Saturday, August 21, 1999Lions pick on Sawyer
BY TOM COYNE
Associated Press Writer
PONTIAC, Mich. — Last season, Cincinnati cornerback Corey Sawyer was a big part of Detroit quarterback Charlie Batch gaining the starting job for the Lions. On Friday night, Batch showed Sawyer why he deserves it.
![[sawyer]](http://bengals.enquirer.com/img/photos/1999/08/082199sawyer_130x190.jpg)
Corey Sawyer stops RB Cedric Irvan.
(AP photo)
| ZOOM |Sawyer, who last year returned an interception 53 yards for a touchdown in overtime that cost starter Scott Mitchell his job, was beaten repeatedly in the first quarter by Detroit receivers, four times on passes of 15 yards or more.
Three of those came on the Lions' opening drive, which produced the game's only touchdown. Batch hit Johnnie Morton with passes of 20 and 15 yards before connecting with Germane Crowell on a 24-yard scoring pass.
Sawyer said he put his team in a bad position.
“I just did some things I don't normally do. I played coverages I don't normally play,” he said.
He also said he believes the Lions went at him because of what happened last year.
“Because they have a bitter taste in their mouth that I won a football game against them last year. I caused a bit of controversy. I guess they needed to settle the score, and that's what they did,” he said.
Batch was 8-of-13 for 98 yards and did a solid job of directing the offense.
“Charlie did a heck of a good job,” Lions coach Bobby Ross said. “I'm not worried about the quarterback play at all. We have a lot of problems on this team, but that's not one of them. Charlie's been playing really well.”
Backup Gus Frerotte was 14-of-22 for 128 yards, helping to set up two field goals.
“I thought Gus played pretty well. He missed a couple of decisions, but that will come,” Ross said.
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![[sawyer]](http://bengals.enquirer.com/img/photos/1999/08/082199sawyer_343x500.jpg)
Lions pick on Sawyer