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Cowboys reach for future Dallas pins long-term QB hopes on Georgia's Carter
Updated: Saturday April 21, 2001 11:18 PM
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- For the first time since drafting Troy Aikman and Steve Walsh in 1989, the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday used their top pick on a quarterback -- Quincy Carter of Georgia. And although owner Jerry Jones went out of his way to insist that recently signed veteran Tony Banks will be the starter next season, he also hinted that Carter could be the long-term replacement for Aikman. That potential, Jones said, is why Dallas took Carter in the second round, which was higher than most draft lists had him rated. The Cowboys liked Carter more than any quarterbacks that might be coming out next year. "We can justify it as a pick for the future," Jones said. "We saw this as an opportunity to get a player we might not see again for a couple of years." The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Carter is a mobile, strong-armed player who is learning to stay in the pocket instead of relying on his speed. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds at the Combine -- "and that's flying for a quarterback," Cowboys scouting director Larry Lacewell said.
Carter had great seasons as a freshman and sophomore and might've been picked this high or higher had he turned pro then. Instead, his junior year was marred by a five-interception game and four games missed because of shoulder and thumb injuries. He decided to give up his senior year even though some people said he might go as late as the sixth or seventh round. Good workouts and the Cowboys' infatuation with his skills helped him move way up. "It's so much relief to have an organization who wants you," Carter said. "It's a good feeling." The Cowboys started out with the 37th pick, then traded it for 52, then 56. They got Carter at No. 53, using two third-round picks for that spot. Dallas -- which lost its first-round pick to Seattle as part of last year's trade for Joey Galloway -- stayed in the Southeastern Conference for its next two picks: Alabama safety Tony Dixon and 6-3, 319-pound defensive tackle Willie Blade of Mississippi State. The Cowboys have six picks Sunday: a fourth-rounder, a fifth, a sixth and three sevenths. Dallas last drafted a quarterback in 1991, when Bill Musgrave was selected in the fourth round. In 1989, the Cowboys took Aikman No. 1 overall and Walsh in the first round of the supplemental draft. Aikman led Dallas to three Super Bowls in 12 seasons, then was waived in March. Two weeks later, Banks signed a one-year, $500,000 deal with no incentives. The dollars made it a low risk for Dallas and the length gave Banks a chance to cash in next year if he's able to resurrect his career after losing starting jobs in St. Louis and Baltimore. Part of Banks' duties now include tutoring Carter. "He'll need the benefit of working behind a veteran in Tony Banks," Jones said. "We know it's in his best interest not to be thrown into the fray immediately." Jones said that with Banks and Carter, the quarterback position "could become a major strength for us rather than the void Troy Aikman created" when he was released. "Quincy wants to be ready when I step on the football field," Carter said. "Each and every day I want to go into the meeting room and the practice field and get better. Doing that, I can prepare myself for the future. I want to make sure I'm ready when I do get the opportunity." Carter, who played two years of pro baseball coming out of high school, completed 57 percent of his passes for 6,447 yards with 35 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in three seasons at Georgia. Cowboys head coach Dave Campo said he was impressed by Carter's completion rate. "When you put that in context of throwing the ball downfield, that's every bit as good as hitting 65 percent of passes under 20 yards," Campo said. Dixon is a hard hitter they hope to work into their safety rotation behind Darren Woodson and George Teague, both of whom missed the end of last season with injuries. "The NFC East is a physical division," Campo said. "In order to play safety, you've got to be a smart guy who can run and hit."
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