QB Upgrade Not Needed
The Denver Broncos were close this year. Closer than just about anyone expected they might be outside of the locker room. The Broncos can make another run next year with the same core squad. There is room for a few upgrades — but the starting QB is not one of them.
Many are calling for Plummer to move on after an ugly game in the AFC Championship. That would be a mistake, and there are plenty of reasons why.
There are few QBs out there who would be a better option for the Broncos than Jake Plummer — and they aren’t available. The Broncos aren’t going to be able to race out and pickup a free agent QB who is going to be an upgrade. And they aren’t going to draft someone who can lead this team next year better than Jake. We can all wish for another Ben Roethlisberger, who has performed so well in his first two years to come along, but he is far from a typical young QB. He is the second youngest QB ever to start the Super Bowl just because he is special.
Before this season, John Elway said this should be the year where everything comes together for Jake Plummer. He felt that the third year would be the one where Jake would fully grasp the offense. Apparently John Elway knows what he is talking about. I also think it is because Mike Shanahan grasps Jake Plummer. He has molded the offense toward Jake’s strengths, and away from his weaknesses. Bringing in a new QB right now would set the whole offense back. Jake had a great season, and I think he can do it again.
Jake may have had some troubles on Sunday against the Steelers, but the loss can’t be fully placed on his shoulders. As Rod Smith has said, Jake Plummer is a good QB, but he has to rely on his teammates to make him great. On Sunday, they gave him an oportunity to be average at best. The Steelers had a great gameplan and executed it well. The offensive line had poor pass blocking. Passes were dropped. Possible interceptions were dropped.
I will eagerly welcome #16 back in 2006 with any hairstyle he chooses to sport. He played a large part in getting the Broncos to the AFC Championship game. Next year, he should be given the opportunity to take this team to the next level. His coach and teammates will support him, and the fans should as well.
On January 24th, 2006 at 3:54 pm
Amen brother…. We love you Jake!
On January 24th, 2006 at 3:57 pm
Ok so its not his fault, balls were dropped, blocks were not there and interceptions weren’t being made. Its a team effort and the team did not achieve the goal they set out to do,when I look at the players I see heads down no bounce in there step, just a total melt down, I see poor attitude. Now if attitude reflects leadership and Jake is are leader what does that say about the team? The point I’m trying to make is that a mistake is an opportunity given in disguise! but when a mistake is not corrected the disguise becomes failure. Jake made mistake after mistake after you know mistake, so the big question?. Was are season a mistake or a failure?. Four turnovers by one player and the coach says we were out played and out coached. He was the same with Gre Gre well you know Elways understudy, number 14 who? No one said it was going to be easy, but being a bronco fan is hard even after thirty years of it.
On January 24th, 2006 at 4:57 pm
Has anyone from Denver even looked at his stats from AZ? Sorry to tell you, Denver, he’s getting worse over these years and now he has a good team. A lot of Denver fans ripped on him with the Cardinals, and now that you have him he’s been the best thing ever…Well, until Sunday. Again look at your stats, and then will talk.
On January 24th, 2006 at 6:32 pm
Personally I think the Broncos should really think about Plummer’s future in Denver. Four years ago in AFC Championship season against the Patriots, Kordell Stewart had a similar that Jake had going into the conference chapionship. But like Plummer there were question into whether Stewart would stay mistake free and lead the team to the Super Bowl. And like Plummer, Stewart turned the ball over three time while trying to lead a comeback after the Steeler were behind early against the Patriot and eventually lost the game.
The Steelers gave up on Stewart and gave way to Tommy Maddox for two season’s before investing their future to Ben Roethlisberger. I’m not suggesting that Jake Plummer is Kordell Stewart but need to draft a young quarterback in the 2nd round or 3 round like Omar Jacobs Brodie Croyle or Reggie McNeal.
