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Harrington returns to the Lions Den on Turkey Day

by Thomas Jensen on Wednesday, November 22nd, 2006

Harrington returns to the Lions Den on Turkey Day Turkey Day in Detroit! The first NFL game on Thanksgiving takes us to Ford Field where the 2-8 Detroit Lions host the 4-6 Miami Dolphins led by former Lions quarterback Joey Harrington. With eight losses in their first 10 games, the Lions have literally no chance at making the playoffs. Meanwhile Harrington has never won three straight games in a single season with the Detroit Lions. He's already done it in just six starts for the Miami Dolphins.

Harrington, a former first-round pick for the Lions, returns to Detroit on Thanksgiving as the Dolphins try to move to 5-6. Joey was traded to Miami in May, four years after the Lions drafted him third overall. He became the scapegoat for Detroit's woes during his time there, as the team went 18-40 in games during which Harrington played.

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The Lions have to prepare for a quarterback who is gaining confidence even though Miami has scored only one offensive touchdown in each of their past two games at home. Originally thrust into the starting lineup when Daunte Culpepper was benched because of knee problems, Harrington lost his first two starts but played progressed in his past three outings. Harrington's quick delivery and pocket presence has helped an offensive line that allowed a slothful Culpepper to get sacked 21 times in four games and has only give up seven in the past six contests.

Harrington has helped the Dolphins; he went 26-for-42 for 254 yards with one score as Miami beat Minnesota 24-20 on Sunday. The Dolphins dominating defense allows Harrington to be part of the supporting cast, with his goal to avoid the kind of mistakes that doomed Miami early in the season. That worked against the Vikings, who self-destructed with three turnovers in the fourth quarter, with Miami returning two for scores. Miami is fifth in the NFL in total defense, allowing 285.4 yards per game.

Harrington's throwing on Sunday compensated for a running attack that was held to a franchise-low 4 yards. Running back Ronnie Brown netted 2 yards in 12 attempts, and the No. 2 overall pick in last year's draft is averaging 3.8 yards per carry after posting 4.4 as a rookie. Brown is nursing a groin injury, but emerged from Sunday's game all the same.

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Detroit couldn't even beat lowly Arizona, losing 17-10 on Sunday, but coach Rod Marinelli is trying to get his team to forget about the defeat quickly. The Lions seem to think the quick turnaround will be an advantage.

Lions Pro Bowl defensive tackle Shaun Rogers is eligible to return this week after serving a four-game suspension. Coach Marinelli is not sure if Rogers will play after he had knee surgery during the suspension. Running back Kevin Jones (ankle), kick returner Eddie Drummond (concussion) and wide receiver DeVale Ellis (shoulder) were injured against the Cardinals, and Marinelli said he did not know whether the trio of banged-up players would be on the field against Miami. Jones leads the team with 636 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. He has also been a threat as a receiver, catching 50 passes for 367 yards.

Resurging Miami looks good to win this game. Harrington may deep down inside really want to beat the Lions. I like the road favorite Dolphins -3. The total is 39; to say I have an opinion on the possible score would be a lie. There are too many injuries to say if it will go under, my theory is new guys produce errors and scores on both ends. Bet the over, maybe?