THE SIDELINES : Phoenix’s Coach to Switch QBs

PHOENIX — Phoenix Cardinals interim head Coach Hank Kuhlmann has decided to change quarterbacks and will give second-year pro Tom Tupa his second career NFL start in Sunday’s game here against Tampa Bay.

Kuhlmann, a fourth-year assistant who took over Monday for the fired Gene Stallings, said he asked offensive coordinator Jim Shofner for a recommendation Wednesday and Shofner suggested Tupa.

The 6-foot-4 Tupa, a third-round draft pick in 1988 out of Ohio State, made his first career start here Oct. 15 against the Eagles and completed 14 of 41 passes for 266 yards. But he also threw six interceptions and was sacked six times in a 17-5 loss.

In last week’s 37-14 road loss to the Rams, Stallings benched Gary Hogeboom early and Tupa completed 7 of 12 passes for 114 yards and one TD before rookie Tim Rosenbach finished up in his NFL debut.