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Shanahan: Don't get mad, get even-tempered
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
May 26, 2006
ENGLEWOOD - If Jake Plummer's version of events in his road-rage case are to be believed - his bumper was the one that was tapped, not the other way around, as another motorist has claimed - Mike Shanahan admitted he'd be "a little upset, too."
But the Denver Broncos coach said Thursday that regardless of what occurred on the roads of Englewood on April 20, the quarterback needs to demonstrate more self-control, even if a honking horn was ringing in the player's ears.
"You've got to take the high road," Shanahan told reporters after the team wrapped up its eight-day passing camp. "You're in a position that even though it's tough to do sometimes and you're very competitive, you've got to handle yourself the right way."
Plummer was issued a summons in connection with the incident but maintained Wednesday the driver of the other car, Doug Stone, made contact with his Honda Element.
The quarterback admitted to cutting off the other driver while simultaneously talking on his cell phone on the way to a charity event.
Stone's version to police differed markedly, claiming Plummer exited his vehicle, kicked the headlight of his truck, then backed into his front bumper in anger.
Another witness verified Stone's account about the kick but was unsure who later initiated the contact between the vehicles.
Shanahan said it's important to recognize there are two sides to the story and that "due process will take care of itself."
But Shanahan also said he had no reason to doubt Plummer's version of events, based on his history with the quarterback.
"One thing about Jake is he is one of the most honest guys I've been around," Shanahan said. "One thing he tells you is the truth. And that's my experience with him."
But Plummer also has demonstrated a short fuse during his time as Broncos quarterback.
He made an obscene gesture to heckling fans at Invesco Field at Mile High during a game against the Miami Dolphins in December 2004.
A profanity-laced diatribe aimed at Rocky Mountain News gossip columnist Penny Parker after she had written an item about his girlfriend later prompted an apology from the quarterback.
While playing for the Arizona Cardinals, Plummer once drew the ire of fans by saying he didn't give a "rat's a--" what they thought about him.
Plummer on Wednesday denied he has any anger-management issues.
Shanahan preferred to look at the circumstances of each incident separately.
"Like all players, like all competitors, there are going to be situations that happen that you wish you kept your poise a little more, including myself," Shanahan said.
Shanahan said he has been put in awkward situations in which he has had to hold himself back.
"I've been called a few things in a few different restaurants," he added, joking many of them are in California, where he once was coach of the Raiders. "I know it's tough sometimes."
It's particularly important for Plummer to toe the line in a place such as Denver, where he's the most scrutinized player on the field, and off it.
"You make a mistake . . . we're talking about (this) instead of Jake running over there and giving a $100,000 check or whatever it was . . . ," Shanahan said. "That's the nature of the beast."
SURPRISE APPEARANCE: The Broncos were going through their warm-up period when Javon Walker decided the time was right to catch a few passes.
The receiver hasn't begun to make cuts on his surgically repaired right knee. But because he already is doing straight-ahead running, he figured there was no harm.
"I kind of snuck that in on my own," he said. "But, obviously, since I'm sprinting, I can do that."
The team wants Walker to be fully recovered by the July 28 start of on-field workouts for training camp, though he wants to participate in some drills during a minicamp three weeks before. Walker said he has full range of motion in the knee and isn't worried he'll have difficulty getting his wind back for two-a-days.
"Believe me, they've been figuring out a way to get me in shape," he said.
Rookie receiver Domenik Hixon, who missed passing camp while recovering from surgery on his left foot, is expected back for the second week of team camp, which begins Wednesday and continues through June 8.
LONG RECOVERY: Linebacker Nate Webster has been limited to four games in the past two years after two surgeries to repair a torn patella tendon in his right knee.
Though he's not fully healed, he was able to participate fully in passing camp.
"I'm still climbing the ladder," he said. "I'm not 100 percent yet; in fact, I know I'm not 100 percent, but I'm at the point where I can run around, make plays and play comfortable."
Webster added his leg has improved tremendously in the month he has worked with the Broncos training staff and that he's "just imagining if I stay on the same track what could be."
Webster, whose primary position is middle linebacker, was a late arrival to the Broncos' off-season program. He initially agreed to terms in March, but family issues kept him away for about six more weeks.
But, then again, he's used to waiting, if not by choice.
"It's been a long road," said Webster, a third-round pick in 2000 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "And just to have a team like the Broncos, a team I've always liked how they play defense, interested in me, and just being able to get back out there, it's all good."
