Commentary: Plummer needs to mature – and fast

Broncos QB never will live up to Elway, but he can reserve his own place in Denver's heart

? As John Elway’s immense shadow fades, Jake Plummer must pull Denver fans from their funk of nostalgia.

Plummer doesn’t need a Super Bowl to claim fans’ hearts. They would be thrilled if he led the Broncos to their first playoff victory since 1999.

At times, Jake flirts with greatness. He threw for 27 touchdowns, matching Elway’s best season, and 4,089 yards in 2004. When he’s clicking, he can deliver terror to defenses with his raw nerve and scrambling.

At other times, Jake is alarmingly dense. He threw 20 interceptions last season, and his dumb throws doomed the Broncos to a playoff game on the road, where they were stampeded by Indianapolis.

Sure, he has a tough gig. He carries a team’s hope and history on his shoulders.

Running back Mike Anderson groaned when he thought of Plummer’s task.

“I wouldn’t want his job,” Anderson said. “No matter how good he does, everyone is going to ask, ‘How many Super Bowl wins?’ And they’re always going to look at Elway.”

I don’t agree. Broncos fans finally realize a once-in-a-lifetime player like Elway won’t descend from the sky until 2107 or so.

They’re ready to settle for less.

Still, Jake must prove himself worthy of trust. The Snake no longer is a kid, even though his mod clothes and goofy beard make him resemble a confused teen.

Once a player hits his 30th birthday, it’s time to quit talking about potential.

It’s time to deliver.

The killer for Plummer is interceptions. He left his critics on the run after the 2003 season, his first as a Bronco, when he threw only seven interceptions and looked ready to depart from his wacky ways.

But his self-destructive style returned last season.

He became the rare right-handed quarterback to throw a left-handed interception, and his mistakes doomed the Broncos to losses against the Atlanta Falcons and San Diego Chargers. He tied for the NFL lead in interceptions, giving new life to questions about his football intellect.

But it’s not time to dismiss him as a permanent goof. He still could change. He still could quit throwing to the enemy.

Doubtful? Well, let’s look at Broncos history.

Elway threw 158 touchdowns and 157 interceptions in his first 10 seasons. He was dangerous, sure, but he was dangerous to opponents and teammates. He was too in love with his arm. He was too reckless.

He retained all his improvisational glory but tamed his wild streak.

Plummer never will approach Elway in arm strength or field vision. He never will approach Elway’s mystical ability to transform to superhero.

He could, though, imitate his hero with a ruthless dedication to maturity.

Plummer has thrown 132 touchdowns and 141 interceptions in his eight-year career. He needs to chop his interceptions in half if wants to climb from decent to elite.

He can ease his way out of Elway’s shadow. He just needs to quit collecting interceptions and start collecting playoff victories.