The Arizona Republic
NFL ROUNDUP

KENT SOMERS

The Arizona Republic

Either the Arizona Cardinals’ defense is doing a fine job of keeping its prowess under disguise this preseason, or it is going to have serious problems stopping anyone in the regular season.

After an impressive performance in the first preseason game, the Cardinals’ defense has yielded more than 400 yards and 30 points combined in the first halves of the past two preseason games.

While fans might be panicked, players and coaches aren’t. The Cardinals are playing only a small fraction of their overall scheme, they said. When the whole thing is unveiled in the regular season, which begins Sept. 10 in San Francisco, things will be different.

“We’re right where we want to be right now,” inside linebacker Karlos Dansby said.

The Cardinals are playing very basic schemes in the preseason, Dansby added, “and when I say very basic, I mean very basic.”

The idea behind playing basic schemes is to not only keep things under wraps until the regular season starts, but also to evaluate players in one-on-one matchups.

There haven’t been many positives the past two weeks. A week ago, Houston scored on drives of 85, 73 and 82 yards in the first half. On Saturday night, San Diego had scoring drives of 65, 80 and 64 in the first half in the Chargers’ 33-31 win.

“We’re playing pretty basic,” defensive end Chris Cooper said, “but, still, it’s like man on man, how to beat the guy in front of you. When it comes down to the season, you are going to see a whole lot of different blitzes and a whole lot of crazy things.”

But will they have to do those things just to be successful? The defensive line hasn’t been able to pressure the quarterback the past two weeks. The last two starting quarterbacks the Cardinals faced – Houston’s Matt Schaub and San Diego’s Philip Rivers – completed 23 of 35 passes (65.7 percent) in the first half for 325 yards and one touchdown. Neither was sacked.

“We’re trying to learn about our defense and what we can do,” Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “We put them in situations where I know it’s difficult for them. What I really like is, they didn’t quit. They hung in there, made some plays when they had to and kept them out of the end zone in critical situations.”

Steelers beat Eagles

PITTSBURGH – Ben Roethlisberger’s numbers looked exceptional for an exhibition game, especially for only a half.

Roethlisberger, effective for only one drive previously in this preseason, passed for 247 yards before halftime to lead three Pittsburgh scoring drives in a 27-13 win over Philadelphia on Sunday night.

Roethlisberger didn’t pass for a score, but he spread the ball among seven receivers, and six caught at least one pass of 18 yards or longer. Running back Najeh Davenport had two long receptions totaling 58 yards, and tight end Heath Miller, often absent in the offense, had two for 50 yards.

Pro Bowl running back Willie Parker, limited to four carries before Sunday because of a sore knee that sidelined him for two weeks of training camp, ran 18 yards for a score following Roethlisberger’s 22-yard completion to Santonio Holmes during a 13-point second quarter for Pittsburgh. Parker also caught three passes for 40 yards.

The Associated Press

The Arizona Republic

KENT SOMERS
The Arizona Republic

FLAGSTAFF – In a storyline that’s becoming as regular as afternoon showers in Flagstaff, the Cardinals and the agent for first-round pick Levi Brown spent another day negotiating.

The sides are close, people with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday, and a deal could be announced as early as Thursday.

Or not.

The Cardinals have thought for the past two days that they were close to a deal, but Brown remains unsigned and is believed to be home in Norfolk, Va.

He has missed five days and six practices of training camp.

On Tuesday night, general manager Rod Graves expressed his frustration that one of Brown’s agents, Joel Segal, had cut off talks and decided to mull the Cardinals’ offer overnight. Graves spent Wednesday negotiating with Segal and Brown’s other agent, Cafie Fields.

“We had a positive day in negotiations,” Fields said. “We made progress,and we’re obviously getting closer.”

The two sides have agreed on the framework of a six-year contract and are discussing the amount of guaranteed money in the deal, and how much Brown’s salary will increase under an escalator clause.

As the fifth overall pick, Brown is expected to sign a contract worth a maximum of around $42 million to $44 million, with about $18 million of that guaranteed.

