Former Univ. of KY QB TIM COUCH is profiled by USA
TODAY's Richard Weiner, who writes that "much was made"
about Couch's decision to sign with IMG because of reports
the agency "charged a minimal fee while guaranteeing Couch
marketing money and offering his brother-turned-manager,
Greg, a corporate office." Couch: "(News reports) said that
IMG only charged me $50,000 to do my contract. IMG charges
me 3%, just like they do everyone else. (Reports) said they
guaranteed me $3[M] in marketing. None of that stuff is
true." Greg Couch noted that IMG didn't offer him an office
until after Tim had signed with them. If Couch is the first
pick in Saturday's NFL Draft, "he is looking at a record-
setting contract" of around $55M for six years, including a
$12M signing bonus (USA TODAY, 4/16). IMG agent TOM CONDON,
on contract talks with the Browns: "There certainly
shouldn't be any problem. They understand the marketplace
and I think I do also" (BEACON JOURNAL, 4/16). Couch was a
guest on "Late Show" with David Letterman. Letterman: "You
have an agent and you are 21-years-old. I didn't even have
my driver's license when I was 21" (CBS, 4/15).
THE ALMA MATER? LEIGH STEINBERG, on "Up Close," talking
about his client former of Univ. of OR QB AKILI SMITH: "They
love his arm strength but they also love his mechanics. ...
He was in a sophisticated passing offense and had great
coaching at Oregon State with Mike Bellotti and coach [Jeff]
Tedford" ("Up Close," ESPN, 4/15).
