Coming off their first winning season for the first time in five years, the team, under Bill Parcells' direction, continued to bring in veteran talent and draft promising prospects.

In owner Jerry Jones's continuing quest to acquire quarterback talent, the Cowboys traded for the rights to Drew Henson, another baseball player attempting to return to football.

His struggles in the New York Yankees farm system led him to reconsider his career and opt for a return to football, similar to Chad Hutchinson, whom the team had acquired two years prior.

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.

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.

[4] 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 due to injury.

Bill 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.

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.

Ex-Niner Jeff Garcia completed for just 71 yards, threw three interceptions (matching three picks by ex-Brown Testsverde), and down 17-12 gave up a safety with nine seconds to go.

But Roethlisberger rushed for nine yards and completed seven straight passes; his touchdown to Jerame Tuman put the score 20-17; after an exchange of punts Testaverde was sacked and lost the football with a personal foul penalty on Johnson putting the Steelers possession at the Dallas 24; Jerome Bettis finished the ensuing drive on a 1-yard score and 24-20 Pittsburgh win.