DISQUS

Darrin (Broncos fan in Iowa si · 3 years ago

Just goes to show that under that grough exterior, Jake has some class. Whatever your role with the organization you have to remember- there is no "I" in team. Jay showed that leading up to this and Jake continues it. They are both great examples of "Team Players"

Bill Giordano · 3 years ago

I have never been a big supporter of Jake but the way he has handled this entire situation, from the draft to his demotion,has been nothing but class. He has my respect even if he isn't the starter. Good luck Jay now you will have your turn at the pressure of being the Bronco quarterback.

Robby the Greek · 3 years ago

Jake? Class? What about the obscene jesture to the home crowd, and the road rage incident? The only reason he is staying quiet right now is so he doesn't ruin his chances of catching on with somebody else next year. With his salary, the only way he'll stay with the Broncos is if Cutler gets hurt in these last 5 games.

Laurie (Patriots fan in Denver · 3 years ago

Just goes to show Plummer is a class act. These fair weather Denver fans have no faith in their quarterback and jump on the bandwagon any chance they get. The Broncos have a lot more problems besides their quarterback...maybe they should consider those before making any more rash decisions.

Davus.X · 3 years ago

Jake has always been a team player. I don't understand why that would be news to anyone now. I've been a fan of his since before they brought him to Denver, and I'll always back him up. Whether or not the switch was the right thing to do remains to be seen. Either way, Jake will still be Jake, and that's a hard working, down to earth, entirely classy guy. Sure, he's had his frustrating moments, but who hasn't? He's still one heck of a guy... Thanks for noticing that, Bill, and bringing it to everyone's attention.

Broncos fan in Indy · 3 years ago

Unfortunately, Jake and all Broncos quarterbacks fall victim to a need to fill Elway's void. Jake remains a guy who fans like me like to see to succeed. Best of luck to him and Jay. I know that Pats fan has respect for Jake, considering he continued the ever dominating performances of the Broncos over the Pats. We thank you for those great games Jake!

Mark · 3 years ago

Jake is the type of QB you want in your town. The problem is that here in Denver everybody has a picture of Elway in their wallet, office and in their den. I'm sure it will always be like that. Fans at Arizona State hold Jake in high regard as do most AZ Cardinal fans. Denver fans should do the same. Before him we didn't make the playoffs for two straight seasons. Hell, he has beat the Patriots three times in the last year alone!

benn · 3 years ago

Jake is terrible. He may have been a good teammate, but he treated fans like dirt, couldn't control his temper on the streets, and rarely seemed to sincerly take responsbility for his play on the field.

Good riddance, hopefuly Jay brings more class (and skill) to the position.

Brocoholic · 3 years ago

I have always been a Jake fan since his arrival in Denver we finally had a glimmer of hope after losing and losing and losing again with other QBacks besides after John. I just hope that with Jay we still have a shot, because I know that with Jake we do. I remember when Jake broke his foot and sat down for 4 weeks and we lost all 4. And I also remember last year when we were 1 game away from the big dance and winning the prom, and this year I just hope we get at least get a date to the prom?????

BRONCOHOLIC · 3 years ago

I have always been a Jake fan. Ever since his arrival in Denver we had atleast a glimmer of hope. Before that we were a lose and lose and lose oh ya and lose again team. I remember when Jake got hurt and they put in everybody but the hotdog vender to play at QB and we lost like 4 weeks straight or something like that. And I also remember last year that we were 1 game away from the big dance. And this year with Jay I just hope that everybodies right and we atleast get a date to watch the dance????

lew · 3 years ago

Jake is a class act to the core. He has a good heart, excellent work ethic and it shouldn't have taken this to get people to notice. Plummer may have made mistakes, but with all the primma donnas in the league right now, he's one of those that makes you feel good about being a football fan.

CB · 3 years ago

He is still making the big bucks and is under contract, I dont think its alot to ask of the guy to not make a big deal of his demotion and help out the starter. It's amazing how low the bar is in PROFESSIONAL
sports these days.Because he didn't throw a fit that automatically makes him a class act???

If he didn't like what happened with drafting Cutler maybe he should have played better so that They didn't have to play a rookie QB.

the little guy · 3 years ago

I was wondering if Benn could let us know when Jake treated him like dirt. Even during his"road rage" incident wasn't he on his way to donate a boat load of cash to a charity? If you didn't like his play as a QB that's fine but personal attacks against Jake don't hold up. He's a class guy. As for his play? Tthe guy put us back on the football map after the mediocrity typical of the Griese, Ferotte years. Thanks to Jake for helping us become contenders again and for what he did in the community.

the little guy · 3 years ago

To comment #12. I don't know what you do for a living, but if you worked for a company and helped that company become one of the top four companies in it's field in the country and they rewarded you by bringing in someone to replace you and you remained calm and did everything you could to assit the new guy WHO WAS REPLACING YOU I guarentee your co-workers would say" Man that CB sure is a classy guy." Give credit where credit is due.

