In the meadow we can build a notes column. …
Jake Plummer is watching games instead of playing them because the Broncos scored 17 or fewer points eight times in his 11 starts.
The problem, according to no less an authority than John Elway, can be found on the offensive line, which has lost left tackle Matt Lepsis for the season with a knee injury.
“I don’t think Jake is the only problem they’ve got on offense,” Elway said. “I don’t know that they’re as good as they’ve been up front. To lose a guy like Matt Lepsis, that’s going to hurt you. … They don’t seem to have the rhythm they’ve had in the past this year, and I think a lot of it starts up front.” …
By the way, to put the above numbers in perspective, the Broncos scored 17 or fewer points once in each of their two Super Bowl seasons in the late 1990s. They scored 17 in one game, 16 in another. …
Elway, on Plummer’s demotion: “You could kind of see it coming. … You’ve got to score points to make it happen. Obviously Jake knew (Jay) Cutler was back there and was going to be pushing him. I don’t know if there’s ever a right time during the season.
“It’s always tough. I feel for Jake because Jake was under a lot of pressure. There’s a lot of pressure to win, and when you have a first-rounder behind you, it makes it that much more difficult.” …
For the record, the Broncos’ 7-5 record is the same one the Steelers had through 12 games last season. What’s that? Yeah, you’re right. This is no time to be wearing orange-colored glasses. …
Do the Broncos have It? Thanks for asking, but, after three straight losses, they can’t spell It. …
Talk about your quality entertainment. Rex Grossman and Brad Johnson, the starting quarterbacks in Sunday’s Bears-Vikings game, combined for seven interceptions and no touchdown passes.
NFL Network dude Deion Sanders: “There’s a three-man race for MVP: Tony Romo, LaDainian Tomlinson and Drew Brees.” What, Peyton Manning is just another pretty face in a TV commercial? …
Not that the Harris Interactive Poll has some issues, but one voter had Florida No. 1, USC No. 9, LSU 11th, TCU 14th, Arkansas 19th and Texas 23rd. TCU nine notches up from the Longhorns? When steers fly, pardner. …
Florida coach Urban Meyer, who graduated from Ohio State, on playing the Buckeyes for the whole ball of wax: “It’s real special. I grew up with Woody Hayes. If you go into my home now, there’s a picture of Woody Hayes. A big one, too. I won’t tell you that I genuflect in front of it, but darn close. That’s the way I was raised.” …
By the numbers: 8. That’s how many teams finished with more wins than the combined total (10) of Our State’s Division I-A teams. The roll call includes Ohio State, Florida, Michigan, Louisville, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Boise State and Wake Forest. …
Ohio State’s Troy Smith is a lock to win the Heisman. Question is, does he want to? Four of the past five Heisman winners who’ve played for the national championship walked away disappointed – Florida State’s Chris Weineke (2000), Nebraska’s Eric Crouch (2001), Oklahoma’s Jason White (2003) and Southern Cal’s Reggie Bush (2005). USC’s Matt Leinart was the exception, hitting the quiniela in 2004. …
And finally, Jeff Borris, the agent for Barry Bonds, tells ESPN.com, “Barry will play next year unless he gets hit by a bus.” Or, I suspect, a subpoena.
Catch Jim Armstrong from 6-9 a.m. during “The Press Box” on ESPN radio 560 AM. He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
