For These 49ers, the Gold Rush Could Be Over

Question: What would you do?

Answer: Cleveland quarterback Tim Couch threw the first touchdown pass of his NFL career last week, ran the length of the field, took the ball and spiked it so hard it flew into the front row of the stands.

Derek Dickerson, a seventh-grader in Nashville, caught it.

Couch wanted the ball back as a keepsake, and Dickerson said no way.

“If it was my first touchdown pass I would probably want it too, so I feel bad for Tim Couch,” the kid said. “Everybody, though, is telling me I ought to keep it. The only person that says I ought to give it back is my dad.”

Q: If you were Dad, would you make him give it back?

A: A Browns’ official offered the kid a miniature football and a Browns’ cap for the ball, but he refused. Another fan offered him $200, and a collector at the game told him the ball probably was worth $1,000.

“I would give him an autographed jersey or helmet or a ball or something,” Couch said.

The kid’s dad, Tim Dickerson, said, “He just feels like not everybody gets to catch the ball and he was happy about it and he just wants to hold onto it. I can see his side because every little kid dreams of catching the ball in the stands and he got the opportunity. He’s really excited about it.”

That will teach you to spike the ball, Tim Couch.

Q: Speaking of bad bounces, who has just the worst timing?

A: Buffalo News sportswriter Vic Carucci and New York Jet wide receiver Wayne Chrebet.

The twosome combined to write a book, “Every Down, Every Distance,” subtitled, “My Journey to the NFL.”

It hits bookstores this week. Unfortunately, there won’t be much hype, because Chrebet is injured and won’t be back for about four more weeks.

Q: What’s behind the John Avery-Marcus Nash trade earlier this week?

A: The Broncos took wide receiver Nash with the 30th pick in last year’s draft, after the Dolphins had taken running back Avery one pick earlier. Each has been a bust.

Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan, apparently not infallible when it comes to judging talent, will try to make a wide receiver out of the running back. Nash, a wide receiver, started for Denver last week in place of an injured Rod Smith but did not catch a pass.

Avery became a third-down specialist with the Dolphins, and on his final play against Denver in the opener, dropped a third-down pass deep in Denver territory.

Q: What words of encouragement did Denver guard Mark Schlereth have for his backup, Chris Banks, who might have to fill in against Tampa’s Warren Sapp?

A: “This guy is a one-man wrecking crew,” Schlereth said. “You watch him on film and he’s a freak of nature. He’s unbelievable. Nobody’s blocked him yet.”