Rally puts Couch back in Browns' future

CLEVELAND -- Tim Couch fell just short in his bid to rally the Cleveland Browns to victory.

However, he may have started his own comeback.

Cleveland's quarterback saved the Browns from being humiliated Monday night on national TV, replacing starter Kelly Holcomb just before halftime and directing two touchdown drives in the second half.

However, Couch's heroics -- he played on a sprained knee -- came up short when he was sacked on fourth down with 1:51 remaining and the St. Louis Rams held on for a 26-20 win.

For Couch, though, Cleveland's sixth loss in seven games was a personal triumph.

His performance was just the latest chapter in a strange season in which the former No. 1 overall pick lost his job, got it back, lost it again, got hurt and was then asked to bail out the Browns.

Holcomb threw two interceptions in 35 seconds of the second quarter, prompting Browns coach Butch Davis to bring in Couch, who responded by going 5-for-5 on his two scoring drives and throwing a 28-yard TD pass to Quincy Morgan.

"We were looking for somebody to go in and play effectively, and Tim did," said Davis, whose decision to bench Couch before the season may be the single biggest reason why the Browns are 4-9.

Following the game, Davis refused to say who his quarterback would be for Sunday's game in Denver.

"I'm not going to do it in a press conference," said Davis, who called a press conference to name Holcomb his starter following training camp. "I'm sure we'll have a decision to make."

By not naming a starter, Davis may be setting the stage for Couch to start the Browns' remaining games against the Broncos, Baltimore and Cincinnati.

Those games could serve as an audition for Couch returning to the Browns in 2004.

It had been assumed that the five-year veteran, who is due to make $7.6 million next season and $8 million in 2005, would be released later this winter. Last week, Couch said he was sure he wouldn't be back if he was going to be a backup.

Team president Carmen Policy has said the club will not bring back both Couch and Holcomb next year.

After the way Holcomb has struggled in his first crack at being a starter, Couch may get a chance to win back his starting job.

On Monday night, Couch jogged onto the field with 17 seconds left in the first half to a hero's welcome from Browns fans who have been tough on Couch since 1999.