That total value is based on Brown achieving several incentives that would make him one of the game’s elite linemen.

A graduate of Penn State, Brown is bright, plus he attended the team’s minicamps and voluntary practices. The season doesn’t start until Sept. 10, so there is plenty of time for Brown to make up lost ground.

Leinart praises his line

Quarterback Matt Leinart spends most of his practice time looking downfield, but he’s noticed the guys in front of him, too. Leinart raved about his offensive line on Wednesday.

“They know where they are going on every single block,” he said. “They’re not having to make a million calls at the line of scrimmage. . . . If we have time to throw and they open holes, this offense is going to score a lot of points.”

Leinart said defensive players, such as Adrian Wilson, have commented to him about the line’s improvement.

Night practice held

To avoid some drudgery, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt has varied the practice schedule and regimen, with practice times ranging from 9 in the morning to 9 at night.

The Arizona Republic

KENT SOMERS

The Arizona Republic

The Arizona Cardinals liked what they saw of offensive tackle Levi Brown on videotape and were impressed by what they heard from him during an interview at the scouting combine in February.

The final test came March 22, when offensive line coach Russ Grimm traveled to State College, Pa.

“He worked me out at my pro day and really tried to kick my butt,” Brown said Saturday, not long after the Cardinals took him with the fifth overall selection in the NFL draft.

The Cardinals came away so impressed that they had Brown rated nearly even with Wisconsin’s Joe Thomas as the top tackles in the draft. When the Cleveland Browns took Thomas at No. 3, the Cardinals hoped to trade down and still get Brown. With no trade offers, they took him anyway.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that I like the physical mentality or the physical nature of the way he plays,” head coach Ken Whisenhunt said of Brown. “I think it is a good fit for what we are trying to do and what we are trying to establish with this football team.”

In the second round, the Cardinals did a most unusual thing, at least for them: They moved up.

The Cardinals traded up five spots with Oakland for the first pick of the round, the 33rd overall. The Cardinals sent their second-rounder and their fourth-round pick (105th overall) to Oakland and took Alan Branch, a 6-foot-5, 334-pound defensive tackle from Michigan.

Branch was expected to go in the first round and has a reputation for not playing up to potential.

The Cardinals did not agree and found no good reason for Branch to drop out of the first round.

The Cardinals followed that by picking linebacker Buster Davis of Florida State in the third round. Davis is small (5-9, 239 pounds) but was productive in college.

Arizona’s fifth-round pick, Steve Breaston, broke the career kickoff- and punt-return records at Michigan. He ranked fifth in career receptions with 156.

In the seventh round, Arizona chose tight end Ben Patrick, who played three seasons at Duke before transferring to Delaware.

The Arizona Republic

By KENT SOMERS

The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX – First, Russ Grimm missed out on the Cardinals head coaching job, which went to his friend Ken Whisenhunt.

Then Grimm was passed over by the Steelers, who hired Mike Tomlin over the weekend.

But Grimm said he doesn’t view his newest position, Cardinals assistant head coach/offensive line, as a consolation prize.

“I actually feel fortunate to come back with coach Whisenhunt,” Grimm said Tuesday after agreeing to a three-year contract with Arizona. “We’ve known each other for a long time. I know he wants to win.”

Grimm’s hiring was a coup for Arizona. He is known as one of the top offensive line coaches in the NFL. Grimm played guard for 11 seasons with the Redskins and is one of 17 finalists this year for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The vote will be Feb. 3, the day before Super Bowl XLI in Miami.

Scottdale, Pa., native Grimm played at the University of Pittsburgh and was taken in the third round of the 1981 draft by the Redskins. He coached eight seasons in Washington before moving to Pittsburgh in 2001.

“Obviously I know Russ very well from our time together with the Steelers, and adding a coach of his caliber to the staff is tremendous,” Whisenhunt said.

Coinciding with Grimm’s hiring, the Cardinals released Steve Loney, their offensive line coach last year, from his contract.

Grimm’s job won’t be easy. The Cardinals offensive line has struggled in recent years, although it showed improvement under Loney during the second half of last season.

