Monday, July 29, 1996

Garrett increased his stock Saturday night

By DENNE H. FREEMAN
Associated Press

(July 29, 1996)
GAME STATS

IRVING - Jason Garrett is listed as a third-stringer on the Dallas Cowboys' roster, but some teams don't have a starting quarterback who can play as well.

Garrett threw two touchdown passes in the last 1:35 of the game, including a 59-yarder to Billy Davis with 40 seconds left, as the Dallas Cowboys rallied for a wild 35-34 NFL preseason victory over the Oakland Raiders Saturday night.

"Jason put the ball right on the money and I did the rest," Davis said. "It was just an exhibition game, but it was a fun win."

It reminded many of Thanksgiving Day 1994, when Garrett threw two touchdown passes and the Cowboys beat Green Bay 42-31 after both teams' starting quarterbacks were injured.

Dallas signed Garrett as a free agent again this year, when few teams showed interested in getting him as a starting quarterback.

"I'm not making any lateral moves," Garrett said. "This is a great system, and my family loves it in Dallas. I guess someday, if I get an offer as a starting quarterback, I would have to look at it. Until I do, I'm a Cowboy."

His teammates are happy to have the former Princeton passer around for insurance.

Garrett signed with Dallas in 1992 after a World League stint and has completed 29 of 55 passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns during his career. He has one interception.

He's had some great preseason games, leading to his nickname of "Mr. July."

"Jason is something special," said Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman. "It's great to have somebody like him on the team. He's a great competitor."

"This team has so much confidence in Jason," said Dallas coach Barry Switzer. "They know when he is in there anything can happen."

Chris Boniol hit the vital extra point after Garrett's game-deciding pass to give Dallas only its fifth preseason victory over the Raiders in 16 meetings. Davis cut across the field to catch Garrett's pass then eluded two Oakland defenders for the touchdown.

"I had two great plays made for me by the receivers," Garrett said. "It was kind of crazy there at the end. But we hit the coverage just right. It was a fun game for a preseason game."

Rookie Alfred Montez of Western New Mexico hit Kenny Shed on a 40-yard touchdown pass with 54 seconds left as the Raiders answered Garrett's first touchdown pass.

It came when Garrett hit rookie Jason Shelley on a 60-yard touchdown pass with 1:35 left to play.
Shelley, a free-agent rookie from Central (Ohio) State, slipped behind the Oakland secondary and Garrett hit him perfectly in stride.

David Klinger threw two touchdown passes to put the Raiders ahead until third-string quarterback Garrett provided the last-minute thrills.

The Cowboys and Raiders will get a stomach full of each other this week. They have an afternoon workout today and practice together twice a day on Tuesday and Wednesday at St. Edward's University in Austin.

The Cowboys' next exhibition game is Aug. 5 in Monterrey, Mexico, against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Cowboys Chatroom.....Dallas Cowboys.....Back to Reporter OnLine