4. Tim Couch 1st Round 1st Pick in 1999
He was to be the new face of a reborn franchise, coming in as the next Bernie Kosar for a Browns team that was coming back to the NFL after a three-year absence. Instead, by the end of his first season he had been sacked so many times it was painful to watch. The QB showed promise in year two, but was hurt in practice and missed over half the season. By year three, he helped the team go 7-9, and in year four should have been in the postseason, but was hurt in the final game against the Falcons. By year five Butch Davis went with Kelly Holcomb over Couch, and it was over. Couch in five years was 22-37 as a starter, and went to Green Bay to backup Bret Favre, but hurt his shoulder and never played again.
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Stan Pennock
February 3, 2016 at 4:22 pm
Hey Matt, Did you forget that Gilbert was a 1st round pick? How about Gerard Warren? In the history of the Browns franchise there have only been 7 QB’s with more wins and all of them played on far more talented teams. He was good enough to be signed to back up a HOF QB in Green Bay. Injury cost him his career, so were you really being fair to him? He won way more games that Gilbert’s lack of effort ever will for the Browns. Also Brady Quinn had the same career winning percentage as Weeden and the team never gave Quinn the opportunity to get experience like they did Weeden. IMO the Browns didn’t treat him fairly at all.
Stan Pennock
February 3, 2016 at 4:26 pm
Hey Matt, Sorry, my question was about Tim Couch. I forgot to include who I was talking about! Must have been another mental lapse.
Matt Loede
February 4, 2016 at 4:47 pm
Hi Stan!
Thanks for the comment! I understand your point about Tim completely. He’s a tremendous guy as I just spoke to him about a week ago for a Browns book I am writing that will be out in September. As far as him and his talent, I do agree that he got a raw deal on those teams he was forced to play on, and to this day he told me he thought maybe he was thrown in the mix too early as a rookie QB. With that though the reason I went with him over guys like Gilbert and Warren is rather simple. First he was the FIRST overall pick, and when you pick a guy that high you are expecting a great to HOF type player. I know it doesn’t happen every year, but that’s what you are hoping for. Second, he’s a QB, and as we all know, QB’s, good or bad, get remembered a lot more than positions like corner and D-line. I just think those factors alone are enough for him to be considered one of the top busts in team history since 99. Again, can’t argue with you that he got a raw deal, because he did, but I felt that it was more of a ‘wrong place at wrong time’ type of deal than anything else. Would have loved to have seen Tim play for a team that was even decent in those seasons instead of one that was brand new to the league again. Thank you again for your comments! All the best!