Impressive first steps for all of them, and the expectation was that the '99 draft class would take a quantum leap forward in 2000. After all, the notion that the biggest improvement a player makes occurs between his first and second seasons is taken almost as gospel. If that's the case, the Browns might want to consider new prayer books. Entering their game today in Denver, as many key members of that draft class are floundering as are flourishing. Of the Browns' top seven picks a year ago, only Couch and strong safety Marquis Smith are clearly having better seasons than they did in 1999.
Couch has much better command of the offense and has grown into the unit's unquestioned leader.
Smith has benefited from not having to share time with a veteran disinclined to provide much guidance, as was the case last year with Marquez Pope. That's the good news. Rainer and McCutcheon, who could be viewed as being in holding patterns, hold the middle ground. But he doesn't seem to have had the impact he had last year when he was thrust into the starting lineup when Chris Spielman was forced to retire. McCutcheon has been active in run support but less effective in the passing game.