“There is a lot of talent on the football team,” Grimm said.

Two weeks ago, Grimm interviewed with the Cardinals, who instead hired Whisenhunt, the Steelers offensive coordinator.

Last week, Grimm had a second interview with the Steelers, and there was a report over the weekend that he was offered the head coaching job.

That was false, and the Steelers hired Minnesota defensive coordinator Tomlin.

“Obviously, it was tough,” Grimm said. “The decision was made by the Rooney family. It’s a great organization. I respect the decision. It’s time to move on.”

The Arizona Republic

By KENT SOMERS

The Arizona Republic

TEMPE – “Tough.” “Aggressive.” “Smart.”

Those were the operative words Tuesday when the Arizona Cardinals introduced Ken Whisenhunt as their new coach.

If the team can throw around opponents as it tossed around adjectives, the 2007 season will be a rousing success.

Unlike some of the team’s previous hires, Whisenhunt didn’t bluster his way through his introductory news conference. He didn’t proclaim a winner had arrived in town (Buddy Ryan) or predict a winning season (Dennis Green).

If the job in Arizona were easy, the Cardinals wouldn’t be hiring their seventh full-time coach since arriving here in 1988.

“I think you recognize that is the situation here,” Whisenhunt said. “But I don’t think you live in the past. You stay consistent in the message you give to the players and to the community: a disciplined, smart, tough football team that’s going to show up on Sunday and play their guts out.”

Whisenhunt, 44, signed a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth season. The Cardinals hope Whisenhunt, who has a reputation as an offensive innovator, can turn the team into a winner quickly – and can keep it at that level for a long time.

“We thought he brought both of those elements,” said Michael Bidwill, the team’s vice president and general counsel.

It’s Whisenhunt’s first head coaching job, and he choked up Tuesday when he thanked his wife, Alice, and children, Kenny and Mary Ashley, who sat in the front row of the auditorium at the team’s Tempe facility.

Whisenhunt, the Steelers’ offensive coordinator the past three seasons, also interviewed with Miami, Atlanta and Pittsburgh. His first priority is to hire a staff. He would like to talk to some Steelers assistants, but all are under contract through 2007 and are in limbo until Pittsburgh hires a coach.

The Cardinals have retained seven assistants, including defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast. Whisenhunt’s defensive philosophy seems to mesh with Pendergast’s. The Cardinals likely will continue to use the 4-3 as their base defense but will implement elements of the 3-4, which Pittsburgh uses. The Cardinals were doing that under Pendergast.

On offense, Whisenhunt plans to call plays. One of his mentors, Dan Henning, recently was fired as Carolina’s offensive coordinator, and Henning will be considered for a staff position.

The Arizona Republic

By KENT SOMERS

The Arizona Republic

TEMPE – Ken Whisenhunt has a degree in civil engineering that, as a football coach, he’s never had to use.

It might come in handy now, because Whisenhunt has taken on a large construction project.

Whisenhunt will become the seventh head coach to try to build a winner with the Arizona Cardinals. Whisenhunt, who spent the past three years as the Steelers offensive coordinator, agreed to a four-year pact with a team option for a fifth year.

“It became apparent to us, particularly when we got into the second phase of our interview process, that Ken began to separate himself from the other candidates,” said Rod Graves, the team’s vice president of football operations.

“It became obvious to us that his leadership ability, the plan that he had for our football team and the organization he demonstrated was clearly the right one for this team.”

Because today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Whisenhunt won’t be introduced formally as head coach until a news conference Tuesday afternoon. The team announced his hiring Sunday morning.

“I’m really excited,” Whisenhunt told ESPN.com Sunday. “I really think it’s a great opportunity. It’s a team with a lot of young talent on both sides of the ball. The more I studied the situation, the better it looked, and the more I wanted that job. I can’t wait to get started.”

The Cardinals have had one winning season since moving to Arizona in 1988 and won one playoff game since 1947. But team officials think they are close to winning and that the team underachieved under Dennis Green, who was fired after compiling a 16-32 record in three seasons.

