The Harrington Family Foundation
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Q) Joey: Just wondering if you read Mike Martz's comments regarding your status and Matt Millen's comments? It looks like the team is finally making a commitment to you. Good luck, I look forward to your success in 2006. Ralph Reisinger

--Ralph Reisinger - Grand Rapids, MI
A) I havenīt read the papers but have talked to Mat Millen, Coach Marinelli and Coach Martz. I have had good talks with all three of them. From the beginning I have always said I want to play where I am wanted and the money is secondary. We will continue to talk. Thanks.
Q) Joey, I have been following your career for a few years now, and I want just wanted you to know that that people like you are the reason that young boys and girls look up to athletes. Your intelligence, talent, poise, athleticism, and humility are essential qualities in someone to look up to. And the way you have handled the last few difficult seasons with the Lions is proof of all that. I commend you on staying strong and working through it all with a good head on your shoulders. Hopefully, you will be having another benefit concert this summer (which I will be happy to drive the 1000 miles for). I also wanted to find out how you are feeling about the recent comments made by Coach Marinelli and OC Mike Martz regarding your status as the starter for the Lions? They seem to have faith that you will be the guy next season (which, in my opinion, shows excellent judgment on their part). So, keep your head up and keep doing what you do best. I look forward to watching you play come September. A Very Loyal and Long-Distance Fan, Christina Chino Hills, CA

--Christina Gomez - Chino Hills, CA
A) Thanks for the support. Yes, there will be another concert in Portland this June. The dates aren't set yet but keeping checking the website where they will be posted.
Q) Sir, Now that it is of public matter, that the coaching staff likes what they see in you, (My personal feelings here) that they see what many of us have always seen - an outstanding person who has the ability and desire to be an outstanding QB for the Lions, How does that make this year's off-season preparations different for you? I know in the military that when you feel like part of the unit and the unit's leadership belives in you ..... you end up wanting to do so much more for the unit's success than if you feel unwanted and unappreciated. What changes, if any, both mentally and functionaly do you anticipate? Thanks for all your hard work, dedication to this team, town and states & May God Bless with this new season you now have before you! :-) Kurt

--Kurt Rice - Huber Heights, OH
A) Thanks for the email Kurt. My preparations in the off season are the same regardless. Fortunately, I have never been seriously injured and had to go through a recuperation period. I take January off from any heavy workouts and then get back into it by February. It doesnīt matter what team I will be with in regard to my physical preparation. If I come back to the Lions, I will come back early to Detroit to work out and meet with Coach Martz. We will see what happens.
Q) Now that Mike Martz has been officially introduced as the new Lions Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback's coach, how difficult will it be to learn a completely new system? Do you now prefer the West Coast approach or are you looking to return to a similar scheme that gave you so much success in college? Also, are you schedule to meet with the new coaching staff sometime in the near future?

--Cesar Huerta - Midlothian, VA
A) A good coach needs to be a good teacher and Coach Martz has shown he can teach an offense based on his results. At this point I just know he does not run the West Coast offense.
Q) Joey, let me start by saying that I am a Buffalo Bills fan not a Detroit fan. That being said, I was a JH fan when you were at Oregon and have always supported you in Detroit. I love what Detroit has done over the past few years, drafting an offensive "dream team". Anyways, I think you need to stay in Detroit this year. If anyone can turn your career around, it is Mike Martz. His deep ball mentality works in your favor, plays to your strenghts. Don't let pride get in the way of making the right decision for you. If you force them to cut you, there is absolutely no way that you will wind up in a better situation than this one. Take a temporary hit - Let Martz design plays around your natural habilities et let your play do the talking for future years to come! You are a great QB that hasn't had the right coach yet, don't scrap your career - Stay in Detroit.

--s lambert - St-Lazare, Quebec, AK
A) We will see what happens. Money has never been the driving force on any of my decisions. I am keeping an open mind. Thanks.
Q) I am a long time Lions fan and have been proud to see you as the Quarterback for the last four years. I really hope that you come back for this next season, I think that with Mike Martz here things are going to be a lot different and it will be a much better situation for you. I see you as the Quarterback that can bring the Lions the championship that so many fans have been patiently waiting for. Thanks.

