TypicalBill
05-19-2003, 05:54 AM
It is never too early to speculate about some of the battles we may see once the NFL Training Camps open up. I have taken the liberty to chronicle 10 offensive position battles that you should watch so you know how to draft right before the regular season begins.
1. Kelly Holcombe vs. Tim Couch Cleveland Browns
Quarterbacks
There is no question that this is the most talked about quarterback battle in the NFL heading into the preseason. Tim Couch was supposed to be the franchise quarterback that would lead the “expansion” Cleveland Browns back to respectability as they reentered the league in 1999. Despite showing glimpses that he has turned the corner, Couch has failed to live up to the enormous expectation of being a #1 pick and the play of backup Kelly Holcombe seems to have complicated matters even more.
Kelly Holcombe is a journeyman that until last season had exactly 1 career NFL start and that came in 1997. Holcombe appeared in 5 regular season games and started a pair of contests for the Browns while compiling a 92.9 quarterback rating with a 2-1 touchdown to interception ratio (8 TD’s 4 INT’s). While those numbers were very good it was his postseason start in the loss to Pittsburgh that opened a number of eyes. Holcombe threw for 429 yards and 3 touchdowns on the day, going down the field time and time again and spreading the ball around to the deep Cleveland receiving corps.
Meanwhile Tim Couch threw for over 2,800 yards with 18 touchdowns but he also found the opposing team 18 times. Couch was the subject of trade rumors during the offseason and the Browns dangled him as trade bait just before the NFL draft. This looks like the year Cleveland will decide weather they sever ties with Couch or give their franchise quarterback another opportunity. With running back William Green coming on strong at the end of the year (631 yards over the last 6 games of the season) and four terrific wide receivers, the Cleveland Browns quarterback for 2003 should have the opportunity to post Pro Bowl like numbers. The question is who will it be?
Pick: I have the feeling Couch will be the starter on opening weekend and Holcombe will come to the rescue at some point during the season. Watch this battle carefully, the backup in Cleveland could be a steal in the later rounds of your draft.
Continue reading.... (http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/fantasy.htm)
1. Kelly Holcombe vs. Tim Couch Cleveland Browns
Quarterbacks
There is no question that this is the most talked about quarterback battle in the NFL heading into the preseason. Tim Couch was supposed to be the franchise quarterback that would lead the “expansion” Cleveland Browns back to respectability as they reentered the league in 1999. Despite showing glimpses that he has turned the corner, Couch has failed to live up to the enormous expectation of being a #1 pick and the play of backup Kelly Holcombe seems to have complicated matters even more.
Kelly Holcombe is a journeyman that until last season had exactly 1 career NFL start and that came in 1997. Holcombe appeared in 5 regular season games and started a pair of contests for the Browns while compiling a 92.9 quarterback rating with a 2-1 touchdown to interception ratio (8 TD’s 4 INT’s). While those numbers were very good it was his postseason start in the loss to Pittsburgh that opened a number of eyes. Holcombe threw for 429 yards and 3 touchdowns on the day, going down the field time and time again and spreading the ball around to the deep Cleveland receiving corps.
Meanwhile Tim Couch threw for over 2,800 yards with 18 touchdowns but he also found the opposing team 18 times. Couch was the subject of trade rumors during the offseason and the Browns dangled him as trade bait just before the NFL draft. This looks like the year Cleveland will decide weather they sever ties with Couch or give their franchise quarterback another opportunity. With running back William Green coming on strong at the end of the year (631 yards over the last 6 games of the season) and four terrific wide receivers, the Cleveland Browns quarterback for 2003 should have the opportunity to post Pro Bowl like numbers. The question is who will it be?
Pick: I have the feeling Couch will be the starter on opening weekend and Holcombe will come to the rescue at some point during the season. Watch this battle carefully, the backup in Cleveland could be a steal in the later rounds of your draft.
Continue reading.... (http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/fantasy.htm)