NFL Couch's time in Cleveland draws to close

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Quarterback Tim Couch will be released after five stormy seasons with the Cleveland Browns, a league source told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The Browns will cut the former No. 1 overall draft pick after a grievance Couch recently filed with the NFL Players Association against the team is resolved, the source said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Only paperwork is tying up the move, the source said.
Rocky road
Couch was the franchise's first selection as an expansion team in 1999, but his time with the Browns was marked by injuries, losing seasons and controversy.
Browns spokesman Todd Stewart said the team would not have any comment Wednesday. Coach Butch Davis will address the media when the Browns complete their quarterback school today.
Couch, who filed his grievance against the Browns after they banned him from working out at their training facility, was unavailable for comment.
Messages also were left for his agent, Tom Condon.
A few weeks ago, Davis said he had no plans to cut the 26-year-old Couch, who lost his starting job when the club signed free agent Jeff Garcia in March.
However, the Browns have decided to end their relationship with Couch a month before training camp opened, freeing him to sign with another NFL team.
Couch's $7.6 million salary for 2004 made it impossible for the Browns to keep him as a backup. Davis, who once predicted Couch would lead Cleveland to the Super Bowl, had been reluctant to release the quarterback, fearing he might sign with AFC North rival Baltimore.
However, the Ravens recently signed Kordell Stewart as a backup for Kyle Boller.
Possible Packer
Couch could soon land with another team. Condon has had ongoing talks for the past two months with the Green Bay Packers about Couch joining them to be Brett Favre's backup.
Couch has passed for 11,131 yards and 64 touchdowns in 59 starts since the Browns tabbed the former Kentucky star as the first overall selection in 1999.
Following a 2003 season in which he lost his starting job to Kelly Holcomb in training camp, won it back and lost it again, Couch's future with the Browns became uncertain.
The club talked with Couch about restructuring his contract -- $15.6 million for 2004 and 2005 -- but when he refused to take a nearly 60 percent pay cut, the Browns decided to go after Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowler with San Francisco.
Before Garcia signed, Couch had been working out at the team's training facility in Berea. Soon after, the Browns told Couch he was no longer welcome.
The Browns even cleaned out Couch's locker and removed his nameplate for their minicamp although he was still on their roster.
Playoff season
Couch had his best season in 2002 when he threw a career-high 18 TDs in 14 games while leading the Browns to the playoffs for the first time since 1994.
Last season, Couch lost his job to Holcomb but got it back when Holcomb got hurt and then struggled.
Couch eventually started eight games, playing behind an offensive line ravaged by injuries. He couldn't spark the Browns, who lost five of their final six games and finished 5-11.
The Browns went a combined 5-27 in Couch's first two seasons under coach Chris Palmer, who was fired after the 2000 season and replaced by Davis.