WOW! http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/178965p-155606c.html Vinny may finish up with Tuna PALM BEACH, Fla. - Vinny Testaverde, who will be released after June 1, is on the verge of heading to Dallas for a reunion with Bill Parcells and Keyshawn Johnson, sources told the Daily News yesterday. If Testaverde couldn't finish his career playing for his hometown Jets, then finishing up playing for Parcells, his favorite coach, is almost as good. Testaverde enjoyed his greatest success in 1998, the one full season he played for Parcells. He threw 29 TD passes and just seven INTs, leading the Jets to the AFC title game. Johnson, recently traded by the Bucs to the Cowboys, was his main target. One source insisted Testaverde and Parcells are definitely hooking up again. Another source confirmed he heard it was going to happen. And a third source revealed he knows the Cowboys have had internal discussions about signing Testaverde. Testaverde indicated at the end of last season he wanted to play another year or two, but retirement was a better option than coming back to the Jets as the No. 3 QB, which is where he was headed. Does Testaverde still want to play? "Probably," is what his agent, Michael Azzarelli, said yesterday. "My best guess is I think he still wants to play." How would he feel about playing for Parcells again? "We'll have to see if the opportunity presents itself," he said. The Jets will cut Testaverde after June 1, splitting his salary-cap charge over two years: $3.5million this year and $4 million next year. If they were to cut him now or trade him at any time, the entire $7.5 million would count this year. So, it's too costly to cut him now, and the Jets couldn't get enough back in a trade to make it worth the cap hit. Even though Testaverde is 40 and facing his 18th season, the signing would make perfect sense for Parcells, who has a history of surrounding himself with former players in his next job. The Cowboys are not at all sold on Quincy Carter, even though he helped them to a 10-6 season and a playoff spot in Parcells' first year in Dallas. And Drew Henson, out of football since playing for Michigan in 2000, needs time. Testaverde would challenge Carter in camp and be a mentor for Henson, just like he was for Chad Pennington. It would not be surprising if Parcells picked Testaverde to start the opener against the Vikings and tries to recreate the '98 season with him until Henson is ready. Testaverde, never a good fit in Paul Hackett's West Coast offense, still has a great arm, and if he's protected, can be a productive player.
So which QB would be on his way out? Certainly not Henson, probably not Q. Would they release Hutch before they see what he can do in NFLE?
That is the reason why I said the Henson deal made sense. No way do they trade for Henson and give Quincy another chance. Vinny (or anotehr vet) will be the QB for a year, let Henson ride teh pine then next year (or the year after) Henson will take over. I tend to think Quincy is done in Dallas. Hutch is signed for a few more years with a low salary (most of his contract was in a bonus), but I could be wrong.
But what if Vinny either gets injured or just plain flops? Are the Cowboys willing to throw Henson or (God forbid) Hutch our there? I don't think that they can get rid of Q just yet...
But the NFL-Europe season will be over before camp even starts. Taking 4 QBs into training camp wouldn't be all that difficult to do.
I just looked up Testaverde's stats...This dude is a hall of famer... All those poor seasons with the Bucs gave everybody the impression that he was one of those famous heisman winning pro flops, but he has over 40,000 career passing yards and 250 TDs. He's top ten in yards, completions, attempts, and is only 3 TDs behind Dan Fouts for 10th all time.
I think Quincy has earned the right to compete for the job in training camp and the pre-season. Of course, we bring in Vinny if we can get him. Quincy may be back-up with Henson as our third quarterback until he matures. Hutch and that other guy may be the loose ends. Hell, worry about it in pre-season as far as the quarterback line-up and which qbs get cut. I tend to think your jumping the gun a bit.
I actually think Q or Hutch will be out once Vinny comes in...I think Henson is the QB of the future and Q has never panned out...Yes they made the playoffs, but Q was too inconsistent, although his receivers didn't help him and he had no running game...
I just see this as an insurance move, sort of. I would think QC will probably start the season as the starter, given how Vinny's played lately, but if he were to get hurt or just suck...even worse, then Vinny would come in. Last year, QC was able to play all 16 games, which is a high for him. Had he gone down, it would have been pretty ugly. While I think Henson could be good, who knows whether he'd be able to start 3 games in if QC gets hurt, or whatever. Since it will be after June 1st, the Cowboys will already know how Hutch did in NFLE, so that should help with the decision. If Vinny could be anything better than a ok backup, I'd be happy. I just want a RB...and preferably someone else at starting CB (I guess Edwards again). I don't think Newman can cover two WR's at once right now.
Vinny's jobs will be #1 Mentor, #2 relief pitcher for Quincy's brain fart games, #3 experienced replacement QB if Quincy goes down. I think QC at QB is just like having SF at PG. A gifted athelete but without the game sense to be a winner. He has apparently put in the effort to learn though and the Cowboys braintrust respects that enough to give him another shot. Vinny would be a no-brainer pick-up however because neither Henson,Hutchinson or Romo are NFL ready and Vinny is a Tuna guy. 5 QB's in camp may be too many though. I'd guess Hutchison will be replace by Henson in the role of 'Troy In Waiting'. Romo can be a practice squad guy and the emergency QB for this season.
