The Harrington Family Foundation

By Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News

ALLEN PARK — Beep, beep. Joey Harrington has moved to the passing lane to take a runaway lead as the Lions’ No. 1 quarterback.

There have been few real challenges to Harrington’s status as the Lions’ starter since he took the job in the third game of his rookie season, in 2002. But any thought that Mike McMahon, or anybody else on the roster, might challenge Harrington has been eliminated.

Harrington was by far the sharpest of the four quarterbacks on the field in the mini-camp that ended Sunday. He showed command of the offense and confidence in his throwing.

There were other signs that is no real competition for the No. 1 job. Harrington’s performance in the beep test, a conditioning drill instituted by Coach Steve Mariucci in 2003, was another indicator.

Harrington was the last position player to drop out Sunday. McMahon, one of the best pure athletes of all NFL quarterbacks, was the last to drop out a year ago. On Sunday, Harrington continued after McMahon stopped.

Jobs aren’t won in the beep test, but there’s always competition among quarterbacks — particularly young ones.

Mariucci acknowledged Monday that Harrington has defined his position on the team. McMahon is going into his fourth season, and he might feel stymied without a realistic chance to compete for the starting job.

“When I first came in here, he wanted to compete for the job even up,” Mariucci said. “That’s what his hope was — he would have an equal chance to compete. That has kind of sorted itself out now. Joey’s our starter. Mike’s our backup.

“Even though I think he feels like he would like to start and wants to start and could start, he hasn’t verbalized that as often to me. We’ll sit down and talk and see what he wants to do — if it’s one more year or two more years.”

McMahon has played three seasons with the Lions since being drafted in the fifth round in 2001. He became a restricted free agent after last season. The Lions retained his rights for 2004 by tendering him a one-year contract worth $1.39 million.

McMahon will become an unrestricted free agent next year, unless he extends his current deal. The Lions have talked to him about adding a year.

In April, the Lions and Browns had preliminary trade talks concerning McMahon. They fizzled when the Browns signed Jeff Garcia, formerly of San Francisco.

The Lions also have signed Rick Mirer to be the No. 3 quarterback. Also on the roster are rookie Jason Fife, a free agent who was Harrington’s backup in Oregon, and Curt Anes, who is playing for the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe.

In three years with the Lions, McMahon has played 19 games and started seven. He played three games last year in relief of Harrington and did not distinguish himself.

McMahon completed 29 percent of his passes (9 of 31) with two interceptions and no touchdowns. His career completion rate is 42.3 percent.

Comments by Mariucci have sparked occasional speculation that McMahon might have an opening to challenge Harrington. Mariucci has spoken highly of McMahon’s athleticism.

But at no time has Mariucci spoken disparagingly of Harrington. Monday’s statements should end any perception that the quarterback job is open, barring injury.

Mariucci wants to talk to McMahon about his future — as the backup.

“We just need to talk and see if he’s just going to play out his one-year deal, or if a two-year deal makes sense for him,” Mariucci said. “We discussed that before with him. Right now, the trades are probably not feasible at this point in time. Some of the teams that thought about him did draft a quarterback.

“We’ll sit down and see. I like having Mike here.”

You can reach Mike O’Hara at (313) 982-3810 or (313) 222-1488.