FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Head Coach Mike Smith announced Thursday morning that quarterback Joey Harrington will start Saturday's preseason game against the Colts.
"I think Joey's had a very good camp," Smith said. "I thought he made a number of throws last week in the game. He moved the offense and we were able to score 10 points with him as the quarterback."
Smith declined to detail the rest of the rotation plans for Saturday's games.
Harrington is the second preseason starter in as many weeks for the Falcons. He played in the second half of last week's loss at Jacksonville, checking into the game after starter Chris Redman and No. 2 quarterback Matt Ryan.
Thursday Smith stressed the team's plans to get all four quarterbacks time with the first team. The Falcons are in the midst of selecting a quarterback to open the 2008 season. Harrington is currently listed as the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart.
"It's going to be a competition and these guys are out there competing," Smith said. "They're doing their best in trying to win this starting quarterback position."
Though Ryan, the team's third-overall pick in the 2008 Draft, played well last week it was Harrington that led two second-half scoring drives. Harrington also has the most game experience on the roster. He started 10 games last season completing 61.8 percent of his passes for seven touchdowns. He was released earlier in the off-season but re-signed with the Falcons prior to the start of organized team activities.
Himself a third-overall selection in the draft, Harrington looks forward to Saturday's opportunity.
"At the start of the game you have a little bit more of a flow," he said. "Last week was a little different coming in at halftime. You warm up and get loose and then stand around for an hour and a half."
The seven-year veteran has played under multiple offensive coordinators in his career but was reunited with Mike Mularkey in Atlanta. Mularkey previously coached Harrington in Miami.
"Mike is fantastic," he said. "That's one of the reasons why I wanted to come back and play here. My year in Miami with him was one of the best year's I've had in the NFL. There was great communication. There was a lot of freedom as a quarterback; there was a a lot of trust because everyone knew what to expect."
Harrington has more than 14,000 passing yards and 79 touchdowns in his career but hasn't started a complete season since 2004.
"There's no doubt in my mind that I can play in this league; there's no doubt I can be a starting quarterback," he said. "There have been a few bumps a long the way and sometimes there are situations you can't control but I think the true measure of a man isn't when things are going well. When things are going well it's easy. The true measure of a man is when things aren't going well. How does he carry himself?"
EARLY EXIT: Russell Falcons Training Camp isn't officially over until Sunday but Smith couldn't resist the urge to sweeten the weekend for a few of his veteran players.
Just before the end of Thursday's practice Smith called kicker Jason Elam and the rest of the team to midfield. There he presented a proposal. Elam would line up for a 56-yard field goal. If he made it the veterans would get to break camp and move home after meetings Thursday night.
A few moments later Elam's kick spun just over the crossbar.
Bedlam.
"I imagine it will be a fast exodus to their homes after the meetings tonight," Smith said.
INJURY REPORT: The Falcons are getting healthier as the preseason progresses. Defensive end John Abraham (ankle) and cornerback David Irons (hamstring) are improving and center Todd McClure (back) practiced for a third-straight day.
"I think with both of those guys it will depend on how they're feeling tomorrow," Smith said when asked who will be available Saturday. "David tweaked his hamstring in practice. I think if it were a regular season game he'd definitely be able to go."
Wide receiver Joe Horn (hamstring) also practiced.
Guard Kynan Forney (knee) missed the morning practice. If he's unable to go Saturday Quinn Ojinnaka, who has practiced at every position along the offensive line, could take his place.
GRIMES TIME: Cornerback Brent Grimes tweaked his knee in last Saturday's preseason game but he's back at practice getting ready for his second start of 2008. Grimes turned heads with his athleticism last week and nearly pulled down his first career interception with an impressive leap in the end zone.
"I had the ball and when I brought it down my legs came up and kicked it out," Grimes said. "If it happens again, I'll get it. I did a 40-inch (vertical jump) before but I think I can get a little higher than that because I can do some crazy dunks and stuff."
RELATED LINKS:
- COVERAGE: Click here for complete coverage of 2008 Russell Falcons Training Camp
- NOTEBOOK: Harrington to get start in Saturday's exhibition game
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Todd Weiner | Joey Harrington
- BIRDSEED: J. Mike reviews and comments on Falcons news
- J. MIKE'S BLOG: Harrington Named Starter for Saturday