Bronco Fan in H-town · 3 years ago

I agree with "the little guy's" comment. That is exactly what I was thinking when I was reading CB's comment. Everyone in Denver wants every QB to be John Elway. I know because I grew up in Denver. I also recall many times when the fans called for Elway to be benched in favor of Kubiac. You all may not admit it, but it did happen many times. We as Bronco fans are spoiled and when we don't win the AFC, we feel cheated. Jake is a class act. You may not know what we lost until we are watching the playoffs without the Broncos in them. I hope I am wrong, but remember folks, even the great Elway had a learning curve, how long did it tae him to reach his first Super Bowl??? Enough said.

West slope Clint · 3 years ago

12--I agree. With the money Jake is making, it is not too much to expect someone to sit down and shut up. However, as you say, the bar has been set terribly low (hello, T.O.) and it is a pleasant surprise to hear that Jake still helps Jay out, and keeps low profile. Jake will catch on somewhere. Now what did we do with that CSU kid? oh, Kube's got him? ..........Who wants to play backup for Denver next year?
Jay, just remember not to line up under the guard's ass and you will be ok. heh heh.

M · 3 years ago

I love all the Bronco talk. But many people act as if we ran Jake out of town, or the press did. That just seems a little silly to me. QB's get benched in this league all the time...when it happens in Denver it is as if the sky fell.

I am greatful for Jake. I was so excited when we got him and I cheered for him right up to the end....and I am thankful for having Jake but now I am cheering for Cutler. We all take it personally. And we do look for the next Elway although there never will be one....but someday I'll cheer for Cutler's replacement when he is done.

Waiting for the next Elway?

But believe me when I say that we in Denver are not alone in this respect.

Fans around the league are waiting for the next...

1. Barry Sanders
2. Joe Montana
3. Emmit Smith
4. On and On and On...

Green Bay will be looking for the next Brett very soon.

But we as fans have more at stake than the players in my opinion. Some of us have been here through Morton, Elway, Steve, Gus, Brian, Bubby, Jake and others. And we'll be here long after they have moved on...or been benched. Fair? No, not really. But that is the NFL...not just in Denver. In fact, it is pretty rare around here.

Go Cutler...Go Broncos.

Jake Classy? I know 2 people on the Broncos staff and a good friend of mine was a Bronco till last year. The word has always been that he is a great friend and an even better team-mate...he does not like the press at all and would rather just be a normal every day guy, but I believe he must be regarded as classy guy (nice post "little guy".

James · 3 years ago

Good for Jake.

Brad · 3 years ago

Broncos fans need to come back to earth if they think Cutler is the next Elway. He can't do it on his own, they don't have much of a running game, there receivers aren't getting open and the line is shaky. Jake had no chance this year.

Matt Streeper · 3 years ago

I'm a big Jake fan but I admit he has had a tough year. Their are some valid excuse, none of which he would accept. He is a very classy guy, taking time to talk to my young son several times when out in public as member of ASU and the Cardinals, donating $250,000 to a local youth camp in Arizona and taking out a full page add to thank the fans when leaving AZ. Look at the QB's Shanny has gone thru since Elway. Maybe Denver should be looking for a new coach. The offense sputters because Kubiak is gone and Shanny is more involved. He makes bads decisions and few adjustments. Time for him to look in the mirror. Good luck to Cutler. Next? If the Bronco's need Jake again he will be ready.

DVD · 3 years ago

Jake does have tons of class. Always has. That's why his teammates love him so much. Those who instead choose to trash him by bringing up the "road rage" incident that was dismissed and a single time of flipping the bird demonstrate very little class themselves.

Adam Claybaugh · 3 years ago

Being from AZ, I've been a fan of Jake Plummer since his perfect season in '97 (save the Rose Bowl). He was fine with the Cardinals too...he just didn't have a team to play with. I have always loved the Denver Broncos, like I said, I'm from AZ and it's very hard to be a Cardinal fan, so naturally it made it pretty easy to love the Broncos...anyhow, I remember literally praying that Plummer would be picked up by Denver, and wouldn't you know, the good Lord answered my prayer. Since his move to Colorado, he's been nothing but good and I'm sad to see him demoted, and this time I can't say I agree with Shannahan's decision, but like Jake (who is a total class act), I'll support it...but I'm praying that he'll be back for the playoffs however that may play out....Is it bad to pray for injury to our new upcoming quarterback?