“Great, good to have a coach,” defensive end Bertrand Berry said when he heard about the hiring. “That’s about all I can say. I don’t know much about him. I’m sure I’ll find out in the next little bit of time.”

Whisenhunt’s first task will be assembling a staff, and it will be especially important to find a defensive coordinator, given Whisenhunt’s offensive background. He has spoken with Cardinals defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast, who remains under contract, and will meet with six other assistants the Cardinals have retained.

Whisenhunt will not be forced to hired those assistants, team officials have said.

Whisenhunt was a hot candidate for several jobs and had interviews with the Steelers, Falcons and the Dolphins. Last year, he turned down the opportunity to coach the Raiders.

After firing Green the day after the season ended, the Cardinals interviewed eight candidates in eight days and then narrowed their choices to a “short list.”

“Our process was extremely thorough, and it’s unlike one that many of us have ever been a part of,” Graves said. “In some cases, the interviews lasted more than 12, 13 hours.”

Former Packers coach Mike Sherman interviewed for a second time Thursday, followed by Whisenhunt, who had a second interview Friday and Saturday. By midday Saturday, the Cardinals decided Whisenhunt, 44, was their man.

It didn’t take long for Whisenhunt’s agent, Eric Metz, and the Bidwills, owner Bill Bidwill and his son, Michael, to reach a deal. Metz, who is based in the Phoenix area, credited the Bidwills for “their integrity and commitment to winning.

“They bent over backward to accommodate him and made him feel very wanted,” Metz said. “The Cardinals were very aggressive and made a tremendous commitment.”

WHISENHUNT’S RÉSUMÉ

1995-1996: Vanderbilt University, special teams, tight ends and H-backs

1997-1998: Baltimore Ravens, tight ends

1999: Cleveland Browns, special teams

2000: New York Jets, tight ends

2001-2003: Pittsburgh Steelers, tight ends

2004-2006: Pittsburgh Steelers, offensive coordinator

The Arizona Republic

By KENT SOMERS

The Arizona Republic

TEMPE – The Arizona Cardinals ushered in the new year on Monday by ushering out coach Dennis Green, firing him with one year left on his contract.

They also started the process of finding his replacement and announced a new three-year contract for Rod Graves, vice president of football operations.

“In the final analysis, when you look at the three years, we didn’t win enough games,” said Michael Bidwill, the Cardinals’ vice president and general counsel, who informed Green on Monday that he had been fired. “I think Dennis Green understands that in this league you’ve got to win games. We’re all sorry it didn’t turn out.”

Green, who went 16-32 with Arizona, did not meet with reporters and did not return phone calls. The Cardinals went 6-10, 5-11 and 5-11 in his three seasons.

The Cardinals wasted little time embarking on their search for the team’s seventh head coach since moving to Arizona in 1988. Bidwill and Graves identified six candidates: Tennessee offensive coordinator Norm Chow, Houston assistant head coach Mike Sherman, Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, Indianapolis assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell, Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and Steelers assistant head coach/offensive line coach Russ Grimm.

Sherman’s interview is scheduled for Thursday at the team’s Tempe facility. He was Green Bay’s head coach from 2000-05.

The Cardinals will reveal other names after they’ve contacted other teams for permission to interview them. Graves didn’t rule out interviewing college coaches.

Graves and Bidwill spearheaded the process that resulted in Green’s hiring in 2004. That didn’t turn out well, but Graves and Bidwill again are leading this search.

WHO’S NEXT?

How the last five Arizona coaches have fared with the team. Vince Tobin has the best winning percentage of the group at .394.

Name – Years – Record

Dennis Green 2004-06 16-32

Dave McGinnis 2000-03 19-38

Vince Tobin 1996-00 28-43

Buddy Ryan 1994-95 12-20

Joe Bugel 1990-93 20-44

The Arizona Republic

By KENT SOMERS

The Arizona Republic

SAN FRANCISCO – Their starting quarterback stood on the sideline, the left sleeve of his sweatshirt empty and dangling.

