The Associated Press

OXNARD, Calif. - Vinny Testaverde reunited with Bill Parcells hoping to be a starter again. Now the 40-year-old quarterback is back in his favorite spot.

One of Parcells' favorite players became the Cowboys' starter after the unexpected release of Quincy Carter, the quarterback drafted by owner Jerry Jones three years ago to be Troy Aikman's successor.

Two years after losing his starting job with the New York Jets to Chad Pennington, Testaverde is ready for his chance in Dallas.

"When people view an NFL player at 40 years old, they have different opinions, but time will tell," Testaverde said Thursday. "I know I've worked my butt off to give myself the best chance to go through a full season."

Testaverde, going into his 18th season, hasn't played a full 16 games since 2001. He started seven games for the Jets last year when Pennington was hurt.

The Cowboys remained vague Thursday about the reasons for Carter's release. Jones again refused to specifically address reports of a failed drug test by the quarterback, and Parcells said he was focused on the future.

"I'm not going to talk about this subject anymore. It's not worth it, doesn't really mean anything now," Parcells said.

Namath says he's a changed man

Joe Namath signed autographs, posed for pictures and shook plenty of hands during the New York Jets' kickoff luncheon Thursday. Yes, everything seems to be going well for Namath these days.

Nearly eight months after embarrassing himself on national television, the Hall of Fame quarterback says he is sober - and as beloved as always.

"I was surprised at how many people have approached me and still do and offer their support and understanding," Namath said after the luncheon. "I blew it, I messed up. I'm not making any excuses for that, but I have changed."

In an interview during the Jets' game against the New England Patriots in December, Namath appeared intoxicated when he twice told ESPN reporter Suzy Kolber he wanted to kiss her. Namath, who said he had been drinking for several hours before kickoff, subsequently apologized.

"It was a long day with a lot of partying; of course I was totally embarrassed," he said. "I let my family down, the Jets down, the fans." Namath went into counseling for alcohol abuse as an outpatient starting in January.

TITANS: Prosecutors will seek to drop drunken driving and gun charges against quarterback Steve McNair because a judge ruled two weeks ago that police didn't have sufficient cause to stop him. District attorney Torry Johnson said he decided not to appeal the July 22 decision by judge Cheryl Blackburn that effectively eliminated all police evidence in the case, including a breath test that showed McNair was intoxicated in May 2003 when he was pulled over in Nashville.

CHARGERS: Doug Flutie had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and will miss an estimated two weeks. The 41-year-old quarterback hadn't practiced since Saturday.

BEARS: All-Pro kick returner Jerry Azumah will undergo neck surgery for a disc problem and will be sidelined three to four months. Azumah, a starting defensive back, led the NFL in kickoff return average last season and ran back two for touchdowns.

DOLPHINS: Receiver Chris Chambers signed a five-year contract extension worth $30 million. He caught 64 passes for 963 yards and had an AFC-leading 11 touchdowns last year, and has 164 receptions for 2,580 yards and 21 touchdowns in three NFL seasons.

VIKINGS: Lewis Kelly, who had been trying to win a job as a backup center, was cut after four seasons with Minnesota.

Starting center Matt Birk suffered a groin injury and underwent a hernia operation Wednesday, but rookie Anthony Herrera impressed coach Mike Tice enough to earn the third spot on the depth chart behind Cory Withrow.

PANTHERS: Carolina waived Rashard Anderson, hours after the defensive back was reinstated by the NFL following a suspension of more than two years for violating its substance abuse policy.

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