Tom Clason · 3 years ago

I can remember when Elway was able to be the difference in a game when the rest of the team seemed to be falling apart. Elway was a game breaker and, in my opinion, Jake is far from being anything other than a darned good quarterback when things are going well. I am not predicting the future, but I think that Jay Cutler is in the mold of Peyton Manning. He has the size, strength and calm self confidence that is needed to be a high quality NFL quarterback. I pray that I am right!

Tim · 3 years ago

Jake is full of class, I only wish that Denver reporters would take a lesson from Jake, and handle everything in a classy way.

(Mark Kiszla is an example of a reporter who needs a lesson in class. Guy is a huge jerk!!!)

Adam · 3 years ago

there have been some excellent and astute commentaries here. i am particularly excited to see that I am not alone in thinking the soft zone coverage is an open invitation to lose. bottom line: coyer hasn't done the job when it counts.

as to jay's debut, i share everyone's excitement. my guess would be that they scheme, on his first play for a blitz wih man coverage on javon. my solution - screen pass left side to tatum bell going forward...

my wife is a 'hawks fan, so tomorrow is a HUGE game for me!

GO BRONCOS!!

Bobby · 3 years ago

Tim is right, Plummer is a class act and it's too bad the media is so full of balogna. Kiszla is a jerk too!

MEL · 3 years ago

Jake, is a great QB, for me they should've keep him in the center... he's been playing well since he came to Denver...the only problem why he's struggling, it's because of Kubiak, after losing Kubiak to the Texans, the Broncos became a Defense team, not offense like we used to see.

Cat-Ultimate Bronco Fan in San · 3 years ago

Jake's benching seems to be shortsighted. I think Jake is the scapegoat for a team that is not that good. The Broncos special teams are terrible(remedial kick return 101 anyone?) Defensive backfield(Champ aside)have poor coverage and seem unable to tackle this year(Darrent Williams). I believe Kubiak's departure has been the single most damaging event for the Broncos this year. He was instrumental in helping Jake stay focused and decent play calling. I'm a transplanted lifelong Bronco fan living in San Diego. Even Charger fans are rather dismayed at this decision. At this point, without a good defensive backfield, smart special teams play, and smart offensive play calling, it won't make much difference if its Cutler or Jake, then end result will be a loss.

I wish Cutler the best against the Seahawks...and I wish Jake the best (some other team will gladly have him next year...Oakland Raiders perhaps land of the "risen from the dead QB". Thank you Jake for your decent play and decency as a person.

DrChappy · 3 years ago

As a displaced Orange-bleeder, it never made sense to bring in Jake, much akin to Michigan State bringing in John L. Smith four years ago. Nice guys, sure, just not nice for their respective jobs, mostly ill-suited band-aids, the best thought to be available when necessity bred a quick decision. At least Plummer had one good year. And now it's the kid, who has the mental and physical tools, and if he instills confidence in his teammates and performs, it'll be 'Jake who?'

Muneeb Khan · 3 years ago

Well the cutler era is not going as smoothly as of now. Its 3 minute remaining in the game.

I just hope its not one of those things.

Beware what you wish for it might come true ......

Go Cutler ......(he is definitely the future and might be the present) To be on the record i still believe that Jake gave us the best chance to win this year and can be seen in my previous posts

Keith · 3 years ago

Well, the Cutler era has begun! Here's to all of you who desired the change. This team has a great deal more wrong with it than Jake Plummer. His play in his final two games was enough to win, but the defense played awfully at key times. Now, you are likely to fail to make the playoffs and trade jake away. Have fun with Cutler. Perhaps when Shanahan loses faith in him and takes away half the playbook, you will reconsider who the real problem is. I don't remember the last time Jake lost a game with a running back over 100 years. In his last two losses the running game was terrible. Why do the Jake haters over look this?

