grayman

I was surprised that there wasn't a thread about this.

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/CLE/7157266

Free-agent quarterback Jeff Garcia agreed to a four-year contract with the Cleveland Browns.

The 34-year-old Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowler, was unable to agree on a restructured contract with the San Francisco 49ers, who released him earlier this month.

Garcia's arrival may end Tim Couch's five-year tenure with the Browns, who drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick in 1999. The Browns had been trying to get Couch to rework his contract this offseason, but he rejected an offer last week. Now Couch could be playing elsewhere next season.

Garcia had been San Francisco's starting quarterback since 1999. In 2000, he set a franchise record, passing for 4,278 yards and earning his first Pro Bowl berth. Garcia was a mobile, steady and tough-nosed competitor in San Francisco, attributes that clearly endeared him to Browns coach Butch Davis.

Garcia passed for 2,704 yards and 18 touchdowns while battling various injuries for much of last season.

Couch's 2003 season wasn't nearly as rewarding. He lost his starting job to backup Kelly Holcomb in training camp only to get it back when Holcomb got hurt and then struggled.

Couch was Cleveland's first draft pick when the franchise returned to the league as an expansion team in 1999. He was immediately thrown into the starting role but never found his place in the team's offense.

His tenure with Cleveland was beset by inconsistency and injuries. The low point came in an October 2002 loss against the Ravens when Browns fans cheered as Couch staggered off the field with a concussion.

Couch said recently that he would be willing to take a pay cut -- as long as he had assurances the money would be used to strengthen the team.

Couch said he was surprised the Browns had moved so quickly to sign Garcia and hoped he could go somewhere and start if things didn't work out in Cleveland.

I am kind of confused by this signing. Surely, Couch would have signed for this kind of money and a guarantee that he would be the starter. While I am a big fan of Garcia, I don't think he is that much better than Couch that he would automatically get the start where Couch wouldn't. I thought for sure that Garcia would go to Arizona, but I guess that Dennie Green is really serious about starting McCown.
Any thoughts? Is this a good signing or just a perplexing move by the Browns?

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SmileyG3

I have no idea what SF is doing i think they just gave up for the next couple of years.

Spartak

SF.. my most favoured NFL team.. damn

I hope they don't fire coach Erickson after next season, because the team he has right now.. well I wouldn't be surprised if they "earn" a top 5 pick in next year's draft.

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AL9045

They still have a decent team, not excellent, but they could maybe get 10 wins or so next year.