FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - Joey Harrington has signed a two-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons -- becoming a leading contender to back up starting quarterback Michael Vick.

Harrington was the third overall pick by Detroit in the 2002 draft and started 11 games with Miami last season after being traded.

He threw for 22-hundred and 36 yards with 12 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. From 2002-05, he started 55 games with the Lions, throwing for 10-thousand, 242 yards with 60 touchdowns and 62 interceptions.

Harrington is expected to participate in a three-day minicamp that begins Tuesday.

He and Falcons quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave each are former stars at the University of Oregon, and Harrington's relationship with Musgrave played a role in his decision to sign with Atlanta.

Harrington will be competing to replace Matt Schaub, Vick's backup the past three seasons, who was traded to Houston.

The Falcons also have second-year D.J. Shockley competing for the backup job. And they signed quarterback Chris Redman, who played for new coach Bobby Petrino for one season at Louisville.

A longshot contender is James Kilian, a former seventh-round pick
from Tulsa.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)