The momentum of the first half had been erased by a turnover and a San Francisco touchdown, and it looked as if the Cardinals were fading like the evening sun.

But Arizona collected two turnovers in the fourth quarter, added a field goal and then ran out the final 4:56 with a punishing running attack. In a season defined by bitter disappointments, the Cardinals’ 26-20 victory over the 49ers Sunday at Monster Park provided one of the few memories that will be savored this offseason.

“We’ve got a group of guys, they fight hard,” said safety Robert Griffith.

“Here we are 4-10 (entering the game) and guys are playing like we’re going to playoffs, man. It’s not like we are going, but you couldn’t tell.”

It wasn’t easy, but things rarely are for the Cardinals. They led 17-3 late in the first half when quarterback Matt Leinart was driven to the ground on a sack by linebacker Roderick Green, who had beaten left tackle Leonard Davis.

Leinart suffered a sprain to the acromioclavicular joint in his left shoulder, his throwing arm, and didn’t return. Tests revealed no separation or dislocation, so the Cardinals are hopeful that surgery won’t be necessary.

Kurt Warner, who lost his starting job to Leinart after four games, started wearing gloves in practice about three weeks ago in an effort to improve his grip on the ball.

The gloves passed the game test Sunday. Warner didn’t do anything spectacular, completing 9 of 13 for 105 yards, but then he didn’t have to.

The Cardinals led 20-6 at halftime.

“When you sit out 10 weeks, you’re not quite sure what you’re going to be like when you go back in,” Warner said. “It wasn’t a deal where we had to throw caution to the wind. It was really about managing the game at that point. You just don’t want to screw it up at that point.”

The Arizona Republic

By KENT SOMERS

The Arizona Republic

GLENDALE – It was late in coming, and success ultimately wasn’t confirmed until the final seconds when a few chain links separated the yardstick and the nose of the football.

But the Cardinals believe they made a stand and issued a statement Sunday at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

No more losing in creative and heartbreaking ways at home. No more late-game collapses. No more whispered explanations or explosive post-game news conferences.

All last week, the mantra was: Enough, already. The Cardinals made an emotional investment in trying to beat Seattle and succeeded 27-21 in a game that wasn’t decided until the Seahawks came up inches short of a first down with 53 seconds remaining.

“It’s real emotional,” Arizona defensive end Antonio Smith said. “It’s like you’ve taken your last step back. Through. We’re through with it.”

It was the second consecutive victory for the Cardinals (4-9) and their third in four games. The Cardinals had lost seven of their past eight to the Seahawks (8-5), and Sunday’s victory kept Seattle from clinching the NFC West title.

Seattle, trailing by six points, moved 66 yards to the Arizona 17, where it faced a third-and-12 with just more than a minute to play.

This time, the Cardinals found a creative way to win, not lose, as they did in previous home games against Kansas City, St. Louis and Chicago.

Chike Okeafor beat Seattle left tackle Walter Jones, a perennial all-Pro, with an inside move and sacked Matt Hasselbeck for an 8-yard loss.

On fourth down, Hasselbeck passed to receiver Deion Branch, who was tackled less than a yard short of the first down by safety Adrian Wilson. A measurement confirmed the spot and gave Arizona the rarest of jewels this season: a win in a close game at home.

“All year, we’ve felt like we can play with anybody if we kind of get our act together,” said quarterback Matt Leinart said. “Beating a team like Seattle obviously doesn’t set the tone for the future but lets us know we can beat a team like that, a Super Bowl team.”

The Arizona Republic

By KENT SOMERS

The Arizona Republic

GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals went the extra mile for their visitors from Dallas on Sunday afternoon.

They gave up the ball to the Cowboys, turned passive on defense and even opened the roof at University of Phoenix Stadium to give it a homey, Texas Stadium feel.

The result was a 27-10 loss, adding to the long list of their dubious achievements this year. The Cardinals’ eight-game losing streak is their longest since 1991, and they’re 1-8 for the first time since 1978 – when Bud Wilkinson was coach.

