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Detroit Lions: Remember that time Ty Detmer threw 7 interceptions?

By Payne Schanski

23 Sep 2001: Ty Detmer #14 of the Detroit Lions throws the ball as teammate Aaron Gibson #71 guards him during the game against the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Lions 24-14.Mandatory Credit: Tom Pidgeon /Allsport
23 Sep 2001: Ty Detmer #14 of the Detroit Lions throws the ball as teammate Aaron Gibson #71 guards him during the game against the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Lions 24-14.Mandatory Credit: Tom Pidgeon /Allsport /
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23 Sep 2001: Ty Detmer #14 of the Detroit Lions talks with General Manager Matt Millen during the game against the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Lions 24-14.Mandatory Credit: Tom Pidgeon /Allsport
23 Sep 2001: Ty Detmer #14 of the Detroit Lions talks with General Manager Matt Millen during the game against the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Lions 24-14.Mandatory Credit: Tom Pidgeon /Allsport /

Turnover-prone QB? Check.

There’s no doubt about, Ty Detmer was an interception machine. He threw 65 interceptions in his four years at BYU. As a junior in 1990, Detmer led the NCAA by throwing an incredible 28 picks. This was seven more than the second place guy on the list.

In his 25 career NFL starts, Detmer toned things down a little bit, but still had more INTs than TDs, with 35 total passes to the other team. He racked up 20% of that career total during a three-hour stretch against the Cleveland Browns.

No better options? Check.

After only one game in 2001, it says a lot that the Detroit Lions were already in panic mode. Charlie Batch looked terrible in the opening day blowout loss at Green Bay.

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He threw two picks of his own and was sacked seven times. The performance was ugly enough that he got yanked for a guy who threw seven picks in his first start and was still got his job back the next week.

Batch at his best was pretty below average for a starting quarterback in the NFL. At his worst, he was…well, one of the worst.

To his credit, after washing out in Detroit, Batch’s career longevity surprisingly had a decent second act. As a backup for the Steelers, Batch hung on for an additional eight years, holding a clipboard most of the time, but occasionally getting a start here and there.

Mike McMahon was the third stringer for the Lions in 2001 and wasn’t ready to get on the field yet..

He did get some play much later in the season and was actually exciting to watch at times. McMahon was the starter when the Lions finally picked up their first win of the season in the 13th game.

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