Gruden giving up on Plummer

While general manager Bruce Allen maintains the Bucs would still welcome estranged quarterback Jake Plummer, coach Jon Gruden this morning effectively waved a white flag on his hopes of seeing Plummer in pewter.

"He's retired," Gruden said on the final day of the NFL's owners meetings in Palm Beach. "They say I collect quarterbacks. One of them hasn't played in two years (Chris Simms) and one of them retired.

"We tried. That's all I can say. I think still he's one of the top quarterbacks on the planet, personally. I think his performance, his won-loss record speaks for itself. We traded a seventh-round draft choice basically for Jake Plummer and unfortunately he's decided to stay retired.

The Bucs are still pursuing a grievance they filed against Plummer through which the team hopes to recover approximately $7-million in previously-paid bonus money that applies to the unfulfilled portion of his contract. Tampa Bay inherited the provisions of his contract when he was traded to the Bucs last year. Plummer has never reported despite several efforts by Gruden and Allen to persuade him. The case is expected to be heard in arbitration later this year.

But as for Plummer lining up for the Bucs, that isn't going to happen, Gruden said. It was the first time the coach took a less-than-optimistic approach when addressing the topic.

"We've got a Pro Bowl quarterback here with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers," Gruden said, referring to Jeff Garcia. "I would love to coach Jake Plummer at some point in my life because I think he’s a great competitor. It's disappointing and too bad it didn't work out."

Comments

[eric]

Is it that he doesn't want to play football anymore or just not with the Bucs??? Either way... good riddance.
e

[Jon Rude-n]

Obviously Jake the Sanke is pulling a Chris McCandless. He has gone into the wild so the guruden may want to start looking in all abandoned buses in idaho, Utah, or whatever state he cowered off to.

[DR]

My Tony Romo doll pulled a McCandless one night in my moms bedroom closet. My Pac-man doll was making it rain when Jessica was dancing on the pole in the doll house, and Tony Doll wanted to get away from it all because it upset him, so he went and slept in one of my moms high heel shoes. I found him pretty fast though when I was playing dress-up in my moms clothes the next day. So he didn't starve. Who wants a pizza? mmmmmm Tony

[Str8BucIn]

Why should we care about a guy that hasn't shown any interest in this organization at all. When you get the coach and his wife flying out to entice you to play and you give them your back side, we as fans should do the same. Jake "The Fake" Plummer is not wanted in Tampa by the fans.

[Finally!]

Since we traded for him... i mean why in the world did we trade for a guy who already said he was going to retire!!!... and finally after so many obvious signs that plummer would not play for any team did chucky see the light. Besides was he that good? ok lets see... TDS: 161, INTS: 161 simply amazing!!!...

[JS]

who cares about plummer? we needed that pick. that pick could land us the next tom brady or marques colston. the next best thing the bucs can do is cut or release simms and gradSUCKSy...

Farve hasn't filed his retirement paperwork yet. Let's see if he can play for the Bucs too!

[J]

MORE IMPORTANT!

THE BUCS/GRUDEN NEED TO GIVE UP ON GRADKOSKI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DR]

Jake Plummer was just a newer version of Jeff George. Everyone talked about how good he could be but he rarely ever proved it. Well overrated.
He would be their best back up if he did play, though.

[DR's alter-ego]

Holy chit, I made a well thought out, and sensible post. No anti Gruden agenda, or blah blah BS. Note to self, nicely done son. Not to sure Plummer was ever over-rated, but agree he "might have been in time" a better back-up than Bob's son, but only because he can/could move a better.

[mm]

Hey Chris Henry has been released. How long before the Cowboys pick him up?

[DR]

Well, to be honest, it was a pretty poor play by Gruden to trade for a guy who said he was going to retire if he wasn't playing in Houston. Apparently, what Plummer said didn't quite register with Gruden. Plummer didn't want to play for him, but Gruden and his ego thought they could make him play. A great move by a "great" coach.
Let me say it again since someone can't read, nobody will pick up Henry since he'll be suspended for the year (as long as this charge is valid). You might have a better chance going after Vick.

[arun]

A 7th round draft pick last year for $7 million in cap space next year -sounds like a good trade to me. But I do think Plummer would have been great under Gruden.

[mm]

DR do you know really think Gruden had that much to do with trading for Plummer? Really? What do think the GM's job is? You think Gruden calls all the shots? I know you like to take shots at Gruden but use some common sense. It is more Bruce Allens job to determine which free agents the Bucs will pick up and certainly his job to work trades. Now I am sure that Gruden has input as far as players he might be interested in but the final call is Allen's.

[DR]

mm, of course Gruden and all other head coaches, except the ones that are also a GM, do not have 100% say in who to pick, trade for, or sign. The coach does have some input, how much, we'll probably never know. My point is you all who love Gruden for whatever reason that you do would be praising him like he was a saint if Plummer panned out and had a great season. You all would be saying what a genius Gruden is. For some reason, you all praise Gruden for the good and relieve him of any responsibility for the bad. If the Bucs go 4-12 next year, you all would blame Dungy and Mckay and argue the same old crap, Gruden won a super bowl, it's not his fault. Oh yeah, can't forget the "he's the youngest coach to do this and that". I'm sure i'm forgetting some more stupid irrelevant arguments people have used in supporting Gruden's average record with the Bucs.

[mm]

But your arguement was that "Gruden" made a poor play by getting Plummer was it not? I for one am not a Gruden mark. I like the coach. I don't think he is the greatest coach and I certainly don't think he is the worst one either. My point is you can't point fingers at Gruden for everything wrong OR everything that pans out for the team. Just don't hate!

[John]

I really wish we have Wade Phillips as our HC. He is much better than Gruden.

[DR]

C'mon John, you know Wade Phillips isn't a head coach. He's just keeping a seat warm for Garret. Although, i would like to hear what Garret's excuse was for a poor game plan against the Giants, in my opinion.
It's funny how you guys bring up the 'Boys every time you are on the defense. I mean, the Bucs aren't nearly as talented as the 'Boys. 13 wins by a powerless Phillips is eaqual to the same amount of wins Gruden has had in the last 2 years.
mm, i'm trying not to hate but you guys give way too much credit.

[Bill]

DR, do you have a job? Hobbies?
You consistently argue trivial off season matters with fans? Why? If you don't like the Bucs why follow them so closely?