Cowboys cut Carter

OXNARD, Calif. — Quarterback Quincy Carter said he was shocked by the Dallas Cowboys’ decision to release him Wednesday and called rumors about drugs regarding his release “ridiculous.”

Carter, who reported to training camp six days ago as the Cowboys’ starting quarterback with dreams of winning Super Bowl XXXIX, left the premises before morning practice began.

Carter recently violated the league’s substance-abuse policy for the second time and would have been fined four game checks totaling $107,060 – but would not have been suspended – three sources told the Dallas Morning News. A third violation would have resulted in a four-game suspension, according to the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. FOXSports.com reported Carter tested positive for cocaine.

“I’m shocked. I’m at a loss for words,” Carter said in an exclusive interview with The Dallas Morning News. “The one thing I know and the people who have been around me all my life know is that cocaine has never been an issue for me. It never will be. And it’s disturbing that a rumor like that would come out.

“I have not one bad thing to say about the Dallas Cowboys, (coach) Bill Parcells or (owner) Jerry Jones. I have a lot of friends on that team. I just want my teammates and fans to know that cocaine rumor is ridiculous.”

Running back Aveion Cason, his closest friend on the team, said Carter came to his hotel room at 7:30 a.m. to break the news.

“Quincy told me he had been released. At first I thought he was joking,” Cason said. “Then he told me he was serious. I could see his eyes were a little watery. Maybe that’s why he left so fast.

“He gave me a hug and told me he loved me, and then he left.”

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined to comment. Carter, now a free agent, is eligible to sign with any team.

Two club sources said a combination of violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, a poor attitude regarding the competition with Vinny Testaverde and an average performance in the first four days of twice-a-day practices led to the Cowboys’ decision.

“I can’t discuss anything about the NFL’s substance-abuse policy,” Carter said. “The NFL can’t discuss anything, and the teams can’t discuss anything.”

The club sources said Jones and Parcells weren’t comfortable with Carter being one failed test away from a suspension, so they ended the relationship.

“We’ve had ongoing conversations about all of our players. Jerry and I do that almost on a daily basis, so I don’t know if I can recall when we started talking about it,” Parcells said. “… We only make decisions based on the information we have.”

Parcells said the 40-year-old Testaverde would start at quarterback. Drew Henson and Tony Romo will compete for the backup job.

Neither Jones nor Parcells would comment on whether Carter had violated the league’s substance-abuse policy.

“I want you to know – on my part – that this was not a difficult decision at all,” Jones said. “It is, though, very disappointing. Very disappointing.”

Parcells said he and Jones decided on Tuesday evening to release Carter. They notified him in the morning.

Carter, who received a reporting bonus of $263,700, will count $147,500 against the club’s salary cap in both 2004 and 2005.