By Kevin Kelly
Enquirer staff writer

The quarterback's intention was to heighten awareness of a friend, and that man's wartime sacrifice, with a sustained tribute.

So a circular decal imprinted with Pat Tillman's number 40 remained on Jake Plummer's helmet until the NFL stepped in and enforced its uniform policy.

MONDAY NIGHT PLAYMAKERS

The Bengals are preparing for their first Monday night home game since 1989. The players with the most touchdowns on Monday night: 35 - WR Jerry Rice, 49ers and Raiders, 1985-present 24 - RB Emmitt Smith, Cowboys and Cardinals, 1990-present 19 - RB Marcus Allen, Raiders, Chiefs, 1982-1997

"That's really what I wanted to do: get people thinking about him again," said Plummer, the Broncos' starting quarterback. "He's not a guy I think the NFL should just forget about."

Tillman left an NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and was killed six months ago in Afghanistan. He and Plummer had become friends as teammates at Arizona State and later with the Cardinals.

"The whole thing of him being a national war hero is big, but it's one of the smallest things of why I appreciate Pat Tillman," Plummer said. "The guy was really unique."

The NFL announced a compromise Oct. 13 regarding the removal of the decal. Plummer instead will appear in a series of public service announcements made to honor Tillman.

"I know the focus has been on me, but it's also about those guys that played with Pat, too," Plummer said. "I know they would like to be in my shoes, doing the PSAs themselves and standing up for Pat."

The 29-year-old Plummer, now in his second season as the Broncos' starting quarterback, also has been drawing attention for his on-field performances.

Denver has won four consecutive games and leads the AFC West Division with a 5-1 record.

And it appears Plummer has found a comfort level with the Broncos, who play the Bengals Monday at Paul Brown Stadium. His 10 touchdowns rank second in the AFC while his 1,328 passing yards are tied for third.

"I'm not big on comparisons and looking back," said Plummer, who made his first regular-season start with the Broncos in a 30-10 win against the Bengals Oct. 7, 2003. "I just know what I'm doing here.

"I feel more comfortable with my guys and with my coaches."

After spending his first six NFL seasons in Arizona, where he developed a reputation as innovative yet inconsistent, Plummer signed with the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent prior to the 2003 season.

"He has a lot to him," Denver head coach Mike Shanahan said. "He has great character and all of the physical attributes you like in a quarterback: great arm strength, quickness and speed, the ability to make things happen when there's nothing there."

Plummer completed nearly 63 percent of his passes last season for 2,182 yards, 15 touchdowns and a career-low seven interceptions. His 91.2 passer rating was a career high.

Denver went 9-2 with him as its starting quarterback.

That means Plummer is 14-3 since signing with the Broncos. Only New England's Tom Brady, at 19-2, has a higher winning percentage among NFL quarterbacks during the same timeframe.

"He really has (fit into our system)," Shanahan said. "He's used to the terminology now and obviously has gotten used to the personalities around here."

Plummer is coming off what, statistically, was one of his and the Denver offense's best performances this season.

The Broncos beat the Raiders 31-3 Sunday as the NFL's fifth-ranked offense rolled up 444 yards, including 254 rushing yards.

Running back Reuben Droughns ran for 176 yards on 38 carries while Plummer completed 11 of 20 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.

"He's mobile and moves well in the pocket," Bengals linebacker Brian Simmons said.

"But I think his main thing is getting out on the edge and making throws and making plays. And he does it well."

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