Jets sign ex-Cowboy quarterback Carter

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Herman Edwards believes not giving Quincy Carter a second chance would be a crime.

That's how the New York Jets' coach explained the team's signing Tuesday of the former Dallas starting quarterback who was surprisingly released by the Cowboys three weeks ago.

The fact the Jets were desperate for a backup to Chad Pennington had a little to do with the move, too.

"The worst thing you can do to any individual is not give them hope," Edwards said after Carter signed a one-year deal. "If a negative situation happens to a person in life, if you won't give them hope, shame on you."

Edwards hopes Carter provides a solid option should Pennington get hurt the way he did last summer. Pennington, entering his fifth NFL season, broke his right wrist a year ago in a preseason game, and although the Jets had Vinny Testaverde as a backup, they got off to a slow start and never recovered.

Testaverde, coincidentally, now is the starter in Dallas, so in essence the teams traded quarterbacks.

"You know, in this game, we learn that surprises, there are a lot of them," Carter said before donning a No. 17 jersey and throwing a handful of passes in a lengthy practice session. "I know that things happen, and you've just got to move on.

"But I was shocked."

Carter was cut Aug. 4 amid reports he failed a drug test, and the NFL Players Association has filed a request for arbitration in the case. Gene Upshaw, the union's executive director, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the NFLPA will continue to press the case.

"We have to," he said, adding that part of the grievance involves potential salary loss to Carter.

"You'll have to ask Dallas why they released me," Carter said. "All I got was the papers."

Edwards said the Jets didn't want to rush into anything with Carter — or any other veteran quarterback, which is why it took so long before they brought in Carter for a tryout. Edwards also defended his backups, second-year pro Brooks Bollinger and CFL refugee Ricky Ray.

But it was clear neither was the answer behind Pennington.

"We made the position more competitive," Edwards said. "That's the way life is, you try to create competition with the players you have.

"We felt this guy can upgrade the position. Just like when we brought in (guard) Pete Kendall. It's just like when you draft players, no different."