Plummer hearing date to be set

Just got an update from the players' union on the Jake Plummer case. I'm told we should have a hearing date within a couple weeks.

As you probably know, the Bucs have filed a grievance that seeks to recoup about $7-million in bonus money. The money was paid to Plummer by the Broncos and applies the portion of his contract he failed to fulfill after electing to retire after his trade from Denver to Tampa Bay last year.

That grievance was appealed by the union, as expected. We were previously under the impression that the Bucs had not responded to the appeal, as required to move forward with the case. Turns out, that's not the case. The Bucs did indeed file their response and a hearing date will soon be set for the case to go before an arbitrator. That date is likely to be set when the union and league attorneys have their usual meeting during Super Bowl week in Phoenix.

While the case nears its next phase, general manager Bruce Allen was just saying last week that he is still holding out hopes that Plummer might surface, even though Allen says they haven't talked in months. That seems like an unlikely outcome. It's more plausible that this thing goes to an arbitrator or gets settled between the parties, perhaps for a smaller amount.

Either way, we'll keep you posted.

Comments

[Mike]

Stephen, Does any money recouped count towards salary cap this year or did it already count against us last year?

[jason]

And the waste of time continues. This hole Plummer issue has been completely counter productive. It was a waste of draft picks and hugh waste of front office time and energy.
Hey Bruce, here's a clue for ya. Next time you trade for a player, make sure he wants to play for you!
Then again what do I know, I'm just a stupid season ticket holder.

[Stephen Holder]

Mike, the way I understand it, at least some of the money -- if they're successful in arbitration -- would be added to the cap. But since it might be a while before this is resolved, it's hard to say whether the money would get applied to the cap in '08 or '09. Jake wasn't on the cap in '07 because they placed him on the Did Not Report List. Those players don't count toward the cap because they are not paid for the season if they don't show.

[Keith]

Yes Jason, You are just a stupid ticket holder!

[mkurbo]

Jason, you're an idiot ! The Bucs will make out on the business side of this transaction big time. First, everyone made fun of Gruden/Allen during the off-season preseason for “collecting” quarterbacks. What’s a bunch of idiots you guys are ? Go talk to the Panthers about having too many QB’s around !

Second, If you don’t think there are a half dozen teams that want to talk him out of retirement for the starting job (and throw money at him), get a grip !

It’s was and is a pure stroke of brilliance on the business side of Allen and the request side of Gruden.

[Jay]

Stephen, did Plummer ever submit his retirement papers? I don't remember seeing that.

[RAH]

Yes Jason, You are "just a stupid ticket holder!" It is unanimous - unheard of in this forum - rarer than 19 & 0

[Stephen Holder]

Jay, it's complicated. All Jake had to do was submit a letter to the commissioner, per league rules, informing the league of his intention to retire. But here's the tricky part: it's then up to the team that holds his rights (obviously, the Bucs) to then place him on the "Retired List." That makes it official. The Bucs haven't done that and don't figure to until this whole thing is resolved. That's what Bruce Allen meant last year some time when he said a player can't "unilaterally retire." In essence, it's not solely up to the player. That make sense?

I don't get it - Plummer got paid money but never earned it. What is the union's argument as to why Plummer gets to keep any of it?

[Jason]

Ok, lets just see what the end result is.
Say oh, next year this time.
Maybe by then we'll see if all of you Wanna Be GM's were right. Mean while I believe we'll be short two draft picks this coming season.
My question is what's that worth? Future cap space!
What about players that actually show up and play!
Have you ever heard the saying "a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush."
I look forward to your oh so eloquent response.

[Tim]

The whole problem I have with this whole thing is that the Broncos paid him the money and the Buccaneers are trying to "recoup" what they never paid.

They never paid Plummer a dime so how can they come after his money. The Broncos paid it to him and they don't seem to care.

He retired. How many players have you seen retire and then the teams come after them for money before? I'll tell you how many-NONE! It's unprecedented.

If the Buccaneers win, this will set a very bad precedent. It would mean that players would have to get teams permission to retire, basically, or risk having the teams come after the money they already earned or were paid. When a player decides to hang it up, it's his and his family's decision. When Brett Favre was contemplating you never heard Green Bay threaten to come after any of his money.

This whole thing has to do with one thing-the pety, vindictive, arrogant, greedy, and vile overinflated egos of Bruce Allen and Jon Gruden. They didn't get their way, so now they're going to use every dirty trick to get their way. If they would have listened in the first place when Jake said he would never play for the Buccaneers or Jon Gruden, this situation would not exist. It was then their fault for A-going ahead with the trade thinking Jake would cave when he didn't get paid and for B-not trying to trade him once they realized he wouldn't play for them out of some deranged thought process that they would make him play by going after the money the Broncos paid him.

I don't see how the Bucs can try to "recoup" money they never paid. It's wrong and I hope they lose!

[Jason]

Bravo! Tim
I couldn't agree more.

[BG]

this is for TIM. the whole problem is the signing bonus. which the bucs did pay. thats all they want and they are owed. what plummer did was like if you owened a roofing company and got paid for the job before hand and didnt even start the job. wouldnt you want your money back. just maken a coment