Maybe it's his throwback jersey from the University of Oregon that crowds my enormous football jersey collection, maybe it's because he's a nice guy. Whatever the reason may be - I believe in Joey "Ball Game" Harrington.

            Maybe I am the only one,  but I see something in him that makes me believe he has a future in the Motor City. However, my ideology is not shared by many. Harrington has played himself into a mediocre career as the starter for the Detroit Lions. When he plays well he has the full support of the fans - but when he plays poorly the familiar boo birds show their faces.        

Harrington plays well with No. 11 on his side.

            When he plays poorly, I may be the only one in his corner - besides his mother, Matt Millen and maybe opposing defenses. Everyone seems to have an opinion about why he isn't winning games. Some say he isn't vocal, others like Micheal Smith blame Harrington's intelligence, my dad thinks he's lost control of the locker room because he is gay.

            Now I am not here to argue for a starting quarterback based on sexual orientation. Don't ask. Don't tell. But seriously Dad have you heard any Jeff Garcia rumors in the last year? What I am here for is to lobby for Harrington based on pure stats.

2005 Quarterback comparisons (excluding each players worst games)

Joey Harrington: 129 Completions,  1355 yards, 7 touchdowns, 6 interceptions.

Jeff Garcia: 76 completions, 661 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 interceptions.

Both quarterbacks are clearly putting up less than acceptable numbers. Obviously Harrington has taken more snaps than Garcia who has had an injury plagued season. Funny thing about Harrington though - he has never missed a game because of an injury. Just last season Harrington led the Lions back on the Vikings before a botched extra point snap ruined the game. Harrington spent the morning with an IV stuck in his arm because he was that sick. But according to Tony Siragusa isn't a meat and potatoes guy - probably only because Siragusa ate them all. By the way, while I am ranting about Siragusa - besides John Kruk - is there any other less talented former athlete journalist in the nation? Because I can't think of any.

This man ate all the meat and potatos.

Regardless of his mental and physical toughness (taking abuse from Lions fans for two years) Dick Jauron has continued his Jeff Garcia love fest. Okay that last sentence sounded really bad, but I really didn't mean it that way. But how can Juaron side with someone like Jeff Garcia - a quarterback who went on sports talk radio every Monday morning to bad mouth Joey Harrington before becoming the starter.

            It isn't like Garcia is a pro bowl player anymore those days are behind him and chances are so is another guy. Wow. Yeah, that one was on purpose. You can send my hate mail to gunnell2@msu.edu.

Harrington got benched for this guy. An injury prone, convicted drunk driver who bashes he teammates on talk radio. Some question his sexuality. I question his football intelligence when he makes errant throws. Besides he even had his girlfriend go on local radio to defend his honor and call out Joey Harrington - who stat wise is the better passes and rusher and game winner. What kind of man does that?

Moving on.

Surprisingly enough Harrington also has more rushing yards than Garcia who has been pegged as a more mobile quarterback see 69:51. You can also check out Harrington's season record, 3-4 which by no means is good - but surely triumphs over Garcia's 1-6 performance.

            Harrington does not have to be the savior in Detroit. But that doesn't mean he can't start under center. With a healthy offense Harrington led Detroit to two of his three wins. In the opening week against Green Bay Harrington had two touchdowns and no interceptions - which can be partially attributed to healthy offensive weapons. Kevin Jones, Roy Williams, and Kevin Johnson were all healthy and provided Harrington with enough options to help win the game. A strong defensive performance helped Harrington which makes it apparent that Harrington doesn't need to win the game he just needs not to lose it - something Garcia has not learned. Garcia can be seem bi-weekly playing Santa giving opposing teams early Christmas presents ranging from interceptions, awkward passes turned fumbles and even the occasional overtime victory.

   I hate to dwell on Garcia's performance against the Bear's because to be honest Harrington had a poor game at Soldier field weeks earlier. The difference is however, Harrington's interceptions were off of miscommunications - altered routes, tipped passes, and the Bill Schroeder delight (short arming passes). Garcia's are a result of poor decision making.

   Now you tell me who would you rather have under center for your team? Or the Lions for that matter? The competitor who puts in the effort but doesn't always get the results - despite having no support whatsoever? Or do you want the injury prone hypocrite who speaks out about his offensive counterparts on local radio stations, who doesn't think before he throws? I know what my decision is and I know what yours is too.

  You could say Harrington has dug himself a grave by the way he has performed in the past but look what the man was dealing with. Marty Morninwheg - taking the wind - are you serious? Starting receivers named Bill Schroeder, Az-Hakim, and Smokey McBroken Collarbone (I mean Charles Rogers), an offensive line that doubles as a strainer. No wonder Harrington has struggled as the starter. The whole team has.

The Lions have been poorly managed and poorly coached for years. The only real consistency the Lions have had throughout the 90s and today remains their strong defense. But injuries have even plagued young and veteran players across the Lions defensive unit. Dre Bly, Teddy Lehman, Boss Bailey, and Fernando Bryant are a few of the names that come to mind. The results of these injuries - guys named Andre Goodman playing strong side corner. Possibly the worst three year starter in the NFL, Goodman couldn't cover a pool with a tarp.

            Offensively, it's been at least five seasons since a Lions receiving core has gone without one season ending injury. The ones who remain drop enough passes to be benched on a normal basis - which has been happening. Meaning more playing time for practice squad players, and late round draft picks like David Kircus, Glenn Martinez, Reggie Swinton, and Scottie Vines.

            With all these problems and so many more ( I haven't even mentioned that dreadful general manager) how can Harrington be blamed?

            The answer is simple - he shouldn't. Part of the Lions mess ups are his fault, but most of them are not. It is not fair that he assumes all responsibility for a club that has the first winning percentage since 2002. It is not fair that he has been riding the bench this season while Garcia can be seen throwing moon balls to Chicago, Minnesota and Cincinnati. It's not fair that Harrington probably will be uprooted this off-season - to him and the fans. But maybe it is for the best. Maybe Harrington unlike Garcia can still salvage his career elsewhere. Because as Rick Carlysle, Steve Mariucci, and Dave Lewis learned nice guys finish last in the Detroit sports race.