The Denver Broncos' quest to eliminate all depth in their offensive backfield continues.
ESPN.com is reporting that the Broncos are close to an agreement with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to trade backup quarterback Jake Plummer for a draft pick, potentially a fourth-rounder.
This would be a great move for Tampa Bay. Plummer doesn't give a team what they'd want out of a generic veteran-he doesn't avoid turnovers, and he's probably not the kind of guy you want giving advice to younger players. ("How come you never throw with your left hand, Bruce?") But he did go to a conference championship a year ago, and could have a few years left as a starter in the league. If the Buccaneers can get two years of solid quarterbacking for a second-day draft pick, that's a coup. And if Plummer doesn't pan out, the Bucs will barely miss the pick.
For the Broncos, I don't really like it. I suppose I can understand why it would be tough to keep Plummer around, especially at a starter's salary. But he wouldn't be much of a distraction-he's a team guy and, more importantly, he's not that popular with the fans. Jay Cutler would really have to be awful for there to be any public outcry for Plummer.
It does make sense to show Cutler and the rest of the players that the team has confidence in their young passer. But if Cutler-who'll only be in his second year, after all-struggles, what's Plan B? The Broncos still have time to sign a veteran backup; they just won't have time to find one better than Plummer.
Comments
I wonder if this means Chris Sims is never coming back from his ruptured spleen . . .
i say keep plummer, the players like him because he's not an ego case, although for plummer's sake he probably wants to go somewhere to play, not watch a babyfaced kid who can't grow half the mustache you can struggle through his sophomore year.
i suppose its selfish to want to keep plummer around because it's not what's best for his career, but its best for the broncos, no doubt.