The Associated Press

CLEVELAND - Quarterback Tim Couch will be released after five stormy seasons with the Cleveland Browns, a league source said Wednesday.

The Browns are set to 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.

Only paperwork is tying up the move, the source said.

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.

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.

Couch's $7.6 million salary for 2004 made it impossible for the Browns to keep him as a backup.

Couch's agent 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.

49ERS: San Francisco offered Julian Peterson the largest contract in franchise history, but general manager Terry Donahue doesn't expect it will be enough to sign the All-Pro linebacker to a long-term deal.

Donahue did not reveal details of the offer, but he said it would include a team-record $15.5 million signing bonus.

Peterson has been a no-show at San Francisco's three spring minicamps. Negotiations with Peterson's agents, Kevin and Carl Poston, have been at a standstill since the Niners placed the franchise tag on Peterson in February.

GIANTS: Tight end Jeremy Shockey missed the New York Giants' minicamp workouts Wednesday with an undisclosed foot problem. Coach Tom Coughlin described the injury only as a sore foot. Running back Tiki Barber said he didn't think Shockey's injury was too serious.

Shockey was bothered by foot problems during his rookie season in 2002 and missed the final seven games of last season with a knee injury.

NOTEWORTHY: The Packers cut defensive end Joe Johnson on Wednesday. Johnson started the first six games last season before rupturing his right quadriceps Oct. 12 vs. Kansas City. ... Seventh-round draft pick Rashad Washington, a strong safety from Kansas State, signed with the Jets on Wednesday. ...

The Bears signed fourth-round draft pick Leon Joe, a linebacker from Maryland, to a four-year contract. ... Seventh-round pick Eric Taylor, a defensive end from Memphis, has agreed to terms with the Steelers.

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