5/27/2004 4:22:47 PM

ANALYSIS: Since McCown only saw meaningful action in four games last year (5 TDs) there’s not much to go on. However, we find it interesting that new head coach Denny Green has not wavered in his decision to start McCown in ’04. Many besides Green say he has the talent to start, but there’s no getting around his inexperience. McCown was sacked 23 times in four games last season, an indication of his indecisiveness and impatience. In his favor, however, are two terrific, but young, WRs in Boldin and Fitzgerald. We’re not sure what to expect from McCown in ‘04, but we’re going with a forecast of 15-19 TDs and 3000-3300 yards.

Cardinals Team Report: Jumpin' Josh

The Cardinals, who have lost six in a row, continue to play hard for coach Dave McGinnis. They got a boost from quarterback Josh McCown last week. The second-year player made his first NFL start and almost won the game. McCown engineered a 13-play drive that resulted in the tying field goal with 1:09 to play, but Carolina marched 49 yards for a the game-winning field goal and won 20-17.

"I don't put any extra pressure on myself because they have to do what's best for the organization," McCown said of his late-season audition. "I'm not that decision maker, obviously. All I can do is go out and work as hard as I can.

"My future won't be decided by anything that I say or proclaim. It will be decided by whether or not the powers that be think we're making progress or we're going where we need to go."

The Cardinals are playing for the future by starting McCown over the final three games, a decision McGinnis is glad he made even if losses in the final games clinch his exit as Cardinals coach.

"Every decision I make is going to be based on what is correct professionally to do," McGinnis said in explaining why he tabbed McCown to start. "It's not going to be to protect me or to cover something or do anything. It's going to be for what is professionally correct, and that was the right decision to make."

McCown played pretty well in his starting debut. He had the Cardinals up 14-10 at the start of the fourth quarter. After falling behind 17-10, he hit rookie receiver Anquan Boldin for 24 yards on a third-and-20 to sustain the drive that led to the tying field goal. He also threw a first-quarter interception that was returned for a touchdown. That has been a killer for the Cards all season.

"We've turned the football over more than anybody in the NFL, except for Baltimore and St. Louis," McGinnis said. "Both of those teams have been able to offset that with the fact they've gotten enough to bring them back to at least even. We're at a minus-17 turnover ratio in 14 games, that's giving you no chance in this league."

The turnovers are difficult enough for a veteran team to overcome, never mind a young group like Arizona, but the Cardinals have destroyed their chances this year by allowing turnovers to be turned into touchdowns.

"We've had nine turnovers returned for touchdowns against us this year so we're minus-17 in the turnover ratio and that's the problem," McGinnis said. "The youth might lead to some of the turnovers, but I think the turnovers are the biggest problem this football team has experienced and that's why we're sitting here with this record."

McCown finished with 172 yards on 16-for-25 passing and ran seven times for 47 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown scamper. McGinnis was mostly pleased with McCown's performance and said it is important for his development to play against playoff caliber teams in games that are meaningful to the opponent.

"We have a first-rate draft pick invested in Josh, and this is his second year," McGinnis said. "We are out of the playoff race and I think it is important to get him some playing time. Some quality time is what he needs against good teams. So the tempo of the game is going to be high and the competition is going to be as fierce as it can be in the NFL. And it's important to find out what we have there."

The Cardinals know they have a star in the making in Boldin. The Pro Bowler needs just five catches over the last two games to break Terry Glenn's rookie receptions record (90). He has 1,228 receiving yards and seven touchdowns so far. He and McCown could have chances to add to the scoring totals against a Seahawk secondary that has given up big plays recently.

UP NEXT: Arizona will host Minnesota in the final game of the year.