Galloway:Cowboys discover life in 'dinosaur' QB

[Cbz40]

Cowboys discover life in 'dinosaur' QB

By Randy Galloway - In My Opinion


In Houston three weeks ago, Vinny Testaverde's performance seemed to reconfirm why the dinosaur is extinct.

But several million years later ...

I was receiving reports from the city of Glen Rose yesterday of an amazing scientific discovery.

Fresh footprints suddenly appeared Tuesday morning along the limestone banks of the Paluxy River.

Size 14.

Vinny is a size 14.

How much more evidence is really necessary?

Instead of extinct, it says here the dinosaur has now been upgraded to a protected species.

Or, as Bill Parcells keeps reminding us about Testaverde:

"If we can get him protected ..."

The Cowboys did Monday night, and the dress rehearsal for the regular season went well, at least for Testaverde and the passing game.

At age 40, with 41 just around the calendar corner, Vinny is a quarterbacking dinosaur, who, as Al Michaels reminded us during the telecast, is older than Troy Aikman, even older than Bernie Kosar. To name a couple of guys who once QBed around here.

No 40-year old quarterback has ever taken a team to the playoffs.

The best guess is this one won't either.

But this also is as comfortable as we've seen Big Bill when it comes to the position, although with The Q and Chad Hutchinson as the only other reference points, Testaverde wins by default.

Gawd help us if he's not better than either.

Bill's constant gushing tells us he really likes Vinny. The best guess is he will show complete trust in Vinny when it comes time to win games that count.

And that last part makes it a huge reversal from the stretch-run of last season.

The question still to be answered centers on how Testaverde holds up physically, including four of his first five games, and six of the first eight, on the concrete floor that is called artificial turf.

But lately (I wasn't saying this after Houston), Vinny looks 10 years younger than you'd expect.

The arm of Aikman. The feet of Staubach.

OK, excuse the vast overreaction on both counts.

But at least the man can deliver the football in an NFL-like way. He throws with authority.

And it was noteworthy in Oakland, and again Monday night against the Titans, how Parcells has Vinny on the move. There was even a naked boot tossed into the Monday night equation.

For an old-timer, Vinny is moving well, although this is August, which is a long way from November and beyond.

Another thing -- it takes two to make a reception in football.

Is that you, Keyshawn? Could I have been wrong? Could the head coach in Tampa have been wrong?

Start with Keyshawn Johnson, mix in Terry Glenn, Antonio Bryant and Jason Witten, and to continue with Parcells' constant rant on Vinny:

"If we can get him protected, and the receivers can get open ..."

Vinny was looking for his pal, Keyshawn, on Monday night. And Keyshawn was open and catching what was thrown his way.

Parcells admitted Tuesday he was in an "attack mode" for the Titans. That on the sideline, he had his "ears up," a horse-racing term meaning full of run.

Bill wanted to see the ball moving downfield. With the Titans' defense stacking the line, the best route downfield was going upstairs.

Vinny made throws that Q won't ever make. It's called talent.

This has become interesting. This is looking hopeful. Even positive. As positive as exhibition football can be.

The one stain on Parcells' local résumé over the last 18 months has been how he's handled the quarterback position. I confess to being among those who didn't think Testaverde would change that negative.

But with the Chiefs coming in Thursday night for the final exhibition game, and with the regular season opener 10 days away, the Cowboys still have a stack of concerns.

Yet, quarterback has suddenly, at least for now, been removed.

That negative list is long:

Cornerback, safety, pressure from the defensive front, running game, even offensive line, although the pass protection was good on Monday night.

But first things first, and quarterback always comes first.

The dinosaur is not extinct. Vinny is now a protected species.

Keeping him protected is the priority and a work in progress.

• Cowboys must turn corner in secondary, Parcells says. 7D

[dmq]

Vinny made throws that Q won't ever make. It's called talent.

Harsh! True, but harsh!

[Woods]

Isn't Gannon around 40 now? In any case, he's an older geezer as well and I think he's still decent.

[Jimz31]

It's amazing the change that somepeople make during the PRE-SEASON. Just the week before, people were wanting a vet brought in (which still makes sense). This week, after a pretty good game, we want to put him on a pedestal where he still doesn't belong.

[Cbz40]

One of the many things about Vinny that I like is that even when he is feeling pressure, his head is up and he continues to focus down field and usually finding the open receiver.

It is also great having a QB that can make all the throws.

[Doomsday101]

Originally Posted by Jimz31

It's amazing the change that somepeople make during the PRE-SEASON. Just the week before, people were wanting a vet brought in (which still makes sense). This week, after a pretty good game, we want to put him on a pedestal where he still doesn't belong.

Pedestal? I don't think so but I do understand people being happy to see a guy playing the position effectively. After 3 years of seeing on the field this is a very good change of pace. As for a vet QB I would not be opposed to it but I highly doubt that the Cowboys will do that at this stage at least based on what Parcells has been saying.

[dbair1967]

Originally Posted by Jimz31

It's amazing the change that somepeople make during the PRE-SEASON. Just the week before, people were wanting a vet brought in (which still makes sense). This week, after a pretty good game, we want to put him on a pedestal where he still doesn't belong.

compared to what we had, yeah he does

Vinny has had a good preseason, not just one good game...the guy completed 13/17 the week before and we scored on all 3 of his drives (albeit fg's, but at least they werent 3 plays and punt)...

if we protect him, and he doesnt wear down physically he'll have a very good year...we have alot of talent on offense

David

[Hollywood Henderson]

Good post again David.

Vinny has the talent and we do have weapons...

Like Parcells says...If we can protect him....

Now the running game should do better, because teams now have to respect our PASSER!