Cards fire offensive coordinator, Keith Rowan

BigChiefFan · 10-17-2006, 02:44 PM

Just reported on AM 610. The Arizona Cardinals fired former Chiefs TE coach and what was their current offensive coordinator, Keith Rowan today.

**Dartgod** · 10-17-2006, 02:46 PM

Wow. It's a bad day for offensive coordinators.

If I were Mike Solari, I wouldn't answer the phone for the rest of the day.

BigChiefFan · 10-17-2006, 02:46 PM

Green Names Kruczek New Offensive Coordinator
Kate Brandt
azcardinals.com

Following a heartbreaking 24-23 loss on Monday Night Football to the Chicago Bears last night, Cardinals Head Coach Dennis Green announced Tuesday morning that the team will relieve offensive coordinator Keith Rowen of his duties, and quarterback’s coach Mike Kruczek will take over as offensive coordinator.

Kruczek, an all-America quarterback at Boston College and owner of two Super Bowl rings while a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, joined the Cardinals in 2004 after 19 seasons at the University of Central Florida, including six as head coach.

“I just don’t think we’ve been scoring enough points,” commented Green. “Every week I’ve been saying that. We have not been as efficient. We’re 23rd in the NFL in total offense and we’re probably worse than that in scoring offense. Again, it doesn’t all fall on one guy, but there is a job that has to be done and I’m going to give another guy a chance to do that job.”

Kruczek is currently in his third year as an NFL assistant and Cardinals’ quarterbacks coach.

“Mike Kruczek has been here from the onset, and I think his on the field and also his close working relationship with Matt Leinart will give us a better chance,” added Green. “At certain times you have to feel like you have to do something different. Something that we hope will be better for us. I think Mike is a very demanding, taskmaster type of guy and he is “old school” all the way. I think that is what we need right now.”

Unlike Rowen, Kruczek will call the plays from the field.

“He’ll call the plays from the sidelines,” confirmed Green. “I’ll help him, like I do with (Defensive Coordinator) Clancy (Pendergast) in any possible way I can.”

Keith Rowen is in his 23rd season in the NFL and his second with the Cardinals. He joined the team as offensive coordinator in January 2005 succeeding Alex Wood following Green’s first season with the Cardinals. Rowen came to the Cardinals after spending the previous six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs as tight ends coach. The move to Arizona reunited Rowen with Green, who he worked under while the pair coached together in Minnesota from 1994-1996.

“Keith Rowen and I are still discussing what his role will be,” continued Green. “I’ve known Keith for a long time and I have the outmost respect for him, but we are not scoring enough points. That does not just fall on me. That does not just fall on the offensive coordinator.”

This coaching move marks the third offensive coordinator in the last three seasons under Green.

“I don’t hesitate to make changes,” Green confirmed. “That is just who I am and I like things to go a certain way and if they don’t, I normally do something about it. That is just the way I am and I’m not going to change.”

Green is hoping the change will also allow some other faces on the Cards’ roster to emerge as leaders.

“I think we need a little more leadership on our offense,” stated Green. “If I say who are our leaders, defensively I could give you six names just like that and that is one of the reasons we play with a certain amount of assertiveness on defense. I could not do that offensively and that has hurt us.”

The Cards are heading into a two game road stretch against two teams with a combined total of one win this season.

“Now we’re moving into a category of teams who have not done as well,” said Green on the Cards upcoming games at Oakland (0-5) and Green Bay (1-4). “Hopefully we’ll continue to play the same way except with more productivity and the same level of intensity.”

tk13 · 10-17-2006, 02:47 PM

That's rough. Their offense hasn't been perfect, but if their kicker did his job, they wouldn't look nearly as bad. Plus they lost a game because of Kurt Warner's fumbilitis. That's not the OC's fault.

**2112** · 10-17-2006, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

If I were Mike Solari, I wouldn't answer the phone for the rest of the day.

**2112** · 10-17-2006, 02:50 PM

Thats a desperate move doing this...I am surprised by this and Fassel being fired so soon..

Monty · 10-17-2006, 02:54 PM

I still have hope that Geep Chryst will get hired back soon. Obviously, the Cards spot has been taken, but maybe the Ravens?

Brock · 10-17-2006, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill parcells

Thats a desperate move doing this...I am surprised by this and Fassel being fired so soon..

that's because they are desperate. No way Green hangs onto his job unless they finish strong.

shaneo69 · 10-17-2006, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

that's because they are desperate. No way Green hangs onto his job unless they finish strong.

That's what I like about the Chiefs. They never make any desperate moves. Like benching, cutting, or firing players, coaches, or executives. They let poor performances continue in the hope that the performance will eventually improve.

BigChiefFan · 10-17-2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

that's because they are desperate. No way Green hangs onto his job unless they finish strong.

35 plus years of not achieving our goal and we aren't desperate?

StcChief · 10-17-2006, 03:51 PM

Bowtie Bill Bidwell on tirade now.

Simplex3 · 10-17-2006, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaneo69

That's what I like about the Chiefs. They never make any desperate moves. Like benching, cutting, or firing players, coaches, or executives. They let poor performances continue in the hope that the performance will eventually improve.

