FOXBORO, Mass. — The decision to start Scott Mitchell at quarterback today at New England was coach Dick LeBeau's.

        Bengals President Mike Brown supports LeBeau's move, but who will play quarterback after today has not been discussed.

        “I'm just going to look at it week to week,” Brown said.

        The Bengals gave Mitchell $200,000 in March to sign a $600,000 one-year contract to back up Akili Smith.

        The benching potentially could cost Smith millions. An incentive in his $56 million contract increases his salary from the league minimum to $4 million if he passes for 1,601 yards in any season. Smith has 1,124 yards.

        Benching Smith, Brown said, has nothing to do with money.

        “This was done strictly on judgment of his performance on the field,” he said.

        Under Smith, the third overall pick of the 1999 draft, the Bengals (2-8) have the NFL's lowest-ranked passing offense at 107.5 yards a game. Smith has two touchdown passes and six interceptions in 10 games.

        Mitchell, who has 66 starts in Miami, Detroit and Baltimore, has thrown four interceptions and no touchdowns in three games.

        His career record as a starter is 30-36. He also has played in six playoff games.

        Mitchell's best year was 1995, when he threw for 4,338 yards and 32 touchdowns for the Lions.

        Said Brown, “The thing that's easy to overlook these days is he was very successful in this league not too long ago.”

        Brown likes the toughness the 32-year-old Mitchell has developed through the years. He went from starting the first two games last season for the Ravens to being the inactive third quarterback for the final 14.

        “He isn't that old,” Brown said. “It's hard for me to understand exactly what did happen with his career. I've seen guys like that get a hold of themselves and do well. (Vinny) Testaverde is an example of that.

        “Terry Bradshaw is a fine case. He didn't do any good until his fourth year (in Pittsburgh). They had (Joe) Gilliam and (Terry) Hanratty. That would be a similar situation here if things eventually work out for Akili. It didn't come on right away for (Bradshaw). Some guys got it right away. Most guys don't.”

        In 10 starts this season, Smith has completed 44 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and six interceptions. He has lost six fumbles. Five times Cincinnati has failed to gain even 100 net yards passing.

        LeBeau's reason for sitting down Smith was to give him room to catch his breath and learn by watching.

        LeBeau discussed the move with Brown, but Brown said the decision was LeBeau's.

        “I talk with him, but I don't tell him what to do,” Brown said. “I've talked to every coach who's been here. That doesn't mean they always do what I would have done. They're the coach. They choose the players who are going to play. Dick does that. And he should.

        “There's a misperception that I do it all. If you have answer of how to contend with that clue me in.”

        Smith will have company on the sidelines today with another player who also started the first 10 games, veteran cornerback Tom Carter. Rookie Robert Bean will start in Carter's place. They are the sixth and seventh changes LeBeau has made in the starting lineup since he took over for Bruce Coslet seven games ago.

        “I commend Dick for how he has gone about things,” Brown said. “He hasn't been afraid to make changes, and he doesn't do them in a wholesale way. He does them piece by piece when he thinks it's appropriate.

        “We're a little better for it. I know what our record is. I know what our performance is. But even in the game last week (at Dallas), a lot of ways we were the better team. It wasn't just that everything was wrong. Parts of the whole aren't working. Especially the pass offense, and, it times, the pass defense.

        “It isn't as broken as the fans seem to say it is.”

        LeBeau is 2-5. He has emphasized the running game, and featured back Corey Dillon has flourished. He set the individual rushing mark of 278 yards against Denver.

        Dillon, an unrestricted free agent after the season, is on pace to gain more than 1,360 yards. The Bengals have the right to match any offer without receiving compensation, but Dillon's value on the market has risen sharply this season. He could command a $10 million signing bonus and $8 million a year.

        “Corey's done extremely well,” Brown said. “He runs our offense exceptionally well. I would hope he is our running back for a long time.

        “But I don't have a crystal ball.”

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