Aug. 11, 1999
By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
BEREA, Ohio (AP) – Two hours, two days, two weeks or two months?
Eventually, Tim Couch will become the Cleveland Browns’ startingquarterback. It’s not if. It’s when.
But following the rookie’s sensational NFL debut Monday night, thebeginningof the Tim Couch Era in Cleveland might come sooner than anyone expected.
“If he continues to play the way he has been,” Browns coach Chris Palmersaid Tuesday, “it will be an interesting preseason.”
Interesting indeed. The Browns wanted to bring Couch, their No. 1 overallpick in April’s college draft, along slowly in his first season, allowing himto develop behind starter Ty Detmer before making him the No. 1 QB.
Couch was their future, the team insisted.
But following Couch’s 11-for-17, 137-yard performance when he moved theBrowns up and down the field like a seasoned veteran in Cleveland’s 20-17overtime win against the Dallas Cowboys in the Hall of Fame game, the Brownsmay have to rethink their timetable.
“The media is trying to set a date,” Palmer said. “Generally, our feelingwas if we had him up and running by the middle of the (regular) season,management and everybody involved with the program would be very happy. ButI’mnot sure he isn’t on a faster track than that.”
Couch does seem to be on a runaway escalator to the top after barelythreeweeks of pro practice. He seems to get better every day in training camp, andMonday night he showcased his talents for Browns fans and a national TVaudience for the first time.
Even if the Browns aren’t ready to name him their starter just yet, Couchsure looked like he was.
“Right now, there is a hype,” said Palmer, who admitted he has beensurprised by Couch’s quick development. “To say it’s going to happen at theend of training camp, I don’t know whether I could say that. It could happentwo weeks from now or it could happen at the end of the season. I will saythis, I’m very pleased with what he did.”
In his first pro game, Couch showed why the Browns gave him a seven-year,$59 million contract.
Replacing Detmer early in the second quarter, Couch threw anincomplete passon his first attempt before connecting on 10 straight passes – one a24-yard TDto rookie wideout Kevin Johnson, a combination Cleveland fans hope to see hookup many times in the future.
Granted, some of Couch’s work came against Dallas’ second- and third-unitdefenses. But he showed poise in the pocket, took a couple of big hits andshowed quickness escaping pressure.
One of the knocks on Couch, who skipped his senior season at Kentucky,was alack of speed. The other was arm strength, but with a few deep balls, Couchshowed he has all the arm he needs.
“I felt good out there and it was nice to get that first TD out of theway,” Couch said after the game. “But I’m not where I want to be.”
Palmer didn’t get to bed following his first NFL game as a head coachuntilafter 3 a.m. He was up again at 5, but before leaving for work, he caught agraphic on ESPN that showed how Couch fared in his first game compared to JeffGeorge, Drew Bledsoe and Peyton Manning – other No. 1 picks – in their prodebuts.
“They were not as good as his,” Palmer said of Couch.
Palmer began noticing a big difference in Couch last week during trainingcamp. He saw a more polished player, one becoming comfortable with the prooffense and more confident in his ability as a passer and leader.
On Monday night, Palmer said Couch’s teammates picked up on the samething.
“I think one of the things that Tim did last night was that other playerstook notice,” Palmer said.
Palmer was particularly impressed with Couch’s ability to run theoffense nomatter the line of scrimmage or down.
“I was pleased with the way Couch managed the game,” Palmer said. “Iexpected Ty to get us in to the right situations. I didn’t know if Tim, underthe lights, would be able to do that. He took a timeout and didn’t let theclock run out. That shows tremendous awareness.”
