Vinny Avoids Mistakes, Makes Key Throws By Ira Kaufman Tampa Tribune 10/10/05 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- First, do no harm. Vinny Testaverde entered Sunday's game determined not to lose it for the struggling Jets, who had been wasting some solid defense during a 1-3 start. Testaverde accomplished his mission, and more, completing 13 of 19 pass attempts for 163 yards in New York's 14-12 triumph against the Bucs. Buoyed by a standing ovation at the start, Testaverde threw one late interception but generally avoided mistakes, less than two weeks after signing with the Jets as an emergency replacement. "I've been blessed with a gift -- that's why I keep coming back," said Testaverde, who turns 42 in November and is only three months younger than Bucs coach Jon Gruden. "I can tell you I'm going to feel fine [today] for two reasons -- it was a great win, and I really didn't get hit too much." Testaverde, who played for Dallas last year after six seasons with the Jets, was out of football in 2005. He tried to stay in shape by working out on his own before reaching out to the Jets following shoulder injuries to quarterbacks Chad Pennington and Jay Fiedler. Coach Herman Edwards benched Brooks Bollinger and went with Testaverde as Sunday's starter only 12 days after signing the former Buccaneer. "Vinny was smart with the football," Bucs cornerback Brian Kelly said. "For a guy who came off the streets, he did enough today." Fellow corner Ronde Barber, who picked off a Testaverde pass in the fourth quarter, was equally impressed. "For a guy who was sitting home eating potato chips, I thought Vinny played a pretty good game," Barber said. Testaverde, the first player selected in the 1987 draft (taken by the Bucs), hadn't thrown a pass that counted since New Year's Day. The former Heisman Trophy winner from Miami never gave up hope of continuing a distinguished career, even after the Cowboys replaced him with veteran Drew Bledsoe this spring. "My expectation was to get the guys to believe in me and get the season turned around," Testaverde said. "I think coming into the locker room after the game it restored their confidence and they believed in me. I sure do believe in them, and the defense is unbelievable." Limited to only 15 snaps before intermission, the Jets opened the second half with a 59-yard scoring drive as Testaverde went 3-for-3. He also completed a key 17-yard pass to Laveranues Coles on third down with 2:16 remaining in the game to drain precious time off the clock. "How did Vinny play?" asked Bucs personnel executive Doug Williams, repeating the question. "They won, didn't they?"