TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Bucs Settle Their Dispute With Plummer

ADVERTISEMENT

By ROY CUMMINGS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 11, 2008

Updated: 06/11/2008 12:46 am

TAMPA - The Bucs wound up getting something out of that trade for Jake Plummer after all.

Though the "retired" quarterback never took a snap for them, the 2008 seventh-round draft pick the Bucs gave to Denver for Plummer's rights has netted them $3.5 million.

That's the sum Plummer agreed to pay the Bucs in a settlement that, according to General Manager Bruce Allen, was finalized Tuesday.

"The agreement includes repayment of a previously paid signing bonus and additional economic consideration to the Bucs in the event Jake Plummer decides to resume his professional football career," Allen said.

The $3.5 million represents approximately half of the signing bonus Plummer received as part of a contract extension he signed while with the Denver Broncos in 2005.

The Broncos, who extended that contract through the 2009 season, paid Plummer a $7 million signing bonus, but relinquished the right to go after a prorated portion of it when they traded Plummer to the Bucs in March 2007.

That trade, which would have cost the Bucs a fourth-round pick had Plummer played for Tampa Bay, came one day after Plummer faxed a letter to the NFL saying he intended to retire.

The Bucs made numerous attempts to change Plummer's mind, including one by Coach Jon Gruden, who spoke face to face with Plummer on at least one occasion. But Plummer made good on his claim and never reported to the Bucs.

The Bucs eventually filed a grievance against Plummer, who didn't have history on his side. In similar cases, Barry Sanders and Ricky Williams were forced to pay back part of their signing bonuses.

Sanders was forced to pay back half of the $11 million he got from the Detroit Lions in a signing bonus when he retired with years remaining on his contract in 1998. Williams, in a case similar to Plummer's, was forced to pay the Dolphins $8.6 million after he retired following a trade from the New Orleans Saints in 2004.

The Bucs, meanwhile, won such a grievance for the second time in three years. In 2005, Keenan McCardell was forced to pay back $1.5 million of his signing bonus following a contract holdout that resulted in a trade.

As was the case in 2005, the Bucs will get back not only the actual funds agreed to in the case, but a like sum that will be applied to the 2009 salary cap.

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979 or rcummings@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT