Harrington lost the starting job?

ESPN.com had a piece on Harrington possibly loosing the starting spot. Anyone know more?

RCB

[ArlingtonTexan]

I did not see the specific report that you are referencing but plenty of people have speculated that after the signing of Jeff Garcia. However, everything that I have heard or read through various sources is that Harrington has looked better in the offseason, while Garcia seems to have less arm strength than even before(never his strong point even when he was a probowler).

Harrington is in a put up or shut up mode up there. His raw numbers are pretty close the Carr's, but Houston trusts Carr's leadership more than Detroit trusts Harrington's.

[BornOrange]

There is an article for those who have ESPN Insider access about the 8 most intriguing position battles in the upcoming training camps. One of them is Harrington vs Jeff Garcia for the Lions starting QB.

The full article

Lions Quarterback: Joey Harrington vs. Jeff Garcia
Harrington has the physical tools to develop into a solid starter, but has yet to put it all together. He continues to make too many mistakes under pressure and his inconsistency has been difficult to overcome. With an improved offensive line and a ridiculous amount of young skill-position talent surrounding him in 2005, the pressure is on.

Garcia's presence won't make life any easier on Harrington this summer. Garcia should benefit from reuniting with Mariucci in Detroit, where the scheme is much better suited to his style than the scheme in Cleveland. Garcia has the experience, accuracy, quick release and feet to operate in Mariucci's version of the West Coast offense.

However, Garcia is no longer considered even an adequate NFL starter and his physical tools are on a heavy decline. Garcia signed a four-year deal with the Browns as a free agent in 2004, but only played one season before being released. In 2004, he started in 10 games and completed 57.1 percent of his attempts with nearly as many interceptions (nine) as touchdowns (10).

Harrington threw more interceptions than touchdowns in each of his first two seasons (2002-'03), but improved in that regard in 2004, throwing 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also had career-bests in terms of completion percentage (56 percent) and QB-rating (97).

As much as head coach Steve Mariucci likes Garcia, he knows that the aging veteran is only a short-term solution. Mariucci won't hesitate to pull Harrington four or five games into the season if he isn't getting the job done. But with so much young talent on the offensive side of the ball, Mariucci knows the more ideal scenario is for the fourth-year quarterback to win the job over the 35-year-old retread. Patience and promise of a bright future will lead to Harrington being behind center when the Packers come to town on opening day.
Projected Winner: Harrington

[Ihategeeks]

No. Conversation Over.

In fact, he is getting the most praise from Mooch than he did in the entire previous year, things like, really impressed, really surprised, and major improvement. When before the best thing Mooch would say is, he is young has has alot to learn (rolf) Harrington is currently the decided clear cut favorite from camps, and Jeff Garcia so far hasn't been as impressive according to just about all of the ANTI-JOEY beat writters who would rather bash Joey and Praise him. But it's been praise so far.

The Lions just paid Joey's Roster Bonus, why would they keep him to bench him?

THINK!

[THEFUTURE]

Originally Posted by Ihategeeks

No. Conversation Over.

The Lions just paid Joey's Roster Bonus, why would they keep him to bench him?

THINK!

a little depth never hurt

[cuppacoffee]

Originally Posted by Ihategeeks

No. Conversation Over.

In fact, he is getting the most praise from Mooch than he did in the entire previous year, things like, really impressed, really surprised, and major improvement. When before the best thing Mooch would say is, he is young has has alot to learn (rolf) Harrington is currently the decided clear cut favorite from camps, and Jeff Garcia so far hasn't been as impressive according to just about all of the ANTI-JOEY beat writters who would rather bash Joey and Praise him. But it's been praise so far.

The Lions just paid Joey's Roster Bonus, why would they keep him to bench him?

THINK!

It's called "positive reinforcement." It's a form of motivation.

I really don't know if being "really surprised" is very motivational though.
JMHO

cac:

[Texas_Thrill]

I'm not sure why they signed Garcia though for as much as they did if u really wanted Harrington to feel comfortable.

I mean are they competing for the playoffs?

[Ihategeeks]

Originally Posted by Texas_Thrill

I'm not sure why they signed Garcia though for as much as they did if u really wanted Harrington to feel comfortable.

I mean are they competing for the playoffs?

They signed Garcia for a year, and about as much as we will pay for 4th CB.

It's called "positive reinforcement." It's a form of motivation.

Mooch hasn't said a single good thing about Joey since he has been here. The WR's drop 8 passes in a game, what does Mooch say?

"Joey needs to throw better passes" The Entire Media makes a living off of bashing Joey Harrington, if a radio guy has a slow day, they talk about Joey, and they can talk for Hours. This is one of the hardest towns on a QB in the league.


Mooch and the Anti Joey Media only have praise for him so far. And only disapointment with Garcia. Of course , Joey always looks good in camps and preason. He still has WR's to throw to. It's when the IR list starts to fill up that he looks like crap.

[Hervoyel]

Originally Posted by Ihategeeks

This is one of the hardest towns on a QB in the league.

Only because Detroit has made an art out of not being able to find a quality signal caller. Seriously, that teams been without a good QB for ages. Harrington could be it but what Lions fan is going to be full of patience after the last couple of decades?

[Porky]

Originally Posted by Hervoyel

Only because Detroit has made an art out of not being able to find a quality signal caller.

I heard Andre Ware is available.

[Big B Texan Fan]

Originally Posted by Porky

I heard Andre Ware is available.

The Bucs just cut Akili Smith last week. Maybe he can challenge.

[cuppacoffee]

Ihategeeks
The Entire Media makes a living off of bashing Joey Harrington, if a radio guy has a slow day, they talk about Joey, and they can talk for Hours. This is one of the hardest towns on a QB in the league.

You are not alone. This from another thread on this site.


Posted by
TEXANRED

"For all you carr lovers out there dont stress out to much. this city has never liked any of its QB's. Hated pasterinie(i dont know how to spell his name) hated moon, hated billy joe tolliver but for abvious reasons-cause he sucked. I pesonaly couldnt stand cody carlson, in fact the only QB this city has ever liked is Bucky Richardson. I dont think he ever started a game."
__________________________________________________ ______________

I liked "OLE GEORGE", but I imagine that was before most of the posters on this board were born.
Never forget him kicking a KC defensive player in the butt, I think he roughed the old man. Loved those early Oilers.

cac: