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Friday, December 13, 2002
Harrington's arm won't be the only thing missed at UO
By Marc Connolly
ABC Sports Online
PHOENIX -- Whether or not Joey Harrington leaves Eugene with some sort of share of the national championship if Oregon defeats Colorado in Tuesday's Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, he will leave with something much more rewarding than being a Heisman finalist. Something more important than having a ridiculous 100 x 80-foot billboard in Manhattan or being able to see his name scattered all over the program's record book after a brilliant two-and-a-half years as the starting QB.
He'll have the utmost respect from his teammates and coaches, who say the Ducks will miss his personality as much as his strong right arm on Saturday afternoons.
|  | | Joey Harrington earned the nickname "Captain Comeback" for his late-game heroics at Oregon. |
Offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford rambled through a list of qualities he admires in Harrington, which included his competiveness, attention to detail and intellect. What made it easier for him and the rest of the coaching staff was that Harrington worked harder than anyone, even as the poster boy -- literally -- for the entire program and practically the whole state of Oregon.
"His preparation, whether it's in the weight room or running out on the field or whatever it may be, and his personality is very contagious," said Tedford, off to become the head coach of Cal once the Fiesta Bowl is over. "A lot of the kids respect him for that -- for his work ethic."
His main target, wideout Keenan Howry, noted Harrington's efforts often inspired the offense.
"He really takes games to heart," said the junior, who caught 49 balls for 649 yards and eight touchdowns this fall. "He's out there trying probably harder than anyone on the field just to get the job done. Having that from your quarterback is what you really need."
Aside from that intensity, his teammates mentioned a different side of Harrington that the media rarely sees. While he tends to be quick in interviews and come off as, well, rather annoyed at times, he's known around campus as a fun-loving guy who doesn't care what people think of him or his actions, whether it be wearing a silly red wig in the middle of the student section during a basketball game or in making fun of his Big Uglies during heated practices.
"He's really energetic and really positive, and keeps all our heads in the game," said senior left tackle Jim Adams. "Above that, he's fun to be with. He always keeps us upbeat and tells jokes. He keeps us light-hearted when we're supposed to be serious."
Harrington said he instinctively tries to balance fun, intensity, looseness and grim seriousness all at once when he takes his familiar spot in the Duck huddle.
"I try to create energy when I go into a game," said the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder from Portland, "but at the same time keep focused and stay within our game plan."
Besides catching perfect tear-drop presents out of the sky down the sideline, that unique mix that has led to Oregon's 24-3 record with Harrington as a starter is what Howry will miss the most next year when Harrington is spending his rookie year in the NFL.
"During practice, we're always joking around with each other," said Howry. "It is a special relationship -- we have been playing together for three years. This includes numerous practices and film sessions. We have established a unique chemistry on the field, which generates big plays. Next year I will miss Joey.
"He plays with such heart and intensity, which motivates the team. He is a great quarterback and it has been rewarding to catch touchdown passes from him."
Tedford knows that he won't have a guy like Harrington at Cal next year. Not one with the arm strength, the poise, the numbers or the build. All he can hope is that he'll have one as eager as a Pop Warner QB, who'll get excited about the playbook before 8 a.m.
"On the ride over here, (Harrington) and Tedford were quizzing each other on plays and checks," said Adams. "Right now, we're usually asleep."
With players like Onterrio Smith, Samie Parker, Jason Willis and Howry back, the Ducks offense will surely give many teams fits, even if Jason Fife (now a sophomore) is only mediocre. But what they will miss is having the presence of a pseudo-coach out there calling the plays.
"If he has a suggestion about this route or that route, I'm very open to it," said Tedford. "He's at that point of his career where we can talk like that. He's not a young kid who hasn't been through battles. He understands what we're trying to get done. Without a doubt, his understanding of the offense and the concepts of what's trying to happen is like having another coach on the field."
One that not only has helped secure the fate of the oft-ignored program in the Pacific Northwest as a legitimate power, but also one that hopefully will pay dividends on Tuesday against a Colorado defense that's given up 100 combined points in its last three victories.
Marc Connolly is a senior writer for ABC Sports Online. He can be reached at marc.connolly@abc.com.
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