http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/football/nfl/carolina_panthers/12850144.htm
Cardinals coach keeps the faith
Receivers Fitzgerald and Boldin could be a major threat
CHARLES CHANDLER
Staff Writer
Unlike many NFL coaches who don't want preseason acclaim, Dennis Green welcomed predictions that his Arizona Cardinals would win the NFC West.
"There have been so many negative things said about the Arizona Cardinals for such a long period of time," Green said. "Anytime someone says something good about you, it's good for the players."
Green's opinion is unchanged despite the fact that the Cardinals are off to a disappointing 1-3 start heading into Sunday's home game against Carolina.
"There are a lot of teams that aren't where they want to be, and we're one of them," he said.
Green, who led the Minnesota Vikings to eight playoff appearances in 1992-2000, is trying to revive a Cardinals franchise that has had one winning season in the past 20 years.
Arizona was 6-10 last year, his first with the team, but was projected to be improved after numerous offseason moves.
Green brought in ex-most valuable player Kurt Warner at quarterback and drafted California's J.J. Arrington in the second round to be the featured running back.
Warner threw only one touchdown pass in losing his first three starts and now is out indefinitely with a groin injury.
Josh McCown, last year's starting quarterback, is back in the lineup. He led the Cardinals to their first win last week, beating the 49ers in Mexico City.
Arrington has started much slower than expected and has been replaced by veteran Marcel Shipp. Arrington has rushed for 27 yards on 20 attempts after averaging only 2.6 yards per carry in the preseason.
Green said the switch to Shipp was necessary because his straight-ahead running style is needed behind a struggling offensive line.
"A runner has to have holes to run through. J.J. needs holes," said Green. "We need a different type of runner than when the season started.
"Marcel is bigger. Our offense's job is to punch holes in defenses. If you can do that, you can send people through it. If you can't punch a hole, then you probably need a little bigger back (who) can at least get two yards."
Arizona's strength is its receiving tandem of Larry Fitzgerald (27 receptions for 368 yards and two touchdowns) and Anquan Boldin (26-385-1). They'll pose a major challenge to the Panthers' defensive backs, especially if cornerback Chris Gamble is slowed or can't play because of an ankle injury.
"I think we are just starting to get where we need to be," Boldin said of he and Fitzgerald.
The same can't be said yet for the Cardinals.
Injury Report
CAROLINA (2-2) AT ARIZONA (1-3)
PANTHERS:
DOUBTFUL: LB Adam Seward (foot); RB Rod Smart (groin). QUESTIONABLE: CB Chris Gamble (ankle). PROBABLE: RB Stephen Davis (knee); S Mike Minter (calf); DT Kindal Moorehead (knee); DE Kemp Rasmussen (knee); DE Al Wallace (back).
CARDINALS:
OUT: CB Antrel Rolle (knee); T Oliver Ross (hand); QB Kurt Warner (groin). DOUBTFUL: G Ian Allen (back). QUESTIONABLE: RB James Jackson (hamstring); LB Eric Johnson (hamstring); CB David Macklin (hamstring); CB Raymond Walls (groin). PROBABLE: T Adam Haayer (knee); TE Teyo Johnson (ankle); S Adrian Mayes (hamstring); RB Harold Morrow (ankle); WR Reginald Swinton (hamstring).
Cardinals coach keeps the faith
Receivers Fitzgerald and Boldin could be a major threat
CHARLES CHANDLER
Staff Writer
Unlike many NFL coaches who don't want preseason acclaim, Dennis Green welcomed predictions that his Arizona Cardinals would win the NFC West.
"There have been so many negative things said about the Arizona Cardinals for such a long period of time," Green said. "Anytime someone says something good about you, it's good for the players."
Green's opinion is unchanged despite the fact that the Cardinals are off to a disappointing 1-3 start heading into Sunday's home game against Carolina.
"There are a lot of teams that aren't where they want to be, and we're one of them," he said.
Green, who led the Minnesota Vikings to eight playoff appearances in 1992-2000, is trying to revive a Cardinals franchise that has had one winning season in the past 20 years.
Arizona was 6-10 last year, his first with the team, but was projected to be improved after numerous offseason moves.
Green brought in ex-most valuable player Kurt Warner at quarterback and drafted California's J.J. Arrington in the second round to be the featured running back.
Warner threw only one touchdown pass in losing his first three starts and now is out indefinitely with a groin injury.
Josh McCown, last year's starting quarterback, is back in the lineup. He led the Cardinals to their first win last week, beating the 49ers in Mexico City.
Arrington has started much slower than expected and has been replaced by veteran Marcel Shipp. Arrington has rushed for 27 yards on 20 attempts after averaging only 2.6 yards per carry in the preseason.
Green said the switch to Shipp was necessary because his straight-ahead running style is needed behind a struggling offensive line.
"A runner has to have holes to run through. J.J. needs holes," said Green. "We need a different type of runner than when the season started.
"Marcel is bigger. Our offense's job is to punch holes in defenses. If you can do that, you can send people through it. If you can't punch a hole, then you probably need a little bigger back (who) can at least get two yards."
Arizona's strength is its receiving tandem of Larry Fitzgerald (27 receptions for 368 yards and two touchdowns) and Anquan Boldin (26-385-1). They'll pose a major challenge to the Panthers' defensive backs, especially if cornerback Chris Gamble is slowed or can't play because of an ankle injury.
"I think we are just starting to get where we need to be," Boldin said of he and Fitzgerald.
The same can't be said yet for the Cardinals.
Injury Report
CAROLINA (2-2) AT ARIZONA (1-3)
PANTHERS:
DOUBTFUL: LB Adam Seward (foot); RB Rod Smart (groin). QUESTIONABLE: CB Chris Gamble (ankle). PROBABLE: RB Stephen Davis (knee); S Mike Minter (calf); DT Kindal Moorehead (knee); DE Kemp Rasmussen (knee); DE Al Wallace (back).
CARDINALS:
OUT: CB Antrel Rolle (knee); T Oliver Ross (hand); QB Kurt Warner (groin). DOUBTFUL: G Ian Allen (back). QUESTIONABLE: RB James Jackson (hamstring); LB Eric Johnson (hamstring); CB David Macklin (hamstring); CB Raymond Walls (groin). PROBABLE: T Adam Haayer (knee); TE Teyo Johnson (ankle); S Adrian Mayes (hamstring); RB Harold Morrow (ankle); WR Reginald Swinton (hamstring).
The award didn't divorce him. Sorry, just one of my too numerous to count pet peeves.
