jbooma Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 http://espn.go.com/nfl/news/2003/0817/1597821.html It's Holcomb at the helm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Associated Press BEREA, Ohio -- Kelly Holcomb will begin the season as Cleveland's starting quarterback after beating out Tim Couch for the job. Holcomb, a career backup, had been locked in a heated competition since training camp opened with Couch, a four-year starter once called one the franchise's "cornerstones" who will make $6.2 million this season. But coach Butch Davis ended months of debate Sunday by announcing that Holcomb will be his starter when the Browns open the regular season Sept. 7 against Indianapolis. "It's a gut feeling," Davis said. "I believe Kelly Holcomb should be given the opportunity to start." Holcomb has outplayed Couch in the Browns' two exhibition games, completing 14 of 21 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns. The 30-year-old Holcomb may have confirmed what Davis had been planning all along with a dazzling performance in the first half Friday night against Green Bay. Holcomb led the Browns on TD drives on their first two possessions, and finished 7-of-10 for 166 yards with two TD passes. Davis decided to open the quarterback competition in January after Holcomb passed for 429 yards in a playoff loss to Pittsburgh. It was the third highest total in NFL postseason history. Couch, meanwhile, will begin the 2003 season watching from the sideline, something he hasn't had to do -- other than when he has been injured -- since his first game as a rookie in 1999. The former No. 1 overall draft pick is 8-of-15 for 68 yards in Cleveland's two exhibition games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@DCGoldPants Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 trade Couch to Dallas perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleedblue Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 man. I got Couch on my fantasy team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskool Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 Originally posted by bleedblue man. I got Couch on my fantasy team. you should have stayed away from both until you knew the outcome of Davis' decision. Then picked up the winner off of the waiver wire. Live and learn I suppose :40oz: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuckinIA Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 Originally posted by bleedblue man. I got Couch on my fantasy team. I just got Holcomb tonight. Wurd! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sashae Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 I think Couch is one of those guys that would reaaaally benefit from a change of scenery. Lotta bad blood about him in Cleveland. -s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffma Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 Tim Couch does need to get out of Cleveland. When the fans boo in a pre-season game that tells you they don't like him. Butch decided a long time ago that he wanted Kelly to be the starter. He is good but time will tell, and with their offensive line the going will be rough for whoever is under center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Dollar Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 Always liked Holcomb. When the Bucs signed him as a FA in '95 and he couldn't break the lineup I knew he would be a starter somewhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbooma Posted August 18, 2003 Author Share Posted August 18, 2003 Davis has also said he wants nothing to resemble a QB controversy. In english that means good by Couch. He said the only way it looks like Couch will play this year if Holcomb is injured, ouch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennesseeCarl Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 I thought it was a gutty call by Davis to sit the big-dollar kid. But it was the right call. Hopefully our front office will have the courage to choose performance over "How much do we have invested in this guy?" when our time comes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonnyJ Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 Originally posted by TennesseeCarl I thought it was a gutty call by Davis to sit the big-dollar kid. But it was the right call. Hopefully our front office will have the courage to choose performance over "How much do we have invested in this guy?" when our time comes. So, you're saying Turner showed balls by playing Frerotte over Shuler? Wow, someone is actually complimenting Norv for having a backbone.:laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennesseeCarl Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 Good one, SonnyJ. Unfortunately, the correct choice at the time was 'None of the Above'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMonkey Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 Originally posted by SonnyJ So, you're saying Turner showed balls by playing Frerotte over Shuler? Wow, someone is actually complimenting Norv for having a backbone.:laugh: LOL...good point, now it seems like Philly and the Vikings came out on top in the QB draft that year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonnyJ Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 I can't argue with that, TC. Preaching to the choir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 Hmm trade him where? I dont see him as Cowpoke material but hey the trade for a 1st or multiple picks (2nd and 3rd) could happen but I doubt it. He is definately not coming here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted August 18, 2003 Share Posted August 18, 2003 the Browns did a horrible job the past few years at the top of the draft order. Couch has underachieved. Brown has underachieved. in addition the team had to fire its first coach, Chris Palmer, within a couple of years of hiring him. Dwight Clark and Carmen Policy have not exactly set the world on fire in Cleveland but the press nationally continues to give them a pass from severe criticism. The other place they have failed is with free agents. Remember their contract to Tre Johnson? Jamir Miller? Keith McKenzie? and others. Not many came to much in a Browns uniform over time. The Browns 9-7 record in 2002 was as much a product of a weak division and easy schedule as anything else. It will be interesting to see what they do in 2003. I agree that Holcomb deserved the start given the fact he got the team to the playoffs last season and played well against Pittsburgh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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