Jake Plummer’s answer for Denver’s coaching blues? Sean Payton
Russell Wilson isn't the issue, Plummer says. Leaders who've got the stones to stand up to Russ? That's the issue.
Jake Plummer swears he’s not one of those “mystery candidates” for the Broncos coaching job. But wouldn’t that be a trip?
“I mean, if they hired me as the head coach,” the former Broncos quarterback laughed as we huddled over the phone Monday, “we’d be redefining the entire position.”
At the start of the work week, said position — at least on a full-time basis, love ya, Jerry Rosburg — had been vacant for 36 days. Vacuums bring out the weird in us, and Broncos Country’s gone from embracing candidates to measuring conspiracy theories.
Maybe we’re waiting for Jim Harbaugh to get through Michigan’s National Signing Day. Maybe the Penners are playing some fourth-dimensional chess with Mickey Loomis and the Saints for the rights to Sean Payton.
Demeco Ryans is out. Probably. Ejiro Evero, Jim Caldwell, David Shaw and Raheem Morris are off the table. Unless they’re not.
“I wish them the best. I like it when they’re doing well,” offered Plummer, the 48-year-old medicinal entrepreneur who, from 2003-06, led the Broncos to a 39-15 record and an AFC title game as a starter. “It’s fun to go to games and feel that electricity.
“I just really haven’t felt it much in the last couple of games I’ve gone to. It’s not a knock, I’ve had a lot of people tell me the same thing.
“(I like) to see guys screaming on the sidelines and who love what they’re doing, they’re not just posting the one tackle they made on Instagram. The guys who don’t even know there are people in the stands, they’re just balling. That’s what I want to see. They’ll get there.”
Only if there’s somebody in the Dove Valley
food chain who’s got the stones to stand up to Russell Wilson. And, more importantly, to Wilson’s $245 million contract.
“You’ve got to have the right leaders in place,” Plummer continued. “You’ve got to have the key components on both sides of the ball, guys that can get it done who also bring a passion and a fire and an excitement on the field. There’s been a little bit of that (here). But not enough of that, I think.”
As a Pac-12 guy, the Snake has a soft spot for Shaw, and what the man pulled off at Stanford before the transfer portal and Name/image/likeness bidding wars started putting the squeeze on traditional academic bastions. But in terms of changing a culture, top to bottom, his No. 1 dude is the same as many of yours — Payton. Proven leadership. High floor. Someone who’s going to embrace the challenge of wrasslin’ with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert four times a season instead of the pillow fights in the AFC South.
“Sean Payton is a phenomenal coach. I love what he’s done,” Plummer said. “I think his track record stands out — he’s had success grooming young players, building a staff to coach these kids up.
“I think the organization could really get behind a strong leader, so whomever that candidate is, hopefully they come in with some of those leadership qualities … I think he’d be a great fit for what they’re trying to do here in Denver, and in taking a talent like Russell Wilson and molding the offense around him. It seems like that fits right with what he’s always been doing (in New Orleans) for many years.”
Plummer’s heading down to the Super Bowl in a few weeks to stump for Umbo, the functional mushrooms company he co-founded with former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans and Del Jolly. He’s even leading a yoga class during Big Game Week with former NFL tailback Ricky Williams. Coaching, though?
Not the Snake. Not this round.
“I’d gladly come in and lend my experience, if I can have my own schedule and that kind of thing,” Plummer said, laughing again. “No, man, I’m far from that. But I’m still tied in and understand that it’s an important thing to win in Denver and win in Colorado.
“There’s a time crunch that guys are under to come in and immediately make it to an AFC championship. It takes time to build things, sometimes.
“We got to the AFC championship in 2005 … we had a Super Bowl-quality team, but it took a few years to get there. Hopefully, there’s some patience (in Dove Valley), too, in the development of these players and to try to bring in some electric, exciting playmakers. Right now, offenses are fun to watch.”
Everywhere but here, baby. Everywhere but here.