Hosmerica
03-07-2008, 05:23 PM
The Atlanta Falcons released quarterback Joey Harrington on Wednesday, the
Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.
Harrington was named the starter four times after a federal grand jury
indicted Vick on dogfighting charges in July. Byron Leftwich took the job
twice before ankle problems essentially ended his season.
Harrington served as Chris Redman's primary backup in the final game of the
season, hardly the role he envisioned when training camp started.
Despite winning just 23 of his first 66 starts, Harrington believed coach
Bobby Petrino's offense would help turn his career around.
Instead, the Falcons lost five of their first six games before Harrington
was benched. Leftwich couldn't finish his first start, a 22-16 loss at New
Orleans the following week. He needed ankle surgery that kept him sidelined
until Week 11, when Tampa Bay sent him hobbling to the training room with a
bruised tailbone.
Bad health hasn't affected the career of Harrington, whom Detroit drafted
No. 3 overall in 2002. But after signing a two-year, $6 million contract to
become Vick's backup, Harrington believed he was the past the difficulties
that resulted in a 23-43 career record with the Lions and Miami Dolphins.
Unfortunately, after Petrino named him the starter in July, Harrington lost
seven of 10 starts, a miserable stretch that placed more doubt on his
ability to win.
The release of Harrington may increase the odds Atlanta will select a
quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick in next month's NFL draft.
Harrington had 2,215 yards passing with seven touchdown passes and eight
interceptions last season.
The Falcons re-signed Redman to a two-year deal. Excluding Michael Vick, who
was sentenced in December to 23 months in federal prison, the only other
quarterback on the roster is D.J. Shockley, who missed last season with a
knee injury.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080305/SPORTS01/80305050/1049/SPORTS01
Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.
Harrington was named the starter four times after a federal grand jury
indicted Vick on dogfighting charges in July. Byron Leftwich took the job
twice before ankle problems essentially ended his season.
Harrington served as Chris Redman's primary backup in the final game of the
season, hardly the role he envisioned when training camp started.
Despite winning just 23 of his first 66 starts, Harrington believed coach
Bobby Petrino's offense would help turn his career around.
Instead, the Falcons lost five of their first six games before Harrington
was benched. Leftwich couldn't finish his first start, a 22-16 loss at New
Orleans the following week. He needed ankle surgery that kept him sidelined
until Week 11, when Tampa Bay sent him hobbling to the training room with a
bruised tailbone.
Bad health hasn't affected the career of Harrington, whom Detroit drafted
No. 3 overall in 2002. But after signing a two-year, $6 million contract to
become Vick's backup, Harrington believed he was the past the difficulties
that resulted in a 23-43 career record with the Lions and Miami Dolphins.
Unfortunately, after Petrino named him the starter in July, Harrington lost
seven of 10 starts, a miserable stretch that placed more doubt on his
ability to win.
The release of Harrington may increase the odds Atlanta will select a
quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick in next month's NFL draft.
Harrington had 2,215 yards passing with seven touchdown passes and eight
interceptions last season.
The Falcons re-signed Redman to a two-year deal. Excluding Michael Vick, who
was sentenced in December to 23 months in federal prison, the only other
quarterback on the roster is D.J. Shockley, who missed last season with a
knee injury.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080305/SPORTS01/80305050/1049/SPORTS01