Rookie's Trouble In Batches

PONTIAC, Mich.--Charlie Batch had better enjoy it.

He is a rookie quarterback, and in the NFL that means hard times are coming. Not just for the Peyton Mannings and Ryan Leafs of the world. Even John Elway had his troubles breaking in.

But, for now, Batch is playing with poise and passion in his two starts since coach Bobby Ross benched Scott Mitchell.

After a 29-6 loss in Minnesota, Batch led the Lions to their first victory, a 27-6 win over Tampa Bay on Monday night.

Against the struggling Bucs, Batch took charge. He completed nine of his first 10 passes, showing a cool few would have thought possible for a second-round draft pick (60th overall) from Eastern Michigan.

He had 115 yards passing and 39 yards running. His 154 total yards were 21 more than the entire Tampa Bay team.

"Charlie, he's getting better every week," wide receiver Herman Moore said. "It's amazing to see his progress."

But rookie quarterbacks have turned heads before.

Few made a bigger splash than Elway in 1983. He was an instant starter for Denver and won his first two games. But after losing the next three games, he was benched. Elway got to start five more games that season only because Steve DeBerg got hurt.