at least martz knew he had another Tony Banks on his hands,and had the sense enough to know to cut his ass fast.
Lions, Harrington part ways
By TOM KRISHER, Associated Press Writer
March 20, 2006
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -- The Detroit Lions parted ways with Joey Harrington on Monday after four turbulent seasons during which the quarterback went from franchise savior to franchise goat.
Coach Rod Marinelli declined to say whether Harrington was released.
"I've decided to move in a different direction with the quarterback," he said.
Harrington, drafted No. 3 overall in 2002, was 18-37 as a starter with the Lions under three coaches: Marty Mornhinweg, Steve Mariucci and Dick Jauron, who took over when he Mariucci was fired during the 2005 season.
Harrington started 55 games, throwing for 10,242 yards with 60 touchdowns and 62 interceptions and a mediocre 68.1 passer rating.
He will be replaced by Jon Kitna or Josh McCown, both former starters who agreed to terms in the last week. The Lions already have under contract former Tampa Bay and Arizona starter Shaun King and second-year man Dan Orlovsky.
As recently as last month, Marinelli and team president Matt Millen indicated the Lions considered Harrington their top quarterback for 2006.
The decision to change course comes nearly four years after the Lions proclaimed that Harrington would bring long-term stability at quarterback for the first time in a half century.
Harrington, who would have received a $4 million bonus if on the roster June 15, now joins the list of once-promising quarterbacks who fizzled in Detroit. Among them: Charlie Batch, Scott Mitchell, Andre Ware and Rodney Peete.
Now it's up to McCown, Kitna or perhaps someone else to help turn around a franchise that has won only a single playoff game since 1957 and posted a league-worst 21-59 record since 2001.
The team is hoping new offensive coordinator Mike Martz can do what he did in St. Louis with Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger: transform a lightly regarded quarterback into a star.
McCown, a former Sam Houston State player, likes Martz's offensive schemes and used to discuss them with Warner, whom he backed up last season in Arizona. He's not worried about Detroit's reputation as a tough place to be a quarterback.
"I think that's everywhere," he said. "It's the nature of the position."
Kitna, who sat behind Carson Palmer in Cincinnati the past two seasons, also has expressed his admiration for Martz's offense.
Kitna, who was recruited to Detroit before McCown, said he knew the Lions would have four quarterbacks in training camp.
"I never expected to come here and have the job handed to me," he said.
By TOM KRISHER, Associated Press Writer
March 20, 2006
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -- The Detroit Lions parted ways with Joey Harrington on Monday after four turbulent seasons during which the quarterback went from franchise savior to franchise goat.
Coach Rod Marinelli declined to say whether Harrington was released.
"I've decided to move in a different direction with the quarterback," he said.
Harrington, drafted No. 3 overall in 2002, was 18-37 as a starter with the Lions under three coaches: Marty Mornhinweg, Steve Mariucci and Dick Jauron, who took over when he Mariucci was fired during the 2005 season.
Harrington started 55 games, throwing for 10,242 yards with 60 touchdowns and 62 interceptions and a mediocre 68.1 passer rating.
He will be replaced by Jon Kitna or Josh McCown, both former starters who agreed to terms in the last week. The Lions already have under contract former Tampa Bay and Arizona starter Shaun King and second-year man Dan Orlovsky.
As recently as last month, Marinelli and team president Matt Millen indicated the Lions considered Harrington their top quarterback for 2006.
The decision to change course comes nearly four years after the Lions proclaimed that Harrington would bring long-term stability at quarterback for the first time in a half century.
Harrington, who would have received a $4 million bonus if on the roster June 15, now joins the list of once-promising quarterbacks who fizzled in Detroit. Among them: Charlie Batch, Scott Mitchell, Andre Ware and Rodney Peete.
Now it's up to McCown, Kitna or perhaps someone else to help turn around a franchise that has won only a single playoff game since 1957 and posted a league-worst 21-59 record since 2001.
The team is hoping new offensive coordinator Mike Martz can do what he did in St. Louis with Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger: transform a lightly regarded quarterback into a star.
McCown, a former Sam Houston State player, likes Martz's offensive schemes and used to discuss them with Warner, whom he backed up last season in Arizona. He's not worried about Detroit's reputation as a tough place to be a quarterback.
"I think that's everywhere," he said. "It's the nature of the position."
Kitna, who sat behind Carson Palmer in Cincinnati the past two seasons, also has expressed his admiration for Martz's offense.
Kitna, who was recruited to Detroit before McCown, said he knew the Lions would have four quarterbacks in training camp.
"I never expected to come here and have the job handed to me," he said.
