For these two players, their initials are enough to instantly identify them.

The West Michigan Mayhem, which will begin its National Women's Football Association playoff journey Saturday at Soisson-Rapacz-Clason Field against the Baltimore Burn, has its own player who is readily identified by her initials: Jennifer Plummer, or just plain old `JP'.

Plummer, who has been on the team since its inception in 2002, could remind observers of both of the NFL greats. She plays linebacker with a ferocious intensity like Taylor, and her versatility in running and catching the ball out of the backfield is reminiscent of Tomlinson.

But she's valued for even more that that by Mayhem head coach Jon Paul Jones.

``In our previous game (a 22-6 loss to the Cleveland Fusion), you could see certain moments that it was evident our players were getting tired,'' he said. ``She picked a spot, and made a big play to pump everyone up.''

For Plummer, who also registered 13 tackles in the loss, that moment was returning a short Cleveland punt 20 yards down to the three-yard line. Filling in for tailback Catherine Converse, who slightly separated her shoulder earlier in the game, she bounced a handoff outside and scored the Mayhem's lone touchdown of the game.

After growing up in Bedford, where she played volleyball, basketball and softball in her prep career, she attended Hope College. As a Flying Dutchwoman, she competed on the school's volleyball and softball teams, and spent a year on the lacrosse club team as the only woman. It was there she developed a taste for contact sports.

``I've always had it in me, I was a pretty crazy soccer player (in youth leagues). They kind of had to rope me in, because I would get in trouble for a little too much contact,'' said Plummer. ``In lacrosse I was like, `Oh my God!' You could come up and just rail people.''

When she heard from Emily Hutchins, a friend and former teammate, about the West Michigan franchise starting up, she knew it was right up her alley.

``(From the first time I put on a football helmet) it felt like 100 percent natural,'' said Plummer, who works at a Grand Rapids insurance agency and is also certified as a personal trainer. ``I've always been extremely competitive. When you get out of college and you're not playing sports anymore, you still have that drive.

``You can't play football recreationally. When you're playing all out hard-core, you can't go half (speed).''

Playing half-speed isn't anything one would find Plummer doing, according to Mayhem offensive coordinator John Soisson.

``She never seems to get tired. Even when she is dog-tired, she plays like it's the first play of the game,'' said Soisson of his fullback, who is the only player on the team to earn both offensive MVP (twice) and defensive MVP (three times) this season. ``She has the fierce attitude that she doesn't want to be beaten on any play.

``I'll tell you what, I would not want to play against her. If she's not the best linebacker in the league, I haven't seen the best one.''

Jones is willing to make an even bigger statement.

``I told her, `I could put you anywhere on the field. If it were at center, you'd be the best center in the league. If it were at safety, you'd be the best safety.'

``I truly believe, if she would have been born a man, she'd be playing (in the NFL) on Sundays.''

So which does the Mayhem fan favorite prefer, toting the ball into the end zone, or laying out an opposing ballcarrier?

``They both have their plusses, but I almost get more of a high from lighting someone up.''

That's good news for the Mayhem, but bad news for the opposition