| Q: What does the Lions' QB situation look like now? A: You will
see it unfold, and right now Mike McMahon is ahead of where Joey Harrington is going to
be. That is obvious because he knows the system better. He will know the offense in and
out, so he will be ahead of where Joey Harrington is. (The selection is one) for the
future, and Joey Harrington is a good player, but I know this, we need to have the ability
at the quarterback position. We have to, and it hasn't been here since fill in the blank.
Our pick, along with Mike McMahon, will ensure that we have two good quarterbacks.
Q: What’s Mike McMahon's status?
A: We know where he's at right now. He's in a pretty good spot right now and Mike
McMahon is going into camp as our starter. "I am familiar with him and he is familiar
with the system and he understands the offense. We have been drilling him and going
through all these things. That part is good. There are still parts that he has to develop
or we wouldn't have taken Joey Harrington. But that's not the point, the point of this
whole thing is that the QB position is a position that is going to be a solid position
here in Detroit. That is what we are committed to.
Q: What impressed you about Joey Harrington?
A: A lot of things. He is very solid in several different areas. And on top of that, he
has the intangibles — the kid has leadership skills, the kid has a presence. He's got
all the things you look for in a quarterback. Are you going to find a guy with a stronger
arm, yes. Are you going to find a guy who is faster, yes. Who can escape better, yes.
There are those people out there, but he has a good combination and he has the
intangibles.
Q: How tough was it to take a quarterback over taking a cornerback?
A: No question about it, the easier pick would have probably been to go with a corner.
And that is open for debate. We need to get better on defense and there are a lot of ways
to get better on defense. One way is to increase team speed and I think that we have
addressed and done. And at the very least we will have increased our team speed.
Q: Was it hard to pass up Texas cornerback Quentin Jammer?
A: Yes it was.
Q: What role did the Ford Family play in the selection?
A: They just listened, both of them. They were very interested and they liked to hear
different opinions. That's what they did.
Q: When were you convinced you would select Joey Harrington?
A: When was I convinced? In the last week, after going through everything.
Q: Why Quentin Jammer was not brought in for an on-site interview and why Joey
Harrington was brought in?
A: Do you think he is thinking about that right now? Actually, the reason was that
I had a very nice talk with Quentin Jammer down at the combine; actually a very good talk
with him. I kind of knew what that kid was about. The quarterback is a different position.
Q: Will Joey Harrington be the new face of the Detroit Lions? Was that a
consideration in drafting him?
A: That will depend on when and if he does what he is supposed to do. You can give him
any face you want. You guys are pretty good at that. I am sure that he will get the one
you drop on him. But that wasn't a consideration.
Q: What kind of expected playing time is there for Joey Harrington?
A: Well, you plan obviously, which way to go with your quarterback and the coaching
staff. There is no way that Joey Harrington can be dropped in and be expected to play as
well as the two that are here. He'll play and Mike will be the guy. And it will be good
competition and I think that he is up for it. In fact, I know he is up for it. |
