In Peyton Hillis, the Broncos got all the compensation they wanted for former quarterback Jake Plummer.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are another story. They want approximately $7 million in bonuses from Plummer in exchange for his retirement. Two NFL sources said the Bucs’ grievance hearing against Plummer will commence in about two weeks.
Although the Broncos have officially joined the grievance, they are listed only to help eliminate any potential confusion — the bonus in dispute was derived from the restructured contract the Broncos gave Plummer in March 2005. But only the Bucs are seeking money from Plummer. The Broncos are not, having traded Plummer’s contractual rights on March 3, 2007 in exchange for Tampa Bay’s seventh-round draft selection in 2008.
With that pick, the Broncos took Hillis, a fullback who at Arkansas blocked for future first-round tailbacks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.
“I watched Jake Plummer play a lot when I was growing up,” Hillis said. “He was a great quarterback. When I heard about what happened, getting traded for him, I was happy about it. But I have mostly put my focus on working as hard as I can to help the Denver Broncos.”
Plummer had faxed a letter to the NFL office on March 2, 2007, stating his intention to retire. The next day, the Bucs acquired the rights to Plummer anyway, hoping they could convince the 10-year quarterback to change his mind. But Plummer has stayed retired and has since married and lives in northern Idaho.
The Bucs argue that Plummer’s retirement meant he did not fulfill the contract they acquired from the Broncos. Precedence may be with the Bucs. When running back Barry Sanders retired following the 1998 season, the Detroit Lions recouped $5.5 million of his $11 million signing bonus.
As to whether Tampa Bay deserves a refund on money it never paid, there is the Ricky Williams’ case. The running back retired in 2004 rather than report to his new team, the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins won an $8.6 million judgment.
Footnotes.
Travis Henry’s cologne hadn’t yet aired out from his jersey Tuesday when new Broncos safety Marlon McCree snatched up his No. 20. . . . All-but-officially retired Rod Smith attended practice Tuesday. The Broncos’ all-time leading receiver, Smith’s career was halted two years ago by major hip surgery. “It’s not 100 percent but it’s still a lot better than it’s been the last few years,” he said. “I get a chance to sleep and rest without it aching and waking up in the middle of the night.”
Mike Klis, The Denver Post
