The Harrington Family Foundation

Controversy? What controversy?

The battle between Lions quarterbacks Joey Harrington and Jeff Garcia hasn't been much of a battle through two exhibitions. Harrington's spot seems more solid.

"He's been our starter, he is our starter and he will be our starter," coach Steve Mariucci said Sunday. "Nothing's changed."

Harrington hasn't gotten the Lions into the end zone, leading them to two field goals in four drives. But he has been efficient, going 14-for-15 for 146 yards. His rating is 107.2.

Garcia has gotten the Lions into the end zone, throwing one touchdown pass in six drives (two drives with the starting linemen and receivers, four with the second team). But he has been inconsistent, going 16-for-26 for 151 yards with three interceptions. His rating is 50.8.

"We don't have an extensive red-zone package in right now, but you still want to punch it in," Harrington said after Saturday's 21-13 loss to Cleveland. "It is frustrating. But we did some good things."

Mariucci praised Harrington for his accuracy, pointing out that his lone incompletion -- a pass into the end zone for wide receiver Roy Williams on Saturday -- would have been a touchdown if the timing had been just a tad better. The quarterbacks have been given more latitude to change the play at the line, and Mariucci said Harrington had been making good decisions.

Why has Harrington improved?

He has a strong supporting cast for the first time.

"I think guys have a better understanding of what they're trying to do," Harrington said. "It just seems like guys are in the right spots, which makes my job easier."

He has experience entering his fourth season.

"He's definitely growing up," Garcia said after Saturday's game. "I think he's learning to block out certain negative things that can get under your skin. I mean, we're only human, and if you listen to what's said out there or what people are saying, it can break you down. I think he's found a way to stay focused, stay on that right path and make positive things happen on the field."

And yes, he has been pushed by Garcia.

"I think it all adds up for him to be more efficient and more productive," Mariucci said Sunday. "We expected Joey to lift his game. Every year he should lift his game. Whether a veteran quarterback is here or not, he should lift his game from one year to the next as he grows. And he's doing that."

Garcia looked good on his second drive Saturday. He scrambled for three first downs. He threw for two more. Then he found wide receiver Charles Rogers in the end zone.

But his first drive ended the same way his first drive ended in last week's 10-3 loss to the New York Jets, with him heaving a long ball into the hands of an opponent. A poor throw and a pick ended his third drive, too.

Why has Garcia been spotty? He admitted to forcing things because he knew he had limited time on the field, but he said it wasn't because he was trying to beat out Harrington.

"I don't feel I need to go out there and rise above him as far as my playmaking is concerned," Garcia said. "I feel that I've proven myself over the years that I've played. I know that I have it within myself that when I do go out on the field I can make things happen, I can put drives together, I can get the ball in the end zone, and now it's just a matter of not being greedy or not feeling like I need to make a big play and just take what the defense gives me."

Mariucci said he was confident Garcia could do the job. Garcia, whom the Lions signed as a free agent in the off-season, is an upgrade over Harrington's past backups: Mike McMahon, Rick Mirer and Ty Detmer.

The bottom line, in Mariucci's words, is this: "Joey's better, our backup is better and we're better off."