If Plummer played this year like he did last year the Broncos would be better than they are because QB play is important. Between Plummer and Cutler (or any untested rookie), I think Plummer has a better chance of playing like last year’s Plummer (good, not great) before the end of the season than Cutler.

I don’t think Shanahan’s decision ruined the season. I think a combination of things have made the season take a turn for the worse: bad QB play and defensive inconsistency along with bad defensive play calling being primary causes.

See: Rivers, Philip; Young, Vince (Wow!), Leinart, Matt.

I thought the Chargers made a mistake letting Brees go and I still think so. It turned out OK, but they were taking a bigger chance than I think is wise. Brees has been really good for the past couple years and even though Rivers is doing fine, he’s not an upgrade from Brees.

Coaches of the Titans and Cardinals have a completely different situation from the Broncos and Cowboys. Young and Leinart replaced QBs who haven’t been any good for several years and their teams were never contenders. Non-contenders can afford to gamble because it’s really no gamble at all—there’s no season at stake. Contenders shouldn’t gamble with unproven QBs.

Now, I don’t think that the Cutler decision was the dumbest move ever. Plummer was really sucking. Shanahan was in a damned-if-you-do/damned-if-you-don’t situation. But, again, Plummer beginning to play like he’s shown he can seems more likely to me than any unproven rookie coming in and playing real well.

Also look at the success Damon Huard(!) and David Garrard have had. Two of the top three teams in the NFC are QB’d by Rex Grossman and Tony Romo.

Shanahan wasn’t taking much of a gamble at all. He knew his team had no shot of even making the Super Bowl this year with this team. Especially not on the road and especially not in the AFC. No chance. Plummer was also #29 out 32 QB’s in passer rating. Seriously, what took him so long to yank him?

New Orleans could make the Super Bowl if they don’t have to play in Chicago. I still like the Bears vs. San Diego right now, but Baltimore vs. Dallas could easily happen, too.

I’m sure he’s very athletic, but he looked like Luke Petitgout tossing the ball around. His belly was peeking out under his uniform, just like an offensive lineman. I wish Eli had been knocked out for a play, just to see him play.

Brian G: see my original post for my thoughts on benching a veteran for a young, unproven QB. You do it when you’ve given up on the season. Parcells dodged a bullet with Romo. I thought that was a major blunder at the time, but it’s worked out fine. I wonder if the Romo-for-Bledsoe thing influenced Shanahan. Plummer was sucking it up but he wasn’t the only problem with the team and I’ve thought all along that he’s the better option for now.

I’m happy with a better than expected season, but we could have been so much better.

By the way, did anyone see the Eli Manning’s backup warming up yesterday during the Giants game? I have never seen a fatter quarterback.

Talk about letting a season slip out of your grasp. We would have had a better chance with Plummer, and that’s not saying much at all.

I just want to crawl in a hole and die.