Gary Plummer doesn't mind being the San Francisco 49ers' second choice. "I'd rather be second choice than no choice at all," Plummer said Thursday.
The 49ers, unable to afford free-agent Dallas linebacker Ken Norton because of salary cap constraints, instead turned to Plummer for help in strengthening the league's worst run defense. Plummer was signed to a two-year, $1.8 million contract.Along with All-Pro linebacker Junior Seau, Plummer formed the backbone of a Chargers defense that ranked second in the league against the run last year. He spent the past eight seasons with the Chargers, all as a starter.
"I know there are some people, fans, who might even be disappointed that they got me instead of Norton," Plummer said. "They don't know who I am. But I guarantee you, they'll know who I am by the end of the season."
Plummer, the first unrestricted free agent signed by the 49ers, was second on the Chargers in '93 with 93 tackles, including 12 for losses. He forced two fumbles and intercepted two passes. In four of his eight seasons, he's had more than 100 tackles, topped by his 1989 season when he had 146.
The 49ers, who were $456 under the newly imposed salary cap, waived inside linebacker Keith DeLong, whom Plummer replaces in the lineup and salary chart.
DeLong appeared in four games last year before injuring his right foot and finishing the season on injured reserve. He was due to receive $1 million in 1994, so the 49ers actually have more space under the salary cap than before the signing of Plummer, who will be paid $750,000 this season.
Plummer, 34, said he knows his primary responsibility with the 49ers will be to shore up a run defense that gave up ground yardage in bunches.
"Basically, they feel that I'm going to be a guy they can count to stop the run," Plummer said. "And that's fine. The expectations that they had for me aren't any more than I had for myself so it's not going to be like there's added pressure."
The 49ers gave up a 4.5 yards per rush, worst in the league and it cost them for the second straight year in the postseason.