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It's official: Couch heading to Green Bay
Couch Agrees to 1-Year Deal With Packers
Jun 14, 9:35 PM EDT
By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
Tim Couch took a huge pay cut to get a fresh start with the Green Bay Packers and serve as the backup quarterback to one of his idols.
Couch, released last week after five stormy seasons with the Cleveland Browns, agreed to terms Monday on a one-year contract to play behind Brett Favre.
"I'm excited," Couch said Monday night from his offseason home in Florida. "This is a great opportunity for me to start a new chapter in my career. And, I'm going to a team that has a real chance to win the Super Bowl."
Couch said his contract with Green Bay was for just the 2004 season, but that the Packers have already talked to him about the possibility of extending it. He'll officially sign on Tuesday.
The deal is worth a reported $1.25 million - a steep drop in salary for Couch, who would have made $7.6 million this season and $8 million in 2005 if he stayed with the Browns.
In Green Bay, Couch will back up Favre, the three-time NFL MVP whom he has admired from afar.
"Just getting a chance to be around Brett will be awesome," Couch said. "He's someone I can definitely learn a lot from him, and I'm looking forward to being on a team with him."
Couch was finally let go last Friday by the Browns, who left him dangling for months. The team tried to work out a trade with Green Bay, but didn't think it could get equal value in return.
Couch's fate was sealed when Cleveland signed Jeff Garcia in March.
The former No. 1 overall draft pick said he didn't appreciate the way he was treated by the Browns the past few months.
"I didn't agree with the way they handled it," he said. "I expected to be released when they signed Garcia, but that's not what happened. It was tough being in limbo for so long. I'm just glad it's over."
Couch said several other teams were interested in signing him, but that Green Bay was the best fit.
"They were always my No. 1 choice," he said.
Couch passed for 11,131 yards and 64 touchdowns in 59 starts for the Browns, who selected him with their first pick when they returned to the NFL in 1999.
But things never worked out for the former Kentucky star in Cleveland as Couch's tenure was defined by losing seasons, injuries and controversy.
"There were good times, and bad times," he said. "I was on some pretty bad teams, I got hurt and I had a lot of things happen to me. But I enjoyed my time in Cleveland. I think it made me a better player.
"It definitely made me a stronger person."
© 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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