Nothing like a little backup
April 9, 2007 at 3:25 pm by Jake Gantz in NewsAccording to several sources, including profootballtalk.com, ESPN, and the NFL network, the Atlanta Falcons are on the verge on inking a deal with Joey Harrington.
Just weeks after losing former Michael Vick backup Matt Schaub to the Texans, the Falcons seem to be close to signing a marquee name. Harrington, the former No. 3 overall draft pick in 2002, reportedly will be arriving in the ATL on Tuesday to sign the papers and hold up his uniform for the cameras.
Harrington hasn’t had the sort of career that your average No. 3 overall draft pick does. With big hopes, he entered the league with the Detroit Lions only to come up short under the enormous pressure put on him to save the entire franchise. He then went south to the Miami Dolphins and faltered yet again.
This is an important move — assuming it goes through. Vick has play-making ability unlike any other quarterback in the league. But with his athleticism and chance-taking is an inherent risk that few other quarterbacks ever face. And in these days of Jeff Garcia-led Eagles through the playoffs, the backup quarterback position is becoming that much more important.
Now landing in Atlanta, Harrington has the chance to resurrect his career and play like the QB he was back in college at Oregon. He has the skills, and a great arm. Maybe backing up the Vick-ster will calm him down and allow him to make the reads necessary to hit Alge Crumpler in the end zone.
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April 12th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Great move for the Falcons. But not as good as the deal to trade Schaub before he became a restricted free agent.