On January 25th, 2006 at 11:18 am
Plummer will be back next year and they will be in the super bowl .come on steeler fan you give me one qb that will be a FA out there and one that will be better than Jake .Theres not one ,jake is the man in denver and will be for years.Yeah they lost on sunday ,but all of the blame cant be put on jake the snake ,he had no protection what so ever .Come on steelers fan he has to get a liitle credit he had about 5 or 6 plays that he made something out of nothing .and another why the hell would the broncos draft a rookie qb and have bradlee vanpelt as a 2nd string,they will have to wait another 4 years for the rookie to develop and learn the system .players like big ben only come around once in while .Broncos will be back next year stonger and better .You and all of plummers critics will be calling him jake the mistake next year but by years end it will be JAKE THE MVP AND SUPER BOWL CHAMP
On January 26th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
Isn’t this a broncos log? Why are the likes of Jake WHO and Steelers fans dominating this conversation? Get a life, you people and stick to your own blogs.
On January 30th, 2006 at 10:03 am
People, people, people. If anyone knows pain, it is me. I have cheered for Iowa State’s football team since birth. If anyone can screw it up Iowa State can. If you can do a better job than Jake, by all means try out for the team. If not, be thankful you don’t cheer for Iowa State’s team. When you see how bad it can be, your thankful for anything you can get and I’ve seen the worst.
On January 31st, 2006 at 2:09 pm
All you fans who think the Broncos should stick with Plummer are crazy. I am a huge fan who wants to see us get back to the Super Bowl and win. All Plummer has done in his three years in Denver is get us to the playoffs and then get annhialiated and embarrassed by his poor play, then sticks us with a late 20s first round draft pick. We are beginning to sound like Cubs fans, saying “Wait until next year”. Well I don’t know about you all, but I’m sick of waiting until next year. It has been 8 years since “The Master” retired at the top of the sports world. I’m telling you, Plummer has had all the talent he needs to get the job done, and he hasn’t. We need to look elsewhere for someone who has what it takes, because Jake Choksondik (to borrow a character name from South Park) sure ain’t gonna do it!
On January 31st, 2006 at 3:26 pm
I’ve been a diehard Broncos fan for years and I must say even I was disappointed in Jake. The team overall but him in particular. He had a meltdown this game. 4 turnovers is unacceptable. The pass he threw after that stellar punt return to KILL the momentum they had, was choke at it’s best. He had at least two other options that he didn’t look for. Jake has kept me on pins and needles for years and I must say that he is always the element that makes me nervous going into a big game. The big question? Can he get it under control permanently? Can he manage his fear? Can he settle down? I’m willing to give him a shot because I still haven’t forget how much crap we talked about Elway early on for similar deficiencies. 2 superbowls later it’s all forgiven. I hope Jake will prove at least half as proficient and bring us at least one. I think he can do it, but just to be on the safe side, can anyone say T.O.?
On February 1st, 2006 at 12:19 pm
TO!!!! Amen brother
On February 14th, 2006 at 2:29 am
Oh come on now…what is this with trying to get ride of Jake? First off I have been a Broncos fan for many years and this is not the first time I have seen a QB have a bad game. This is football folks and people are going to have mistakes it is a part of the game. In the Steelers game I have to agree with bestdamnbroncosfaninsd, Jake had no protection in this game. He had to try and make a lot of plays on the run due to the line breaking down. And almost what clarsen mentioned don’t you remember some of the games Elway had problems in? I remember a few 4 interception games and I remember Elway played pretty erratic at times, but I still loved the guy. Jake may not be the best in the league but he is damn good and I think he will only continue to improve the longer he is a Bronco!! I say down to all Broncos fans that want a different QB….oh and if you want to keep whining about Jake, just be lucky/happy we did not stick with Griese! And one last thing GO BRONCOS!!
On February 25th, 2006 at 2:05 pm
I live in Pittsburgh and was only one of a handful Broncos fans…Ihave been a Blue and Orange fan for 25 years. Every Steeler fan I know was telling me..wait for Jake to blow it in the big game! I defended Jake and Istill do…Iwill be at Heinz field for the rematch in Blue and Orange!! Go Jake and go Broncos!
On September 24th, 2006 at 5:21 pm
Well, I came across this site(http://www.jakethemistake.com). It seems that more and more denver fans are against him….