The Harrington Family Foundation

By Mike O'Hara
ALLEN PARK -- Whether it was real or a made-for-training camp fantasy competition, the Lions' Great Quarterback Challenge of 2005 has ended with two winners. Joey Harrington's performance in the first two exhibition games has removed any doubt that he is the starting quarterback. Jeff Garcia, signed as a free agent to compete with Harrington, will remain the No. 2 quarterback. That's a victory for the offense because Garcia provides a competent backup that has been lacking for several seasons.

Coach Steve Mariucci is more definitive than ever in talking about Harrington's starting status. "He's been our starter, he is our starter, and he will be our starter," Mariucci said Sunday. "I don't know how else to explain it." Whether Harrington has been pushed by Garcia, or he has improved from a typical career progression as he begins his fourth season, he has taken a step up this year.

Harrington improved his statistics in narrow increments the first three years: 12 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions as a rookie in 2002, a 17-22 differential in ? and 19-12 in @. His passer rating rose from 59.6 to 63.9 to 77.5. Harrington has completed 14 of 15 passes for 146 yards in two exhibition games. He has been decisive and accurate with his passes. Harrington hasn't thrown a touchdown pass or had an interception. Garcia has completed 16 of 26 for 151 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions. Harrington's only incomplete pass was a throw intended for Roy Williams in the end zone in the first quarter of Saturday's 21-13 loss to Cleveland. Harrington looked to Charles Rogers in the right side of the end zone, then came back to his left and hesitated slightly before trying to hit Williams.

"He hitched one extra hitch," Mariucci said. Hitched, but didn't stumble.

A stronger supporting cast, another year of experience and an adjustment in the offensive system that should play to his strength as a downfield passer should make 2005 another season of advancement for Harrington.

"We expected Joey to lift his game," Mariucci said. "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. Whether you say it's because a veteran is pushing him or his supporting cast is better, whether you say it's his fourth year not his third -- I think it all adds up for him to be more efficient and productive."

Mariucci's comments about his quarterbacks at times -- the "pitching staff" as he once referred to it in the offseason -- have left open the possibility that Garcia could overtake Harrington in training camp. "We continue where we are," Mariucci said. "Nothing's changed."

Barring injury or a reversal in form, the Lions have strength at all three levels on their quarterback depth chart. Rookie Dan Orlovsky, a fifth-round draft pick, has shown promise. Garcia might have been pressing at times to make a strong impression. He played with the No. 1 offense for the first time against the Browns. "He's played inconsistently in his couple of preseason games," Mariucci said. "He's practiced pretty darn well for the most part. We needed to get him some snaps with the ones. We did it."

Garcia gives Mariucci a comfort level as a quarterback with a winning, productive record. The Lions did not have that with Ty Detmer, Rick Mirer and Mike McMahon in the backup roles the last four years.

"There's some truth to that," Mariucci said. "If you change to any one of those quarterbacks -- and they were true backup quarterbacks -- they were second in command. If they were ever in the game, they probably weren't going to keep the job long-term. They were relief pitchers is what they were. There is a difference this year. The guy (Garcia) has won games in this league. It's a good, healthy situation."

"Joey's better. Our backup is better. We're better off."