Their game next week against Detroit (2-7) could determine which team has the No. 1 pick in April’s draft.

“We’ve got a lot of people on the schedule that are struggling also,” coach Dennis Green said. “Probably not struggling as much as us, but they’re struggling also.”

As rallying cries go, that won’t make anyone break down the locker room door, unless it’s the one leading to the parking lot. As usual after home losses, the Cardinals took some heat as they left the field. One fan held up a sign that read: “Coach Green: it’s time to push the Ask Madden button.”

Chances are, not even advice from a video game would help. Even a players-only meeting last Monday did little to change the course of the Cardinals’ season.

They played harder than in recent weeks, but not better. Rookie quarterback Matt Leinart played poorly for the third consecutive game, completing 20 of 38 with two interceptions. The defense held up for a while, but wilted after Leinart’s interceptions, which came in the third quarter. Dallas scored touchdowns after both turnovers and led 27-3 early in the fourth quarter.

“I’m mad at myself,” Leinart said. “Two turnovers that lead to 14 points. You can’t have that, and that’s my fault.”

While setting high expectations for himself, Leinart admitted it’s not unusual for a rookie quarterback to struggle.

“It’s not just going to happen overnight,” he said. “I’m not going to be Peyton Manning in two weeks and just be tearing apart defenses. It’s just not how the game is. It’s a tough game.”

The Arizona Republic

By KENT SOMERS

The Arizona Republic

TEMPE – The regular season reaches its midway point Sunday in Green Bay, and the Cardinals still are trying to find a starting offensive line combination that works.

Coach Dennis Green confirmed Wednesday that starting lineup changes are planned for Sunday.

He declined to detail the plans.

It appears, however, that three changes are in the works. Right tackle Oliver Ross, who allowed two sacks Sunday at Oakland, likely will be benched.

Left guard Reggie Wells is expected to move to right tackle, and right guard Chris Liwienski probably will move to the left side.

Rookie Deuce Lutui, a second-round draft pick, could take Liwienski’s spot at right guard. It would be Lutui’s first start.

Milford Brown, who started the first five games at right guard, is listed as probable after missing the past two games because of an ankle injury.

The Cardinals are last in the NFL in rushing yards per game (66.9) and yards per carry (2.5).

Injury report

The Cardinals’ run of good luck with injuries is over. Five starters missed Wednesday’s practice because of injuries, and three are listed as doubtful for Sunday.

Nose tackle Kendrick Clancy (groin) probably won’t play, Green said. Receiver Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring) did more running Wednesday than he did last week, but is listed as doubtful. Strong outside linebacker Karlos Dansby (hip flexor) is doubtful because of a hip flexor injury.

Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (back) and strong safety Adrian Wilson (groin) are probable, as is Brown (ankle).

Backup cornerback Matt Ware (shoulder) is out, and fullback Obafemi Ayanbadejo (leg contusion) is questionable.

“You start talking about Dansby, Fitzgerald, Dockett and Wilson, that’s a big chunk of our team,” Green said.

Backup linebacker James Darling, who missed five games because of a calf injury, is expected to play Sunday.

Leinart a father

Starting quarterback Matt Leinart missed practice Wednesday with a good excuse: He became a father Tuesday night. Brynn Cameron, a University of Southern California basketball player, gave birth to a boy, Cole, in southern California. Details were not available.

Leinart was expected to return soon and “get caught up on the game plan,” Green said.

The Arizona Republic

By KENT SOMERS

The Arizona Republic

GLENDALE – The guess is that Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill and his son Michael won’t fire coach Dennis Green this season, unless the players quit on the coach or Green forces the issue by demanding to know where he stands with ownership.

If Green has to ask the question, he probably already knows the answer.

If Green was fired, it’s unlikely that an outsider would be brought in, and it’s hard to say which assistant would take over as interim head coach.

There is no heir apparent, as there was when Vince Tobin was fired in 2000 and Dave McGinnis took over.

Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast is highly regarded in the NFL and is the logical choice to some people. Offensive coordinator Mike Kruczek was a head coach in college, but it’s unlikely he would get the job.

