Plummer's case is closed

It's a done deal.

The Bucs and retired quarterback Jake Plummer have reached a settlement in a grievance filed by the Bucs that sought to recover $7-million of a signing bonus paid to the player for a contract he failed to fulfill.

Instead of the full sum, we've confirmed the sides have settled the case for roughly half, or $3.5-million. Wednesday's hearing before an arbitrator in New York has been canceled. Plummer faced an uphill climb had the case gone before the arbitrator given the precedent set by other cases.

The Bucs filed the grievance last summer when Plummer failed to report to training camp after his trade from the Broncos earlier in 2007. The Bucs continued to have conversations with Plummer aimed at convincing him to join the team, but Plummer declined and remained retired.

The contract, re-negotiated with the Broncos in 2005, called for Plummer to play through 2009. The trade from Denver to Tampa Bay gave the Bucs all the rights provided under his contract, including the right to enforce its forfeiture clause.

Also, the Bucs confirmed today what we told you some time ago: The team will in fact receive a 2009 salary-cap credit for the amount recovered, in this case, $3.5-million.

Comments

[Jorge]

Good deal all around, and the Bucs get a further 3.5 million dollars for the salary cap to extend the deals of Barrett Ruud and other young players to keep the core of this promising young team intact.

[JH]

Thanks for letting us know Stephen. Should we assume that all of this money will be credited toward the salary cap? Thanks!

[SlantPete Times Staff]

GruAllen is obviously evil for taking this young man's money. We can't run GruAllen out of town quick enough.

[Teddy Ruxpin]

SlantPete Times Staff sys "GruAllen is obviously evil"
Are you drunk?

[Mower]

I mow lawns for $20. But I require the money up front and I only mow a 5 foot strip before I quit. I do however expect to keep all of the money. SlantPete Times Staff, you look like my perfect customer.

[JOhn]

Jorge, we've got way more than enough to extend Ruud, pay Garcia and Graham right now! The organization refuses to spend. Culverhouse rides again!

[MoveTheDome.com]

Take that money and give it to someone who EARNED it... AKA JEFF GARCIA!

movthedome.com

[Teddy Ruxpin]

Very nice response Mower!

[Mike]

Should have busted Plummers a55 for all of it. Where else in the real world can you get 3.5 million and never show up.. Cheese and Rice...

[Sean]

For quite some time i've felt this team was run by complete idiots with the way they've signed criminals/injured players,and spent numerous draft picks on an offense that doesn't seem to improve. However, in the last fews years I must give Bruce/Roxanne (salary attorney) credit. They've managed to get a second rounder for an unproductive player (McFarland), recoup 3.5 mil for the price of a low draft pick, are not overplaying for FA's, and are rebuilding the core of the defense. Nice job! Now if you can just improve the teams PR a bit Bruce so players won't refer to you as 'Wardon'.

chicken.

[Buster]

Yea...3.5 million back in the Glaser's pocket, or maybe we can sign another felon!

[TheTruth]

Yea...3.5 million in Glaser's pocket to compensate for the millions they gave Sims

[Vince]

Real question -- will Times run article praising Gruden/Allen for recovering $3.5 MM for a late draft pick. What are the odds? I would pay double if Stroud writes the article.

[Larry]

One of your "sister" publications is reporting that's it's not a done deal after all. Maybe a bit premature? eh?

[BroEli]

Is that enough money to grab another felon?

[JR]

Turning a 7th rounder into 3.5 million dollars, bruce allen is a clever chap indeed.

[jason]

Stephen recap for us won't you...
What was the original trade for Plummer? and what was the out come?
Thank you...

[Stephen_Holder]

Jason: What I think you're asking are the terms of the trade. If so, the Bucs gave a conditional draft pick (7th rounder) in exchange for Plummer in March 07. The pick would have been a fourth rounder if Plummer would have shown up. He didn't of course, so they're only out the seventh round pick which was forfeited in this year's draft. Cool?

[devin]

why doesnt bruce allen make a smart decision like every other gm in the leauge that pays their playmakers a least a good contract

[DR]

glass half full or half empty? The Bucs lost $3.5M in this deal. That isn't good business. That means our ticket prices will probably move up again to help the idiot Glazers, Manchester united loan- what suckers! Don't pay the players who made a bad team better. Hopefully they will sell this team sooner than later.

[JAY]

Fire jon gruden!

[Teddy Ruxpin]

JAY is an idiot. JAY please quit posting messages if you have no common sense. Thank You!!

They are milions upon millions under the cap already. They are not going to spend the money. If only they could figure out a way to sell salary cap space to another team. Then they would be happy.

[Kurt]

More proof of Allen's abilities as a GM and DR's ability to twist a gain into a loss. Both very adept in what they do...and thank God Allen is on our side.

[jackpc]

How can you question Glazer Family's commitment to a winning team. Have you seen the first-class team facility they built. I hope the family maintains their commitment to the team, the bay area, and to us fans.

[confused]

Stephen, did the Bucs or Broncos pay Plummer the original 7 million.

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[confused]

Stephen- I understand now. Thank you.