Victory Improves Cowboys’ Q Rating

Now that Quincy Carter is healthy and comfortable with the Dallas offense, the rookie is becoming the dynamic player Cowboy owner Jerry Jones thought he could be.

Carter threw for a career-best 194 yards and ran for a crucial first down to rally Dallas from a 10-point deficit to a 20-13 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday.

Carter has led the Cowboys (4-8) to two consecutive wins since returning from a thumb injury and torn hamstring that limited him to five quarters in the first 10 games. The poise, confidence and accuracy he’s shown are proof that he put his time off to good use.

“It’s a different feeling now,” said Carter, who was playing at home for the first time since struggling in the opener. “I know a lot more than I did the previous game I played here. I’m making quick decisions and knowing where everybody is.”

Jones took Carter with the 53rd pick of the 2001 draft and labeled him the team’s quarterback of the future. Midway through training camp, the 23-year-old former minor league baseball player became the starter, making him the immediate heir to Troy Aikman.

It seemed like a curious move at the time as Carter was having trouble with such basics as the center snap and throwing tight spirals. His erratic play in his first two starts led to more questions, enough that Dallas signed--and started--Ryan Leaf. The Cowboys also started two other quarterbacks.

Carter reclaimed the job when he returned last week and led Dallas past Washington.

On Sunday, he came back from a slow start and made key plays against the Giants (5-7), who are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs a year after reaching the Super Bowl.

“Blind faith is one thing, but to see something that looks like we’ve got something to build on at that position is another,” Jones said. “It does build some confidence.”

Carter completed 17 of 26 passes, including a 41-yard completion to Raghib Ismail that set up a one-yard, game-tying touchdown run by Emmitt Smith midway through the third quarter.

Dallas went ahead early in the fourth on Carter’s three-yard touchdown pass to Jackie Harris.