Vinny Lands In Big D Arrives to seal Tuna reunion By Rich Cimini New York Daily News 6/3/04 Vinny Testaverde could've remained with the Jets as a backup, a cushy job that would've paid him $1 million to wear a baseball cap and carry the clipboard for his hometown team. Easy money. Too easy. Instead of fading quietly into retirement, Testaverde, his competitive fire still burning at 40, set out yesterday for one last shot at NFL glory. He arrived last night in Dallas on a free-agent visit, family in tow, prepared to begin a new chapter in his 18-year career. "I was just cashing checks last year, and that's not how I'm made up," the former Jets quarterback told the Daily News from Dallas - his first interview since the season ended last December. "I knew I had to either retire or leave the Jets. I wasn't involved enough in the process of trying to win games." Testaverde, whose release from the Jets became official yesterday, wasted no time in capitalizing on his freedom. He left immediately for Dallas, where he will meet today with Bill Parcells, his old Jets coach. Negotiations are expected to begin today, and a deal should be finalized today or tomorrow. Testaverde's signing is considered a formality. On Saturday, he will be in uniform for the start of a three-day minicamp. Testaverde said he expects to get the chance to compete with Quincy Carter for the starting job. In February, Testaverde's future appeared uncertain. He and the Jets agreed to part ways, with the Daily News first reporting that the team planned to release him after June 1. At the time, he hinted he might retire. "When you reach the end of a season, especially how the season went for the team and myself, I wondered, 'Is this what I want to do for another year?'" he said. "Once the Jets issue got cleared up, it was a matter of seeing what I wanted to do. I found myself training harder than ever. That told me, 'Hey, I still want to play football.'" Testaverde expressed no hard feelings toward the Jets. Contrary to popular belief, he wouldn't have been demoted to No. 3 quarterback if he had returned. Testaverde said he was told by the team he would've been Chad Pennington's primary backup. He's thrilled by the prospect of starting over. "Now that I'm released, and there's some interest (from teams), you feel like a kid again," he said. "It's like being drafted again. It's new and exciting." Testaverde loves the idea of playing for Parcells again. He called it "the No. 1 reason" why he's interested in the Cowboys. "I think I said this when I signed with the Jets (in 1998): He's the reason," said Testaverde, who enjoyed his finest year in '98 under Parcells. "He's a great coach. As somebody put it, he's the Vince Lombardi of today." Testaverde, who won his last two complete-game starts while Pennington was injured, said he has no doubt about his ability to be a starter again. "I'm playing for two reasons: I want to win a championship and I still can play," he said. "I feel I can play at a high level. When I'm not enjoying the game, or I'm not healthy, I'll hang it up. I'm not ready to hang it up."