It’s important to remember the team promoted linebackers coach Frank Bush to assistant head coach last offseason.

Bush had just re-signed as an assistant with the Cardinals when Gary Kubiak, an old friend, was hired as the head coach in Houston. Kubiak wanted Bush as his defensive coordinator, and it was an attractive offer to Bush, who played, scouted and coached in Houston for the Oilers.

It also would have been a nice steppingstone to becoming a head coach. But the Cardinals declined to let Bush out of his contract.

The Cardinals gave Bush a promotion, a small consolation for a coach denied a chance at a marquee job. Succeed as a defensive coordinator in Houston, and you could be on the fast track for a head-coaching job.

But the Cardinals stood in Bush’s way.

So if the Cardinals fire Green and fail to promote Bush, who is black, it wouldn’t look good. The NFL has prided itself on its recent strides in hiring minority head coaches, and bypassing Bush, the assistant head coach, would draw criticism.

In fairness to them, the Cardinals and the Bidwills have a long and admirable track record of hiring minorities for significant jobs. And other teams have stopped them from interviewing candidates for coordinators’ jobs in recent years.

The Arizona Republic

By KENT SOMERS

The Arizona Republic

TEMPE – New Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Mike Kruczek promises to bring energy and passion to his new job. Some points would help, too.

Kruczek met with his players Wednesday morning and detailed what had gone wrong in the first six games (plenty) and what needed to be done to improve (also plenty).

“I was very dogmatic with an elevated voice when I spoke,” Kruczek said. “I was trying to get my point across in a firm, straight-forward, black-and-white manner.

“I’m not one who minces words. There is no sense sugar-coating the situation.”

If the situation was good, Keith Rowen would still be offensive coordinator. The former University of Arizona assistant coach was removed from the job Tuesday by coach Dennis Green and replaced by Kruczek.

He has promised changes in the wake of blowing a 20-point fourth-quarter lead and losing 24-23 to the Chicago Bears. The offensive system remains the same, but there will be adjustments to try to take better advantage of the talent at receiver and to improve the running game.

“I think the difference is we’re not going to be conservative like we have been,” quarterback Matt Leinart said.

The Cardinals used running back Edgerrin James Monday against Chicago, and he gained 55 yards on 36 carries. It wasn’t a bad strategy. The Bears’ offense was going nowhere, so there seemed little reason to take chances.

“We got a lead, and we tried to play into our defense’s hands,” Kruczek said. “We tried to chew the clock, run the football and play defense.”

Don’t plan on seeing the Cardinals do it again.

“We have a strong defense and we want to be smart with what we call, but we do not get conservative, that is not going to happen,” Kruczek said.

The Arizona Republic

By KENT SOMERS

The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX – Keith Rowen isn’t the only assistant coach to have paid for the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive woes with his job.

He’s just the latest in Dennis Green’s nearly 2 1/2 years as head coach.

Around 14 hours after his team finished blowing a 20-point lead to lose 24-23 to Chicago, Green announced Tuesday morning that he had fired Rowen, a former University of Arizona assistant coach under Larry Smith, as offensive coordinator and promoted quarterbacks coach Mike Kruczek to the job.

Rowen is the seventh coach to be fired, demoted or forced out under Green, and Kruczek becomes Green’s third offensive coordinator.

“We are not scoring enough points,” Green said. “That does not just fall on me. It does not just fall on the offensive coordinator. At certain times, you have to feel like you have to do something a little bit different, something that we hope will be better for us.

Green would like Rowen to remain on the staff, and discussions between the two continued Tuesday afternoon. Rowen did not return phone messages.

The timing of Rowen’s firing was strange, because the Cardinals (1-5) scored more points against Chicago (6-0) than any other team had this season.

They led Chicago 23-3 late in the third quarter but lost due to a series of blunders, including two fumbles and a punt that were returned for touchdowns and a missed field goal from 40 yards in the closing seconds. Eliminate any one of those mistakes, and the Cardinals would be celebrating a victory, and Rowen likely would have kept his job. Green absolved Rowen of blame for the breakdowns late in the game but said the offense needed a jump-start.

