MoSpur
03-20-2006, 03:15 PM
ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions are parting ways with Joey Harrington after four turbulent seasons in which the former third overall draft pick went from franchise savior to fans' scourge.
Although he declined to say whether Harrington had been released, coach Rod Marinelli told reporters Monday: "We've made a decision to move on."
"At this moment, he's not with us," Marinelli said. "That's been my decision."
A message left with David Dunn, Harrington's agent, was not immediately returned.
Harrington, the third overall pick in the 2002 draft, 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.
He started 55 games, throwing for 10,242 yards with 60 touchdowns and 62 interceptions and a mediocre 68.1 passer rating.
Harrington will be replaced by either Jon Kitna or Josh McCown, both former starters signed who agreed to terms in the last week.
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 Lions already have under contract former Tampa Bay and Arizona starter Shaun King and second-year man Dan Orlovsky.
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, for one, is hoping that will happen.
The 26-year-old from Sam Houston State likes Martz's offensive schemes and used to discuss them with Warner, whom he backed up last season in Arizona.
Kitna, who sat behind Carson Palmer in Cincinnati the past two seasons, also has expressed his admiration for Martz's offense.
Although he declined to say whether Harrington had been released, coach Rod Marinelli told reporters Monday: "We've made a decision to move on."
"At this moment, he's not with us," Marinelli said. "That's been my decision."
A message left with David Dunn, Harrington's agent, was not immediately returned.
Harrington, the third overall pick in the 2002 draft, 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.
He started 55 games, throwing for 10,242 yards with 60 touchdowns and 62 interceptions and a mediocre 68.1 passer rating.
Harrington will be replaced by either Jon Kitna or Josh McCown, both former starters signed who agreed to terms in the last week.
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 Lions already have under contract former Tampa Bay and Arizona starter Shaun King and second-year man Dan Orlovsky.
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, for one, is hoping that will happen.
The 26-year-old from Sam Houston State likes Martz's offensive schemes and used to discuss them with Warner, whom he backed up last season in Arizona.
Kitna, who sat behind Carson Palmer in Cincinnati the past two seasons, also has expressed his admiration for Martz's offense.