2004 Dallas Cowboys Season - Quarterback Controversy

Quarterback Controversy

With the opening of training camp, the team seemed poised to take the next step, however this would soon change. Within the first week of camp, the Cowboys would shockingly release starting quarterback Quincy Carter. The move came with no warning; reporters at training camp became aware something had occurred when Carter did not suit up for practice and was later seen being escorted from the Cowboys facility. Though never verified by Carter or the team, it has been speculated that his release was prompted by a failed drug test administered by the Dallas Cowboys, an action prohibited by NFL rules. Rumors began that Carter had already entered the second phase of the NFL's substance abuse program, meaning he had twice failed NFL mandated random drug screenings. Test results are not made public but notices are sent to team officials. A third violation of the substance abuse program results in a mandatory suspension, and the Cowboys, unwilling to risk losing a starting quarterback during the season, began to monitor Carter with its own drug tests. Carter's formal protest of his release through the NFLPA as well as his subsequent troubles with drug addiction appear to lend creadence to this scenario. This move had an ironic long term effect on the team. Had Carter remained (along with Testaverde and the financially invested Drew Henson), second-year QB Tony Romo would have been fourth on the depth chart and likely cut from the team. When Carter left, Romo moved up to #3, and would eventually be a pro-bowl starting quarterback for the Cowboys.