Cowboys announce Romo will start at quarterback

IRVING, Texas -- Tony Romo is now the first-string quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, and will make his first career start Sunday night at Carolina.

Coach Bill Parcells said Wednesday that Romo, who replaced 14-year veteran Drew Bledsoe in the second half of Monday night's 36-22 loss to the New York Giants, will start.

"Any time you do something like this, it's not without a lot of consideration," Parcells said. "I've been thinking about it for some time. ... Hopefully, maybe as the team is comprised right now, he might be able to do a couple of things that assist us."

Romo, a fourth-year pro out of Eastern Illinois University, had never thrown a pass in a game until this season. He will be the ninth different starting quarterback for the Cowboys (3-3) since Troy Aikman retired after the 2001 season.

Bledsoe joined Parcells in Dallas last year, reuniting with the coach who made him the No. 1 pick in 1993 for the New England Patriots.

His last pass Monday night was an interception at the goal line just before halftime when the Cowboys had a chance to take the lead. Bledsoe had already been sacked four times, once for a safety.

Bledsoe apparently made too many costly mistakes for Parcells.

In Dallas' three victories, Bledsoe had six touchdown passes and one interception. But those have all been against teams with losing records. Against playoff contenders Jacksonville, Philadelphia and the Giants, he has one TD and seven INTs.

Romo threw three interceptions Monday against the Giants, but completed 14 of 25 passes for 227 yards and threw two touchdowns.