Cowboys QB Wright being rewarded for patience

IRVING, Texas (AP) _ The Dallas Cowboys insist they were always intrigued by Anthony Wright. <br><br>Yet the first two times the Cowboys needed another quarterback this season, they skipped him. He was

Thursday, December 14th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

IRVING, Texas (AP) _ The Dallas Cowboys insist they were always intrigued by Anthony Wright.

Yet the first two times the Cowboys needed another quarterback this season, they skipped him. He was on the practice squad until last month, when they promoted him only because they feared other teams were going to sign him.

In a season where little has gone right for the Cowboys (5-9), that move may wind up being one of the best.

Wright, who made his NFL debut two weeks ago in a mop-up role against Tampa Bay, was forced into action Sunday when Troy Aikman suffered a concussion and played three solid quarters as Dallas beat Washington 32-13. This Sunday night, the second-year pro will be the starter against the New York Giants.

``I'm not going to jump out there and say we've got the next Joe Montana or anything,'' Cowboys coach Dave Campo said. ``All I'm saying is that this kid has some talent and some of the physical tools.

``He's got the arm to go deep. He's got the legs to run. He's got pretty good touch and he's got a strong arm. Now how does he handle when the pressure is on? That's what we'll be looking for this week.''

It wasn't so much what Wright did against the Redskins as what he didn't do.

While completing 3-of-5 passes for 73 yards, he did not throw any interceptions or have any fumbles. The good hands were especially needed because he handed off a whopping 37 times, including twice to receivers. Both end arounds turned into touchdowns.

The few times Wright passed, he showed good touch. His first completion was a 46-yarder to James McKnight with Deion Sanders in tight coverage. On Wright's next pass to McKnight, Sanders interfered, moving Dallas 28 yards and setting up the touchdown that put the Cowboys ahead 12-7.

``Anthony Wright showed a great deal of poise,'' running back Emmitt Smith said. ``He put the ball where only James could catch it. He did a great job.''

``I know I have a ways to go in picking up the offense. But I'm learning as much as can, as fast I can,'' Wright said. ``And to me, I have confidence in myself and my abilities. You have to believe that can get the job done and I've always believed that once I get my opportunity, I'll make it happen.''

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Wright describes himself as a younger Randall Cunningham. The older Cunningham is another Dallas backup, but he's slowed by a groin injury.

``I feel like I can move, but I have confidence in my throwing abilities,'' Wright said. ``I hope I can get the opportunity to do a little more of that this week.''

Wright was not drafted coming out of South Carolina, which went 1-10 his senior year. He spent last season in Pittsburgh, but never played in a regular-season game.

This preseason, Wright played for the Steelers against the Cowboys. After Pittsburgh released him, Dallas signed him Aug. 30.

A week into the season, the Cowboys needed a third quarterback because Aikman was hurt in the opener. The pick was Clint Stoerner, an undrafted rookie from Arkansas who was with Dallas through the summer.

In October, the Cowboys again wanted a third-stringer and again went with Stoerner.

Then, in late November, Miami and Kansas City showed interest in Wright. Dallas decided to add him to the 53-man roster a few days before Thanksgiving.

``I tried not to concern myself with what was going on around me,'' Wright said. ``I knew they liked me or I wouldn't have been here. They told me to stay patient and that's what I did.''