One journalist proclaimed that Joey Harrington has been the most unliked guy in the Detroit locker room. Lions’ cornerback Dre’ Bly stated last season that Harrington cost former coach Steve Mariucci his job. Harrington has gone from the most beloved athlete in his state to the most hated during the past four years.
I think I have the answer. Joey, you need to grow a mustache.
Everybody digs a ‘stache. It doesn’t matter if you toss an interception because once you reach the sidelines all you have to do is pull off your helmet and the cameras pan in on that gorgeous mustache.
Actually, I don’t think even a ‘stache can save Harrington at this point. It’s beyond facial hair. Detroit has already pointed the finger squarely at Harrington, but it isn’t necessarily his fault.
While Harrington’s play hasn’t been as solid as it could have been, what players around him have had better success? In fact, how often has the Lions’ management performed well?
Perhaps spending a top-10 pick on a wide receiver for three straight years wasn’t the best idea. Not signing a top-notch free agent in the past four years hasn’t worked out very well either. I lump Bly into the mix of average free agent pickups because for as many interceptions he has corralled, he has also been burned for 40-plus yard plays. Bly has also been the first to start the finger-pointing and the last to accept blame when the defense could have gotten a key stop to win a game or two.
Meanwhile Harrington has taken the punishment (literally, as the Lions’ offensive line has been awful, and figuratively because many media outlets pin Detroit’s losses on Harrington).
This offseason Harrington finally had enough and evidently so did the Lions. Harrington expressed frustration and new Lions coach Rod Marinelli decided it was in the team’s best interest to drop Harrington. When the story broke of the upcoming Harrington/Lions divorce, it was the best news I’d heard since the Washington Huskies fired the devil (Rick Neuheisel).
It has been nearly one month since Marinelli made his statement and nothing has happened. In June, Harrington is due a $4 million roster bonus so he will be shipped out by then.
I believe that Harrington has the tools necessary to be a successful NFL quarterback, and it wasn’t going to happen in Motown. As long as he isn’t traded to another failing franchise, I would bet that Harrington will erase his ugly Detroit reputation and establish himself as the future of one lucky organization.
When Harrington graduated from Oregon in 2002, he left as arguably the Ducks’ most recognizable and beloved athlete in history. Harrington is an intelligent and gifted individual and I am rooting for his success no matter where he is. I hope that once Harrington finds a new home, he will regain his confidence and his leadership on the field.

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