Outsports readers have always had a soft spot for quarterback Joey Harrington going back to his days at the University of Oregon. A lot had to do with the fact that he is considered pretty hot and a lot to what seemed like a great personality and his ability to play the piano.
A lot also had to with the way he faced Fox bozo sideline analyst Tony Siragusa in 2004 when he took shots at Harrington’s masculinity. “Why am I not his kind of guy? Because I was cordial in a production meeting? Because I tried to be articulate? Because I smile when I play? Because I enjoy myself out there? Because I’m not a ‘Billy Badass?’ ” Harrington said.
On the field, though, Harrington has been pretty much a bust, first with Detroit, then Miami and then last season with Atlanta; in his career, he has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. Now Harrington is looking for a job after he was cut by the Falcons. Harrington is not yet 30, so expect him to be in some NFL camp this summer on a team looking for a backup. –Jim Buzinski
on Mar 7th, 2008 at 12:33 AM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Not Joey! Not Padraig Harrington’s cousin!
Brian Griese already has the backup job in Tampa Bay…..
on Mar 7th, 2008 at 7:15 AM
I don’t think it”s fair to say his career has been a bust. The teams he’s played on have done poorly, but he’s played on bad teams. Detroit was bad before Harrington and bad after him. It was bad when he was there and a different quarterback started. Miami was much better with Harrington than a year later (not sure about about other times). Atlanta’s record was bad regardless of who started, and they began the season with a kicker who couldn’t make 25-yard field goals, and an offense line that at one point led the league in sacks allowed (on a quarterback who throws quick, short passes). He’s not a quarterback who is going to carry a team, but nobody has done any better with his teams.
on Mar 9th, 2008 at 3:54 AM
At least the title of Jim’s story has finally answered one question with finality.
on Mar 9th, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Not so quick. Apparently, Joey and the Falcons are talking and they might ink a renegotiated contract as early as this week. Falcons want to keep a veteran, but cut his salary to have more room under the salary cap. Upside for us Falcons fans is that they may draft Matt Ryan next month. Joey and Matt side by side — now that’s a Kodak moment.