Ahmed Plummer joined the 49ers from the first round of the 2000 draft and already is the second-oldest cornerback in the new NFC West in service to his team. Only Seattle’s Shawn Springs, Plummer’s fellow Ohio State product, has been around longer.
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Short careers for cornerbacks will be the norm in this division if receivers like Terrell Owens, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt and David Boston have their way. If anybody is to catch the Rams, cornerbacks will lead the chase, and Plummer’s 49ers appear closest.
Plummer and 49ers starter Jason Webster, a 2000 second-round pick, are joined this season by rookie first-rounder Mike Rumph as the 49ers expand their efforts to keep up. With seven interceptions last year, Plummer led all corners from this new division, but every corner needs help.
Aeneas Williams, who toiled for years as Arizona’s sole defensive star, joined the Rams last season and helped boost the defense to No. 3. Dre’ Bly is beating out Dexter McCleon opposite him partly because McCleon was burned in the Super Bowl.
Springs, who has been hobbled by hamstring and suspension problems, is joined by second-year man Ken Lucas. Springs has yet to match his second season in 1998, when he had seven interceptions, two for touchdowns.
Arizona pursued Baltimore’s Duane Starks and lost starters Corey Chavous and Tom Knight, so untested David Barrett will start.
Gentlemen, start your backpedaling.