Friday, December 4, 1998

Billups gets a big test

By DENNE H. FREEMAN AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Terry Billups spent so much time on the practice squad it came as something of a shock when he finally got to play in a real NFL game for the Dallas Cowboys.

Injuries in the Cowboys secondary meant Billups, a rookie free-agent cornerback, was needed on Thanksgiving Day against the Minnesota Vikings.

Deion Sanders was already out, and the Cowboys' other starting cornerback, Kevin Smith, was injured on a second-quarter punt return.

All of a sudden, not only was Billups, who was on the practice squad for seven weeks, playing cornerback, but he was also returning punts.

"It was really something to be in a game," said Billups, who wasn't even a starter his senior year for North Carolina. "There I was in my first NFL game on national television playing against Minnesota. You just couldn't beat the feeling I had."

Billups broke up a pass and got some praise from coach Chan Gailey, who said, "He wasn't a bust. He made some plays."

Billups said he wasn't intimidated by Randy Moss and the other Vikings receivers.

"Going against Michael Irvin and Billy Davis in practice every day got me prepared," Billups said. "I just had to make sure I knew all the plays and was ready to go. It was all a little overwhelming, but nobody knew who I was, so I figured I didn't have anything to lose."

Billups is a former roommate of the Cowboys' No. 1 draft choice, defensive end Greg Ellis.

"Greg and I were roomates in my freshman year during our preseason training camp," Billups said.

Billups was released from the Miami Dolphins practice squad on Sept. 30 and picked up by the Cowboys.

In his career at North Carolina, Billups had three interceptions, 51 solo tackles and 10 passes defensed.