BEREA, Ohio, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Kelly Holcomb will be the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.
Coach Butch Davis made it official on Sunday, naming Holcomb as the starter over Tim Couch, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 draft.
"We just felt, as a coaching staff, that Kelly Holcomb earned the opportunity to be given a chance to start," Davis said.
Davis had said he would pick a starter before the team's third preseason game on Aug. 23. Holcomb strengthened his case in the first two exhibition games, completing 7-of-10 for 166 yards and two touchdowns in the 38-31 loss to Green Bay on Saturday.
"I knew I did what I could do and the rest is up to the coaches," Holcomb said.
Many believed Couch, the team's starter since he was drafted, would get preferential treatment since he will make $6.2 million in 2003, but Holcomb was clearly the fan favorite. He had 429 yards and three touchdowns in a 36-33 loss to Pittsburgh last season.
Last season, Holcomb, 30, completed 64-of-106 passes for 790 yards, with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. Couch, 26, was 273-of-443 for 2,842 yards, with 18 touchdowns with 18 interceptions.
