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Talk about fast turnarounds. ... It wasn't long ago Lions president Matt Millen, new head coach Rod Marinelli and new offensive coordinator Mike Martz were singing Joey Harrington's praises. And Harrington actually seemed excited at the prospect of working under Martz.

In fact, it was Feb. 22 when Detroit Free Press sports writer Nicholas J. Cotsonika wrote: "Joey Harrington isn't just staying with the Lions. He's penciled in as their No. 1 quarterback."

He didn't write those words without good reason. Millen and Marinelli had just made their strongest statements about Harrington since Millen hired Marinelli in January.

"I think we have our starter, wouldn't you say?" Millen said, turning to Marinelli in front of a group of local reporters at team headquarters.

"I'd agree," Marinelli said. "We like him."

Oakland Press staffer Steve Pate reported at the time that Martz was also on board.

After having studied about half of last season's game film of Harrington, Pate reported, also on Feb. 22 that Martz stepped into Marinelli's office and said words to this effect: "I'm even more surprised how good he is."

Harrington was on board, too.

"From all the indications I've gotten from them, they've made it very clear," Harrington told The Oregonian. "They want me here."

But it would appear the situation has taken a dramatic turn.

How so?

As Cotsonika put it this morning: "The Joey Harrington era could be about to end."

Detroit News beat man Mike O'Hara framed it like this: "Harrington and the Lions have reached a point where parting company is the best option for both sides in what has become an increasingly strained relationship."

And the man who started it all (in a column published Wednesday), Booth Newspapers staff writer Tom Kowalski, chimed in again this morning with the following: "Harrington's days with the Detroit Lions appear to be numbered."

Harrington has not closed the door on Detroit, but he has serious reservations about returning to the Lions and whether he stays or goes should be resolved by the weekend, a person with knowledge of the situation told Cotsonika Wednesday.

The person declined to say if Harrington had asked to be traded or released and said the decision ultimately would be up to the Lions.

The only question now seems to be when the two sides part ways. There seem to be two theories on his departure.

The first, as suggested by Cotsonika, has the situation resolved this weekend. Others agree.

Profootballtalk.com editor Mike Florio also advised readers this morning that he's learned the Lions will make it official by the end of the coming weekend.

On Monday, the Lions launch their offseason program. And according to Florio, the organization has decided that Harrington should not and will not be part of the equation at that time.

The Lions, Florio was told, will try to trade Harrington before cutting the cord.

The other side of the coin was laid out by O'Hara, who wrote this morning, "No action is imminent regarding Harrington."

He went on to suggest the first real deadline facing the Lions is April 29, the first day of the draft. If they want to deal Harrington to add picks in this year's draft, they will have to do it before that day.

The next deadline is June 15, the day Harrington is due a bonus of $4 million to trigger the last two years of his contract. Harrington's base salaries are $4.45 million for each of the next two seasons.

Kowalski also took the more open-ended approach, reporting that several sources say the team is telling people around the NFL that Harrington is not in the team's plans and will be released by June 15.

Whatever the timetable, I tend to agree with Florio, who pointed out it's highly unlikely that anyone will offer anything of value for the guy who was selected behind only David Carr and Julius Peppers in the 2002 draft, especially if he comes with his current contract -- and June bonus.

And regardless of the timing, it appears departure is all but inevitable.

So, how did we get here? How did Harrington go from sure-fire starter to a disgruntled, soon-to-be former Lion?

Free Press columnist Michael Rosenberg had an interesting take, offering readers the following scenario:

"You know the old trick, don't you? You take a mediocre quarterback. You tell the whole world you love him, even though you can't really answer the follow-up question: why? But secretly, you have created an environment so poisonous that he bails anyway."

It's an interesting view, and one that seems to be fairly popular.

According to O'Hara, the problem is twofold: First, there were too many obstacles for Harrington to overcome to remain in Detroit. He has been criticized by fans, media, coaches and teammates, and it would be in his best interests to move on.

And second, he has more than enough talent to be a winning quarterback in the NFL if according to O'Hara, "he is put in the right environment. That environment does not exist in Detroit."

O'Hara cited comments made by teammate Dre' Bly in a nationally-televised interview last year as a prime example. The cornerback put the blame on Harrington for the firing of former coach Steve Mariucci.

And according to Cotsonika, a person with knowledge of the Harrington situation said the issue isn't with the front office. Harrington has a good relationship with Millen.

The issue isn't with the new coaching staff. Marinelli and Martz have made good impressions on Harrington, and Harrington and Martz did not clash when Martz held "quarterback school" at Lions headquarters last week.

The issue isn't with the Lions' signing of Jon Kitna or their telling Kitna he would compete for the starting job. Harrington expected the Lions to bring in a solid veteran to replace last season's backup, Jeff Garcia, and he expected competition.

Cotsonika then back O'Hara's contention: "The issue is with the environment."

Makes sense to me. ... Of course, I'll have more on Harrington's status as the situation unfolds -- either here in the Headline News section or in the News & Views section of the site -- through the final resolution. ...

Meanwhile, in a move that ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli wrote "likely augurs the imminent departure of Harrington," the Lions on Thursday signed unrestricted free agent Josh McCown, who had played his entire career with the Cardinals.

McCown, 26, signed a two-year contract worth $6 million, a deal that will pay him $4 million in 2006 between his signing bonus and base salary. The addition of McCown comes just two days after the arrival of former Bengal Jon Kitna, who signed a four-year, $11.5 million contract that has a signing bonus of $3.5 million.

According to Pasquarelli, the plan now is to allow Kitna and McCown to compete for the starting job.

According to Kowalski, second-year player Dan Orlovsky, a fifth-round draft pick last season, will compete with free agent Shaun King for the No. 3 job.

It's worth noting that even before the first hints of Harrington's likely departure surfaced yesterday, Kitna came to town expecting to compete for a starting spot.

"They're not expecting me to come in and be a backup," Kitna told O'Hara in a telephone interview from his home in Cincinnati. "They're expecting me to come in and exert some leadership.

"If I'm good enough to play, great. If I'm not, so be it. That's how I've approached my career. I go out and put my best foot forward."

At the risk of putting a damper on the fun here, I'll remind you that neither Kitna nor McCown have demonstrated the kind of skills necessary to truly excel in the NFL. Fortunately for both, Martz has proven more than capable of "coaching up" what I'll kindly refer to as less-than-impressive quarterback prospects.

Those looking for that proof need look no further than Trent Green, Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger.

In other words, Lions fans have plenty of reason for optimism.