Tim Couch has become huge. Not just because he is his own corporation. Couch now has a number of "specialists" helping him get ready for "D" Day, the NFL draft on April 17th. Couch seems amazed as he describes his new army. "I got my marketing people, I got my finance people, I got an agent, I got my speed guy, my weight guy, a nutrition guy, I got about everything going on."Sometime over the next couple of months, experts are guessing that Tim is going to sign a contract that could top 50 million.

What is remarkable about this mentally tough mountain boy is how grounded he is. Couch is a great example of what goal setting and dreaming can lead to. If we only could get more kids to think like Tim. Hearing Tim's words makes up for dozens of spoiled athletes who forget what their priorities should be about. "When I was a little kid growing up, I didn't dream about playing in the NFL to have a big house, good cars and a lot of money. I dreamed about running out of that tunnel on Sunday afternoon, playing Monday Night football, playing in Super Bowls. That is what it will always be about. As long as I keep that feeling inside and that burning desire to be the best. The money is good. It's one less problem I guess. But I'm worried about getting victories on Sundays."

Tim's feeling about money could be a wonderful lesson for some of Rick Pitino's current pampered athletes with the Boston Celtics. It has gotten so bad in Beantown that fans are starting to raise the question, can Pitino's style make it in the NBA. Perhaps Tim could give Pitino's troops a pep talk. "Winning cures everything," says Couch. As long as I go out and play like I'm capable of playing and we win football games, everything else will take care of itself----endorsements, the money off the field, and my contract. All I care about is being the best I can be."

Couch is in the same boat as hundreds of other college football stars. Not knowing who will pick you and what city you will end up playing in, can be frustrating. What makes Couch's situation worse is that he could be the first player picked. It's tough to believe what you hear. Teams have been known to lie about their feelings on a player, so they don't show their hand. It's a game of poker. Couch understands, "that's about right. It's hard to get a read on those guys. I'll find out about the same time you do. It's kind of frustrating. I want to know where I'm going to be at, get the playbook, sit down and start learning it now."

I've been watching Tim for years. He's a much better leader than advertised. His arm is fine. His touch is wonderful. The touch on the ball you throw is often far more important than arm strength. Joe Montana will always be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. The power in his arm was never a strength. NFL scouts continue to question Couch's arm strength. Couch deals with it, but it doesn't mean he has to like it. "That kind of frustrates you, but every year the top guy----they are going to pick 'em apart. They are going to find something wrong with you. You can't be perfect. They are going to say stuff. All I can do is prove them wrong and work to improve everyday."

Through the years, Couch has handled being a public figure like a gentleman. But, the stakes change when you get the big bucks and more national attention in the NFL. In the past few months, all kinds of business proposals have been tossed his way. "I think everyone I meet knows someone I should go into business with," says the future multi-millionaire. "I've seen a lot of people. I don't think they mean wrong by it. I think they just want to help me out."

Another part of being a public figure is the personal mail that finds your address. It isn't unusual for a wealthy athlete to receive marriage proposals, pictures, and all kinds of offers. Couch smiles and shakes his head, "I get a few pictures from people here and there. I think my girlfriend would probably freak out if she had seen some of those." Couch knows that the pictures could really increase over the next few years. "If I get where I want to be, I know that stuff is going to happen. You just kind of take it in stride and laugh it off."

Through it all---not knowing who will draft him---the ridiculous questions about his arm strength---doesn't matter, Couch knows he is living out a dream. "I'm having a great time. This is the best time of my life so far."

Comments can be e-mailed to sportscut@mis.net . Alan Cutler is an award winning TV sportscaster who started covering UK in 1981.