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The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz., Cardinals Notebook Column: Green Says Navarre Likely Will Be Promoted

Posted on: Tuesday, 3 January 2006, 15:00 CST

By Mike Tulumello, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz., The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.

Jan. 3--One player, sounding like the incumbent quarterback, said he's anxious to re-sign. The other, while not ruling out a return, sounded like he was saying goodbye.

But while the soap opera of Kurt Warner and Josh McCown seems to be reaching a conclusion, the real quarterback news Monday as the Cardinals broke up was coach Dennis Green's strong support of third-stringer John Navarre.

Navarre, Green said, will likely "move up" in the pecking order.

Asked if he would draft a backup -- assuming either Warner or McCown returns -- Green was pointed in his support for the two-year reserve, who has played in just two NFL games.

"John was a very talented quarterback with a very good won-loss record at Michigan," Green said. "He exhibited great poise and a big strong arm. He was an outstanding competitor and had incredible character. Those are all pretty good qualities." Green said nothing is "locked in," but "John probably moves up. Whether he moves up to No. 1 or No. 2, that's something we'll see." Green said there wasn't a definitive answer over who would be the starting quarterback in 2006 and "there shouldn't be at this stage." Warner reiterated he wants to re-sign. McCown said he wants a chance to start, which likely will not happen in Arizona.

IMPROVED DEFENSE?

Though the Cards' defense seemed disappointing at times, defensive tackle Darnell Dockett strongly disputed the idea that the team's defense had declined from last year.

Statistically, he's right. The Cards, who had the league's No. 12 defense last year in terms of yards given up, were No. 8 this year (No. 10 vs. the run, No. 12 vs. the pass).

"How can you say our defense wasn't dominant?" Dockett said. "We finished better statistically.

"We tackled this year. We started off tackling sloppy the first four games. Then we tightened it up and our defense played well." STAYING CLOSE Green stressed that he expects all the players to conduct their offseason workouts at the team's Tempe facility.

"There are some guys that think there is another way to win, and I told them today I don't agree with you," Green said. "I don't think you can become a good teammate when you work out with a guy (only) at minicamp and teamorganized workouts. I don't buy it." EXTRA POINTS The Cardinals will have the 10th pick in April's draft. . . .

Not only did the Cards finish eighth overall in the NFL in defense, they finished eighthranked in offense as well, the only team to have top 10 rankings for both. . . .

Not surprisingly, the Cardinals set team records for net and gross passing yards, pass attempts and completions.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.

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Source: The Tribune

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