Sunday, April 11, 1999
Browns couching their bet
Brass makes trip to Lexington
The Associated Press
CLEVELAND — Top Browns' officials are flying down to Kentucky in owner Al Lerner's private jet to take a second look at Tim Couch today and see if he's worthy of being their No. 1 pick.
Lerner will make the trip, along with coach Chris Palmer, football operations director Dwight Clark, President Carmen Policy and at least eight other members of the Browns' organization.
The pressure appears to be on Couch, who the Browns said earlier this week was in a three-man race to be their top pick with Oregon quarterback Akili Smith and Texas running back Ricky Williams.
“I wouldn't think it's a make or break day for him,” Clark said. “But it's very important.”
It will be the second time the Browns have observed Couch work out, but unlike his private session last month attended by other NFL teams, only the Browns will be on hand.
And unlike his previous workout when Couch scripted his passing drills, the Browns will conduct the two-hour practice session. Palmer wants to have Couch do everything Smith did in his workout with the Browns in Eugene, Ore., so he can judge the two QBs equally.
“I'd like everything on the same table so we can evaluate them from there,” Palmer said.
Palmer said he plans to have Couch throw 75 passes, run a 40-yard dash and perform a shuttle run. The Browns are also interested in seeing how Couch has adjusted to a new grip that Palmer asked the quarterback to work on.
“How does he feel gripping the ball, and how is it coming off his hand?” Clark said. “And from my point of view, can he endure this workout that coach is going to put him through?”
After reviewing hours of film on Couch and seeing him once before, Palmer said he isn't expecting any surprises.
“I don't think there will be anything we didn't see,” Palmer said. “It will be us confirming in what we think and what we believe.”
The Browns have just six days to decide what to do with the top pick. Palmer and Clark said not to read too much into both Policy and Lerner going along on the trip. The two got a chance to meet with Smith last month during the Browns' first mini-camp, and want to do the same with Couch.
“Plus, it's tough getting connections to Lexington, and I thought if we could get Mr. Lerner along, we could use his plane,” Clark said.
Meanwhile, there were reports that the New Orleans Saints were going to call the Browns on Saturday to open negotiations about trading for the No. 1 pick.
Saints coach Mike Ditka recently said he was willing to trade all his 1999 draft picks to Cleveland for a chance at selecting Williams.
Browns' spokesman Alex Martins said Saturday the team hadn't received any word from the Saints.
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