This weeks article looks back at the history of Free Agents that didn’t quite work out for the Packers.
Every year there are hot Free Agents looking to get a pay raise or a fresh new start.
While recent history proves that the Packers aren’t big in the Free Agency market, there have been times where the Packers dipped their toes into the market.
Some where big hits, while others left people wondering what the heck happened.
We’ll look at one Free Agent signing, that didn’t make it out of the preseason on the Packers roster.
Tim Couch
Former 1st round draft pick Tim Couch was in and out of the starting line up during his final year with the Cleveland Browns.
Couch appeared in 10 games in 2003.
Making eight starts, Couch was 120/203 for 1,319 yards with seven TDs and six interceptions.
Looking for a new start, Couch entered the Free agent market in 2004.
One of the top Free Agents in the market, the Packers were looking for a QB.
A year before the Packers actually found the predecessor to Brett Favre, they went to find the possible heir apparent to Favre.
With Favre in his twilight of his career, the Packers decided to take a chance on Couch.
The team signed him to a 1 year deal.
The Packers hoped to develop Couch and regain what made him the first pick in 1999.
Couch’s short time in Green Bay
Couch’s time in Green Bay didn’t get off to the best start.
Battling arm and elbow issues before training camp, Couch wasn’t the same QB he was back in his prime.
Couch was penciled in as the number 2 QB behind Favre.
But his performance in the 2004 Pre-Season wasn’t the best.
During the Packers Pre-season opener against the Seahawks, Couch went 2-of-11 for 18 yards and was sacked twice.
His bad performance continued in the second preseason game agains the New Orlean Saints.
Couch ended his night with 6-of-17 passing for 64 yards, a sight improvement.
He then missed the 3rd preseason game.
By the time the 4th and final Pre-season game rolled around Couch was demoted to the 4th QB spot.
Trying the make the team, Couch didn’t impress going 3 of 6 for 14 yards.
Couch was then released during the final cuts of the preseason, ending his time in Green Bay.
Conclusion
The Packers tried to find the hier apparent to their Hall of Fame QB a year before actually finding it.
Since then, the Packers haven’t dug deep in the Free agent market for Quarterbacks.
The Packers have used the draft and develop approach and it has had some success.
The Packers did learn form the experience, realizing Free Agency isn’t going to fix everything.
Especially when it come to the quarterback position.