Andy · 3 years ago

Jake you are missed, can't wait to follow you to the next team that you lead. Eventually you will win a Super Bowl and you will be known as the Comeback Kid. People who haven't followed Jake don't get it. This guy was magical with Arizona State, elusive, on target, and persistent. Then he got picked up by the pathetic Arizona Cardinals, and amazingly for the first time in a century brought them to the playoffs beating Troy Aikman's Dallas Cowboys, his first drive as a Rookie was something like 90 plus yards for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. Then the Cardinals made stupid after stupid mistakes that were not Jake's doing, all his fans prayed that he would play bad just so the Cardinals would get rid of him, and he did having many interceptions, however if you watched him, most were hail mary type interceptions just trying to win a game for the pathetic Cardinals. So he got stuck with this reputation as having many interceptions just because of stats, and so when he went to Denver he was always looked on with skepticism and every time he had a run of the mill interception Denver fans harped with the "Jake Mistake" crap, never really giving the guy a chance, and even with all this crap he was still able to overcome and take the Broncos to the AFC Championships, a place most teams only wish they could get to. Now just imagine if this guy Mr. Jake Plummer was to go somewhere where he was really given the full support of the community like back in his ASU days. Denver will surely be the loser when they get to watch Jake in the Super Bowl for some other more deserving team. Jake has a following like no other quarterbacks...the future lies ahead.

Observer · 3 years ago

In Jakes last 2 losses he didn't have Tatum Bell. I agree with #31 how can all of the Jake haters overlook this? I'm not a coach but everytime Mike Bell came in Seattle was expecting pass. Tatum Bell is the key to Denver's offense. Mike Bell is tough but he has 2 left feet and can't break tackles. The Cutler era has begun. Give Jake a Healthy Tatum Bell and Denver is 10-2. Shanny's offensive mind is not a great as the media says it is. Example: OPENING DRIVE, Tatum 1st 5 yards
2nd 4 yards
3rd PASS

HUH! RUN THE BALL. Guess I'll be watching the Nuggets

Paul · 3 years ago

Plummer should have never been removed. THe o line stinks this year the runnig back tandum isn't working. The play calling is horrible. It goes to show you that Gary Kubiak knew and did more than the the so called genius. Humperdink is not the answer

Greg Knapp · 3 years ago

Many of the previous commenters have said it all. Jake was not the problem. He is our best chance to win. If so many fans can see this, what about Mr. Shanahan and Mr. Bowlen? I too am looking forward to watching Jake again - and I am truly disappointed with the decision making at the upper management level.

Russ Naranjo · 3 years ago

Jake wasn't the problem. When the Broncos get the play action going the opposing defense can't handle it. Instead Shanahan is running flag football plays that are too predictable. He may have also hurt the confidence of a very promising young QB. The Broncos are a Super Bowl caliber team. They just can't get there with this coaching and management.

Bryan · 3 years ago

Here is my beef..... I'm not upset at all about making the QB switch to Cutler, but if your going to play him.....let him play. I think the play calling was a bit too conservative. 4th Quarter, and it's 3rd and 6 and you give the ball to Mike Bell for 1 yard? Also, what is up with the fake field goal? Thanks Shanny now our kicker is hurt too! Stupid mistakes by coaches and players have killed our playoff hopes. Its gonna be a tough climb....

adam · 3 years ago

Thank Jake and www.thankyoujake.com

:)

Rich Starr · 3 years ago

Jake should have never been benched. The running game has been enemic and that is the bottom line. He is the scapegoat and that is not fair. He is a great qb and on the run there is no one better in the NFL. This is not brain surgery.

Jerry · 3 years ago

Riddle..what does, Brady, Favre, Big Ben, Eli Manning, Brad Johnson, Chad Pennington, Charlie Frye, Alex Smith,Joey Harrington, John Kitna and Matt Hasselback have in common with Jake Plummer....they have as many or more interceptions this year....who has a better team record...Tom Brady and Matt Hasselback...who has lost to the Bronco's the last three times when Plummer was a QB....Tom Brady...any questions from the arm chair quarterbacks...you got your wish...now you can watch as the Bronco's head south for a number of years...I will even go to say that Mr. Cutler will quit on this team after he loses to Arizona...so much for confidence..Denver will face two tough defense the next two weeks...one that wants to punish Denver (Chargers) and one that has nothing to lose...by the way Rex Grossman has never been the same since Arizona's defense lit him up on Monday night...welcome to the big leagues Mr. Cutler...

spudcho libre · 3 years ago

Shanahan the back stabber.

April 23rd he should have proclaimed Plummer the QB for the entire season and put an immediate stop to the speculation of starting Cutler sometime this year. By not doing so, he allowed that speculation to become so loud the whole team was impacted by the uncertainty of losing Plummer as starter.

That was complete B.S. He ruined the season for the whole team, but especially for Plummer clear back in April. And now, he sticks a rookie in mid-season when things really matter instead of starting him in the preseason and giving him four preseason games to get a handle on things. Way to undermine the rookies confidence before he really has a fair chance to prove himself: from the bench into the fire.

