Browns QB derby more confusing
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation isn’t getting any clearer — just crazier.
“I don’t know what’s going on, or what’s going to happen,” Tim Couch said.
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On Monday, as he awaited another contract proposal from the Browns, Couch was surprised to learn that the club had made a two-year $8 million offer to free agent Jeff Garcia.
Garcia, meanwhile, was visiting with Tampa Bay, which may be trying to clear out some room under the salary cap to sign the three-time Pro Bowler.
Yet despite the Browns’ interest in Garcia — which he could take as another slap in the face — Couch remains optimistic he’ll be able to work out a new deal with Cleveland.
“I still want to be here,” Couch said after working out at the team’s training facility. “I still want to be part of this organization. I still believe in my teammates here and believe they can get it done.”
However, with each passing day, it appears that the Browns’ belief in Couch has waned.
Last week, the club brought in Drew Henson for a workout before Garcia came to town. There are also reports that Browns coach Butch Davis has talked to Detroit about acquiring Mike McMahon.
The Browns have asked Couch to restructure the final two years on his contract. He’s due to make $7.6 million in 2004 and $8 million in 2005, and the team has offered a new deal that would reduce those figures to $3 million and $3.5 million.
Couch and his agent, Tom Condon, quickly rejected that proposal and are eager to see a new one.
“I was a little disappointed with the first offer,” Couch said. “I didn’t expect it to be that big of a pay cut. We’ll see what happens.”
Garcia, recently released by San Francisco, has also met Atlanta. The 34-year-old spent Sunday with Bucs coach Jon Gruden, who favors the same West Coast offense Garcia ran for five seasons with the 49ers.
In a story published in the Gilroy (Calif.) Dispatch, Garcia’s father, Bobby, said his son will sign with the Buccaneers.
Garcia’s agent, Steve Baker, didn’t return several messages seeking comment.
Couch said he knew Cleveland was interested in Garcia but didn’t expect the Browns to try and sign him.
“I was surprised a little, but I think if they’re definitely going to go with another guy, then Jeff is capable of coming in here and getting the job done,” he said.
Couch understands that if the Browns acquire Garcia, his five-year stay in Cleveland would be over. The team wouldn’t be able to afford them both.
“If they sign him, I’m sure I’d be gone,” Couch said. “Then whatever they want to do with me, cut me, trade me or do whatever and I would hope to land somewhere where I could get a chance to play.”
Couch was asked if a deal similar to the one being offered Garcia would be acceptable.
“I’m willing to work with the team,” he said. “And when we sit down at the end of the day and think it’s a fair shake, then it’s something I will do.”
After all the turmoil during his five seasons in Cleveland, Couch says playing for the Browns is still his first choice and it would be tough for him to leave.
“It would be hard because this is where I want to be,” he said. “I’ve been here for five years and I’ve got a lot of ties, a lot of friends here. It would be a tough situation, but that’s part of the business.”