Carter named starting quarterback

Cowboys’ head coach Bill Parcells announced Saturday that Quincy Carter will be the starting quarterback when the 2003 regular season begins on September 7.

Carter beat out Chad Hutchinson for the starting position in a decision that took longer than anticipated due to a poor performance by all in the first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.

“It's just very exciting to have an opportunity to be a leader for this team, to step up to forefront and be a leader again,” Carter said. “I have to seize the moment and play well all season long.”

In the last two preseason games, Carter completed 18-of-29 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Hutchinson did not play at all in the August 16 preseason game against Houston and was 8-of-16 for 86 yards in Thursday's 15-14 loss at Pittsburgh.

But Hutchinson has had problems holding onto the football – fumbling the ball 3 times in 46 snaps.

That kind of mistake does not sit well with Parcells.

“I just basically have to go by what I see,” said Parcells. “I looked at the games last year, I didn't really have a conclusive determination based on that. I just thought at the end of the day, Carter gives us the best chance to win right now.”

"This is the perfect opportunity for me to take advantage," Carter said. "I just want to move forward and do everything I can do to be the quarterback for the future."

“He's more mature,” said wide receiver Joey Galloway. “I think that his presence is more like a quarterback than a young guy trying to learn how to play the game.”

Hutchinson will now compete with rookie Tony Romo for the back up quarterback position, but most people feel that Romo will end up as the #3 quarterback.