Bucs/NFL

Harrington appears on way out at Detroit

By wire services
Published March 17, 2006

DETROIT - Former Arizona quarterback Josh McCown agreed to terms with the Lions on Thursday, a move that could signal the end of Joey Harrington's run in Detroit.

McCown is expected to sign today, his agent Mike McCartney said. He will become the fifth quarterback on the roster, joining Harrington, Jon Kitna, Shaun King and Dan Orlovsky.

McCown, 26, was with the Cardinals for four seasons. He started 22 games in three seasons and threw for 5,431 yards, 25 touchdowns and 29 interceptions.

He lost his starting job to 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, 18-37 as a starter, is expected to be traded or released by the weekend, the Detroit Free Press reported.

The Free Press, citing a person familiar with the situation, said that though team officials have spoken positively about Harrington, he had the feeling at last week's quarterback school that the damage was done. He couldn't buy back into the idea that he could lead the Lions to victory because the team chemistry was too bad. He expressed his concerns, and the Lions agreed to let him go.

MINNEAPOLIS - Daunte Culpepper, traded this week from Minnesota to Miami, says he's sorry for the embarrassment caused by the Lake Minnetonka boat party, even though he says he did nothing wrong.

Culpepper and three teammates are charged with misdemeanor lewd conduct on board a tour boat on the Twin Cities lake.

His e-mail to the media Thursday said he accepts the responsibility and accountability of being a high-profile athlete.

"Without admitting to the ridiculous allegations, I do apologize for any embarrassment that this situation has caused the community, the organization and especially my family," wrote Culpepper, who was traded to the Dolphins on Tuesday. "I can handle the personal accusations because I know the truth. I expect the legal process to clear my name so that I can move on."

He said he already feels welcome in Miami: "It felt like a dream come true when I walked into the Dolphins facility and met the coaches and administration."

The Vikings will keep Brad Johnson as the short-term starter, but with three picks in the top 51 spots in the draft, Minnesota has flexibility to move up and possibly land one of the top three top quarterbacks (Matt Leinart, Vince Young and Jay Cutler).

BILLS: Matt Bowen signed a two-year, $2-million deal and will compete to start at strong safety. He spent the past three seasons with the Redskins.

EAGLES: Quarterback Jeff Garcia signed a one-year deal as a backup for Donovan McNabb, arriving in Philadelphia two days after the Eagles cut Terrell Owens, who often criticized Garcia when the two played together with the 49ers. "Had I signed a day or two ago, we could've been teammates," Garcia said. "He's moved on and I've stepped into a place where he played. I don't have a problem with the guy. He's a tremendous player on the field. If I were to have an opportunity to be a teammate of his again, I wouldn't back down from the situation." Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowl selection during his five seasons in San Francisco, threw for 937 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions in six games with the Lions last season. Also, former Gator Jabar Gaffney, a wide receiver, signed a one-year deal.

CHIEFS: Quarterback Damon Huard, who has thrown one NFL pass since 2001, signed a one-year deal to back up Trent Green. The unrestricted free agent, who has not played the past two seasons as Kansas City's No. 3 QB, has six starts in nine seasons spent with Chiefs, Dolphins and Patriots.

49ERS: Linebacker Brandon Moore, receiver Jason McAddley and safety Kris Richard re-signed. Moore started 10 games last season, finishing second on the team with 93 tackles and five sacks.

PATRIOTS: Cornerback Tyrone Poole was released.

RAVENS: Offensive tackle Orlando Brown, who still has designs of extending a career interrupted for three years by a serious eye injury, was released. Before rejoining the Ravens in 2003 after a three-year absence from the league, Brown received a multimillion dollar settlement from the NFL to settle a personal injury lawsuit. In 1999, he was struck in the eye by a referee's penalty flag.

SEAHAWKS: Cornerback Jimmy Williams, the primary punt returner last season, re-signed for one year. Peter Warrick replaced him on returns for the rest of the postseason after Williams fumbled twice against the Redskins in Seattle's playoff opener.

STEELERS: Pro Bowl center Jeff Hartings reworked his contract, agreeing to a $5.8-million, two-year contract that also pays a $1.75-million signing bonus and giving the team an extra $2.1-million in salary cap room. The Steelers also worked up new contracts for quarterback Charlie Batch, running back Duce Staley, backup center Chukky Okobi, tight end Jerame Tuman and linebacker Clint Kriewaldt.

ARENA FOOTBALL: The Storm activated offensive specialist Freddie Solomon, fullback/linebacker Aaron Hunt and lineman DeMarcus Johnson for Saturday's game against New York at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Pete Times Forum. Fullback/linebacker Jarrod Penright (pinched nerve in neck) and linemen Nyle Wiren (high ankle sprain) and Buck Gurley (rotator cuff) went on injured reserve.

Times staff writer Frank Pastor contributed to this report.

[Last modified March 17, 2006, 01:55:23]