Wednesday, December 30, 1998

Plummer gives the Cowboys a fright

By DENNE H. FREEMAN

Associated Press

IRVING -- Dallas players don't even call Jake Plummer by his real name anymore. It's "the Snake" this and "the Snake" that.

The Arizona Cardinals quarterback, who recently signed a $29.4 million contract, spooked the Cowboys badly the last time the two teams met.

Dallas was rolling along with a 28-0 lead on Nov. 15 before Plummer started one of his comeback acts which he made famous at Arizona State and earned the nickname of "the Snake."

The next thing the Cowboys knew they were ahead only 35-28 and "the Snake" was at the door.

His last pass of the game was intended for Rob Moore who was openly mugged by cornerback Kevin Smith in the end zone. No flag flew. Game over.

"We couldn't get out of town fast enough," Smith said. " 'The Snake' gave us a scare. Deion Sanders got hurt and we had a little panic in our secondary. We've settled down and we're playing much better now."

Smith added that Plummer "is doing very well right now. He has a knack for making things happen. The key for us is to keep him in the pocket."

Smith said playoff experience will be the big difference Saturday when the teams meet for the third time this season in the NFC wild-card round at Texas Stadium.

"A lot of them (the Cardinals) haven't been in the playoffs so they'll be excited," Smith said. "Most of us have been in the playoffs and know how to handle it."

Linebacker Randall Godfrey said Dallas must do a better job of containing Plummer, who is known for beating the pass rush with rollouts.

"We know what 'the Snake' can do now a lot better than we did in the first game," said Godfrey said. "It's going to take everybody on our defense to contain him."

Dallas beat Arizona 38-10 in the first game of the season at Texas Stadium and Plummer hit only 14 of 33 passes for 166 yards. He had 314 yards passing in the second half alone against the Cowboys the second time he faced them.

Kevin Mathis, who didn't play against Arizona the second time around because of a broken arm, will start at left cornerback if Sanders doesn't play and Smith will be at right cornerback.

"The defensive backs are starting to play better," Mathis said. "We are getting where we trust each other when it comes time to make plays."

Even Dallas offensive players are aware of the dangerous Plummer.

"We've got to find a way to contain 'the Snake,' " said offensive lineman Nate Newton.

Dallas coach Chan Gailey at least calls Plummer by his name.

"He's one of the most dangerous players I've seen once he gets out of the pocket," Gailey said. "He just runs around and makes things happen."

Plummer has engineered six fourth-quarter comebacks this year. The Cowboys were a survivor in November -- barely.