Benching Plummer was the best thing for Plummer. He didn't deserve all the blame that the fans were heaping on him. Now they can heap it on Cutler, who also doesn't deserve it. Poor dude, being a patsy for Shanahan.

Heap some criticism on Shanahan. That's who deserves to be put under the microscope.

I really hand it to Plummer for sticking with this guy after having his confidence in himself as Bronco QB undermined to the extent that the whole team, fan base and media felt the tension. Then Shanahan allowed it to grow throughout the season to the point that everyone was un-nerved by the situation. Any wonder that no one could execute plays or defend against them?

Shanahan should prove his qualification for being an NFL coach and stand up and apologize to Plummer, Cutler, the team, and the fans for making such a mess of things.

Come on Mike, do the right thing. Take some of the heat off of your players and get things back on track. Apologize.

Fran Tarken10 · 3 years ago

The Bronco fans are the biggest dorks on the face of the earth. You go 7-4 and all of a sudden you call for an unproven rookie. I don't get it. Jake will be well received anywhere he goes next year. Last night just proved that Shanny can't win without Hall of Fame caliber people around him. He basically called it a season when he benched Jake.

Mike · 3 years ago

Fran Tarken10,

Spoken like a true braid head. MN fans are always loyal to their QBs. Just ask Dante Culpepper. If Broncos fans are dorks, I can't imagine what level of pathetic that makes fans who dress like the swiss miss girl to look cool.

Shanahan didn't make this change because of the fans. Nobody made this decision but Mike and frankly a lot of fans are profoundly frustrated with his oversized ego.

I do agree that Jaake will move on to do well somewhere and the Broncos will miss his pure athletic ability.

Dan=0 · 3 years ago

Jerry and the others have it right. Shanahan was 7-4 and in the playoffs and he tanked the season. The Broncos will finish 8-8 or 9-7 and out of the playoffs. With Jake they had a chance. With Cutler they have no chance. Its that simple. Better chance to go to the Super Bowl? Maybe in 2016.

WB, Boise ID · 3 years ago

Jake has been the best QB since Elway left, it is too bad it has to end this way. I remember when Denver drafted Tommy Maddox, when Elway so needed a dominate wideout. Only to have the QB out of footbal in several years selling insurance. History is about to repeat itself. Coach Shanny said we were only one play away from the big one. Why not draft players we could have used this year. Look at the Texans they drafted a defense player, not a QB to replace the struggling one they had already there. Jake is all class, he showed spirit when Griese was sleep walking. I have never seen a player throw the ball on the run either going left or right better than Jake. And I have seen alot of football. That is saying something.

Slyder30 · 3 years ago

First off, no one wins without Hall of Fame caliber players on the team. Every super bowl winner has two to three potential hall of famers on their roster. So stop trying to criticize Shanahan for needing to have talented teams.

Second, being from Boise also, I love Jake Plummer, but let's not idealize him - he certainly is not 'all class'. Did we already forget the bird flying incident? I'm just saying - let's not victimize the guy. He had his shot, and Shanny decided it was time to move on.

And last, don't act like Cutler was a total flop. He played just as well as Plummer had been playing all year: minimal yardage, low completion percentage, and 1 to 1 TD/INT ration. Par for the course. Personally, I think as soon as Jay settles down (he was noticeably nervous Sunday night, and understandably so) he'll be an upgrade over Jake. Simply put, he can do things Jake just can't do.

I wish Jake the best of luck in Detroit. Or Minnesota. Or wherever he's going to be next year.

Greg · 3 years ago

I think anyone talking down about Jake's the "road rage" incident here, and the obsene jesture should take a step back and look at themselves. I would venture to guess you were upset at least one occasion in your lives driving, or gave the one finger salute to someone. But then again, maybe you're just too perfect.

M · 3 years ago

Jake is all class...and we will miss him in Denver. Thanks jake for all your great charity work- and for bringing excitement back into Bronco's Country!

bronco33 · 3 years ago

i've been a bronco fan ever since they lost to the giants in the superbowl (i live in the n.y. area and hate the giants) and i've seen Denver QB's come and go since Elway retired. since Elway, i've never been so in awe of a QB's class like Plummer's. i recently saw a TV piece of him donning a santa hat and taking time to give away toys and money for a Denver area charity, this after recently being demoted to 2nd string QB. in our modern sports world full of the T.O's and the past have beens like the O.J's its great to see someone with the caliber of Plummer's class. the broncos might not win it all this year BUT i wish they did just to see jake get a ring even if he got it in the bench. Plummer is a great guy, lets give him some respect huh?