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Dynasty Spotlight - QB Tim Couch, Green Bay Packers

General Info

6'4", 220 lbs. 27 years old
Kentucky

Couch was the #1 overall draft pick in 1999 and the first pick of the latest incarnation of the Cleveland Browns franchise. Although he was given ample opportunity, Couch never really developed into the NFL Quarterback that Cleveland wanted. When backup Kelly Holcomb beat out couch for the starting role, the handwriting was on the wall. He signed a 1 year deal with Green Bay after being released this summer, and he's currently listed as the #3 QB on the depth chart behind Brett Favre and Doug Pederson.

Will Grant's Thoughts

2004 Outlook

Had Couch stayed in Cleveland, he would have been #3 on the depth chart behind Jeff Garcia and Kelly Holcomb. He may have less chance to see the field in Green Bay though, as he's #3 behind iron man Brett Favre and long time Doug Pederson. Favre hasn't missed a start in 11+ years, and something major is going to have to happen for the Packers to replace him.

With Favre at the helm, the Packers have never had a losing season, and only once have they finished 8-8. Despite being 34 years old, Favre tossed 32 TDs last year and had 7.1 passing yards per attempt. Given all that, expect Favre to start all 16 games for the Packers, and Couch to ride the bench the whole year.

In the event that Favre blows out an ACL or something, Couch will still be #2 behind Doug Pederson. Pederson knows the system, and has done well in the limited time he's had under center. Couch will need to have a super preseason to even move into the #2 role. More likely the case that Couch will just be an insurance backup for Green Bay this year.

2007 Outlook

It's hard to say what will become of Tim Couch between now and 2007. He's still young enough to be considered a starting prospect by many teams, and he has shown some flashes of skill throughout his career to warrant a look.

Unfortunately for Couch, most teams would rather take a risk on a young unproven rookie, than a veteran who may or may not have what it takes to make it. Signing with Green Bay might get Couch closer to a Super Bowl ring, but it won't land him in the starting lineup, and that's where he needs to be if he hopes to be playing three years down the road. Unless he can show his skills on the field, he'll never have a chance to move anywhere else.

If Couch stays with the Packers, and if he can beat out Doug Pederson, and if the Packers don't draft a young rookie QB and if Favre retires at the end of this season, Couch could be the starter for Green Bay in 2005. Too many 'ifs' to make Couch worth anything to your fantasy team right now.

Final Thoughts

Unless you have Favre on your roster, couch should not even be on your radar this year. If he somehow manages to beat out Peterson for the primary backup, and you're really desperate at QB, you might want to spend a roster spot on Couch just in case he takes over for the Packers or another team at the end of the season. For the VAST majority of most dynasty owners, Couch is a guy to avoid until he does something to move out of the 3rd string, or if Favre goes down for a long period of time.

Marc Levin's Thoughts

2004 OUTLOOK

With Brett "Ironman" Favre in front of him this year, don't expect much from Couch. He is apparently not picking up the offense very quickly, and he has a sore shoulder. What can you say except "yuck" for his fantasy prospects for 2004. Unless Favre misses time after playing in over 225 straight games, Couch is not useful this year except as a QB3 behind Favre as your starter.

2007 OUTLOOK

I expect Couch to be on another team or holding a clipboard for the Packers' new young gun in 2007. I believe he will be a stopgap measure for a year or two if Favre retires next year or the year after. During that brief time frame, he will probably have a decent fantasy year. Think Jon Kitna holding the starting gig for a year with the Bengals before giving way to Carson Palmer. Couch's "journeyman" career is just beginning.

Final Thoughts

As a safety net behind Favre, Couch is a nice security blanket, but unlikely to be taken off the shelf either of the next two years. He might see some time if Favre retires while the team grooms a new QB for the future. He actually is not old, or washed up, and could have a Vinny Testaverde '98/'99 type of revival at some point for the Packers. If you have a really deep roster, and Favre is on your team, go ahead and grab him.


Quotations from the Message Board Thread

To view the Entire Message Board Thread, Click here.

WinningisEverything:
Time is running out for this former #1 overall pick to prove he belongs. I think signing with the Packers was the best thing he could do for his career. After a few years in the QB wasteland known as Cleveland, Tim will get to learn from a warrior and one of the best to ever toss the pigskin. I hope he spends a year or two as Favre's understudy and then moves somewhere else to be the starter. I say that because after Favre leaves, the next QB to take over will have unrealistic expectations placed on him.

Westparkhouserat:
Glad to see someone else sees the potential in Tim. I've watched every game he's played in and I can vouch for his toughness and will to win. I have never seen a quarterback take a pounding like he did in Cleveland. Some of the shots he took are forever scared in my memory. People seem to forget that he was drafted by an expansion team, surrounded by NFL Europe talent, and asked to start from day one.

Harv72b:
In another thread on this forum some time ago, I discovered & posted a surprising historical nugget--no quarterback drafted at #1 overall since the merger has failed to record at least 20,000 career passing yards before leaving the league. Not a single one. Some have bloomed late (Vinny Testaverde comes to mind immediately), while others have put up the yards but haven't done very much to help their teams win (Jeff George), but all have enjoyed very successful individual careers

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