TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) – The Cardinals are sticking with Dennis Green as coach.

Green was back at work Monday, one day after a road loss at Green Bay dropped Arizona to a league-worst 1-7.

After rampant speculation Green was on the brink of being fired after the team’s seventh loss in a row, Cardinals vice president and general counsel Michael Bidwill – son of team owner Bill Bidwill – released a statement late Monday afternoon supporting the coach.

Sunday’s 28-14 loss at Green Bay capped the team’s worst first half-season since 1997. The Cardinals have a bye week before playing Dallas at home on Nov. 12.

“In talking today with some of our leaders in the locker room and the coaching staff, it is clear they share the same frustration and disappointment that we all do because we are not winning,” Bidwill said. “But it is also clear they plan to keep fighting to win through the second half of the season and have no intention of giving up.

“This is our approach, as well. I do not believe a coaching change improves our chances of winning against the Cowboys or any game in the second half of the season, and winning is our number one goal.”

Green’s record at Arizona has dropped to 12-28 in 21/2 seasons. Since their memorable fourth-quarter breakdown against Chicago on Monday night football, the Cardinals have lost at Oakland and Green Bay to drop to 3-17 on the road under Green.

The coach was subdued and generally brief in his answers at his weekly news conference.

“Today we’ll get together with the team, look at the game, get a little walkthrough in, try to recuperate, try to get rejuiced up,” Green said.

Green is in the third year of a four-year contract that pays him $2.5 million per season. If he were fired now, the team would owe him $3.75 million.

Then there would be the question of who would take his place the rest of the season.

Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast is a 12-year veteran in the NFL as an assistant, but never has been a head coach at any level.

Mike Kruczek was head coach at Central Florida for six seasons, but he was promoted to offensive coordinator from quarterbacks coach just two weeks ago. Green said he expects wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Karlos Dansby and nose tackle Kendrick Clancy back from injuries for the Dallas game.

“Hopefully that will make a difference,” Green said. “Those are pretty good football players.”

Green shook up the offensive line against the Packers and was generally pleased with the results. Green moved Reggie Wells from left guard to right tackle and benched Oliver Ross.

Rookie Deuce Lutui got his first NFL start at right guard, with Chris Liwienski at left guard. Injured Milford Brown might be back for Dallas and would move in to the left guard spot.

But it was the defensive line that fell apart against Green Bay, surrendering 203 yards on the ground.

Wide receiver Anquan Boldin said the players can’t worry about the coaching situation.

“We’ve got to tune it out,” Boldin said. “That’s not a decision of ours. We don’t determine who stays and who goes. We’ve just got to go out and play football.”

Is the team still united behind Green?

“I think so,” Boldin said. “I know I am. I don’t see why anybody wouldn’t be.”

Boldin said the players are the ones who must take responsibility.

“The season is nowhere over,” he said. “We’ve played half of the season. We still have another half to go.”

If people think we’re just going to fold the tent and take it in, they’re completely wrong.”

AP-ES-10-30-06 1912EST


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