Tim Couch

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Tim Couch
Date of birth	July 31, 1977
Place of birth	Hyden, Kentucky
Position(s)	QB
College	University of Kentucky
NFL Draft	1999 / Round 1/ Pick 1
Statistics	Pro Football Reference DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
1999-2003	Cleveland Browns

Timothy Scott Couch (born July 31, 1977 in Hyden, Kentucky) is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He was a standout Heisman Trophy finalist in 1998 playing for the University of Kentucky, and was the number one selection in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He later played for the Green Bay Packers.

1 NFL career
2 External links

[edit] NFL career

After starring as a quarterback for Leslie County High School, Couch continued his success at the University of Kentucky. His college success culminated in his selection as the number one overall selection in the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. Couch took over for Ty Detmer as the team's starting quarterback in the second game of his rookie season. He went on to spend five seasons as a starting quarterback for Cleveland, eventually facing competition from journeyman backup Kelly Holcomb during his final two seasons.

Football analysts point to Couch's problems early in his career with the Browns as a textbook case of how not to handle a young quarterback.^{[citation needed]} Mistakes included repeatedly switching head coaches and offensive systems, failing to provide an NFL-caliber offensive line, pulling him into and out of the starting lineup, and otherwise failing to provide consistent instruction and environment. Couch's tenure in Cleveland was marked by inconsistent play, which was partially a result of being constantly plagued by injuries. He missed the final nine games of the 2000 season with a shoulder injury. He broke his leg just prior to the end of the 2002 regular season, being replaced by Holcomb, who threw for over 400 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. This was the beginning of a quarterback controversy in Cleveland that would not be resolved until a year later. By the end of the 2003 season, after exhausting both quarterbacks with the rotation,[1]it became clear that then-head coach Butch Davis, struggling with a 5-11 football team, would never give Couch the opportunity to start again. At this point, Davis lured former San Francisco quarterback Jeff Garcia to Cleveland and handed him the starting role.

[edit] His release

In 2004, after Couch refused to take a pay cut, the Browns released him, but not before banning him from the Browns training facilities and preventing him from practicing with the team. [2] Couch signed as a free agent with the Green Bay Packers soon afterward. Heading into Packer's training camp, Couch struggled with a rotator cuff injury that would eventually sideline him indefinitely from football. Couch went on to have a disappointing training camp and was booed off the field by the Lambeau crowd during his limited preseason appearances.[3] He was released by the Packers during their final cutdown to 53 players prior to the season. Couch filed a grievance with the NFL Players Union against the Packers because they failed to attempt an injury settlement prior to his release.

[edit] Attempted comeback

After undergoing shoulder surgery in February 2005, Couch auditioned for the Chicago Bears midway through the 2005 season and the Cincinnati Bengals in December 2005. The Bears noticed his arm was not nearly back to NFL shape during their workout and subsequently did not sign him. The Bengals did not pursue Couch, although Jon Kitna was not resigned after his contract expired in early 2006. Couch participated in tryouts with the Tennessee Titans as late as January 2006. He has also been to work outs with the Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Houston Texans. All three teams have stated that despite good workouts, they are not interested in pursuing him. However, Tim Couch is already counted out for the 06-07 season, as he has had shoulder surgery again in late June of 2006[4]. It will be at least until the 07-08 NFL season before Couch can attempt another comeback.

[edit] Personal

Couch is married to the 1999 Playboy Playmate of the Year, Heather Kozar. He and his wife have a son together, Chase Scott Couch, who was born on August 5, 2005.

Preceded by: Shaun Alexander	Kentucky Mr. Football 1995	Succeeded by: Derek Homer
Preceded by: Peyton Manning	1st Overall Pick in NFL Draft 1999	Succeeded by: Courtney Brown
Preceded by: Ty Detmer	Cleveland Browns Starting Quarterbacks 1999-2003	Succeeded by: Kelly Holcomb