Broncos Gave Plummer Best Chance at Win

<br>DENVER (AP) _ Jake Plummer's decision came down to Arizona, Chicago and Denver. The Cardinals were more familiar, the Bears offered more money and the Broncos gave him the best chance to win right

Friday, March 7th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DENVER (AP) _ Jake Plummer's decision came down to Arizona, Chicago and Denver. The Cardinals were more familiar, the Bears offered more money and the Broncos gave him the best chance to win right away.

Welcome to Denver, Jake.

``You know where I've been, you know where my career has gone, and when it came down to the decision it was about winning,'' Plummer said Thursday after signing a seven-year, $40 million contract with Denver. ``About playing in the Super Bowl _ not just playing in it, but winning it. I truly believe that can happen here.''

But it wasn't a last-minute decision for Plummer, who played his first six seasons for Arizona.

The Cardinals' final game of 2002 was against the Broncos, who had benched quarterback Brian Griese. With Griese's future with the team in doubt and Plummer about to become a free agent, Denver's fans let their feelings be known with a chant of ``We want Jake!'' as the players left the field.

``They were chanting, 'We want Jake!' and I was thinking in my head, 'I want you,' `` Plummer said. ``I really couldn't voice that opinion at the time _ a lot of things had to happen in order for this to come to. But you think back to Dec. 29 and now it's March 6, it's been a long wait, a very anxious waiting time. And I'm ready.''

Denver also signed defensive tackle Daryl Gardener to a six-year, $33 million, filling the hole left by the release of Chester McGlockton last week. And coach Mike Shanahan said he will visit veteran Steve Beuerlein to see if he will come back for 2003 as Plummer's backup.

The Broncos decided to pursue Plummer and Gardener early in the free-agency process and moved quickly to sign both.

``We had two guys targeted,'' Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. ``Very seldom do you get the two guys you want in free agency.''

Not since John Elway retired have the Broncos had a quarterback who can make plays on the run and pull out late victories. The Broncos believe Plummer fills both needs.

Elway was known for leading the Broncos to 47 fourth-quarter comebacks, most in league history, before retiring after winning the Super Bowl in 1999.

Griese, Elway's replacement, was chastised because he couldn't do either.

Although inconsistent during his six seasons with Arizona, Plummer can turn broken plays into gains and rally his team to late wins. Elway needed 16 seasons to reach his total, but Plummer already has 21 comeback wins.

``Obviously, Elway's record and what he's done here speaks for itself,'' Plummer said. ``If I can do half of what he did, it would be very nice.''

The Broncos have indicated they will release Griese on June 1 to save salary-cap space and have given him permission to seek a trade.

``It just didn't work out and we had to move in a different direction,'' Shanahan said. ``I think it was the best thing for him and I think it was the best thing for us.''

The Washington Redskins, by far the most active team in the first week of free agency, struck again Thursday, signing New York Jets' return man Chad Morton to an offer sheet. Washington promised Morton, a restricted free agent, he'll have a chance to double as a running back.

The Jets have a week to match the five-year, $8 million offer to the player who had two kickoff returns for touchdowns _ including the game-winner in overtime _ in last year's season opener in Buffalo. They would get a fifth-round draft choice in return if they don't match.

In the week since the NFL's free-agent period began, the Skins have added nine players, eight as free agents and Canidate in the trade. In addition to Morton, they gave an offer sheet to another restricted free agent, Green Bay safety Matt Bowen.

Also, Bruce Smith's agent, Leigh Steinberg, said his client will return to the Redskins next season, when he will be 40 years old. Smith, who might lose his starting job at right end to free-agent signee Regan Upshaw, is three sacks away from Reggie White's NFL career record.

Philadelphia released strong safety Blaine Bishop, who started 12 games last season. Bishop, a four-time Pro Bowl selection with the Houston Oilers-Tennessee Titans, was let go to make room for second-year man Michael Lewis.

Houston continued to bolster the offensive line by trading a fifth-round draft pick to New England for right tackle Greg Randall, who started 26 games for the Patriots over three seasons, but appeared in only seven games in 2002, starting three.

Giants receiver Ike Hilliard signed a five-year, $12.5 million deal he agreed upon Sunday.

Baltimore, apparently annoyed that quarterback Jeff Blake visited Pittsburgh and Chicago, withdrew its offer to the free agent. Blake started the final 10 games of last season for Baltimore after Chris Redman injured his back. Blake went 4-6 and threw 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his 11th NFL season.

Cincinnati linebacker Takeo Spikes, who carries the team's transition tag, visited the Buffalo Bills on Thursday. He displayed an eagerness to join the team, although the Bengals could match any offer to Spikes.

``Change is good for everybody,'' he said. ``And from my point right now, I think that change would be more than welcome.''

Miami re-signed backup defensive end David Bowens. Journeyman safety Rich Coady signed with Indianapolis.