<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Untested Cardinals rookie to start at quarterback</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER width="1" type="block" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer
November 29, 2004
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -- The Cardinals have yet another starting quarterback, this one a rookie.
John Navarre will become Arizona's third starting quarterback in the last four games when the Cardinals play the Lions in Detroit on Sunday. The seventh-round draft pick, who never has taken a snap in an NFL regular-season game, will make his debut in the state where he was a three-year starter for the University of Michigan.
Asked his reaction Monday when coach Dennis Green told him the news, Navarre said: ``Excitement. I was anxious to get going. My first thoughts were what I'm going to do to get an edge this week, what I have to do to step up, be a leader and earn respect.''
<TABLE cellPadding=1 align=left border=0 hspace="10" vspace="5"><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Green benched
Shaun King after two starts and elevated Navarre over
Josh McCown, who had the job for the first nine games.
``Isn't that the American dream?'' Green said. ``Isn't the American dream all about opportunity? If one guy hasn't worked out and another guy hasn't worked out, why shouldn't the other guy get a chance? And I've got a lot of confidence in him. I think he'll do fine.''
Green said McCown would be the backup, with King demoted to third string after the Cardinals scored just 13 points in his two starts.
``Quick hook? Yeah,'' Green said. ``Tough business, and you don't have to apologize for it being a tough business.''
The 6-foot-6 Navarre, the 202nd player chosen overall in the draft, has been working almost exclusively with the scout team and has been inactive in all 11 games for the Cardinals (4-7).
``As a backup, you want to prepare as a starter each week,'' Navarre said. ``I'm prepared. I've been preparing since I've been here so if a situation like this presents itself, I'm going to be ready.''
Green said he's watched Navarre closely on the scout team.
``You get a decent feel for a guy,'' Green said. ``You get a feel for what he does and how he responds and what he tries to do, the way he commands the huddle. He has not played, but he has practiced. He has worked very hard and he's gained my confidence.''
Green said he's liked what he's seen out of Navarre, and noted there is a long list of Michigan quarterbacks who have succeeded in the NFL after being overlooked early in the draft.
``Big, smart, strong,'' Green said. ``I think he's a gamer.''
Green also said
Emmitt Smith would be out two to three weeks with a sprained big left toe, and that undrafted rookie
Larry Croom would start at running back Sunday.
That means the Arizona offense will have rookies at quarterback, running back, center (
Alex Stepanovich) and wide receiver (
Larry Fitzgerald).
``I'm in the decision-making business, and I don't hesitate to make them,'' Green said. ``I don't look for consensus.''
Navarre wasn't always the most popular guy in his days at Michigan, but Green said he felt Detroit was the perfect place for him to start.
``I think he's better off starting at Michigan than starting at Arizona,'' Green said.
He would not elaborate, but he apparently was referring to the rough reception King got from the home crowd in Sunday's 13-3 loss to the
New York Jets. The crowd booed King loudly from the second pass on and often chanted ``We want Josh.''
McCown, 4-5 as a starter this season, promised to support and help Navarre, but acknowledged uncertainty about his long-term status with the Cardinals.
``I know they're looking for a spark, but it's hard to read anything positive into your future,'' McCown said. ``We'll see. All I can do is stay ready and prepare myself.''
King wouldn't comment on whether he thinks he got a fair shot.
``It's always tough anytime you're demoted or benched,'' King said. ``But there's nothing you can do about it now but support John and go out and be ready.'' Green insisted the move was not made for future seasons, but to give the team the best chance to win. He believes that an 8-8 record could make the playoffs in the NFC. ``I'm not just blowing smoke. I don't do that,'' he said. ``I say it because I believe it.''
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