Couch should jump at chance with Packers

5/16/2004

Did you hear the one about Tim Couch refusing a trade to Green Bay because - get this - he doesn t want to sit behind Brett Favre for two more years?

Rim shot!

Now that s funny.

And sad.

Who does Couch think he is, Eli Manning?

Couch is in no position to call the shots.

In 62 games as an NFL quarterback, Couch has 64 touchdown passes and 67 interceptions.

He has a lukewarm quarterback rating of 75.1.

He s been just good enough to get you beat.

Ask Chris Palmer. Ask Butch Davis. Ask Carmen Policy.

Couch had better wake up and smell the coffee.

He s not chopped liver, but he isn t filet mignon, either.

What s so wrong about Couch playing behind Brett Favre, one of the league s all-time greats?

Besides Couch apparently being unable to harness his ego, absolutely nothing.

Sitting and watching in a new, winning environment might be the best thing for Couch. He could learn from mimicking Favre, more than he could being stuck in Cleveland, where he isn t wanted and Davis has already named Jeff Garcia the starting quarterback.

Favre radiates confidence. He s a gunslinger who possesses a rifle arm, and a tremendous will to win.

Favre is a playmaker with an uncanny ability to make something out of nothing. He s reaped the rewards of being showcased in Green Bay s quarterback-friendly system.

Favre, however, isn t getting any younger. He s nearing the end of his playing career.

When Favre retires, the Packers would become Couch s team. Accordingly, Green Bay s brass would design an offense around Couch s talents - not the other way around.

Certainly not the way Cleveland s brass hung Couch out to dry upon making him the top pick in the 1999 draft.

Couch never got untracked with the Browns.

But did Couch count his blessings when Green Bay offered him a chance for a fresh start and a modest two-year contract worth about $3 million, according to media reports? No.

Super agent Tom Condon wants starter s money for Couch - take it or leave it.

In response, Green Bay contacted free-agent quarterback Damon Huard, although that may be a negotiating ploy.

From the first pick in the draft to comparisons with Huard. If that doesn t get Couch s attention, nothing will.

Earth to Couch: Some people don t know how good they have it.

They fuss when there s nothing to complain about.

They refuse to accept responsibility for their mistakes.

Life has been very good to Couch. He s already rich from his first contract.

He doesn t need to haggle with Green Bay over a few million dollars. If things work out between Couch and the Packers, the big money will come later.

Instead of becoming the butt of jokes, Couch needs to get his butt in gear and join a winning organization that wants him. And while he s at it, learn how to play quarterback.