Professor

Joey Harrington: Time to Pack His Bags?

RotoWire.com Staff - RotoWire.com
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Update: The signings of quarterbacks Jon Kitna and Josh McCown signals the Lions are prepared to move on without Harrington, who is due a $4 million roster bonus on June 15, ESPN.com reports.

Recommendation: Despite recent positive comments about Harrington from new coach Rod Marinelli and offensive coordinator Mike Martz, Kitna's and McCown's signings could eventually lead to the Lions either trading or releasing Harrington. Both moves would save the Lions an estimated $5.4 million in salary cap space for 2006.




Updated on Thursday, Mar 16, 2006 4:55 pm EST

Professor

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns

Lions in deal with McCown, agent says; Harrington could be gone

By MIKE HOUSEHOLDER, Associated Press Writer
March 16, 2006

AP - Mar 16, 2:14 pm EST
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DETROIT (AP) -- Former Arizona quarterback Josh McCown agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions Thursday, a move that could signal the end of Joey Harrington's run in Detroit.

McCown is expected to sign a contract Friday, his agent Mike McCartney said. He will become the fifth quarterback on the Lions roster, joining Harrington, Jon Kitna, Shaun King and Dan Orlovsky.

McCown, 26, was with the Cardinals for four seasons and graduated from San Houston State. He started 22 games for the Cards over three seasons and threw for 5,431 yards, 25 touchdowns and 29 interceptions.

He lost his starting job to former MVP Kurt Warner last season, but when Warner was injured he threw for 385 yards against San Francisco and 398 against Carolina.

McCown became a free agent at the end of the 2005 season and the Cardinals expressed no interest in resigning him.

With veterans like Kitna and McCown and a promising second-year player like Orlovsky, that seems to make likely the departure of Harrington, who carries a hefty contract and the baggage of four largely subpar seasons in Detroit. Harrington was the third overall pick in the 2002 draft.

Harrington is 18-37 as a starter. He would receive a $4 million bonus if he is on the roster June 15. His base salary is $4.45 million this year and next. The Lions were 5-11 last season.

As recently as last month, team president Matt Millen and new coach Rod Marinelli made it clear that the Lions considered Harrington their starter. And Mike Martz, the former St. Louis Rams coach and new offensive coordinator, said he believed he would work with Harrington.

Kitna agreed to terms earlier this week, but the Lions have not yet officially announced the move.

The Lions also have not yet announced that the 26-year-old McCown is joining the team, but McCartney said his client is thrilled with the move.

"Josh is ecstatic. We were looking for a spot where he could compete for a job," McCartney said. "The word is that the best man wins. He's excited. It's the right offense for him."



Updated on Thursday, Mar 16, 2006 3:26 pm EST

MickeyG

getting rid of Harrington is great news for Lions fans. Maybe he can get a backup job somewhere else.

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Professor

maybe he can be a janitor somewhere too.

bigboy

A back up job is actually all he'll be able to get at this point, I thought he would have had a shot there but then he actually starts to tell people to trade or cut him, what is that? You do not hold that much weight and probably lost your only chance at starting in the NFL.

Professor

this guy is trying to pull a cpep or TO and he has been nothing but awful, He should be like please give another chance on his hands and knees

MickeyG

even if he would get down on his hands and knees he is done in Detroit. I would wish him good luck, but then i would be lying

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Professor

he might get another shot if he takes millen's shot, if you know what I mean. LOL

juggalo6772

Joey Harrington IS A GOOD QB! when he has blocking and some one to throw to he makes the right play, the problem is he never dose.

bigboy

The problem is, is that he never makes the right play....even when he has time.