." I know of guys who carry the bands of their brothers. They have a unique understanding of this place. How do you watch half your squad get wiped out and "get over it"? You don't. You move forward and they walk with you. You bury them but their spirits live on. I think the Tillman family deserves closure on this and however they do it publicy or privately is fine with me. I clown around on the Orangemane in defiance of the daily barage of negative press that the world recieves but there are some things that are no joke. Honor is not something I take lightly.

04-06-2006, 05:53 PM	#8
Spider Mr Diplomacy I survived Tebow Mania at the Mane Join Date: May 2001 Location: Elway was just an arm =MacGruder Posts: 84,438 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	I wonder what Jakes terrorist name will be now ?

04-06-2006, 06:09 PM	#9
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	It was an accident. The problem is they tried to shuffle it under the covers. It wasn't the first or will be the last of friendly fire, and Jake can carry it on his jersey for the rest of his career as far as I'm concerned.

04-06-2006, 06:10 PM	#10
sirhcyennek81 Yes...swooping is bad... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florence, Colorado Posts: 20,668 Adopt-a-Bronco: All of them.	Its the Army, they do things at their own pace, which is either breakneck or hell will freeze over first. Tillman died in service, in Afghanistan, regardless of who shot him. Plummer needs to chill. This aint CSI.

04-06-2006, 06:17 PM	#11
Spider Mr Diplomacy I survived Tebow Mania at the Mane Join Date: May 2001 Location: Elway was just an arm =MacGruder Posts: 84,438 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAVE YOU SEEN THIS TERRORIST ? Name Jake Plummer ....... AKA Hiad da Salami ........ if you see this lunitic , please do not attempt to capture , he is known to fly the bird ............. Contact Pat Bowlen ..........

04-06-2006, 07:55 PM	#18
loborugger lost in the ether Did we finally get a FB??? Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The 'cuse Posts: 5,783 Adopt-a-Bronco: Peyton Hillis	Friendly fire is a sad fact of war. Its been around ever since the beginning. I have been reading about the Peloponnesian War lately. There were examples of Athenian hoplites killing each other be accident. A hoplite was armed with a short sword, spear, and shield. If a group of hoplites can close to within killing range (a matter of feet?) of friendly troops and kill them, then how can we expect more from people with projectile weapons. I deeply admired Tillman, and thought his actions were heroic. It is also sad he is gone. I dont know what kind of justice can come in this case. We have such a legalistic society where any time something at all goes wrong, people run for a lawyer. How can a court of law recreate the fear, stress, and confusion of a battle field?