Fast Break
NFL
Harrington signs with Falcons
Joey Harrington signed with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday to back up Michael Vick at quarterback.
Harrington, the third overall pick by Detroit in the 2002 draft out of Oregon, started 11 games with Miami last season after being obtained by the Dolphins in a trade with the Lions. He threw for 2,236 yards with 12 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
He was a disappointment in Detroit, in part because he was chosen so high in the draft. From 2002-05, he started 55 games, throwing for 10,000 yards with 60 touchdowns and 62 interceptions.
Harrington will replace Matt Schaub, Vick’s backup the past three seasons. Schaub was traded to Houston, where he will be the starter.
College football
Broncos success benefits students
Boise State University is offering 30 new scholarships, thanks in part to the success of the Broncos football team last season.
The school is investing $116,400 a year into the new scholarship program, with the money coming from the sale of licensed Broncos gear from the Fiesta Bowl. In December, the Boise State Bookstore recorded its best month ever for insignia merchandise, with about $752,000 in sales.
The Presidential Civic Leadership Scholarship program will provide 12 students with $5,200 scholarships, renewable annually, and 18 students with renewable scholarships worth $3,000 each.
On Jan. 1, the Broncos beat Oklahoma 43-42 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz.
Cycling
Ullrich continues complete denial
Jan Ullrich denied any wrongdoing despite his DNA sample being matched last week to blood bags seized in the Spanish doping scandal.
The German cyclist, in a statement posted Sunday on his Web site, called reports “partially manipulated” and designed to destroy his reputation.
Ullrich retired from cycling in February, 10 months after his name surfaced in Operation Puerto, which led to the 1997 Tour de France champion being excluded from last year’s race. He has denied using any banned substances.
“I have a clear conscience and the latest events and reports haven’t changed that a bit,” Ullrich said. “In my whole career I have never lied or used anyone and I can’t admit to a mistake when there is no mistake.”