Falcons win an emotional game

There were plenty of Falcons fans wearing No. 7 jerseys at the Georgia Dome. They got a chance to cheer for Michael Vick’s replacement.

Joey Harrington made a good first impression on Atlanta fans by throwing two touchdown passes Monday night in a 24-19 exhibition win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

“It’s not something we can sweep under the rug,” Harrington said.

“Mike is definitely in a bit of trouble, but he’s still a member of this team, still a member of this family.”

Harrington and the Falcons (2-1) played their first home game of the preseason. Small groups of dueling protesters faced off outside the Georgia Dome, while hundreds of fans showed their support for Vick by wearing his jersey.

Harrington completed his first six passes, including a 28-yard touchdown to Adam Jennings. After Allen Rossum put the Falcons in scoring position again with a 59-yard kickoff return, Harrington hooked up with Dwayne Blakley on a 29-yard completion, then flipped a 12-yard pass to Jerious Norwood for another touchdown.

Cornerback Asante Samuel returned to the New England Patriots, moving closer to ending a contract dispute that had cost him a month of the preseason.

Samuel, who tied for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions last season, was at Gillette Stadium taking a physical, Coach Bill Belichick said.

Samuel was not available for comment.

Oakland Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin narrowed his choice for a starting quarterback down to two players: Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper. They will share time in Thursday’s preseason finale in Seattle, with McCown starting and Culpepper coming in as his backup.

Looking for more experience behind young starter Tarvaris Jackson, the Minnesota Vikings acquired veteran quarterback Kelly Holcomb in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Coach Brad Childress announced that Jackson, a second-round pick out of Alabama State a year ago with two career starts, will be the opening day starter.

The Vikings gave up an undisclosed draft pick in 2009 to get Holcomb, who will compete with Brooks Bollinger for the backup job.

The Vikings also cut Drew Henson, the former Michigan star quarterback.

Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith has earned the job as the Baltimore Ravens’ third-string quarterback. His place on the team, however, is not yet guaranteed.

The Ravens cut former UCLA quarterback Drew Olson, leaving Smith alone on the depth chart behind starter Steve McNair and backup Kyle Boller.

“What still has to be determined is if we’ll carry two or three quarterbacks on the active roster,” Coach Brian Billick said. “Last year we carried two.”

Miami linebacker Joey Porter returned to practice less than three weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery, and he was optimistic he’ll play in the season opener. . . . Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs was charged with leaving the scene of an accident after crashing his Lamborghini and leaving it alongside an expressway on the city’s North Side, Illinois State Police said. . . . Tight end T.J. Cottrell, the son of defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, was one of 10 players cut by San Diego. . . . Kevan Barlow was among 10 players released during Pittsburgh’s first roster cutdown. . . . Veteran wide receiver Tim Dwight was among eight players released by the New York Jets. . . . Jacksonville cut 11 players, including veteran tight end Jermaine Wiggins. . . . The Detroit Lions will put second-year safety Daniel Bullocks on injured reserve after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament. . . . Pro Bowl special teams player David Tyree of the New York Giants will be sidelined up to six weeks because of a broken left wrist.