October 22, 1997

QUARTERBACK UPDATE

In Arizona, Cardinals coach Vince Tobin announced that rookie quarterback Jake Plummer will make the first start of his career. Plummer took the field for the first time last Sunday and in his first series, led the Cardinals on a 98-yard game-tying touchdown march.

This weekend, Plummer will become the third rookie to start this season, joining New Orleans' Danny Wuerffel plus San Francisco's Jim Druckenmiller (started Week 2). They become the first rookie trio to start this early in the season since 1994, when Tampa Bay's Trent Dilfer and Washington's Gus Frerotte and Heath Shuler all started a game in the first eight weeks.

In New York, coach Bill Parcells has announced that quarterback Neil O'Donnell will start against the Baltimore on November 2. The Jets have a bye this weekend. Glenn Foley replaced O'Donnell in the second half against the Patriots last Sunday and rallied the Jets to three straight touchdowns in their 24-19 win. Foley has three starts in his four-year career. "I did what was best," said Parcells. "O'Donnell is starting and Glenn will be ready to go."

In Atlanta, coach Dan Reeves will decide on gameday who will start at quarterback for Chris Chandler, who suffered a concussion in last Sunday's game against San Francisco. In the running are rookie Tony Graziani and veteran Billy Joe Tolliver. Reeves said he'll work with the two in practice this week and determine the starter at gametime when the Falcons play at Carolina on Sunday night.