Precise, Then Error-Prone, Testaverde Keeps It Interesting By Tim MacMahon The Cleveland Plain Dealer 9/20/04 Irving, Texas -- Dallas quarterback Vinny Testaverde had a vintage performance Sunday at Texas Stadium. Actually, two of them. In the first half, Testaverde looked like the guy who led the New York Jets to the 1998 AFC title game, picking apart the Browns secondary. Testaverde reverted to the 1988 model his 35-interception nightmare in Tampa Bay in the second half, making poor decisions and throwing three picks. But Testaverde came through when it mattered most, hitting Terry Glenn for a 38-yard gain with two minutes remaining to help seal the Cowboys' 19-12 victory. The play gave Testaverde 322 yards on 23-of-35 passing in the game, making him the first 40-year-old with consecutive 300-yard games. Testaverde, however, sighed with relief instead of celebrating when the Browns' desperation heave was batted down on the final play. "The bottom line is winning games and playing smart," said Testaverde, who played for the Browns from 1993 to '95. "I did one of those two today. I have to make a better effort not to make rookie mistakes." Dallas coach Bill Parcells opened the game by putting the ball in his veteran quarterback's hands. Testaverde went 5-of-5 for 72 yards on the first drive, including a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeff Robinson. Testaverde finished the half 14-of-19 for 176 yards. Testaverde wasn't as sharp to begin the second half. He underthrew receiver Keyshawn Johnson and running back Julius Jones on potential touchdowns during the opening possession, which ended with a missed field goal. Testaverde, who was handed the starting job when Quincy Carter was cut during training camp, unraveled later in the half. He was intercepted three times in a span of five passes, starting with Anthony Henry's pick with 31 seconds remaining in the third quarter. "I thought a couple of judgments were not good," Parcells said. "He took a couple of chances when the game was on the line. There were a couple of plays that really bothered me." Henry jumped an out to Terry Glenn late in the third quarter and made a 51-yard return to set up the Browns' last field goal. Daylon McCutcheon jumped in front of Glenn on a hook to intercept a pass on Dallas' next possession. Robert Griffith finished the flurry by picking off Testaverde's next pass, a post to Dedric Ward deep in Cleveland territory. Testaverde said the first two interceptions resulted from poor location on the passes. He said he misread Griffith on the third and should have dumped the ball off in the flat to tight end Jason Witten. "Obviously, I have to play better," said Testaverde, who was booed after the third interception. "The second half was a poor performance by me. Thank you, defense. That's all I can say." Said running back Eddie George, "Vinny's a professional. He'll bounce back from this."