NFL As Couch, Packers sort out contract, Favre still focused

Green Bay re-signed back-up quarterback Doug Pederson.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Brett Favre doesn't care if Tim Couch comes to Green Bay.
"I haven't put much thought into it, really," the Green Bay Packers' quarterback said Wednesday. "I'm just concerned about what I'm doing and continuing to play the way I've played, to try to be there every week."
Favre has started 208 straight games, a record for an NFL quarterback.
"I've never been concerned about who would play if I got hurt, because I don't anticipate that happening," Favre said. "I realize that at some point someone else will be the starting quarterback for this team, but I haven't put much thought into it."
The Packers have.
Thinking ahead
Although they hope Favre can play at least two more years, they realize he's 34 and entering his 14th NFL season, and they would like to start grooming his successor as soon as they can.
They failed to land a quarterback in the draft last weekend, however, and with the Couch negotiations stalled, they re-signed Doug Pederson, who took most of the snaps at minicamp Wednesday.
The Cleveland Browns are trying to trade Couch, the top draft pick in 1999, who became expendable with the signing of Jeff Garcia.
The Packers are trying to rework the final two years of Couch's deal, which call for him to make $15.6 million.
"Nothing new to report" on the talks, Andrew Brandt, the team's chief negotiator, said Wednesday. "We're continuing discussions about trying to find the right contract for the Packers and for Tim."
The Packers' minicamp runs through Sunday and coach Mike Sherman said he'd like to get a deal done in time for Couch to attend part of it, because the second and final minicamp isn't until June.
"If we're able to get this deal done, as any coach would, I obviously would like to get the young man in here as soon as possible so he can learn and become part of the football team," Sherman said.
Familiar face
Favre said he was glad to see Pederson back.
"Doug helps me tremendously on the sidelines and in practice. He knows me and he's not afraid to tell me what I don't want to hear. It's overlooked sometimes, but his holding [for placekicks] and stuff like that is so crucial," Favre said.
Favre said he takes a sense of pride in knowing the Packers haven't had to use a high draft pick or make a big trade to land his presumptive successor.
"Whether it's draft or free agency, at some point they have to do something," he said. "Whether or not [third-stringer Craig] Nall is the guy, I'm glad that over my career we haven't had to put much thought into it and we've been able to draft at other positions.
"I take pride in that. If Tim Couch is a fit here, it remains to be seen. If it's someone else, it remains to be seen. I don't really worry about it."
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