Jake Plummer

Good morning --Denver Broncos fans-- Maybe you can all sign a big "We're sorry" card and send it to Jake Plummer.

Good morning --Denver Broncos fans-- Maybe you can all sign a big "We're sorry" card and send it to Jake Plummer.

The number 24 Consecutive wins by Patriots when leading after the third quarter. The quote "Rod was like `Just score.' And I did. I need to stop taking Jake's advice and listen to Rod more often." Clinton Portis, Broncos running back, on Jake Plummer, who wanted to run out the clock, and Rod Smith

Cowboys (7-4) @ Giants (6-5) -- The Giants won the first meeting in Dallas, sending Drew Bledsoe to the bench. But New York is reeling with three straight losses and now has to face new Cowboys QB Tony Romo. Seahawks (6-4) @ Broncos (7-4) -- Jake Plummer's next stop apparently will be the bench as Jay Cutler probably will make his Broncos debut.

Few players know the NFL as thoroughly as Jake Plummer. Fewer enjoyed Week 3 as much as the Denver Broncos' quarterback. Ravens @Broncos Monday, 8:30 p.m., ESPN, Ch. 13, 1090 AM, 97.9 FM Line: Broncos by 4

Cowboys (7-4) @ Giants (6-5) -- The Giants won the first meeting in Dallas, sending Drew Bledsoe to the bench. But New York is reeling with three straight losses and now has to face new Cowboys QB Tony Romo. Seahawks (6-4) @ Broncos (7-4) -- Jake Plummer's next stop apparently will be the bench as Jay Cutler probably will make his Broncos debut.

HOW THE GAME WAS LOST After two straight comeback wins, the Ravens' offense had no fourth-quarter miracles left in Denver. Instead, quarterback Steve McNair threw two fourth-quarter interceptions to shut off any comeback hopes once the Ravens fell behind 6-3. Denver's Tatum Bell countered a poor performance by quarterback Jake Plummer (106 passing yards) with 92 rushing yards. Panthers@Ravens Sunday, 1 p.m., Ch. 45, 1090 AM, 97.9 FM Line: Off the board

Quotable"It seemed every time we had a big play running or passing, the officials wanted to be part of the game. I know them [the officiating crew] pretty well, and once I saw the head guy [Ed Hochuli], I knew it was going to be a questionable day." -- Elvis Grbac, Chiefs quarterback, whose team was called for 13 penalties, eight of them offensive holding."I don't know where the team is right now. We're trying to be positive, but it's so easy to be negative." -- Simeon Rice, Cardinals defensive lineman.

Out of the NFL for two years, Denver Broncos quarterback Danny Kanell is sort of a mystery. The same could be said about the Ravens' defense these days. Once known for shutouts, the Ravens' wall on the goal line is showing some cracks. The Ravens have surrendered 126 points this season - which ranks 18th in the NFL and represents their most points allowed over a six-game start since 1997. In their defense, fluke plays have been converted into touchdowns and turnovers have paved short paths to the end zone.

Quarterbacks still figure to go 1-2-3 and running back Ricky Williams of Texas is likely to be picked in the fourth spot in tomorrow's NFL draft.After that, it's anybody's guess what will happen because the St. Louis Rams scrambled the draft board yesterday by acquiring veteran running back Marshall Faulk from the Indianapolis Colts.The trade sent scouts all over the league scurrying to their draft boards to assess the ramifications of the deal.Among other things, it means the Colts plan to replace Faulk by drafting one of the top two running backs with the No. 4 overall pick.

HOW THE GAME WAS LOST After two straight comeback wins, the Ravens' offense had no fourth-quarter miracles left in Denver. Instead, quarterback Steve McNair threw two fourth-quarter interceptions to shut off any comeback hopes once the Ravens fell behind 6-3. Denver's Tatum Bell countered a poor performance by quarterback Jake Plummer (106 passing yards) with 92 rushing yards. Panthers@Ravens Sunday, 1 p.m., Ch. 45, 1090 AM, 97.9 FM Line: Off the board

Another NFL player - this time, the Ravens' B.J. Sams - got busted the other day, but don't worry about it leaving any taint on the league's reputation. When all is said and done, the NFL's image will remain pristine. Meet the league's most valuable employee, its executive vice president in charge of Teflon. There has to be someone with that title in the league offices, right? This has been the Year of the Knucklehead in America's favorite sports league, but its position remains utterly unchallenged, while every other sport pays for player misbehavior in dollars and credibility.

Few players know the NFL as thoroughly as Jake Plummer. Fewer enjoyed Week 3 as much as the Denver Broncos' quarterback. Ravens @Broncos Monday, 8:30 p.m., ESPN, Ch. 13, 1090 AM, 97.9 FM Line: Broncos by 4

The number 24 Consecutive wins by Patriots when leading after the third quarter. The quote "Rod was like `Just score.' And I did. I need to stop taking Jake's advice and listen to Rod more often." Clinton Portis, Broncos running back, on Jake Plummer, who wanted to run out the clock, and Rod Smith

DENVER - The Denver Broncos' quarterback saga took a turn for the weird yesterday. Danny Kanell, the journeyman scheduled to start against the Ravens tomorrow, missed practice yesterday because of the flu. He is listed as probable, but coach Mike Shanahan said he's not sure if Kanell will be able to play. "This morning he was vomiting; he's got the flu right now," Shanahan said. "He's a little bit dehydrated. We gave him some IVs, and hopefully he'll be all right by game time." If Kanell can't play, the ball will be in the hands of Jarious Jackson, who was cut by the Broncos at the end of training camp.

Out of the NFL for two years, Denver Broncos quarterback Danny Kanell is sort of a mystery. The same could be said about the Ravens' defense these days. Once known for shutouts, the Ravens' wall on the goal line is showing some cracks. The Ravens have surrendered 126 points this season - which ranks 18th in the NFL and represents their most points allowed over a six-game start since 1997. In their defense, fluke plays have been converted into touchdowns and turnovers have paved short paths to the end zone.

After quarterback Jim Druckenmiller's first workout in training camp, San Francisco general manager Bill Walsh raised a few eyebrows by saying, "I was very impressed. He looked really good."The remarks were surprising, because Walsh has been a frequent critic of the team's decision to take Druckenmiller over Jake Plummer in the draft two years ago.It turned out Walsh's comments had more to do with his relationship with coach Steve Mariucci than with Druckenmiller.It's been awkward at times for Mariucci to work under the man who started the 49ers dynasty.

Arizona Cardinals Last season: 7-9, fourth place, NFC East. Coach: Dave McGinnis (8-17), third year with Cardinals. Story line: Is McGinnis the coach who can turn the Cardinals around or is he another in a line of those who get chewed up by the team's mediocrity? Power game: A solid offensive line should afford QB Jake Plummer (only 29 sacks) the time to generate a top-rate passing game. With WR David Boston and TE Freddie Jones, Plummer doesn't lack for playmakers. But the Cardinals need disappointing RB Thomas Jones to make a difference.

EAST DIVISION Arizona Cardinals Last season: 3-13, fifth place. Coach: Dave McGinnis (1-8), second season with Cardinals. Strength of schedule: Tied for 13th. Starting QB (W-L): Jake Plummer (18-32). Best move: Starting over on a defensive line that finished 30th in rush defense. The Cardinals let DEs Simeon Rice and Andre Wadsworth become free agents, and will have four new starters up front. Weakest link: The Cardinals haven't exactly replaced Rice and Wadsworth. With the second pick in the draft, they went for OL Leonard Davis.