Receiver hints Couch didn't work hard
QB expected to sign with Green Bay
By Sean McClelland

Dayton Daily News

BEREA | Browns receiver Quincy Morgan did not say
so directly, but he strongly implied that deposed
quarterback Tim Couch simply didn't work hard
enough at his job.

"He's gone, so I'm not going to really talk about
him or disrespect him like that," Morgan said.
"But you know . . . I ain't saying nothin', but
if you want to get better, whoever you are, work
harder."

The Browns are in the process of releasing Couch
after five largely frustrating seasons. Once he
clears waivers and becomes a free agent, he is
expected to sign with the Green Bay Packers,
where he would back up Brett Favre.

Severing ties with the No. 1 overall pick of the
1999 draft is best for all concerned, former
teammates said Thursday as the Browns concluded
their 14-day offseason camp.

"It's time to move on," backup quarterback Kelly
Holcomb said. "It's time for Tim to go to another
team and start anew."

The Browns had been slow to act, but with Jeff
Garcia signed as the starter, Holcomb progressing
from shoulder surgery and the division rival
Baltimore Ravens having settled on Kordell
Stewart as their backup, the time, finally,
became right.

Some in the locker room thought the team should
have received something more than salary-cap
savings in return, however.

"You'd think we'd have been able to walk away
with some kind of compensation," cornerback
Daylon McCutcheon said.

With Couch gone, McCutcheon, a five-year starter,
is the last Brown remaining from the team's
11-member draft class in '99.

"I truly feel he's going to be a successful
quarterback somewhere," McCutcheon said. "I feel
like when he gets in the right system, he'll be
all right."

Neither former coach Chris Palmer's offense nor
the one conceived by offensive coordinator Bruce
Arians in 2001 appeared to mesh with Couch's
abilities.

"He had so many people going in and out the door
those first couple of years, he could never gel
with receivers," McCutcheon said. "And the
offensive line wasn't good. I mean, he was
getting killed. But he didn't complain when he
was getting sacked all those times. He went out
and played."

As for Couch's work habits, Morgan nodded and
smiled when told by a reporter that Holcolmb
often spent time throwing to receivers after
practice, something Couch rarely did.

"It makes a difference," Morgan said. "You see
it."

Browns coach Butch Davis on Thursday described
Garcia as a "filmaholic." It's something that
apparently never could be said about Couch.

"Quarterbacks need to know everything," Morgan
said. "Sometimes a receiver or running back can
get away with (not knowing), but a quarterback
has to stay in the film room and know
everything."

Morgan thinks there's hope for Couch.

"If he can get somewhere where he's relaxed and
the O-line will block for him, he's going to be a
player," Morgan said.

Couch has been spending time in Fort Lauderdale,
Fla., ever since the Browns told him to stop
coming around. Holcomb stays in touch by phone.

"It's bittersweet for me because Tim is my
friend," Holcomb said. "I'll probably call him
today."





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