Just got an update from the players' union on the Jake Plummer case. I'm told we should have a hearing date within a couple weeks.

As you probably know, the Bucs have filed a grievance that seeks to recoup about $7-million in bonus money. The money was paid to Plummer by the Broncos and applies the portion of his contract he failed to fulfill after electing to retire after his trade from Denver to Tampa Bay last year.

That grievance was appealed by the union, as expected. We were previously under the impression that the Bucs had not responded to the appeal, as required to move forward with the case. Turns out, that's not the case. The Bucs did indeed file their response and a hearing date will soon be set for the case to go before an arbitrator. That date is likely to be set when the union and league attorneys have their usual meeting during Super Bowl week in Phoenix.

While the case nears its next phase, general manager Bruce Allen was just saying last week that he is still holding out hopes that Plummer might surface, even though Allen says they haven't talked in months. That seems like an unlikely outcome. It's more plausible that this thing goes to an arbitrator or gets settled between the parties, perhaps for a smaller amount.

Either way, we'll keep you posted.