Notebook: Harrington the man in Atlanta

While many now wonder if Michael Vick will have a second chance in the NFL, Joey Harrington is determined to make the most of his third opportunity.

Friday’s decision by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend Vick indefinitely following Vick’s plea agreement on dogfighting charges makes official what already was obvious: The Atlanta Falcons are left with Harrington as their starting quarterback.

Harrington already has lost starting jobs in Detroit and Miami. His introduction to home fans for his newest team comes Monday night when the Falcons play the Cincinnati Bengals in a preseason game in the Georgia Dome.

So far, Harrington said he couldn’t be happier.

“I feel fantastic,” he said. “This is as good as I’ve felt in a long time.”

What about his new receivers, a much-criticized group in the Vick era?

“Terrific,” Harrington said. “This is the best group of receivers I’ve worked with. Great workers. Extremely talented. We’ve got a great mix of youth and experience, of guys in the slot and guys who can get open outside. I’m excited to get out there and play a full game with them.”

Falcons coach Bobby Petrino said Harrington and most of the starters – including receivers Joe Horn and Michael Jenkins – will play at least the first half and possibly the third quarter.

Huard gets the nod

Damon Huard, who has spent his career backing up some of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, is finally No. 1. Coach Herm Edwards said the 11-year veteran will start for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Huard hadn’t started a game since 2000 but went 5-3 last season after Trent Green was injured in the season opener. After Green demanded a trade to Miami this spring because he thought coaches planned to hand the job to Brodie Croyle, Huard spent the summer battling the second-year player from Alabama for the job.

Croyle apparently played himself out of contention by throwing an interception in each of three preseason games. Given a big opportunity Thursday night against New Orleans while Huard sat out with a calf injury, he hit only 5 of 17 passes for 45 yards as the Chiefs lost 30-7 and dropped to 0-3.

In making the announcement, Edwards was careful to say that he was confident the 24-year-old Croyle would one day be the Chiefs’ starting quarterback.

Fisher undecided

LenDale White or Chris Brown? Coach Jeff Fisher insists he hasn’t decided on his starting running back in a situation where both will play for Tennessee.

“We have a good problem either way we decide,” Fisher said. “We’re going to be good.”

If the decision is based on production, then White takes the lead after his first NFL start.

He ran 11 times for 51 yards in Friday night’s 28-17 exhibition victory at Buffalo – an average of 4.6 yards per carry. He also caught three passes for 23 yards and showed how well he can block for Vince Young.

Brown also played well, carrying six times for 42 yards with a long of 19 with a couple of catches for 25 yards.

“When we want to keep our running backs fresh in the game early in the season when you’re dealing with some heat issues and things, both of them have shown they can make the plays, which is good. We’ll be in a good situation,” Fisher said.