Wed Sep 24 19:50:36 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Saints release QB Harrington, sign TE

---

New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - The New Orleans Saints released quarterback Joey Harrington, a former first-round pick, on Wednesday.

Harrington, who has been a disappointment since being drafted third overall in 2002, was cut due in part to the injury of tight end Jeremy Shockey.

Sean Ryan, who caught nine total passes from 2006-07 with the New York Jets, was signed to replace Shockey, sidelined with a sports hernia for an expected three-to-six weeks. Ryan played one game with the Dolphins this season but did not register a catch.

Last season with the Falcons, the 29-year-old Harrington threw for 2,215 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions in 12 games, including 10 starts. His 77.2 rating was the second-highest of his career.

Over his six years in the NFL, the first four with Detroit and 2006 with Miami, Harrington threw for 14,693 yards with 79 touchdowns and 85 interceptions in 81 career games.

In New Orleans, Harrington was to be the third-string quarterback behind Drew Brees and Mark Brunell.

In other Saints news, offensive lineman Matt Lehr replaced Jamar Nesbit on the roster.