2004 Dallas Cowboys season Even before 2004 season began , the Cowboys would face adversity and be forced to adjust . Coming off their first winning season in 5 years , the team , under Bill Parcells direction , would continue to bring in veteran talent and draft promising prospects . In the off - season , the Cowboys would sign quarterback Vinny Testaverde and trade for disgruntled wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson . Both Testaverde and Johnson had played for Parcells when he had coached the New York Jets , and both were eager to reunite with Parcells . Johnson was especially happy to be in Dallas , as he had been deactivated for the final six games of the previous season while with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for " conduct detrimental to the team " . In return for Johnson , the Buccaneers received Joey Galloway . The draft saw the arrival of running back Julius Jones , cornerback s Jacques Reeves and Nate Jones , and college quarterback turned wide receiver Patrick Crayton . In owner Jerry Jones continuing quest to acquire quarterback talent , the Cowboys would trade for the rights to Drew Henson , another baseball player attempting to return to football . Henson starred at Michigan , even keeping future NFL superstar quarterback Tom Brady from claiming the starting job outright . His struggles in the New York Yankees farm system would lead him to reconsider his career and opt for a return to football , similar to Chad Hutchinson , whom the team had acquired only two years prior . Hutchinson would later be released . 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 . Regular season . As a result , Vinny Testaverde would be the opening day starter for the Cowboys . His extensive experience and veteran presence was an asset to the team , especially to young undrafted practice squad addition Tony Romo , but failed to produce many points behind an inconsistent offensive line . Dallas ' defense would also regress from the previous season , especially the secondary which lost starting cornerback Mario Edwards in free agency and longtime mainstay and team leader safety Darren Woodson to injury . The result was a defense often on the field for long stretches and an offense constantly playing from behind . Following a loss to the Baltimore Ravens in which he played well in mop - up duty , Drew Henson would start the annual Thanksgiving Day game against the Chicago Bears . Though neither team produced much offense , Henson would flounder , and Testaverde would be brought in midway through the third quarter to a chorus of boos . The game still provided excitement for Cowboys fans as rookie running back Julius Jones , who had been injured early in the season and had just returned in the previous game , put on a masterful performance rushing for 150 yards and two touchdowns in leading the team to victory . Jones ' momentum would carry over to the next game where he would rush for 198 yards and three scores in a dramatic win over the Seattle Seahawks . In only 7 starts ( 8 games overall ) Jones would rush for over 800 yards and seven touchdowns , though not justifying Parcells ' decision to pass on running backs Steven Jackson and Kevin Jones in the draft . As the season progressed , Parcells would continue to mold the team steadily implementing his preferred 3 - 4 defense and allowing his assistant coaches on offense , particularly Maurice Carthon and Sean Payton , to take more control . Despite the individual achievements and development , the end result was a 6 – 10 season . Other notable additions to the team this year include linebackers Ryan Fowler and Scott Shanle as well as former Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George in his final NFL season .