As one of their best lineman, it was very important that the Detroit Lions get Jeff Backus under contract for this upcoming season. They did so today as Backus signed a one-year deal with a base salary of $6.983 million, with a written agreement that the Lions can't franchise him next off-season. Since he didn't have a deal, Backus wasn't allowed to work out with the team, which is why it was made a priority to get his deal done.

In an effort to defend his honor, ex-Lions quarterback Joey Harrington had a few parting words about his former team. QUESTION: Was there a moment when you felt that Coach Mariucci had lost confidence in you? ANSWER: There was an incident. It was about halfway through my third season. I went into his office to talk with him. I said, "Coach, I need you to give me permission to throw the ball downfield. To take some shots downfield. I feel like I can't." He said, "I don't know where you're getting that idea." I said, "You tell me every day if there's any chance of a mistake, pull it back, check down. I feel roped in. Let me take some chances." He stood up, went to his sink and started brushing his teeth. He said, "I've got to go do some interviews. If you want to talk about this, come back later." And then he walked out. I look back on that now and it seems like such a defining moment. But at the time, I was so focused on making him happy, on getting in his good graces, I just let it go.

Since Daunte Culpepper's health still remains in question, the Dolphins acquired another quarterback on Friday, trading for Joey Harrington. They gave the Lions an undisclosed conditional draft pick. The Lions announced the move in a statement released in the afternoon. The Dolphins didn't immediately confirm the deal.

The news still remains unoffical, however, a source close to Harrington said Thursday night the Dolphins and Detroit Lions have worked out a deal to send the former No. 3 overall draft pick to Miami. Harrington was scheduled to participate in a charity event next week but had to cancel because he will have to be in Miami to take part in the opening of organized training activity.

The Lions and Dolphins have been in discussions during the weekend that could result in quarterback Joey Harrington being traded to the team in time to begin organized training activities in Miami by May 15, according to two sources who spoke with the Miami Herald's Jason Cole. The Dolphins had pulled an offer of a 2007 sixth-round pick for Harrington off the table earlier this week after Lions president Matt Millen wrongly complained that the Dolphins had violated the collective bargaining agreement in reaching a restructured contract with Harrington. The Dolphins were prepared to wait until Harrington gets cut by Detroit in June to sign him. However, both sides appear to have relented. The Dolphins had originally offered a seventh-round pick this year, then offered the pick in 2007. It's unknown what the deal might be at this point.

Lions' quarterback Joey Harrington's statement last month that he will play only for Miami shot down an attempt by Lions president Matt Millen over the weekend to trade Harrington to Cleveland. Millen was trying to work out a trade with the Browns that was conditional on Harrington's acceptance. Harrington has stood firm on the statement he made last month that he will play only for Miami. The only issue now appears to be when Millen will make a trade with Miami. The Dolphins reportedly are offering a sixth-round pick in 2007.

After complaints from the Lions complaints by Lions president Matt Millen that the Dolphins went outside the boundaries of the collective bargaining agreement in working out the parameters of a two-year deal with Lions' quarterbck Joey Harrington, the NFL said the Dolphins were well within their rights to discuss contract terms with Harrington once Detroit gave the quarterback permission to seek a trade. ''Yes, a player is allowed to talk about a contract with another team in that situation,'' league spokesman Greg Aiello said after asking the NFL Management Council for clarification.

Cleveland was interested in trading for quarterback Joey Harrington on Saturday, however, Harrington told the Browns he wasn't interested, and the Lions might try to take action because they believe Harrington's contract agreement with Miami violates NFL rules. The Lions have decided to move on without Harrington. But Harrington remains on their roster, and he has control over his departure from Detroit because he is scheduled to receive a $4-million bonus if he is on the roster June 15.