--Chris Wenger - Niagara Falls, XX
A) Thanks for your thoughts. We will see in the next few weeks what the situation in Detroit will look like for next year.
Q) Joey ,My name is Michael Kleckler and I have been an avid fan of the Lions for as long as I can remember and I am 50 years old in August. I was born and raised on the East Side of Detroit. What I want to say is this. Joey you have been very resilient while being a QB of our Lions.Resilient in respect to the treatment from your last coach and also in regards to the lack of respect the fans have given you. If you ever want to find someone who has had your back from day one you only have to go to the website thelionsfantics.com and search for the posts from LionsSlappy. Thats Me! I have been excited about your coming here since day one and know that things need to be done correctly to build a winning football team . The Lions so far have not done things right. The fact that you have been running for your life behind center is not the way to build a QB succesfully. The first glimmer of a decent running game was when Jones showed his hand late last year. A QB needs an O Line, a running game and receivers. You have not had all three since you started. Joey this can be your year. The fact that you have suffered thru all of this pain will only make it sweeter when you win big in Detroit. I know the fans have been hard but please understand what these folks have been thru..FOR SO MANY YEARS! Whatever chance the fans had to get behind you was lost my the antics of Mooch when he came here because we trusted him due to his being a homeboy. Well as far as I am concerned he is no longer from this state. Whatever you decide to do, this is fact....If you stay you will be succesfull because besides the team maturity and chemistry you have a fine set of coaches . They were not hired because of their ties to Michigan but because of their pedigree and because of their will to win & their ability to use the talents that are in a locker room at any given moment! Joey please stay for the kind of fans that deserve a player with a heart like yours. They have been hard on you but they were misled by a coach who let them and the whole team down.If you stay and have success you will be loved like no other player has ever been loved anywhere in the world of Sports. Do the research ....Look how we treat our succesfull athletes like Steve Yzerman,Chris Chelios,Joe Dumars,Al Kaline,Mickey Lolich,Jason Hanson, Darren McCarty,Chris Spielman,Barry Sanders, and so many others. Whatever you do, you NEED to know that the one missing ingredient in Detroit Sports History is a Superbowl Championship and if you stay and are the quarterback of that team you will never find a higher place in all of sports than that role! JUST DO IT! BECAUSE YOU CAN! M.K.

--Michael Kleckler - Ferndale, MI
A) That's a lot of thoughts! I am not sure that there was a question in there for me? anyway, I know Detroit is starving for a football winner. So am I. Chemistry on a team is a big part of a team being successful. In particular, I think it's going to be a key factor for the Lions moving forward as a successful team. We will see what happens as Coach Marinelli puts this team together. I have heard good things about him.
Q) Joey, I have been a supporter of yours in some tough times and have to say that I truly appreciate your attitude and professionalism in the midst of some challenging seasons! Thank you for taking the high road. As a coach, I would like to know what you think is the best way for young players to maintain a positive attitude when things aren't going their way. Thanks from your many fans in Grand Rapids!

--Joe Maley - Grand Rapids, MI
A) Looking back on my youth sports days I would have to say that when a coach emphacized we were primarily playing to learn the game and have fun, it took the pressure off and allowed us to make mistakes without fear of failure. I think a lot of kids give up sports because they aren't having fun and adults put too much pressure on them to win. My dad, who was a longtime high school coach, used to say, "You can't coach them if you don't have them!". Don't run them off. Keep it fun. If a kid really has talent it will be obvious over time regardless of the win-loss record of a youth team.
Q) OK, I was born in Detroit, followed the Lions since the late 40's and now live in Roseburg, am a Duck season-ticket holder for 10 years and definitely had mixed feelings when Detroit drafted you. Have had sympathy pains every moment the last four years. Now that you have my credentials, I really hope you make the right decision whether to stay or go. Detroit coaches and players and fans have been mean to you, but I see hope with Martz. Have you spoken with him? What are you thinking.

--Peter Krieg - Roseburg, OR
A) I am surprised with how many Oregon people have Detroit roots. Many of them have introduced themselves or written me in the last few years. Not winning during my time in Detroit has been difficult but I just have to stay positive. I haven't spoken to Coach Martz yet but I have talked to Coach Marinelli. He seems like a good man and I heard positive things about him from John Lynch who played for him in Tampa Bay. There are a number of things that need to be talked about regarding my return to Detroit. Hopefully, it will be done soon.
Q) Hello Joey, I'm writing to share my excitement about the upcoming year under a coordinator that not only will play to your strengths, but will appreciate your talent and leadership ability. Reading the other comments on this board, I wholeheartedly agree with all the compliments given to you. I was fortunate enough to meet you last year at the Black and Blue practice and being your age, I couldn't help but notice that your parents raised you properly. My family and I are huge fans, so much so that when my 2 year old nephew Cameron was asked at pre-school what he was thankful for (before Thanksgiving) the first thing out of his mouth was "Joey." All of us here in Detroit (that understand the complexities of the game life) know your a great player and more importantly an outstanding person, Thank you for all that you do!

--Matthew Darin - Westland, MI
A) I appreciate your support and especially your nephew's. Tell Cameron thanks.