By Tom Withers
The Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio - Tim Couch still doesn't know if the Cleveland Browns are his team or Kelly Holcomb's.

Couch said Thursday he met earlier this week with Browns coach Butch Davis to discuss the club's recent salary-cap purge, as well as the quarterback's uncertain future in Cleveland.

But while Couch may have hoped to hear he was the Browns' starter, Davis didn't tell him that.

"He didn't say that in those exact words," Couch said. "He just told me, 'Continue to do what you've been doing. Come here and work hard and do the right things.' He didn't get too much into all of it."

Couch's starting job has been in jeopardy since Holcomb passed for 429 yards in the AFC playoffs against Pittsburgh. Couch had to sit out Cleveland's first postseason game since 1994 after breaking his leg in the regular-season finale.

Davis fueled speculation Couch would be replaced by first that there would be an open competition in training camp, and then saying he would name his starter before camp opened.

Davis, appearing at the Cleveland Auto Show with Couch, confirmed he met with both of his QBs this week, but didn't divulge any details.

Couch wasn't disappointed Davis didn't tell him he was the starter, and came away pleased with what he did learn.

"I walked away feeling good about the way he feels about this team and about me," Couch said. "He told me to do what I've always done. I feel confident that I'm going to come in and pick up where I left off. I felt better. It's always good to talk about things and see what he's thinking. I feel fine about it."

And while Davis may not have told him so, Couch is continuing with the idea he's still Cleveland's starter.

"In my mind, I am," he said. "That's how I'm approaching it. I'm going in like this is still my team. I'm going to go in, and just like I do every day, work hard and try to lead guys and do my job until they tell me not to."

The Browns' decision to release five starters, including Pro Bowl linebacker Jamir Miller and center Dave Wohlabaugh, shocked many Cleveland players.

Couch was no different.

"It's tough to see your friends go and guys you're used to playing with," he said. "Unfortunately, it's part of the game and it's the bad part of it. We're just going to have to count on the young guys to step up."

Some of the released players questioned the direction the Browns were headed. Cornerback Corey Fuller said players were unhappy and didn't trust Davis.

Couch, though, said he doesn't think the Browns are headed in reverse.

"I think guys are 100 percent behind coach Davis and what he's doing," Couch said. "I have a ton of faith in him and whatever he thinks is best, I agree with it."

Cleveland's front office was forced to trim $25 million and get under the $74.8 million salary cap. Couch has said he would be willing to restructure his contract if it would help the team, but the Browns have not asked him to.

"It would be something that we would have to talk about," Couch said. "I'm willing to work with them. This is where I want to be and where I want to play. So everything is negotiable and we could try and work something out."

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