But he insists that this has been, "hands down, my best experience in the NFL."

Harrington, who at 30 is three months older than Saints starter Drew Brees, has become a developmental project for the team and Coach Sean Payton.

Instead of taking a flier on an undrafted rookie with potential, they decided to take a long look at Harrington, who was drafted third overall in 2002 by the Lions. He spent four years in Detroit before bouncing around from Miami to Atlanta to New Orleans.

So far, both sides have been happy with the match.

"It's been different, but it's been good. It's really been exactly what I needed," said Harrington, who said he was hoping to take a step back and "get my feet under me" after four up-and-down years in Detroit.

But he kept getting thrown back into the fire.

"I went to Miami with the intention of backing up Daunt? (Culpepper), and that didn't exactly work out. Then I went to Atlanta thinking I'd back up Mike (Vick), and that turned out even worse," said Harrington, who started 21 games for those teams, with an 8-13 record. "So this has been the situation that I was looking for. A place to get my feet under me, a place to learn from a great coach and a great quarterback, a place to experience winning again.

"You know, there's a lot to be said for building confidence just being on a team that wins some games, and just being part of a team that believes that you can win games."

Harrington signed a one-year deal with the Saints, but he said a return to New Orleans "could very well be" the best opportunity for him again next season. Payton said he is looking forward to working with Harrington throughout a full offseason and that he could "certainly" compete for the No. 2 job on the roster, currently held by veteran Mark Brunell.

"He's got a live arm; he's a thinker," Payton said. "He's up to speed on what we do offensively; he's a very quick study. . . . It's been real positive. I like the prospect."

Brees said Harrington has been a great addition to the group dynamic at quarterback, and that all three veterans have a lot in common despite their varied backgrounds.

"It's funny because Joey's been in some tough spots," Brees said. "So a lot of times we'll be telling a story, saying something was tough going through this or that, and Joey will be like, 'Oh, do I have a story for you.'

"Joey's always good for a story here or there about how it was worse somewhere else."

Harrington said this weekend's trip to Detroit won't especially be meaningful for him. He said only a few of his former teammates are still on the Lions, and he already had his high-profile homecoming two years ago when he went back with the Dolphins.

Before that Thanksgiving game, Harrington said, the Lions introduced him with a video that mocked his well-known hobby of piano playing, splicing videos of him playing the piano and getting sacked, with Billy Joel's song, "Piano Man" playing in the background as the crowd booed.

"And then I went out and threw three touchdowns, and we beat them," Harrington said. "But now the page has been turned. I've moved on, and they've moved on."

INJURY REPORT: Tailback Deuce McAllister was back at practice Friday after taking a day off to rest his sore left knee. He is probable on the Saints' injury report for Sunday's game. Left tackle Jammal Brown (ankle) also is probable after fully participating in practice all week. Defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy has been ruled out after missing all week with a hamstring injury.

BENSON VISITS: Saints owner Tom Benson made a brief appearance at the practice facility Friday to check in on his team and let them know he's recovering well from last week's cancer surgery. He stopped by after getting a good report Friday morning at his post-surgery checkup, spent about five minutes with the team and even showed off an impressive scar.

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Mike Triplett can be reached at mtriplett@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3405.