The Harrington Family Foundation

By Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- Joey Harrington got the results he wanted in his last home exhibition game of the season.

There was even a preview of the Harrington-to-Charles Rogers combination against the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field Saturday night.

Harrington, beginning his second year as the Lions' starting quarterback, was decisive, on target and made big plays in the first half. Mike McMahon took over at the start of the third quarter.

Harrington completed 15 of 20 passes for 184 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The interception was on a long pass on the first drive of the game. Harrington's touchdown pass went 4 yards to Scotty Anderson on a fourth-down play in the second quarter.

Rogers, making his first start, was Harrington's most frequent target with four catches for 52 yards.

Here is a series-by-series review of Harrington's performance:

* First possession: On the first play from the Lions' 37, Harrington hit tight end Mikhael Ricks with a 4-yard pass. On second down, Harrington had his first interception of the exhibition season.

Using the shotgun formation for the first time this year, Harrington threw a high floater down the middle. The ball, intended for Anderson, was overthrown. Safety Earl Little had an easy interception at the Browns' 14.

* Second possession: The Lions took over at their 20 on a punt. The eagerly awaited combination of Harrington and rookie receiver Rogers made its debut.

Harrington went to Rogers on consecutive plays. A short slant gained 3 yards. On the next play, Harrington scrambled away from the rush, rolled left and hit Rogers coming from his right for 26 yards to the Browns' 49. Two plays later, a screen pass to James Stewart gained 13 yards. A sideline shot to Bill Schroeder went for 11 and a first down at the 10.

From there, Harrington was unable to connect twice: on a pass to Schroeder in the front left corner of the end zone on first down, and a third-down throw for Rogers under heavy pressure. It would not have counted, anyway. Jeff Backus was called for holding.

Jason Hanson's 23-yard field goal made it 3-0.

* Third possession: On the first play from the 25, Harrington hit running back Shawn Bryson with a swing pass to the left for 6 yards. After a running play lost 6 yards, Harrington went to Rogers again for 9 yards, and the Lions punted.

* Fourth possession: From the 32, Harrington gunned a sideline pass across the field to Schroeder for 15 yards to the Lions 47. Harrington was sharp, with a bit of luck, as he drove the Lions to their first touchdown of the game.

A pass to Rogers gained 14 yards, then Schroeder got 16 on a ball that was deflected off the hand of Browns lineman Kenard Lang.

A short flip to Stewart on third down gained 7 yards to the four. On fourth down, the Lions passed up the field goal and went for the score. Harrington stayed in the pocket long enough to find Anderson alone at the back of the end zone for the touchdown and a 10-7 lead.

* Fifth possession: Starting at their six with 2:30 left in the half, a first-down slant pass was slightly behind Schroeder, who couldn't make the catch. A third-down pass was batted down at the line.

* Sixth possession: Starting at the 29 with 22 seconds left. Harrington didn't have much time to work, and he didn't waste any. Two passes to Bryson gained 20 yards. Harrington's next throw was his best of the night, 36 yards down a seam to the right to Anderson to the 15 with two seconds left.

That gave the Lions time enough to get a 26-yard field goal from Hanson on the last play of the half.