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Footballguy
Got this off a Lions Message Board -- I think it's legit...
From Mike O'Hara - beat writer for the DetNews...
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...PDATE/602210433
From Mike O'Hara - beat writer for the DetNews...
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...PDATE/602210433
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are going into free-agency and the draft with the feeling that Joey Harrington is their starting quarterback.
Head coach Rod Marinelli and Lions president Matt Millen gave strong support to Harrington as the starter Tuesday is an interview with beat writers.
Harrington's status has grown stronger, with input from Mike Martz, who was hired as offensive coordinator on Feb. 7.
"We all sat down and watched him," Marinelli said. "He (Martz) sees a lot of really good, positive things from this guy -- a lot of skill, a lot of things that we like. We're just moving right down the road with him. We're going to coach this guy real hard.
"Off of film, you can see all the upside to him -- tremendous upside. As of right now, there's a very good feeling about him."
Harrington's contract it not an issue, Millen said. Harrington has two years left on his contract, and a bonus payment of $4 million is due on June 15 -- well after the draft (April 29-30) and the free-agent signing period, which begins March 3. The timing of the bonus gives no leverage to Harrington.
Millen has been a strong supporter of Harrington's since drafting him on the first round in 2002 but has given Marinelli a free hand in choosing a starter.
"I think we have our starter," Millen said.
The Lions will not hesitate to designate free-agent offensive tackle Jeff Backus as their transition or franchise player by the 4 p.m. deadline Thursday, Millen said. Both tags would give the Lions leverage to retain the rights to Backus in free-agency.
The Lions are trying to work out a contract with Backus in advance of Thursday's deadline, Millen said. Backus has started 80 straight games since the Lions drafted him on the first round in 2001.
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