MichaelH · 10-17-2006, 03:58 PM

The funny thing is, most teams are taking care of the problems DURING the season. The Chiefs never seem to do that. Standing pat must be a Kansas City tradition.

shaneo69 · 10-17-2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaneo69

That's what I like about the Chiefs. They never make any desperate moves.

On second thought, I guess the signing of Turley to replace Roaf was a desperate move. But Carl did a good job of hiding the gravity of the situation at the time by not revealing the fact that Roaf had told him he was planning to retire.

**morphius** · 10-17-2006, 04:08 PM

Well, it is hard to fire players with the salary cap, so it is as strong a statement as he can really make.

10-17-2006, 02:44 PM
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	Cards fire offensive coordinator, Keith Rowan Just reported on AM 610. The Arizona Cardinals fired former Chiefs TE coach and what was their current offensive coordinator, Keith Rowan today.
Posts: 15,777

10-17-2006, 02:46 PM	#2
Dartgod Wasted away again... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: in Margaritaville Casino cash: $7390000	Wow. It's a bad day for offensive coordinators. If I were Mike Solari, I wouldn't answer the phone for the rest of the day. __________________ If you shed a tear for me, please make it a tear of joy. -Joe Tracy (Nzoner) . .
Posts: 51,122

10-17-2006, 02:46 PM	#3
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	Green Names Kruczek New Offensive Coordinator Kate Brandt azcardinals.com Following a heartbreaking 24-23 loss on Monday Night Football to the Chicago Bears last night, Cardinals Head Coach Dennis Green announced Tuesday morning that the team will relieve offensive coordinator Keith Rowen of his duties, and quarterback’s coach Mike Kruczek will take over as offensive coordinator. Kruczek, an all-America quarterback at Boston College and owner of two Super Bowl rings while a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, joined the Cardinals in 2004 after 19 seasons at the University of Central Florida, including six as head coach. “I just don’t think we’ve been scoring enough points,” commented Green. “Every week I’ve been saying that. We have not been as efficient. We’re 23rd in the NFL in total offense and we’re probably worse than that in scoring offense. Again, it doesn’t all fall on one guy, but there is a job that has to be done and I’m going to give another guy a chance to do that job.” Kruczek is currently in his third year as an NFL assistant and Cardinals’ quarterbacks coach. “Mike Kruczek has been here from the onset, and I think his on the field and also his close working relationship with Matt Leinart will give us a better chance,” added Green. “At certain times you have to feel like you have to do something different. Something that we hope will be better for us. I think Mike is a very demanding, taskmaster type of guy and he is “old school” all the way. I think that is what we need right now.” Unlike Rowen, Kruczek will call the plays from the field. “He’ll call the plays from the sidelines,” confirmed Green. “I’ll help him, like I do with (Defensive Coordinator) Clancy (Pendergast) in any possible way I can.” Keith Rowen is in his 23rd season in the NFL and his second with the Cardinals. He joined the team as offensive coordinator in January 2005 succeeding Alex Wood following Green’s first season with the Cardinals. Rowen came to the Cardinals after spending the previous six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs as tight ends coach. The move to Arizona reunited Rowen with Green, who he worked under while the pair coached together in Minnesota from 1994-1996. “Keith Rowen and I are still discussing what his role will be,” continued Green. “I’ve known Keith for a long time and I have the outmost respect for him, but we are not scoring enough points. That does not just fall on me. That does not just fall on the offensive coordinator.” This coaching move marks the third offensive coordinator in the last three seasons under Green. “I don’t hesitate to make changes,” Green confirmed. “That is just who I am and I like things to go a certain way and if they don’t, I normally do something about it. That is just the way I am and I’m not going to change.” Green is hoping the change will also allow some other faces on the Cards’ roster to emerge as leaders. “I think we need a little more leadership on our offense,” stated Green. “If I say who are our leaders, defensively I could give you six names just like that and that is one of the reasons we play with a certain amount of assertiveness on defense. I could not do that offensively and that has hurt us.” The Cards are heading into a two game road stretch against two teams with a combined total of one win this season. “Now we’re moving into a category of teams who have not done as well,” said Green on the Cards upcoming games at Oakland (0-5) and Green Bay (1-4). “Hopefully we’ll continue to play the same way except with more productivity and the same level of intensity.” __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777

10-17-2006, 02:47 PM	#4
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1972500	That's rough. Their offense hasn't been perfect, but if their kicker did his job, they wouldn't look nearly as bad. Plus they lost a game because of Kurt Warner's fumbilitis. That's not the OC's fault.
Posts: 54,947

10-17-2006, 02:54 PM	#7
Monty Award Winning Tailgater Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $2291570	I still have hope that Geep Chryst will get hired back soon. Obviously, the Cards spot has been taken, but maybe the Ravens?
Posts: 3,910

10-17-2006, 03:51 PM	#11
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	Bowtie Bill Bidwell on tirade now. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

10-17-2006, 03:58 PM	#13
MichaelH Go Chiefs! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gastonia, North Carolina Casino cash: $9302006	The funny thing is, most teams are taking care of the problems DURING the season. The Chiefs never seem to do that. Standing pat must be a Kansas City tradition.
Posts: 3,187

10-17-2006, 04:08 PM	#15
morphius World's finest morphius Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6925027	Well, it is hard to fire players with the salary cap, so it is as strong a statement as he can really make.
Posts: 25,971