Rowen was hired in January 2005, replacing Alex Wood, who was fired a few days before. Like Wood, Rowen had worked under Green in Minnesota.

Rowen’s first season with the Cardinals was rough. The offensive line struggled, and although the team finished first in the NFL in passing, it ranked last in rushing. This year, the Cardinals are ranked 23rd in total offense, and the running game has not improved, despite the addition of running back Edgerrin James in the offseason. The Cardinals have lost five consecutive games, averaging 15.4 points in those losses.

Kruczek, 53, is in his third season with Arizona, all as quarterbacks coach. He spent 19 seasons at the University of Central Florida, the final six as head coach.

“I think Mike is a very demanding kind of task-master type guy,” Green said of Kruczek. He’s old school all the way. And I think that’s what we’re going to need right now.”

• NFL notes, Page 5C

The Arizona Republic

By KENT SOMERS

The Arizona Republic

GLENDALE – They opened the roof Monday night at University of Phoenix Stadium, and for nearly three quarters, the fresh air seemed to breathe new life into the Arizona Cardinals’ season.

They built a 20-point lead over the Chicago Bears, considered by many to be the best team in the NFL.

Hope seemed alive for the Cardinals, who brought a four-game losing streak into the contest.

But the Cardinals proved Monday they can blow a game outdoors, too, as well as in. Chicago scored three touchdowns in the final 15 minutes – two on fumble returns and another on Devin Hester’s 83-yard punt return – to stun the Cardinals 24-23.

The Cardinals had one last chance, taking over at their 38 with just less than three minutes remaining.

Rookie quarterback Matt Leinart moved them deftly down the field to the Bears’ 22. But kicker Neil Rackers’ 40-yard field-goal attempt missed left, barely, and the Cardinals (1-5) were left to cope with their fifth straight loss.

For the Cardinals, holding a lead has proved as difficult as holding a crying baby, and it has coach Dennis Green at wits’ end. He was answering questions calmly in his postgame news conference until he was asked about the 6-0 Bears.

Green slammed a fist on the lectern and said, his voice rising, “You want to crown them, go ahead. But they are exactly who we thought they are, and we let them off the hook.”

With that, a team spokesman ended the session.

It was the second straight week in which the Cardinals have blown comfortable leads, although there probably is no sure thing for this team.

Last week, the Cardinals led Kansas City 14-0 but lost 23-20. Rackers missed a 51-yard attempt late in that game that would have forced overtime.

“I’ve let my teammates down twice,” Rackers said. “We deserved to win, and it was my job to get it done, and I didn’t. Afterwards, I just wanted to throw up.”

Few losses will hurt worse than this one. At 2-4 and with games ahead in Oakland and Green Bay, reaching .500 by the end of the month seemed feasible.

Now, at 1-5, hope has been extinguished.

As 11 1/2-point underdogs, the Cardinals reversed roles with the Bears for much of the evening. They displayed balance on offense, forced six turnovers on defense and almost survived a wild second half.

Leinart played well in his second start, completing 24 of 42 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns.

“In the NFL, when you have six turnovers, you lose,” said Bears defensive end Alex Brown. “If you’re fortunate enough to win, somebody upstairs is looking out for you.”

Bears quarterback Rex Grossman, who had four passes intercepted and fumbled twice, couldn’t believe he was in the winners’ locker room. “I’ve never played so bad and won a game like that,” he said.

Arizona went 77 yards for a touchdown on the opening possession. The defense forced four turnovers in the first half by the Bears, who had committed just five entering the game.

Late in the third quarter, Leinart was hit in the back by defensive end Mark Anderson, who was unblocked, and fumbled. Safety Mike Brown scooped it up and ran 3 yards for the score, making it 23-10 with two seconds left in the quarter.

Later, running back Edgerrin James, who gained only 55 yards on 36 carries, was stripped of the ball by linebacker Brian Urlacher, and cornerback Charles Tillman returned it 40 yards for the score.