He Is Plummer’s Helper

After leading the Arizona Cardinals to consecutive victories over the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, Dave Brown is expected to start at quarterback again Sunday against the New York Giants--even with Jake Plummer available to play after sitting out four games because of a broken finger.

“Any time that somebody’s performing well, it’s a lot easier to continue to leave them in there and let them perform,” Coach Vince Tobin said. “If they were going out there and laying an egg, you’d try to get them out of there as quick as you possibly can.”

On the other hand, it might be easier to lift Brown if Plummer had played a little better before he was injured. But Plummer was struggling, with 14 interceptions and only three touchdown passes.

Meanwhile, Giant Coach Jim Fassell left no room for misinterpretation when he promoted Kerry Collins over Kent Graham as his starting quarterback.

“I’m putting Kerry in as the starting quarterback and that’s not an experiment, either,” he said. “He is now the starting quarterback, period.”

In Washington, defensive coordinator Mike Nolan wasn’t exactly overjoyed to learn that the Redskins had moved ahead of the Cleveland Browns to 30th in the league in total defense after Sunday’s 23-13 victory over the Giants.

“Geez,” he said. “Disappointment. Guys won’t play as hard now.”