Falcons re-sign quarterback Joey Harrington
QB situation looks awfully similar to last season

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/11/08

With Joey Harrington signing a two-year contract with the Falcons on Tuesday — a week after he was cut by Atlanta — the quarterback situation looks like it did heading into training camp last summer after the NFL suspended starter Michael Vick.

The only difference could be the pecking order. Chris Redman, a minimum-salaried free agent who wasn't expected to make the final roster last season after being out of football for more than a year, could have the early track at the starting job. He finished the 2007 season with momentum and the confidence of his teammates, playing well over the final four games, and was rewarded Feb. 29 with a two-year, $4 million contract.


Harrington, who started the first six games last season — 10 overall — and College Park native D.J. Shockley could be competing for the main backup job. Byron Leftwich, who was added during the season and started two games, has been released.

Coach Mike Smith hasn't set a depth chart yet heading into a pre-draft veteran mini-camp in mid-April, so the job could be up for grabs. The only thing Smith has said is that he hopes to have stiff competition at all positions.

The Falcons also are expected to select a quarterback during the April 26-27 draft.

Harrington's return provides, at the least, more depth at a position that has been unstable since the NFL disciplined Vick for his role in a federal dogfighting operation. Vick pleaded guilty to criminal charges and was sentenced to 23 months in prison. Harrington signed a restructured, multiyear contract that will pay him just under $4 million total and gives the Falcons some short-term salary-cap relief from his previous deal.

Harrington would have counted a little more than $3.5 million on the 2008 cap before he was cut.