BigJohn&TheLions
03-15-2005, 06:44 PM
Worst free agent signing ever (according to espn.)
1. Scott Mitchell (Lions, 1994)
Mitchell was a hot property in the spring of 1994, courted by the Rams, Vikings, Saints and Lions. Everyone wanted the former Dolphins backup. The Lions lost by winning the sweepstakes, signing Mitchell to an $11 million, three-year deal. "I can't believe all these teams lining up to overpay a guy who's started seven games," one AFC scout told SI's Peter King at the time.
The scout knew of what he spoke. Mitchell was sub-mediocre from the get-go, ending the first half of the 1994 season as the 24th-ranked QB in the NFL. His four full seasons as a Lion were lousy, and in his fifth, he lost his starting job to Charlie Batch. Twice the Lions made the playoffs, and twice they bombed out in the first round thanks, in large part, to Mitchell's terrible performances. If Mitchell had been simply above average, the Lions' offense – featuring Barry Sanders and wide receiver Herman Moore – could have been hard to beat.
Footnote: Before Brian Billick became a genius, he was thrilled to pick up Mitchell for the Ravens in 1998. He played a grand total of two games in Baltimore, completing 24 of 56 passes with 1 TD and 4 INTs.
1. Scott Mitchell (Lions, 1994)
Mitchell was a hot property in the spring of 1994, courted by the Rams, Vikings, Saints and Lions. Everyone wanted the former Dolphins backup. The Lions lost by winning the sweepstakes, signing Mitchell to an $11 million, three-year deal. "I can't believe all these teams lining up to overpay a guy who's started seven games," one AFC scout told SI's Peter King at the time.
The scout knew of what he spoke. Mitchell was sub-mediocre from the get-go, ending the first half of the 1994 season as the 24th-ranked QB in the NFL. His four full seasons as a Lion were lousy, and in his fifth, he lost his starting job to Charlie Batch. Twice the Lions made the playoffs, and twice they bombed out in the first round thanks, in large part, to Mitchell's terrible performances. If Mitchell had been simply above average, the Lions' offense – featuring Barry Sanders and wide receiver Herman Moore – could have been hard to beat.
Footnote: Before Brian Billick became a genius, he was thrilled to pick up Mitchell for the Ravens in 1998. He played a grand total of two games in Baltimore, completing 24 of 56 passes with 1 TD and 4 INTs.