Frustrated with the lack of progress in their talks with Cleveland Browns quarterback Tim Couch, the Green Bay Packers will visit with free agent Damon Huard starting tonight, an NFL source confirmed Monday.
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After the post-draft minicamp, Packers coach Mike Sherman said he would move on to "Plan B and C" because Couch has balked at the Packers' demand for a reasonably priced two-year contract. Couch's agent, Tom Condon, wants a one-year deal or a two-year that would include a significant base salary in 2005.
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The Packers also are keeping an eye on ex-New York Giants quarterback Kerry Collins, though Collins is seeking a starting job that Green Bay cannot offer. At this point, the Packers have no interest in St. Louis' Kurt Warner, who will be released after June
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<Huard, 30, backed up Tom Brady with the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots last season and has not completed a regular-season pass since 2000. He has a 5-1 career record as a starter.
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The combination of No. 2 quarterback Doug Pederson's age (36) and third-stringer Craig Nall's inconsistency entering his third NFL season has the Packers searching for another arm to add to the training-camp mix if a Couch deal can't be reached.
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Couch is expected to be released by the Browns after June 1, which would allow the Packers to sign him without trading away a mid-round draft pick.
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Contact Jason Wilde at jwilde@madison.com or 252-6176.