Couch Is Released by Packers

Tim Couch’s stay in Green Bay was short and unproductive.

The top overall draft choice in the 1999 draft by Cleveland, Couch was released by the Browns in June. He joined the Packers and was projected as Brett Favre’s backup.

But the quarterback never progressed, and the Packers cut him Sunday as teams got down to the 53-man roster limit for the regular season.

“He just wasn’t productive enough,� Packer Coach-General Manager Mike Sherman said. “We took a shot in hoping he could be the guy. I don’t think it’s the first time in the league that you were wrong on somebody. It certainly won’t be my last time, and it wasn’t my first time.

“It’s unfortunate. I’m disappointed it didn’t work out. I really thought with the tapes I studied last year, I really thought it would work out. It didn’t.�

Couch, who got a $625,000 roster bonus from Green Bay when he signed, completed only 11 of 34 passes for 96 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in three preseason games.

Two other former Packers, running back Dorsey Levens and receiver Antonio Freeman, also had brief stints with new teams before being cut Sunday.

Levens, 34, was signed two weeks ago after the Philadelphia Eagles lost Correll Buckhalter to a season-ending knee injury. Levens ran for 37 yards in 12 carries in his only game, against the New York Jets.

Freeman joined the Miami Dolphins this summer after David Boston was lost for the season. But his lack of speed and inability to make any plays in the preseason got him released.

The Kansas City Chiefs terminated the contract of Morten Andersen, the second-leading scorer in NFL history. Andersen was beaten out by Lawrence Tynes, who kicked the last two seasons in the Canadian Football League. Andersen, 44, has 2,259 points.

New Orleans cut 15-year veteran center Jerry Fontenot, who lost his position to LeCharles Bentley, who moved over from guard. Fontenot, 37, started all 80 games the last five seasons and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate last season.

“I certainly hold my head high, knowing that I did everything the coaches asked of me and everything the organization asked of me,� Fontenot said. “I feel very blessed in my career.�

San Diego cut receiver Kevin Dyson, a member of the Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers when each played in the Super Bowl, and safety Kwamie Lassiter, a nine-year pro.

The Chargers kept four quarterbacks: projected starter Drew Brees, first-round draft choice Philip Rivers, veteran Doug Flutie and Cleo Lemon.

New England cut cornerback Terrell Buckley, 33, who played 31 games with the Patriots in the 2001 and 2002 seasons, winning one Super Bowl. He spent last season with the Miami Dolphins.

Running back Jarrett Payton, son of the late Walter Payton, who was a former teammate of Tennessee Coach Jeff Fisher’s in Chicago, was cut by the Titans. Fisher said Payton knew the situation from the start.

“He was going to be given an opportunity to get better.... We kept our commitment to him,� Fisher said.

The Buffalo Bills released linebacker Jason Gildon and put quarterback Travis Brown on injured reserve, meaning he will sit out his second consecutive season.

Gildon, who holds the Pittsburgh Steelers’ record with 77 sacks, was cut six weeks after the Bills signed the 10-year veteran in hopes of bolstering their pass rush.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers put receiver Joe Jurevicius on the reserve non-football injury list and guard Kerry Jenkins, who has a neck strain, was put on injured reserve.

Jurevicius was a major contributor when the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl two years ago, then sat out most of last season because of a knee injury that has been slow to heal. Back surgery the first week of training camp also delayed his return.

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The Oakland Raiders put strong safety Derrick Gibson on injured reserve, three days after he dislocated his right shoulder during the team’s final exhibition game.

Gibson would have been a starter for the rebuilding Raiders but now will need surgery and a lengthy recovery. The procedure probably will be this week.

The Raiders acquired safety Marques Anderson from Green Bay on Friday to help fill the void at the position. He probably will play in Sunday’s opener at Pittsburgh.

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Dallas defensive tackle Leonardo Carson has been suspended one game without pay by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. A likely starter, he won’t play in Sunday’s season opener at Minnesota.

Carson pleaded guilty in June to lesser charges of trespassing and unlawful imprisonment in Mobile, Ala., and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. He had been charged in August 2003 with kidnapping and burglary in the case involving a break-in at the home of his ex-girlfriend’s sister.