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Rainer Sabin / Reporter
Before Saturday, it appeared quarterback Stephen McGee would be denied playing time for the second consecutive season.
Then, Jon Kitna strained his left oblique when he threw a two-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to Jason Witten. The injury, the second one he suffered on that drive, forced McGee to strap on his helmet and enter the game for the first time in his professional career.
"It was kind of surreal," McGee said. "Finally, an opportunity came. For me, growing up in Texas and being a Cowboys kid since being a little kid, it was a dream come true."
McGee completed 11 of 17 pass attempts for 111 yards, leading the Cowboys back from an 11-point deficit that they overcame when he threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin with one minute, 41 seconds left in the game.
"It was nice to see him get a chance to get out there in the regular season," said Cowboys coach Jason Garrett.
Upon entering the huddle for the first time, McGee was given few opportunities to throw because Garrett reasoned that by running the football the team was "taking some pressure off that way."
Garrett's cautious approach was, in part, derived from his awareness of McGee's inexperience. McGee has spent most of his days in practice running the scout team and had few chances to develop a rapport with the team's primary receivers. Consequently, he has established a greater familiarity with reserves such as Jesse Holley and Sam Hurd than with entrenched starters like Jason Witten and Miles Austin. Still, McGee would use his few spare moments to prepare mentally, learning the details and idiosyncrasies of an offense he wasn't asked to run until Saturday.
"He's one of those types of guys who is always ready," said Holley, who was awarded his first career snaps at receiver in the third quarter. "He's an alley dog."
Indeed, McGee showed moxie throughout the game, scrambling for yards when the passing options had been exhausted and helping the Cowboys wrest the lead from the Cardinals. By the end, he had attained a passer rating of 102.8. After the game, microphones and recorders were thrust in the face of McGee, the latest quarterback to play for the Cowboys.
"You just have to be ready whenever your opportunity comes," McGee said.
On Saturday, at a moment's notice, it arrived.
Before Saturday, it appeared quarterback Stephen McGee would be denied playing time for the second consecutive season.
Then, Jon Kitna strained his left oblique when he threw a two-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to Jason Witten. The injury, the second one he suffered on that drive, forced McGee to strap on his helmet and enter the game for the first time in his professional career.
"It was kind of surreal," McGee said. "Finally, an opportunity came. For me, growing up in Texas and being a Cowboys kid since being a little kid, it was a dream come true."
McGee completed 11 of 17 pass attempts for 111 yards, leading the Cowboys back from an 11-point deficit that they overcame when he threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin with one minute, 41 seconds left in the game.
"It was nice to see him get a chance to get out there in the regular season," said Cowboys coach Jason Garrett.
Upon entering the huddle for the first time, McGee was given few opportunities to throw because Garrett reasoned that by running the football the team was "taking some pressure off that way."
Garrett's cautious approach was, in part, derived from his awareness of McGee's inexperience. McGee has spent most of his days in practice running the scout team and had few chances to develop a rapport with the team's primary receivers. Consequently, he has established a greater familiarity with reserves such as Jesse Holley and Sam Hurd than with entrenched starters like Jason Witten and Miles Austin. Still, McGee would use his few spare moments to prepare mentally, learning the details and idiosyncrasies of an offense he wasn't asked to run until Saturday.
"He's one of those types of guys who is always ready," said Holley, who was awarded his first career snaps at receiver in the third quarter. "He's an alley dog."
Indeed, McGee showed moxie throughout the game, scrambling for yards when the passing options had been exhausted and helping the Cowboys wrest the lead from the Cardinals. By the end, he had attained a passer rating of 102.8. After the game, microphones and recorders were thrust in the face of McGee, the latest quarterback to play for the Cowboys.
"You just have to be ready whenever your opportunity comes," McGee said.
On Saturday, at a moment's notice, it arrived.