Testaverde focused on starting job
IRVING, Texas — Like his coach, Vinny Testaverde isn’t concerned with the boos and understands fans clamoring to see more of rookie quarterback Drew Henson.
But the 41-year-old Testaverde is healthy and focused only on returning to the starting role for the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night in Seattle.
“I just show up to work and try and do what the boss asks me to do,” Testaverde said Wednesday.
Henson got his first start Thanksgiving Day after Testaverde was limited in practice by a sore shoulder and back from a hit that forced him out of a game four days earlier. But Testaverde was back after halftime of a tie game that turned into a 21-7 win over Chicago.
When fans at Texas Stadium realized Henson was done, they unleashed a chorus of boos. That continued when Testaverde’s first series was three-and-out and he threw an interception the next one.
“I look at it as they weren’t directing it all at me. They want Drew in there,” said Testaverde, who didn’t talk to reporters after that game. “I understand part of it was the decision to make the switch, so maybe part of it was directed at coach Parcells. But hey, that’s why I guess people think I am a Parcells guy.”
And Bill Parcells is a Testaverde guy.
Parcells didn’t talk Wednesday, but a day earlier confirmed Testaverde was the starter again for the Cowboys (4-7), who still are in contention for a wild-card berth in the woeful NFC. Testaverde, in his 18th season, will make his 200th regular-season start Monday night.
While Henson is the quarterback of the future and in need of experience, Parcells said he “can’t forsake everything” to get that.
Henson hit all six passes for 47 yards and a touchdown after replacing Testaverde and fumbling his first snap late against Baltimore. He was 4 of 12 for 31 yards and an interception returned for a touchdown in his start against Chicago, which pressured him almost every down.
Henson is expected to eventually succeed Testaverde, like Chad Pennington did with the New York Jets in 2002.