Falcons re-sign QB Harrington to new contract

The Atlanta Falcons re-signed Joey Harrington on Wednesday, one week after cutting the six-year veteran quarterback.

General manager Thomas Dimitroff, who also has re-signed Chris Redman to a two-year deal, has said the team will take a quarterback in next month’s NFL draft.

The 29-year-old Harrington started 10 games last season, but he returns as a probable backup—the role he would have played before Michael Vick’s legal troubles.

Also returning with Harrington and Redman is D.J. Shockley, who missed last season with a knee injury.

Though the names of the quarterbacks haven’t changed, they presumably will be listed in a different order than at the beginning of last season, when Harrington was the starter.

Redman started the last four games and, according to Dimitroff and Smith, will have the first shot at the starting job in 2008. Redman was selected NFC offensive player of the week after passing for four touchdowns and 251 yards against Seattle in the final game of the season.

Even after re-signing Harrington, the Falcons are expected to add a quarterback to the competition as early as the No. 3 overall pick in the April 26 draft.