At 63, Staubach can still air it out

FORT WORTH, Texas – Roger Staubach can still wing it. Cowboys safety Roy Williams was on the receiving end of some of the NFL Hall of Famer’s throws during filming of an NFL commercial Monday.

“It’s good today,” Staubach said of his arm, “but it might take me three weeks to come back again.”

The NFL this week is filming a series of six commercials celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Super Bowl. On Saturday, Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson is filming a spot with Hall of Famer Franco Harris.

“The year-long theme is `The Road to Forty,’ ” said Michael Capiraso, the NFL’s vice president and executive creative director. ” `The Road to Forty’ acts as both a kind of looking back of 40 years of Super Bowls and then looking forward to the 40th year of the Super Bowl… . We think we’ve found a fun, clever way of doing that.”

In the 30-second spot filmed Monday, Williams is talking to the media when Staubach walks by and shoves him, a reminder that it’s time to get back to work. The ad will begin airing in early October, Capiraso said, with the Tomlinson-Harris spot to follow later in October.

Staubach, who won two Super Bowls, likes the Cowboys’ chances this season. Dallas hasn’t won a playoff game since 1996, a year after winning the Super Bowl for the fifth time.

“I really feel Dallas can be right there as one of the surprise teams,” said Staubach, who rarely misses a Cowboys home game. “There’s nobody just dominant in the NFC right now. Philadelphia is a very good team, but I think Dallas, if they can keep it together and stay focused and healthy, will be in the thick of it.”

Staubach, 63, applauds the off-season signing of former Buffalo Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who will be the Cowboys’ eighth starting quarterback since Troy Aikman retired after the 2000 season. Vinny Testaverde, who turned 41 last season, was not re-signed by the Cowboys after throwing 17 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in 2004.

“Last year when they brought in Vinny, I was thinking I could try and come back. I think Vinny and I are about the same age,” Staubach said, laughing. “Drew is a lot younger. He’ll have a good year.”

Staubach said Cowboys fans should not give up on backup quarterback Drew Henson.

“When he gets his chance – his real chance – he’s got to be ready for it. And he will get his chance,” Staubach said.