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http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_4728633,00.html
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
May 26, 2006
ENGLEWOOD - If Jake Plummer's version of events in his road-rage case are to be believed - his bumper was the one that was tapped, not the other way around, as another motorist has claimed - Mike Shanahan admitted he'd be "a little upset, too."
But the Denver Broncos coach said Thursday that regardless of what occurred on the roads of Englewood on April 20, the quarterback needs to demonstrate more self-control, even if a honking horn was ringing in the player's ears.
"You've got to take the high road," Shanahan told reporters after the team wrapped up its eight-day passing camp. "You're in a position that even though it's tough to do sometimes and you're very competitive, you've got to handle yourself the right way."
Plummer was issued a summons in connection with the incident but maintained Wednesday the driver of the other car, Doug Stone, made contact with his Honda Element.
The quarterback admitted to cutting off the other driver while simultaneously talking on his cell phone on the way to a charity event.
Stone's version to police differed markedly, claiming Plummer exited his vehicle, kicked the headlight of his truck, then backed into his front bumper in anger.
Another witness verified Stone's account about the kick but was unsure who later initiated the contact between the vehicles.
Shanahan said it's important to recognize there are two sides to the story and that "due process will take care of itself."
But Shanahan also said he had no reason to doubt Plummer's version of events, based on his history with the quarterback.
"One thing about Jake is he is one of the most honest guys I've been around," Shanahan said. "One thing he tells you is the truth. And that's my experience with him."
But Plummer also has demonstrated a short fuse during his time as Broncos quarterback.
He made an obscene gesture to heckling fans at Invesco Field at Mile High during a game against the Miami Dolphins in December 2004.
A profanity-laced diatribe aimed at Rocky Mountain News gossip columnist Penny Parker after she had written an item about his girlfriend later prompted an apology from the quarterback.
While playing for the Arizona Cardinals, Plummer once drew the ire of fans by saying he didn't give a "rat's a--" what they thought about him.
Plummer on Wednesday denied he has any anger-management issues.
Shanahan preferred to look at the circumstances of each incident separately.
"Like all players, like all competitors, there are going to be situations that happen that you wish you kept your poise a little more, including myself," Shanahan said.
Shanahan said he has been put in awkward situations in which he has had to hold himself back.
"I've been called a few things in a few different restaurants," he added, joking many of them are in California, where he once was coach of the Raiders. "I know it's tough sometimes."
It's particularly important for Plummer to toe the line in a place such as Denver, where he's the most scrutinized player on the field, and off it.
"You make a mistake . . . we're talking about (this) instead of Jake running over there and giving a $100,000 check or whatever it was . . . ," Shanahan said. "That's the nature of the beast."
SURPRISE APPEARANCE: The Broncos were going through their warm-up period when Javon Walker decided the time was right to catch a few passes.
The receiver hasn't begun to make cuts on his surgically repaired right knee. But because he already is doing straight-ahead running, he figured there was no harm.
"I kind of snuck that in on my own," he said. "But, obviously, since I'm sprinting, I can do that."
The team wants Walker to be fully recovered by the July 28 start of on-field workouts for training camp, though he wants to participate in some drills during a minicamp three weeks before. Walker said he has full range of motion in the knee and isn't worried he'll have difficulty getting his wind back for two-a-days.
"Believe me, they've been figuring out a way to get me in shape," he said.
Rookie receiver Domenik Hixon, who missed passing camp while recovering from surgery on his left foot, is expected back for the second week of team camp, which begins Wednesday and continues through June 8.
LONG RECOVERY: Linebacker Nate Webster has been limited to four games in the past two years after two surgeries to repair a torn patella tendon in his right knee.
Though he's not fully healed, he was able to participate fully in passing camp.
"I'm still climbing the ladder," he said. "I'm not 100 percent yet; in fact, I know I'm not 100 percent, but I'm at the point where I can run around, make plays and play comfortable."
Webster added his leg has improved tremendously in the month he has worked with the Broncos training staff and that he's "just imagining if I stay on the same track what could be."
Webster, whose primary position is middle linebacker, was a late arrival to the Broncos' off-season program. He initially agreed to terms in March, but family issues kept him away for about six more weeks.
But, then again, he's used to waiting, if not by choice.
"It's been a long road," said Webster, a third-round pick in 2000 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "And just to have a team like the Broncos, a team I've always liked how they play defense, interested in me, and just being able to get back out there, it's all good."
[email protected]
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_4728633,00.html