Joey Harrington

[reticent]

i have the feeling that if we get harrington, he is going to do well, surrounded by so much talent. it can't be possible (can it?) that an athlete who did so well in college could bomb so badly in the pros. didn't they run a pro offense in oregon? wasn't he the leader of the team? there must be something there.

i know it happens a lot, but many times the qb who does well in college had a great system (like spurrier or the texas tech guy profiled in the nyt mag), or a wishbone, or a um team that kicked ass (torreta, etc.), right?

detroit just seems to me like a real poison team, horrible and toxic. this guy needs a fresh start. away from jackass matt millen.

that is my prediction. it will probably blow up in my face, but let's hope it doesn't!

[Dave Gray]

I'm on the other side of it: I think that Harrington is probably a bum, but might be okay as a backup.  I think that guys don't really get reformed.  Occasionally, they'll slip under the radar, but I don't remember many QBs playing crappy for many years, only to turn it around with another team.  I could be wrong...do any come to memory?

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I'm on the other side of it: I think that Harrington is probably a bum, but might be okay as a backup.  I think that guys don't really get reformed.  Occasionally, they'll slip under the radar, but I don't remember many QBs playing crappy for many years, only to turn it around with another team.  I could be wrong...do any come to memory?

Rich Gannon and Steve Beurlein.  Revitalized themselves big time late in their careers.

[Dphins4me]

Rich Gannon and Steve Beurlein.  Revitalized themselves big time late in their careers.

Steve Young.   No one better themselves more with better coaching than he did.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Steve Young.   No one better themselves more with better coaching than he did.

Actually, he could've been VERY good to begin with.  We just never saw it due to all the time he spent carrying Joe Montana's clipboard.    I remember at the end of the 1987 season, the Niners were on the short end of an upset blowout to the Vikings in the playoffs, and midway through the 3rd quarter, Coach Walsh pulled a real shocker by taking out Montana and putting in Young.  Young actually made it a game. 

[Phishfan]

Actually, he could've been VERY good to begin with.  We just never saw it due to all the time he spent carrying Joe Montana's clipboard.    I remember at the end of the 1987 season, the Niners were on the short end of an upset blowout to the Vikings in the playoffs, and midway through the 3rd quarter, Coach Walsh pulled a real shocker by taking out Montana and putting in Young.  Young actually made it a game. 

I think he is referring to his time in Tampa, not his time behind Montana.

[afphinfan]

Brett Favre was no star until the 94 season ... but he wasnt thrown to the wolves immediately as Harrington was, and lets be honest the Lions have not been worth a shit since Barry Sanders left. I think given a change of scenery, good coach and team situation he could become a good qb ... not saying great, but at least a 3k yarder with an above avg qb rating. I don't care if we get him or not, as long as he ain't too expensive or prevents us from getting someone to groom. Hell we would be fools to get a high draft QB now, because by the time he gets to play he would be a FA ... unless Dante blows ass.

[Dave Gray]

Steve Young is a good answer....he was on an outright bad team, though.  The Bucs were horrible, and Steve Young's play was a result of that, not a cause.  On the other hand, Detroit has done nothing but give Harrington receivers.  He has some of the most hyped guys to catch the ball.

Favre doesn't count -- he was a backup elsewhere -- not a suckwad starter...as were most of the other guys named, I think.

[reticent]

true they have drafted receivers #1 three years in a row. but we all know that just qb - wr is not enough. first of all if the coach is a moron that doesn't help. not that he was, but def millen is a total retard. can't help thinking that trickles down.

then of course you need a solid OL, a running game helps, we know the drill. i just get the feeling that harrington got a raw raw deal. qbs are like flowers, they need patience and sunlight to grow    : )