The Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio - Quincy Morgan's reaction stood out in an otherwise impartial Browns' locker room.

One day after Kelly Holcomb was picked over Tim Couch to be Cleveland's starting quarterback, their teammates got to weigh in on coach Butch Davis' decision.

While most offered the standard whatever-coach-wants-to-do responses, Morgan had trouble hiding his feelings.

He was smiling. It was obvious that the wide receiver would have picked Holcomb, too.

"He's fun to play with," Morgan said.

While there were some puzzled looks and a few raised eyebrows at Davis' choice to bench Couch and his $6.2 million contract in favor of Holcomb, the Browns were united and pleased about one thing: that the quarterback controversy was over.

Morgan said he wasn't surprised Davis would go with Holcomb, a career backup who has made just four starts during seven years in the NFL.

As the Browns' best deep threat last season, Morgan caught 56 passes for 964 yards, numbers that could rise with Holcomb at QB.

Holcomb has already shown a willingness to air it out on offense by throwing 40- and 50-yard passes. Couch, on the other hand, is more inclined to throw underneath.

"When you lineup, you may already have a short route, and if Holcomb sees a guy in your face, he might give you a go route," Morgan said. "He's so in tune with what's going on in a game, it's ridiculous. That makes you have to be so much focused. He sees everything. He's great at reading the defense."

Moments after Morgan presented the pro-Holcomb side of Davis' decision, Kevin Johnson reflected on seeing Couch lose his job.

Johnson has been Couch's go-to receiver for four seasons. The pair have clicked since arriving as draft picks of the expansion Browns in 1999.

"I feel sorry for him," Johnson said. "When I found out about it, it hurt me. We came here five years ago together. He was the number one pick, I was number two. It's a decision that had to be made one way or another. It's kind of sad. But it's a business."

That was a sentiment echoed by several of the Browns. Davis cut five starters during the past off-season, and by benching a former No. 1 overall pick, the coach reminded everyone that he's the boss.

"A lot of guys thought Tim was going to be the starter because he makes the most money, and it would only be right," Morgan said. "But I knew it was a toss up. I've been around here for awhile watching and I know coach Davis is going to play the best player.

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