LEAGUE NOTES

          COUCH TO GO NO. 1: In Akron, Patrick McManamon writes
     that the Browns will make former Univ. of KY QB Tim Couch
     "the first choice" in the draft, barring any "holdups in his
     contract demands."  The Browns will contact Couch's agent,
     IMG's Tom Condon, today (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 4/15).  Couch
     will appear on "The Late Show With David Letterman" tonight
     and attend a GQ photo shoot Friday (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL,
     4/15). Meanwhile, agent Leigh Steinberg "expects" the first
     pick in Saturday's draft to sign a "rookie-record" $13M
     signing bonus, adding, "I believe quarterbacks will be the
     first three picks in some order" (USA TODAY, 4/15).  
          CLEAN AND SOBER: WPHL President Rick Kozuback, said the
     league investigated allegations that some players of the New
     Mexico Scorpions drank beer on the bench during a March 17
     loss to the AK GlacierCats (See THE DAILY, 4/1): "We have
     found nothing" (THE HOCKEY NEWS, 4/16 issue).