Lions Bench QB Scott Mitchell

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

September 16, 1998 / 5:40 PM EDT / CBS Sportsline

Detroit Lions quarterback Scott Mitchell has been benched for Sunday's game at Minnesota in favor of rookie Charlie Batch, a team spokesman and newspaper report said.

The Ann Arbor News reports coach Bobby Ross was unhappy with Mitchell's performance (four interceptions, one touchdown and no victories) in the past three games and will turn to Batch. The report also said veteran Frank Reich will be the No. 2 quarterback.

Mitchell's last two passes in Sunday's 34-28 OT loss to the Cincinnati Bengals were intercepted. His second interception was returned for 53 yards and the winning score by Corey Sawyer.

Scott Mitchell has been benched in favor of rookie Charlie Batch. (AP)

"I didn't get my job done when I was supposed to get it done," Mitchell said. He is in the second year of a four-year, $21 million contract.

At his weekly news conference Monday, Ross said, "I thought he played better in the first game than he did this game, to be honest with you. I would think it'd have to be in the category of average."

When asked how long the Lions could endure average play from the quarterback position, Ross said, "Whatever I need to address, I will address. I can promise that."

Batch, the third quarterback picked in the '98 draft (behind Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf), owns nearly every passing record at Eastern Michigan University. He was 247 of 434 for 3,280 yards and 23 touchdowns during his senior season.

Batch, 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds, started the preseason as the Lions third-string QB behind Mitchell and Jim Miller. But Batch impressed coaches during four preseason appearances and earned the backup role after Miller was cut. Reich came out of retirement to become the No. 3 man.

"Charlie Batch is just a real pleasant surprise," Lions quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn said. "He's been real tough in the pocket and has showed some maturity."