Cowboys stick with Romo over Bledsoe

Drew Bledsoe knew his interception near the goal line just before halftime was a horrible play. He never thought it might be the last pass he’d throw for the Dallas Cowboys.

Bledsoe’s demotion became official Wednesday when Coach Bill Parcells said Tony Romo, who took over at quarterback in the second half Monday night, will make his first career start Sunday night at Carolina.

“Obviously, I would like to be the guy still, and I really in my heart of hearts believe that I give us the best chance to win,� said Bledsoe, drafted No. 1 by Parcells for the New England Patriots in 1993.

Bledsoe’s critical interception in a 36-22 loss to the New York Giants came when the Cowboys (3-3) had a chance to take the lead. Bledsoe already had been sacked four times, once for a safety.

Three of Romo’s passes were intercepted, one on his first play and another returned 96 yards for a touchdown. But he still showed he could be effective, scrambling and completing 14 of 25 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns.

“Deep down, I feel like Tony is a different kind of quarterback than Bledsoe,� Parcells said. “And, maybe, we might be able to put some of those abilities to work. ... Maybe we can alter our circumstances for the better.�

Romo wasn’t available for comment.

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Jerry Porter was reinstated by the Oakland Raiders after the NFL and the players’ association agreed to cut the receiver’s four-game suspension in half.

Porter, inactive for the first four games, was suspended Oct. 15 for insubordination a day after being kicked out of practice by Coach Art Shell. The NFL Players’ Assn. appealed the suspension, calling it “excessive.�

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair practiced and expects to play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. McNair suffered a concussion and sprained neck in Baltimore’s loss to Carolina on Oct. 15. The Ravens were off last week.

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Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander ran for the first time since breaking his left foot last month, putting him on track to return Nov. 6 against Oakland after a four-game absence.

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Jacksonville Jaguars Coach Jack Del Rio changed his stance again, saying Byron Leftwich’s sore left ankle was indeed a problem in last week’s loss to Houston and that the quarterback is questionable for Sunday’s game at Philadelphia.

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The Indianapolis Colts will keep defensive tackle Montae Reagor on the active roster while he recovers from a fractured orbital bone around his left eye suffered in an auto accident en route to Sunday’s game. No timetable was given for his return.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Brian Kelly will sit out the rest of season because of a toe injury that had sidelined him for all but two games.... A domestic violence case against Cleveland Browns running back Reuben Droughns in Denver was dropped as prosecutors cited a lack of evidence in his May arrest.... Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart was excused from practice after attending the birth of his son in Southern California. Brynn Cameron, a USC basketball player, gave birth to a boy, Cole, on Tuesday night.