JoeSixPat

I mentioned this on a thread the other day and didn't see any reaction from anyone.

The soon to be released Harrington, it seems to me, still has a lot of upside and a ton of unrealized talent even given years of playing under the keystone kops reign of Matt Millen.

A backup role in a stable system would be a perfect place for him, rather than face the pressure of starting immediately in a new system. It's striking to me that he NEVER complained in all his years in Detroit - even when fans and cynics heaped an unfair amount of blame on him for a team and organization that wasn't exactly set up to succeed.

He's got a strong arm, has never been injured, has always worked hard to get better, and is still young enough to develop value as a tradeable commodity even if he never gets a chance (hopefully) to play a snap for the Pats in the regular season.

He strikes me as a better veteran alternative than Flutie, and has skills that fit in better with our typical gameplan than Flutie does.

I'd love to see him here but generally he's a guy I've been quietly rooting for and hope he does well wherever he goes (hopefully not NY or Buffalo though)

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Pats726

why??? I think more the team needs an established vet..not one young..

BelichickFan

Harrington's not exactly Ryan Leaf . . . if the unthinkable happened and Tommy got hurt, Harrington would be as competent as any other backup we signed but with more upside. I would certainly go for it as long as we didn't have to pay too much.

JoeSixPat

Perhaps someone like a 27 year old who has been a starter for 4 years?

I guess it comes down to whether you think the Lions' main problem has been at QB.

Personally I feel like the whole organization, from top to bottom, has been poorly run - and expecting a rookie QB to strap an entire poorly run organization on his shoulders and excell is just unrealistic.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Fanfrom1960

The other side of the coin is does Joey think he can land somewhere where he could get some reasonable playing time. Coach Bill doesn't take Brady out unless it's 35 - 0 or better. Harrington must know this. Of course, we all pray that Tom doesn't get nailed badly sometime and miss time out there.

Pats726

I would rather have an older QB in if Brady got hurt, not someone younger..unless Cassel is ready for that jump. Just my opinion as to who they need in a backup....as well as money spent..which I am sure would be a LOT more expensive with him. Frankly, I think he needs a new start and would want a chance as a starting QB.

JoeSixPat

I think the reality for Harrington is that the only place he gets a real chance to start this season is in an organization that's nearly as F'd up as the Lions.

Taking a backup position for a season (signing a 2 -3 year non-guaranteed deal) might allow him to work on his game without the pressure he's faced in his four years in Detroit allowing him to consider where his best long-term options are.

That would allow the Pats to gain a 2nd or 3rd round pick in return for him if indeed he becomes a commodity for a team in need.

I agree that Harrington COULD find a place with a decent shot at starting this year - its just a question as to whether that's what he wants right now.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

MoLewisrocks

BB wouldn't consider him a veteran backup - he considers 8 years a veteran. Harrington may not say much publicly but on the rare occasions when he does say something he sounds like a first round guy in denial. Don't hear any of his teamates railing against this either. I'm sure he would have zero interest in being a backup to a HOF'er. He'll find someone with a whole lot greater need and get a second chance - first rounders always do. Nationally they seem to have been saying for some time he's been given a lot to work with and he just can't seem to make anything out of it.

mgteich

This isn't the place for Haarington. We need an old grizzled vet. We already have a QB with potential.

PatsChick87

I agree. I don't think Joey will be looking for a back-up role or be happy to warm a bench with little opportunity to play a significant amount. Cassel is the one I'd like to see get what little time, hopefully, Brady is not playing.

__________________
Enjoying this Championship era!!