Plummer knows job isn't secure

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By DARRELL FRY

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 12, 2001

It's hot in Arizona. But nowhere in the state is hotter than underneath Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer.

While Plummer was once loosely compared with a young Joe Montana by some experts, there are questions swirling around the hot-shot quarterback these days.

After a couple of promising seasons under Plummer, the Cardinals have slumped noticeably the past two, winning just six in 1999 and three last season. In that time, Plummer has thrown more than twice as many interceptions as touchdowns.

The Cardinals fired their coach after last season (Dave McGinnis has the job now). If the Cardinals don't improve this season, folks in Arizona will wonder if Plummer is next.

Remember, this is a guy who was given a $15-million signing bonus and will make $4-million this season from a contract that expires after the 2002 season.

"I know there are a lot of people out there doubting me. I tell Pat (Tillman, a standout safety) that I'm not the biggest name on the team anymore. He is," Plummer said. "I know this is a make-or-break year for me. I might not be the smartest guy out here, but I've never stopped believing in myself. I haven't gotten down. I'm not like that.

"I'm excited about our new line. We are going to be able to run the ball. I think we're going to have a great offense."

They had better. For Jake's sake.

DID YOU KNOW?: Before Saturday's game against Denver, the Cowboys were 1-15 in their past 16 preseason games.

BET THEY CAN'T DO IT AGAIN: The Eagles always look forward to playing a division rival like the Giants. But it's more important to Philly fans because the Eagles have lost nine straight to the Giants, including last season's divisional playoffs.

"I've never lost to a team more than two or three times (in a row)," quarterback Donovan McNabb said. "That's a tough situation for me."

OUCH!: Dolphins punter Matt Turk revealed his secret to nailing long punts. He wears shoes that are three sizes smaller than what he usually wears. Typically a size 13, Turk punts with a soccer shoe that's a size 10.

"That's the way the ball flies better off your foot," he said. "The tighter and less give there is in the shoe, the better the ball is going to jump off your foot."

Turk said most kickers and punters do their work wearing shoes at least two sizes smaller.

Gee, who knew?

DID YOU KNOW II?: The Falcons cut training camp short because their practice field at Furman University in Greenville, S.C., was taking a beating after heavy rains turned the sod to mush.

NO McDONALD'S?: Now we know why Saints draft pick Deuce McAllister held out until getting a six-year, $6.2-million contract. The ex-Mississippi star comes from a tiny town in Mississippi. It's so tiny it was not recognized by the 2000 U.S. Census.

The town has a post office, three stores and a Big Bill's Seafood restaurant.

COPY CATS: If imitation is the greatest form of flattery, the Bucs defense ought to be feeling pretty good these days.

Not only have the Rams signed several former Tampa Bay defensive players (linebacker Don Davis, defensive tackle Tyoka Jackson, coach Lovie Smith), but the Cowboys have switched to Tampa Bay's defensive scheme that involves single-gap responsibility.

The Cowboys defense was 31st in the league against the run last season and, with a little help from the Bucs, they hope to change that this season.

WHAT WILL YOU CALL IT?: Officially, Broncos stadium is called Invesco Field at Mile High, but does anybody want to bet that nobody calls it that? They can name it whatever they want, but it always will be Mile High Stadium.

Got it?

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Said Dallas receiver Joey Galloway, coming back from a season-opening ACL injury last season: "I'm anxious to get tackled. I haven't been tackled in over a year. You need to get folded up, bent up and hurt a little bit, then get up and keep going. That's when you feel like you are ready to go."

-- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.

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