Vinny Is Ready To Start Despite age, QB eager to show teammates that he can help win games By Todd Archer The Dallas Morning News 9/11/04 Vinny Testaverde does not need to be doing this anymore. He could be enjoying the spoils of a long NFL career with his family, living a cushy life. Instead, he has chosen to be chased after by 300-pound defensive linemen and linebackers as fast as cars. Starting at 3:15 Sunday inside the Metrodome, Testaverde will be the Cowboys quarterback, playing in the 2004 season opener against Minnesota. He will be the NFL's oldest starting quarterback at 40 years old. "I guess I'm too old to start a new job," Testaverde said. "I don't want to start an apprenticeship somewhere when I feel I can still play the game at a high level." Testaverde, who turns 41 on Nov. 13, is in this position because the Cowboys chose to cut last year's starter, Quincy Carter, early in training camp for a variety of reasons. In four preseason games, Testaverde completed 38 of 58 passes for 438 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. "I'm not out to prove at 40 years old that I can still play," Testaverde said. "I'm out to prove to my teammates that I can still be successful and help them win games. It doesn't matter if I was 25 or 40, I'm just trying to be consistent for them." The last time Testaverde started a full season, the Jets went 10-6 in 2001 and made the playoffs. The last time he started a full season for Bill Parcells, he took the Jets to the AFC Championship Game, throwing 29 touchdown passes in 13 starts. The Cowboys are hoping Testaverde and Parcells can be just as successful six years later. No 40-year-old quarterback has led a team to the playoffs. Warren Moon went to the Pro Bowl after the 1997 season when he was 42. He had 25 touchdown passes and 3,678 passing yards for Seattle, but the Seahawks went 8-8. Moon believes Testaverde can succeed. "It's because you have much more knowledge of the game and much more command of what you're doing," Moon said. Even with 189 career starts, Testaverde admits there will be some anxiety. "If you didn't get nervous or have those emotions, you must be made of stone," Testaverde said.