BROWNS Policy supports coach and Couch

Kelly Holcomb may not return to full health as early as originally hoped.
BEREA (AP) -- Cleveland Browns president Carmen Policy still believes in coach Butch Davis and thinks quarterback Tim Couch could be a part of the team's future.
Following the Browns' season-saving 33-13 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Policy said he's committed to Davis and wants him around for the long term.
The Browns were expected to build on last year's postseason experience, but started this season 0-2. Things got worse after a home defeat against Cincinnati and Davis became the focus of the blame.
Asked if he had misgivings about the direction of the 2-3 Browns, Policy said Thursday that he's more sure than ever about the third-year coach.
"Butch Davis is all about a plan. He's not about getting this team just from A to B. He's about getting it from A to Z, with Z being a Super Bowl championship," Policy said. "He's not perfect, but he's tough and decisive."
Davis has two years remaining on his contract after this season.
Couch may stay as starter
Policy wasn't as emphatic about Couch in his comments, but said the former No. 1 overall pick could remain with the Browns next season if he's the starter.
Couch has a base salary of $6.25 million, fourth-highest in the NFL, and counts for $7.6 million under the salary cap. The cap amount will increase to nearly $9 million in 2004.
"There has to be some logic connected to the structure of our payroll," Policy said. "There has to be a true designation as to who is the starter and who is the backup. Whomever is the starter will be paid a starter's salary, and whomever is the backup will be paid a backup's salary."
Couch lost the starting job to Kelly Holcomb during the exhibition season, but regained it after Holcomb suffered a hairline fracture of his right leg and has played well.
November target date
It could take longer than originally anticipated for Holcomb to return.
"It takes about four to six weeks to heal," Holcomb said Thursday of the hairline fracture of his right fibula.
Holcomb could be out until after the Browns bye week, meaning he would be ready for the Nov. 9 game at Kansas City.
Holcomb said he isn't experiencing any pain, but the pain would return if he tried to play at game speed.
"Yes, it is frustrating a little bit," he said. "I could sit there and bellyache all day about it, but in reality, what can I do? It's just an unfortunate part of the game."
Davis said Holcomb could return later this month if he can tolerate pain.
Holcomb worked almost entirely on the scout team this week as the third-string, or emergency quarterback, the role he served the last two weeks behind starter Tim Couch and rookie Nate Hybl.