Cardinals Spending To Snag Snake

Quarterback Jake Plummer agreed to a three-year, $1.6-million contract with the Arizona Cardinals on Monday, virtually wrapping up negotiations before the start of training camp.

Plummer, a star at Arizona State who led the Sun Devils to an undefeated season and to the Rose Bowl last year, is expected to back up Kent Graham.

Plummer will get a $700,000 bonus, plus $241,000 in salary this year, $302,000 next, and $326,000 in 1999.

“I want to be on a winning team that goes to the playoffs, and I know eventually--sometimes it doesn’t happen the first, second, third, sometimes fifth or sixth year where you become a starter,” Plummer said. “But whenever that happens, I know I’ll get my chance to lead the team.”

The agreement with their second-round draft pick leaves the Cardinals with only first-round selection Tom Knight, a cornerback from Iowa, and restricted free-agent linebacker Ronald McKinnon still to sign.

Plummer said he plans to give a tenth of his signing bonus to various charities and will buy his mother, Marilyn, a new car.