OMEN
03-16-2006, 11:16 PM
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/football/nfl/03/16/bc.fbn.lions.quarterbacks.ap/p1_mcccown.jpg
The 26-year-old Josh McCown has a career 72.1 passer rating.
DETROIT -- Former Arizona quarterback Josh McCown agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions Thursday, a move that could signal the end of Joey Harrington's run in Detroit.
McCown is expected to sign a contract Friday, his agent Mike McCartney said. He will become the fifth quarterback on the Lions roster, joining Harrington, Jon Kitna, Shaun King and Dan Orlovsky.
McCown, 26, was with the Cardinals for four seasons and graduated from San Houston State. He started 22 games for the Cards over three seasons and threw for 5,431 yards, 25 touchdowns and 29 interceptions.
He lost his starting job to former MVP Kurt Warner last season, but when Warner was injured he threw for 385 yards against San Francisco and 398 against Carolina.
McCown became a free agent at the end of the 2005 season and the Cardinals expressed no interest in resigning him.
With veterans like Kitna and McCown and a promising second-year player like Orlovsky, that seems to make likely the departure of Harrington, who carries a hefty contract and the baggage of four largely subpar seasons in Detroit. Harrington was the third overall pick in the 2002 draft.
Harrington is 18-37 as a starter. He would receive a $4 million bonus if he is on the roster June 15. His base salary is $4.45 million this year and next. The Lions were 5-11 last season.
As recently as last month, team president Matt Millen and new coach Rod Marinelli made it clear that the Lions considered Harrington their starter. And Mike Martz, the former St. Louis Rams coach and new offensive coordinator, said he believed he would work with Harrington.
Kitna agreed to terms earlier this week, but the Lions have not yet officially announced the move.
The Lions also have not yet announced that the 26-year-old McCown is joining the team, but McCartney said his client is thrilled with the move.
"Josh is ecstatic. We were looking for a spot where he could compete for a job," McCartney said. "The word is that the best man wins. He's excited. It's the right offense for him."
Associated Press.
The 26-year-old Josh McCown has a career 72.1 passer rating.
DETROIT -- Former Arizona quarterback Josh McCown agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions Thursday, a move that could signal the end of Joey Harrington's run in Detroit.
McCown is expected to sign a contract Friday, his agent Mike McCartney said. He will become the fifth quarterback on the Lions roster, joining Harrington, Jon Kitna, Shaun King and Dan Orlovsky.
McCown, 26, was with the Cardinals for four seasons and graduated from San Houston State. He started 22 games for the Cards over three seasons and threw for 5,431 yards, 25 touchdowns and 29 interceptions.
He lost his starting job to former MVP Kurt Warner last season, but when Warner was injured he threw for 385 yards against San Francisco and 398 against Carolina.
McCown became a free agent at the end of the 2005 season and the Cardinals expressed no interest in resigning him.
With veterans like Kitna and McCown and a promising second-year player like Orlovsky, that seems to make likely the departure of Harrington, who carries a hefty contract and the baggage of four largely subpar seasons in Detroit. Harrington was the third overall pick in the 2002 draft.
Harrington is 18-37 as a starter. He would receive a $4 million bonus if he is on the roster June 15. His base salary is $4.45 million this year and next. The Lions were 5-11 last season.
As recently as last month, team president Matt Millen and new coach Rod Marinelli made it clear that the Lions considered Harrington their starter. And Mike Martz, the former St. Louis Rams coach and new offensive coordinator, said he believed he would work with Harrington.
Kitna agreed to terms earlier this week, but the Lions have not yet officially announced the move.
The Lions also have not yet announced that the 26-year-old McCown is joining the team, but McCartney said his client is thrilled with the move.
"Josh is ecstatic. We were looking for a spot where he could compete for a job," McCartney said. "The word is that the best man wins. He's excited. It's the right offense for him."
Associated Press.